How the Consumer-Price Index Measures Inflation | WSJ

As inflation climbs in the U.S., rising food and energy costs have pushed the nation’s most popular price index to its highest level in four decades. WSJ’s Gwynn Guilford explains how the consumer-price index works and what it can tell you about inflation.
Illustration: Jacob Reynolds
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#CPI #Inflation #WSJ

[@cometome8194]

Thank you for great posting. It’s like a good lecture for me to understand what CPI is.

[@lutfiramly4168]

thanks for everyone making this video

[@sativadiva2389]

Almost every single piece of "financial advice" on these videos or comment sections literally boils down to "be lucky enough to be born into wealth and use that wealth to make investments."

[@sulaimankhan8033]

02:33 -- That Highway is Don Valley Parkway - DVP - Heading towards Lawrence Avenue East ...Exit 12 A & Exit 12 B

[@loki76]

9% inflation.. Strange. Doesn't feel like I am paying $109 for the same stuff that then used to cost $100.. Definitely is a LOT more than that. Add it all up and easily 20-25% higher over all expenditure for us.

[@yokeo]

Its the annual percentage, so its its 8% a few years in a row yes within a few years your 100$ is about 120-130$

[@conchobar]

Nah. Consumer prices have rising well over 9% in 2021 or 2022. CPI is simply wrong.

[@mikahundin]

1. The official inflation rate reported by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly understates the actual inflation experienced by consumers. The CPI tracks the price of a "basket of goods and services" intended to represent average consumer spending, but the methodology has been altered over time in ways that hide the true effects of inflation. 2. In the 1980s, the Federal Reserve began changing the CPI calculation to allow for substitution of cheaper, lower-quality alternatives when prices of certain goods rise faster than others. This means the CPI no longer accurately tracks the cost of maintaining a constant standard of living, as it was originally intended to do. 3. If the CPI were calculated using the same methodology as in the 1980s, the current inflation rate in the United States would be around 18% - nearly double the 9.1% officially reported for June 2022. This would be even higher than the worst periods of the late 1970s/early 1980s inflation crisis. 4. The Federal Reserve's motivation for altering the CPI calculation method may be more sinister than simply hiding their own culpability in the current economic turmoil. It could be to protect their preferred mechanisms for manipulating the economy, such as monetary policy tools. 5. The massive gap between the true, unacknowledged inflation rate and the official CPI is so severe that it could potentially lead to scenarios akin to the hyperinflation experienced in countries like Zimbabwe, where prices can literally change before a consumer reaches the checkout line.

[@fakeaccount4092]

My professor taught me in Finance just walk around Walmart and look at people's shopping carts! If there full we are good if they are not we are having problems!!!

[@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474]

simple observation with best result. not bad dude. thanks

[@8aravindk]

Sure, blame the guy asking for a 2$ an hour raise for inflation, and not the company that earned 2 billion $ extra for the quarter.

[@peterbelanger4094]

To cover costs for the higher pay, prices go up, causing more people to ask their bosses for more pay, justifying even higher prices. Both parties are responsible. And not all business are gluttonous huge corporations. Small business makes relatively little profit and HAS to raise their prices if their employees want more. Big corporations can afford to pay more, raising the bar for that whole sector and push competition out of the market. Small business ends up suffering for the deeds of large corporations. People get angry and blame one monolithic corporation bad guy stereotype, when reality is not like that.

[@8aravindk]

@@peterbelanger4094 If only we could somehow make corporations that make more money pay their fair share. I don't know maybe something like an income tax.

[@conchobar]

Worker compensation has been flat for the past 50 years. CEO Pay and corporate stock buybacks have risen in the same time period. How come no one ever asks what effect they have in product prices?

[@speggeri90]

Why blame? Who said anything about blame? Are you on drugs?

[@bryancook305]

You did not explain whether the monthly reported CPI number is percentage change over the previous month, or over the same month one year ago. So for example, if the November CPI is 7%, does that mean the basket of goods is 7% more expensive than October? Or does it mean that the basket of goods is 7% more than a cost last November?

[@grimaffiliations3671]

depends if your looking at month over moneth data or year over year data. If it's as high as 7% its probably year over year

[@corrySledd]

I find myself at a crossroads, uncertain whether to liquidate my $150,000 stock portfolio. I'm seeking advice on the best strategy to capitalize on this current market.

