Groceries prices are up again — just in time for holiday baking and cooking — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest inflation numbers. Eggs led the way in an all-too-familiar refrain.
The price of new and used cars and medical care also pushed higher in November.
While the overall increase in the Consumer Price Index matched economists’ expectations — rising 2.7% compared to last year and 0.3% over the previous month — there was little relief for consumers buying everyday goods.
Here’s what the latest CPI report means for your household:
Groceries increased 0.5% in November, after rising 0.1% in October, with four of the six major food groups showing price hikes.
The big (old) story: eggs, which jumped 8.2% from a month ago.
A dozen large Grade A eggs cost $3.65 on average in November, compared to $3.37 in October. That’s less than September’s $3.82, but far higher than the $2.52 at the start of 2024.
Other food price changes of note:
Beef was up 3.1% monthly, ham rose 3.9%.
Frozen, noncarbonated juices and drinks — think OJ canisters in the freezer aisle — are 17% higher than a year ago, thanks to bad weather and citrus diseases that have clobbered orange production worldwide.
The cost of eating out eased slightly from October, up just 0.3%, but was still 3.4% higher than a year ago.
Home healthcare for elderly or disabled family members was nearly 10% higher than a year ago, and nursing home care was up almost 5%. Hospital and related…
