The Two Economies of Post Pandemic America: Part 2 - Why It Feels Like Nothing Improved

[Luis Gonzalez]

The Two Economies of Post Pandemic America:  Part 2 - Why It Feels Like Nothing Improved
Inflation, affordability, and the widening gap between economic data and daily life.

The Last Wire

The micro economy lives where people do

The micro economy is not a chart. It is a sequence of monthly decisions.

• Can I afford this apartment renewal?
• Why is my grocery bill still higher?
• Why does my raise not feel like a raise?

This is the economy voters experience.

And it is where the recovery looks far less complete.

While inflation slowed after peaking in 2022, many prices did not return to their prior baseline. They simply stopped rising as fast.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data

Prices are still materially higher than in 2019 across core household categories.

What came back down, and what did not

Some prices did retreat as supply chains normalized.

Meaningful recoveries

• Gasoline prices eased as energy markets stabilized
• Used car prices fell after extreme pandemic spikes
• Shipping costs collapsed from 2021 highs

But others remained stubborn.

Continue treading at The Last Wire

[DCPatriot]

Another excellent piece/topic, @Luis Gonzalez  !!  

[Luis Gonzalez]

Another excellent piece/topic, @Luis Gonzalez  !!  

It’s been “fun” (?) and educational putting these together. I call them my “counter affordability crisis” series.

If Democrats are running on that. I am ready to counter them.

Maybe I’ll set up a Charlie Kirk table somewhere.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Energy prices, outside of gas, not coming down is pretty aggravating.

[Free Vulcan]

Energy prices, outside of gas, not coming down is pretty aggravating.

?????

Gas is below $2 in alot of states.

[GrouchoTex]

One of the things mentioned is the rise of insurance cost.
I think that is the #1 issue we face in my household, especially the homeowners insurance.
Also, my wife's supplemental medicare insurance has had a 20% jump in each of the last 2 years.

[Smokin Joe]

Energy prices, outside of gas, not coming down is pretty aggravating.

That may well depend on where you are located. Some renewable dependent markets are more expensive than other markets.

Slightly lower electricity and gas bills here, but that's weather dependent, and literally, dependent on how much you use.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

One of the things mentioned is the rise of insurance cost.
I think that is the #1 issue we face in my household, especially the homeowners insurance.
Also, my wife's supplemental medicare insurance has had a 20% jump in each of the last 2 years.

Housing is still out of control for most people... and my net worth benefits from it. However i Know it's bad for our society.

[Luis Gonzalez]

That may well depend on where you are located. Some renewable dependent markets are more expensive than other markets.

Slightly lower electricity and gas bills here, but that's weather dependent, and literally, dependent on how much you use.

The price of electricity is being currently impacted by the locations of the new AI data centers scattered throughout the nation, and the immense amount of power they require to operate.

We are already working for The Beast.

[DCPatriot]

That may well depend on where you are located. Some renewable dependent markets are more expensive than other markets.

Slightly lower electricity and gas bills here, but that's weather dependent, and literally, dependent on how much you use.

Locally it went from a steady high of $3.299 to a low of $2.699.

Today it's back up to $2.899

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

That may well depend on where you are located. Some renewable dependent markets are more expensive than other markets.

Slightly lower electricity and gas bills here, but that's weather dependent, and literally, dependent on how much you use.

Gas has indeed come down but propane is still high for some strange reason.

[berdie]

Gas has indeed come down but propane is still high for some strange reason.

Same here re:propane.  I filled up in the summer when it should have been cheaper, but wasn't. Thankfully, it's been unseasonably warm so I haven't had to run my propane hog furnace. But there is no doubt at some time it will bite me.

[berdie]

One of the things mentioned is the rise of insurance cost.
I think that is the #1 issue we face in my household, especially the homeowners insurance.
Also, my wife's supplemental medicare insurance has had a 20% jump in each of the last 2 years.

Insurance is my biggest expense. I don't see an end in sight.

[Luis Gonzalez]

AI data center ‘frenzy’ is pushing up your electric bill — here’s why

Greg Iacurci for CNBC

The data centers that power the artificial intelligence revolution are driving up electricity prices for households — and price relief may not be coming anytime soon, according to energy experts.

Residential retail electricity prices in September were up 7.4%, to about 18 cents per kilowatt hour, according to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration.

Electricity prices closely tracked inflation from 2013 to 2023, but will likely outpace inflation at least through 2026, according to an EIA forecast from May. Some regions will be hit harder than others, it said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/ai-data-center-frenzy-is-pushing-up-your-electric-bill-heres-why.html

[libertybele]

?????

Gas is below $2 in alot of states.

That would be really nice. Most stations here are charging just below $3.00 -- $2.99

[Free Vulcan]

That would be really nice. Most stations here are charging just below $3.00 -- $2.99

For anyone wanting to track prices anywhere, GasBuddy is a good source.