[@AUstinnesc]

You’re right! The current market might give opportunities to maximize profit, but in order to execute such effective transactions, you must be a skilled practitioner.>

[@sheltonPston]

A lot of folks downplay the role of advisors until being burnt by their own emotions. I needed a good boost to help my business stay afloat, hence I researched for license advisors and came across someone of due diligence, helped a lot to grow my reserve notwithstanding inflation, from $275k to approx. $850k so far.

[@corrySledd]

Pls who is this coach that guides you? I’m in dire need of one

[@sheltonPston]

My consultant is Nicole Desiree Simon She has since provide entry and exit points on the securities I focus on. You can look her up online if you care for supervision.

[@corrySledd]

Thank you for the lead. I searched her up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon.

[@Ryanmok17]

The video at 2:36 is of Toronto

[@heohero9583]

For those who do not know, the inflation rate in vietnam in 1985 was 500-600%. I weren’t born in that period but imagining that was horrible

[@stachowi]

that's no where near the worst... inflation is terrible at any level.

[@krist917gee7]

Right it isn't high it's low. Just print more money will solve the problem

[@288theabe]

2:34 isn’t that Toronto’s DVP????

[@ff-1971]

The ever changing ruler!

[@asteverino8569]

Okay, thanks.

[@Muller_Andr]

The stock market will go down further and goodluck on the fed pausing rate hikes w/ all the hawkishness that has failed to keep up with inflation.

[@Jennapeters144]

stocks will continue to rally, stocks are not the economy, I had 250k put aside waiting for the fed to stop raising rates. Now I want to get back into the markets, but the hike will continue and stocks are still climbing

[@AnkurYo]

The market has been a turmoil since covid, the brief relief rallied for only a year and now the devastating effects of pumping trillions into the economy is here and will be for a while.

[@simone_maya]

Stay in the mrkt and sell only if you need those funds. I got laid off and it has been difficult getting another source of income, glad I was investing when I did and of course with guidannce from a wealth-manager don’t listen to naysayers. I am making bank and the penalties for drawing from 401k to reinvest are nothing compared to the amount of wealth I now possess with my family.

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[@simone_maya]

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[@raeadrianarevalo8739]

its not just the US the other countries too

[@elijahdedon9493]

When you say inflation, do you mean the printing of money? Or higher prices ?

[@ridhobaihaqi144]

Also turkey's inflation: STONKS 📈📈📈

[@clearwater4806]

Let’s just call it the CPLie

[@shannondavis5728]

Corporations CEO’s need to humble their profit margins just like WallStreet fund managers.Also companies need to stop penny pinching with workers annual & quarterly raises!!!!

[@davidroussell5118]

@ 2:03 TD Bank and Chase in background. Ironic?

[@conchobar]

Try to find the raw data BLS uses to calculate CPI. Good luck with that.

[@alphabeta8403]

2:30 CPI vs PCE

[@erickdanieltoyomarin1697]

A more accurste cpi would count only food, energy and housing, as most people only spend in that.

[@bashirjumale]

I learned it the hard never trade CPI news 😂😂😂😂.

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

For those not in the know, yes, America has taken over Toronto 2:32 (Don Valley Parkway, viewing northbound)

[@hedgehog_fox]

lol I was like "I am pretty sure that's not America"

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[@tatianahawaii13]

Scam :)

[@Noitisnt-ns7mo]

The IRS has owed me $1400 dollars for 3 years. There is no "system".

[@yousmallfish5069]

Let's do fasting 2 days out of 7, weight loss and way to cope with consumer prices inflation.

[@BTFD0618]

hahhaa

[@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474]

...🤔🤔 is that method gonna work ? 🤔🤔🤔 interesting...

[@yousmallfish5069]

@@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474 yeah man look into it, weight loss guaranteed and it has additional lifetime benefits, just make sure to do some sport to remain muscle mass.

[@MR-kt2zv]

Not everyone needs weight loss, though.

[@praveenspike]

With crypto in the market will the CPI raise or come down? The old ways are not going to work.

[@auro1986]

how? wsj and they see if people are living happily then they increase prices and stop supplying the market

[@hhhhoooojdjd]

As an economist, all I have to say is vaaaaamos brandon

[@elba_magellan]

It doesn't...

[@NicholasBall130]

Inflation, bank collapse, severe drought in the agricultural belt, recession, food shortages, diesel fuel and heating oil shortages, baby formula shortages, available automobile shortages and prices, the price of living place.

