“inflation is lower now than it has been for 14 of the last 22 years.”
I’ll take your prices as correct but the above statement is still true. Inflation is always with us unless we are in recession or depression. Our job is to outrun it. I did it by running three one-person businesses at the same time for years. I knew a “job” meant a “failure to thrive”. It takes a lot of work and written financial plans for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and 20 years+ to beat inflation and become financially independent. I read long ago that there’s a coincidence to consider: 1. A very low percentage of people will be financially independent at retirement. 2. A very low percentage of people write, follow and pursue a written long-range plan to become solvent.
I think there’s a cause and effect there.
There may be a lull in rent increases as landlords finish recovering from Covid era deadbeats.
Interest rates price in past government irresponsibility.
Lots of people got 3% or less when Biden inflation was far higher.
Interest rates should price in the possibility of future inflation.
I’ve seen strong union gains at UPS, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks and Costco.
I also see Democrats increasing trying to buy votes by forcing employers to pay more - $30/hour for selling drinks and snacks at California airports.