The government shutdown is over and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is recovering from their unscheduled vacation. The United States federal government shutdown of 2013, lasted from October 1 to 17, 2013. Unemployment data for the month of September was due to be released on October 4th i.e. four working days into the shutdown. So the employment data is now scheduled for release on October 22nd. And the Consumer Price Index which is used to calculate the September inflation rate, which was scheduled for release on October 16th is now scheduled for release on October 30th. Although the shutdown inconvenienced vacationers wanting to see National Monuments and the National Zoo, did it … [Read more...]
How Do I Calculate the Inflation Rate?
The following article explains how to calculate the current inflation rate, if you know the Consumer Price Index. If you don't know it, you can find it here. If you don't care about the mechanics and just want the answer, use our Inflation Calculator. The Formula For Calculating Inflation The formula for calculating the Inflation Rate using the Consumer Price Index is relatively simple. Every month the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys prices and generates the current Consumer Price Index (CPI). Let us assume for the sake of simplicity that the index consists of one item and that one item cost $1.00 in 1984. The BLS published the index in 1984 at 100. If today that same item … [Read more...]
