I noticed today that gas prices here are up about 20% from the summer. I suppose some sort of real or speculative oil shortage from the Texas refineries. and probably just temporary. Cheap energy has been pretty good for the economy and a reminder that it could change quickly.

Mostly unrelated, but a number of my life's basics were fairly stable in price during the long recession, but most are now creeping up. I don't keep good enough records to be exact, but all of my utilities have been edging up in small increments that are becoming noticeable. The housing boom here hasn't affected me since I live in a paid off home, but my property taxes and home owner's insurance have sky rocketed. Groceries still seem like a bargain. I understand the the government's method of calculating inflation represents some sort of typical basket of consumer goods and has been very low, but in real terms my personal rate of inflation my be something to consider for future planning.