Inflation

This thread seems to be discussing price inflation rather than inflation. ie the effects, not the causes.

Inflation is simply the increase in the money supply. Simple as. When you fully internalise that, you take remedial action to mitigate and are no longer affected by it. ie offload as much confetti as you can and be paid in real money which is, and always has been, gold and silver.

You've been suffering the insidious effects of inflation all of your lives. But particularly since the launch of the euro. 2% inflation per annum is priced in, it makes things feel like they're improving. Which they are if you own assets but not if you don't. The gap between wages and assets has hiked across the Western World since the very early 80s. Wages of course should be increasing at the same pace as that which they consume. But the powers that be will always peddle the myth that wage inflation begets price inflation. Only inasmuch as there has been real inflation produced (creation of thin air money) that must inevitably ripple through the system. Anything less than equivalent, index-linked wage increases is quite simply stealth tax and a transfer of wealth. i.e. the rising tide lifts all boats, except those of workers, whose boats have been lashed to the jetty.

It's shockingly simple. But,unfortunately, our governments, monetary institutions and sadly the populace are all in the thrall of Keynesians, the Walter Mittys of economics. Their own bubble is quickly bursting now and reality will dawn on most. Sadly too late for most. Your currency is your issue.

I do agree with that. MMT gives me a brain bleed.

Prices have risen sharply there too

It’s all the same just different packaging and variations

Maybe they have, can't say I've noticed myself but they're still starting from a lower base.

We make all our meals, we dont buy processed food but fruit, veg, meat, dairy toiletries etc are all considerably cheaper in Lidl/Aldi with zero difference in quality.

If you're not doing your weekly shopping in them you're burning money.

Food is nicer in Dunnes . Food is also last thing I'll cut corners on .

With gold and silver not attainable for a lot of people, any thoughts on cryptocurrency? Was seen as a hedge against inflation but is showing to be anything but (though the ridiculous consumption of energy to run it and the crypto bubble may be more at fault there).

We've also been drastically increasing the money supply for a decade, was this just the perfect storm (post-pandemic demand for items where production had been slowed along with a war that impacted energy supply) or the chickens coming home to roost?

Costa coffee getting a nice whack in prices- which were already very high. Now over €4 for a medium coffee. Be less of those now I’m afraid!

I think if you’re buying in just one supermarket then you’re very open to paying over the odds. I appreciate not everyone has the time but I flit around between them all and get whatever offers are going.