So yes, perhaps propane has gone up since last year. But last year it was the cheapest it's been since 1999. So of course the YoY change is going to go up.
Further, in regards to CPI, what percentage of propane purchases make up of your expenses, either on a monthly or annual basis? In the US, "Propane, kerosene, firewood" make up .076% of the CPI:
In general, household energy makes up 3.605%, with electricity being 2.628%. So while you may feel like it's a big deal, how much of your budget is it really impacting?
What were your expenses in all the various categories of spending last year, and what are they this year? Cherry picking one data point that you just happen to notice does not necessarily mean your expenses are much different in total.
In Canada, StatCan has a personal inflation calculator where you can enter your own expenses for a personal basket of goods:
I think if the BLS had a similar tool a lot of the "I think/feel inflation is more than x%" comments would be reduced, as people wouldn't be trying to extrapolate the average CPI to themselves.
Great. And what was it 2 years ago? 3 years ago? In fact propane is still cheaper now than it was in 2018:
* https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WPU05320104
So yes, perhaps propane has gone up since last year. But last year it was the cheapest it's been since 1999. So of course the YoY change is going to go up.
Further, in regards to CPI, what percentage of propane purchases make up of your expenses, either on a monthly or annual basis? In the US, "Propane, kerosene, firewood" make up .076% of the CPI:
* https://www.bls.gov/cpi/factsheets/household-fuels.htm
In general, household energy makes up 3.605%, with electricity being 2.628%. So while you may feel like it's a big deal, how much of your budget is it really impacting?
What were your expenses in all the various categories of spending last year, and what are they this year? Cherry picking one data point that you just happen to notice does not necessarily mean your expenses are much different in total.
In Canada, StatCan has a personal inflation calculator where you can enter your own expenses for a personal basket of goods:
* https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-607-x/71-607-x2020015...
I think if the BLS had a similar tool a lot of the "I think/feel inflation is more than x%" comments would be reduced, as people wouldn't be trying to extrapolate the average CPI to themselves.