[@StocksWolf752]

It has never been simpler to grasp how to expand your wealth than it is right now, thanks to the availability of competent portfolio advisors that can help you experience and learn about a market with a wide range of assets. I think it's impossible to predict how changing dollar values will affect assets.

[@StacieBMui]

Yes, I have been in touch with a CFP ever since the outbreak. Today, investing in hot stocks is quite easy; the difficult part is deciding when to buy and sell. With an initial starting reserve of $80k, my adviser chooses the entry and exit commands for my portfolio, which has grown to approximately $550k.

[@EleanorBaker474]

Mind if I ask you to recommend this particular coach you using their service?

[@StacieBMui]

The advisor that guides me is Sonya lee Mitchell, most likely the internet is where to find her basic info, just search her name. She's established.

[@freewifi510]

i have issue with how the BPI conducts surveys. instead of 400 field agents, why not have data fed into an API that could be checked in real time?

[@autonomousjohnson2542]

That would be too efficient for government work.

[@trevorbrown6861]

Prices will never drop it's like taxes once they put out the tax and never goes away if you actually look at our tax system we pay taxes on things that don't even exist anymore

[@dannoringer]

What is in the basket ??? You never said !!

[@Farly98]

Our #1 monthly expense is tax, not housing! But that's not part of the pie graph

[@herisuryadi6885]

Isnt Tax a Yearly expense

[@Farly98]

@@herisuryadi6885 most people pay the majority of their taxes every pay check where the taxes get taken out automatically, but yes there's also annual taxes

[@herisuryadi6885]

@@Farly98 Oh.. Also Sales Tax i guess

[@TheAdamAdy]

CPI changes every year if it suits the gov. They replace expensive items with cheaper alternatives. Its inaccurate and manipulated

[@moonpeach4684]

federal reserve debt note swindle....🐔👍

[@Alice_Sweicrowe]

So inflation is determined by those seeing the prices. It's unnecessary and can be changed by business organizations that set prices.

[@mikahundin]

1. The official inflation rate reported by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly understates the actual inflation experienced by consumers. The CPI tracks the price of a "basket of goods and services" intended to represent average consumer spending, but the methodology has been altered over time in ways that hide the true effects of inflation. 2. In the 1980s, the Federal Reserve began changing the CPI calculation to allow for substitution of cheaper, lower-quality alternatives when prices of certain goods rise faster than others. This means the CPI no longer accurately tracks the cost of maintaining a constant standard of living, as it was originally intended to do. 3. If the CPI were calculated using the same methodology as in the 1980s, the current inflation rate in the United States would be around 18% - nearly double the 9.1% officially reported for June 2022. This would be even higher than the worst periods of the late 1970s/early 1980s inflation crisis. 4. The Federal Reserve's motivation for altering the CPI calculation method may be more sinister than simply hiding their own culpability in the current economic turmoil. It could be to protect their preferred mechanisms for manipulating the economy, such as monetary policy tools. 5. The massive gap between the true, unacknowledged inflation rate and the official CPI is so severe that it could potentially lead to scenarios akin to the hyperinflation experienced in countries like Zimbabwe, where prices can literally change before a consumer reaches the checkout line.

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Does It ?

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

It Does Not Measure Only Feder's Trust In The Apprentice Regarding Augmentations Of The Antidote ?

[@mariarahelvarnhagen2729]

Feder Is George R R Martin

[@eversurfer]

Problem is we the public, have to deal with rampant change not related to the consumer behavior or expectations. Your report proves that. So the CPI is no longer of value? Nothing has gotten better, the majority of people are desparately trying to eat, flee states, and manage work day to day. Not monthly . This report states and tries to prove the time of change is in days not month to month as the CPI is no longer valid.

[@randymarsh3677]

I HAVE 0$ IN MY SPENDING BASKET. FIGURE OUT HOW I FEEL

[@auro1986]

how? increasing inflation

[@BTFD0618]

going to get alot worse. OMG

[@bobthemagicmoose]

So person asking for raise results in companies raising prices which results in workers asking for more money. This logic doesn't work. Sure this describes how a correction happens but if the money supply is fixed, an equilibrium will occur. Inflation is caused by more dollars in circulation.

