We've updated and modernized our Cumulative Inflation Calculator. We've made it faster and fixed the bugs. It will calculate the total cumulative inflation from any month since January 1913 to any other month up to the most recent CPI release. It will also tell you how much your starting amount would be after experiencing that amount of inflation. We've also updated our "How much would it cost calculator," and added an estimated flat rate inflation calculator both forward and backward. So now you can calculate backward from the current price to estimate how much it would have cost "X" years ago. Check Out our New Updated Calculators Here! … [Read more...]
Inflation-Adjusted Silver Prices
With Silver prices reaching new highs almost daily, one might wonder, how high can silver go? Well, if 1980 is any indication, based on inflation-adjusted prices, it still has a ways to go. Back then, three Hunt brothers decided corner the silver market. Today, JPMorgan is trying to do the same. We've created: Historical Silver Price Chart Historical Silver Price Table Inflation-adjusted Silver Prices tied to the December 2025 CPI index. Read More … [Read more...]
December Inflation Down Slightly, Not Flat
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its report for December on January 13th. December's inflation was down slightly when calculated to two decimal places despite the BLS reporting that November and December were both 2.7%. The December 2025 inflation report (released in January) shows that U.S. consumer prices continued to moderate at the end of the year, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) actually falling on a monthly basis. Key drivers included lower commodity prices, with gasoline down on an annual basis. However, services were still the biggest gainers. December Inflation Summary: The BLS reported Annual Inflation UNCHANGED at 2.7% but when we look at it to 2 decimal … [Read more...]
December 2025 Inflation Report for November
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its belated November report on December 18th. December 2025 inflation data reveals moderating inflation. But the FED is easing, which could result in inflationary pressures later in 2026. Calculated to two digits, inflation was 2.74% in November, down from 3.01% in September. There was no October number due to the government shutdown. The December 2025 inflation report shows that U.S. consumer prices continued to moderate at the end of the year, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising modestly compared to the previous year. After months of mixed data and reporting gaps tied to the federal government shutdown, inflation trends appear … [Read more...]
How Deflation Created the Middle Class
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, there was virtually no "Middle Class"; there were the Wealthy and the Poor, with little in between. The poor lived miserable subsistence lives while the wealthy had fine clothes, servants, and good food. You may have been taught that the "Middle class" was the result of Unions or Government policies, but before any of that, there was the Industrial Revolution, which resulted in massive productivity improvements. These new factories needed laborers, and although they paid a pittance compared to today, they still paid much more than you could make as a subsistence farmer. So, a massive migration began, bringing people into the cities to work in the … [Read more...]
October Inflation Numbers Delayed
Although Congress has finally agreed to a Funding Bill to end the Government shut down and on Wednesday, November 12th, President Trump signed the bill, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has not yet released the inflation numbers for October, which were scheduled for release on November 13th. In order for the government to reopen, the bill needed 217 ‘yes’ votes. In the end, it was able to secure 222 ‘yes’ votes compared to the 209 ‘no’ votes. Ultimately, Six Democrat senators broke ranks with their party to advance the measure, while two Republicans sided with Democrats in an effort to keep the government shutdown in place. The BLS hasn't said when (if ever) the October numbers … [Read more...]
Why the 2.8% COLA May Fall Short of Real Inflation
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that benefits will rise by 2.8% in 2026, based on the official measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is meant to help retirees and other beneficiaries maintain purchasing power as prices rise, but the government’s calculation may be underestimating the true inflation felt by consumers. The COLA is determined by comparing the average CPI-W for the third quarter (July–September) of one year to the same period the year before. The difference in those averages sets the percentage increase in benefits. For 2026, the CPI-W figures were: … [Read more...]
Delayed BLS September Inflation Data Released
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its delayed September 2025 Inflation report on October 24th, 2025. The report showed that annual inflation rose from 2.9% in August to 3.0% in September. Calculated to two digits, it was 2.92% in August and 3.01% in September. September’s Inflation Prediction: At 3.01%, September's inflation numbers came in very close to our "most likely" projection and almost identical to January 2025. September 2025 Inflation Summary: Annual Inflation rose from 2.92% to 3.01% CPI Index rose from 323.926 to 324.800 Monthly Inflation for September was 0.25% Next release November 13th, 2025 Note: We will only be publishing an … [Read more...]
September CPI Data Delay Causes Social Security COLA Concerns
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September inflation data release was scheduled to occur on Wednesday, October 15th, 2025, but at this point it has been postponed until October 24th, due to the government shutdown. Despite the shutdown, the Labor Department is recalling some employees to finalize the inflation data. Much of the information was already collected before the government closed, meaning it can still be processed and published relatively quickly. September Inflation Data Holds the Key to 2026 Social Security COLA The Labor Department’s September inflation report is critical because it is used to calculate the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). So the … [Read more...]
August 2025 Inflation Report
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its August 2025 Inflation report on September 11th, 2025. The report showed that Annual Inflation was up at 2.9%. Calculated to two digits, it was 2.70% in July and 2.92% in August. The market is 90% certain that the FED will lower rates on September 17th despite rising inflation. August’s Inflation Prediction: At 2.92%, August's inflation numbers came at our “likely high”. Most economists had projected 2.9% as well. Go here to view our current MIP projection. … [Read more...]