[@kevinaguilar7541]

Well to be honest, for all we know, the higher upside are inefficient with their spending. Money that can be used to raise wages. Or worse, they're a bunch of curropt executives that raise their own wages or use the money in a different way at the expense of the company.

[@2113pinch]

How am I supposed to feed my family, drive to work, pay utilities and save anything? I was doing OK two years ago and now we’re struggling to survive. My wife and I can only afford to eat once per day!! Why can’t we sustain our simple way of life?

[@philoslother4602]

Time to move to Rural West Virginia,

[@earlybird9679]

@@philoslother4602 Why... what does rural WV offer me?

[@herisuryadi6885]

@@earlybird9679 Atleast Dirt Cheap Housing is nice

[@rojielehepburn6065]

Americas wealthy are obsessed with consumer debt: that is why we are having this problem! This situation I because of the rich and wealthy special interests agenda being progressed and pushed while the need to totally upgrade infrastructure and develop new, renewable and sustainable resources has been killed politically and dumped in the trashcan of senate and congress for decades!! And on top of that all the bailouts and international endeavors that backfired has now created a giant economic bubble that is about to burst!

[@hannahh1280]

🙌🙌🙌

[@trevorbrown6861]

Can you please tell me why gas is not included in this? Is it because that if you add gas inflation would be a lot higher gas is used for everything and that's what this inflation seems to have started at when Joe Biden closed the pipeline down inflation Rose dramatically

[@supratik.m]

Pretty elaborately explained in a Simple and Lucid manner. This economic KPI is of utmost importance along with the other, in order to understand the harmful effects of inflation, for regular consumers and economists, alike. 👍

[@Hanaha2222]

So if the interest rate goes up, mortgage goes up, and landlords payement goes up, they increase rent, it increases inflation, and the rate goes up again. What if the real estate is controlled by big coops who needs to pay back banks.

[@francesverdugo8715]

Everyday that goes by the more I realize we are just at the beginning of this. Thanks to all the hard work and dedication that has been going into crypto market.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@wendyhughes9086]

Digital currency is the future of finance, anybody still in doubt of that isn't in touch of reality.

[@gianwilliams3545]

Hello👋

[@frankcoffey]

The C.P.I. is not fair because it doesn’t count good news only bad news. Things that go up are counted but things that go down or that we don’t have to buy anymore don’t get counted. It also doesn’t assign value, if something goes up but is better (like TVs) it only counts it as a “TV”.

[@micahcorbett7795]

Add fiat money to the economy and prices must go up. It’s very simple.

[@MooohGX]

So basically inflation is how lacking the competition is for businesses

[@tonicalloway7227]

None of these things effect the poor..the government pays for medical food children housing transportations for the handicapable..a poor person has no high ambitions like I need a car or I need to dine out 3 times a week or I want to spend like I'm rich..if we don't come off our high horse like the poor and accept where we are right now..it can't get better..trim the fat..

[@geridamas935]

They affect everyone, people have to pay for gas, food, housing, medical, because the government won't and can't pay for every poor/struggling person. It's not always about attitude.

[@KDrop84]

Hm closing the world for 2 years and giving people money. We are the asset. We generate the wealth. This isn’t a mistake. This was planned. We are the asset.

[@meejinhuang]

Who caused this inflation?

[@herisuryadi6885]

Too Many factors And Biden seems to make it worse

[@leahchalmers2211]

Man they tryna put everybody in a Great Depression for real. Make no sense food is high I can’t even leave out of Walmart store and I done spent roughly like close to $200 in food. SMH 🤦🏽‍♀️ and don’t get me started these jobs not paying nothing to help take care of anything. Like omg man 🙄

[@zackdar6918]

But greenback is not appreciated with this hot data, even 100bps is possible

[@ramonng6381]

Powell only looks intelligent.... Yellen doesn't even....lol

[@nidialuccioni4476]

Inflation Creates Recession

[@kristensorensen2219]

Just look at the airlines and how striking workers are wrecking travelers plans!! Inflation!!!

[@user-fo1hg7li6c]

CPI? You mean Choose Pelosi's Investments?

[@Pants3]

Artificial inflated assets and commodities

[@YasinNabi]

Passive income is the only way to become millionaire... work on your passive income streams .... a fellow creator,

[@brooklynpamela8410]

I'm no longer waiting for the stimulus check because I earn $95, 000 every 14_16days recently📊🚀.

[@kimberleyjanikowski7489]

That's a lot of cash, please can you explain how you make so much cash in 14_16days

[@kimberleyjanikowski7489]

Can anyone explain to me my financial status is in a bad situation.

[@StevenACohen-xr5ur]

Mrs Mitchell O'Brian is an expert top trader on a certified broker, I've worked with her for years, everyone she processes, he or her trade, is so lucky, all you have to do is believe her and follow her guidance, Then sip your drink 🍹and relax

[@Dylan-baerber3486]

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[@lawrencerichard9661]

Trading on bitcoin has really brought my financial status to the top.

[@kristensorensen2219]

#249👍🤔🤷🤑😱

[@johnclifton5896]

A $43,000 profit sent to my portfolio each week, Ms. Angela cole car is amazing.

[@daniellereyes8280]

Wow! How’s that possible please I’ll appreciate your assistance on how to go about it.

[@robt1748]

I’ve heard a lot about trading and investing with Mrs Angela Cole Carr and how good she is.

[@AlbertLeon615]

Her good reputation already speaks for her last month i invested over $100,000 with her and I've already made over $250,000 profit.

[@alextorres7643]

Same here I earn $13,000 a week. GOD bless Angela Cole Carr, she has been a blessing to my family.

[@c.connell1802]

How, I'm in need of her assistance?

[@saxaphone9496]

Inflation is another tax on the poor.

[@aaliyahjaylen5220]

🙄 ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ

[@stupidminotaur9735]

WSJ blaming people wages for inflation. lul

[@Chinazi-collapsed]

Without resolving supply chain problems no matter how much interest the Fed increases, food prices will keep rising; Without decreasing property taxes, housing will keep increasing as landlords must increase rent to compensate the increasing property taxes!

[@Erin-rg3dw]

I appreciate the person in the video mentioning how things like asking for a raise can trigger them company to raise prices. Neither one is inherently good or bad, but they are connected. I think people tend to forget that and think the money always just appears, when it always comes from somewhere.

[@watchdealer11]

The FED needs to raise an interest rates by 500 basis points at once to beat inflation. Interest rates need to be higher than inflation to drastically reduce inflation!

[@mrzack888]

wrong. inflation has more to do with productive measures and not interest rates.

[@watchdealer11]

@@mrzack888 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 it baffles me that people who don't understand basic economics have the audacity and confidence and frankly arrogance to spout their nonsense without an ounce of shame

[@karlhoweth9365]

And that would utterly demolish the economy.

[@watchdealer11]

@@karlhoweth9365 yes, and that would be great because the economy has been artificially inflated by artificially low interest rates for so long that it doesn't even matter what you produce at this point you will make money if you're an established business but this will separate the proverbial voice from the proverbial men

[@saidalcapone3964]

Lol you're asking for recession

[@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474]

4:14 intine... awak dewe di kongkon ngirit. Sing biasane rekoso, sering poso sih ra po po.... iso ngolah nafsu. Lha sing uripe begajulan... pasti ra iso rekoso lan priatin

[@FaisalCyber]

Lah ada indo di wsj

[@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474]

@@FaisalCyber ✌️✌️😁

[@mfd8346]

The journalist is always doom. But the market is always up. Buisness as usual

[@richardmount9906]

Inflation has been embedded in the economy for thousands of years. Why else do prices rise even though there's no inflation? Oh, I forgot,... world population growing faster than our ability to provide for it.

[@u13erfitz]

What is this tripe. Population goes up and poverty has gone down world wide. We make more than enough stuff.

[@herisuryadi6885]

@@u13erfitz Just People seems to overconsume

[@u13erfitz]

@@herisuryadi6885 even with that overconsumption we throw so much of it out. The real issue is bad governance is the poorer countries.

[@herisuryadi6885]

@@u13erfitz Yeah. Corruption indeed

[@andrp411]

Let’s go Brandon!

[@followerofjesuschrist.]

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17.

[@markperrin8098]

LOL.

[@jakehunter8]

CPI reporting by BLS is severely under reported - US Inflation is more at 12-15%. #jakehunter88

[@jaydibernardo4320]

Looking at prices overall for the things I buy I'd say you're spot on.

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How can i get in touch with him ?

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My interest in my real estate business was renewed after having accumulated 4.7 BTC in a month with Jiasheng signal. I now see trading as a means to an end if I can put in more effort and resources