We keep hearing that the inflation numbers aren’t as high as they’ve been. The current rate is around 3.1%, which is down from the peak of 9.1% it hit in 2022. Over the last four years, we’ve seen prices get inflated by 19%. So what does that mean when it comes to our wallets? When inflation numbers fall, that means prices can still rise, but that happens more slowly than before. We don’t feel the sharp increases like we have in the past few months or years. When it comes to groceries, prices are volatile! We’re watching them bounce up, back down, and then back up again! Economists say grocery prices are still going up but not as fast. Big price increases we’ve seen in the last year are in the following areas; bread (up 3.2%), frozen vegetables (up 5%), beef (up 7.7%), and baby food/formula (up 8.7%). There are grocery items that have come down in price too, like; butter/margarine (down 2.3%), milk (down 2.4%), lettuce (down 11.7%), and eggs (down 28.6%). Gas is another hot topic. Gas prices went down 6.4% at the beginning of the year. But right now, we’re seeing the start of the gas increase! Some of this is normal. Gas prices go up because demand is going up too. With spring/spring break and summer around the corner; we’ll be driving more. Plus, gas stations will be starting over with more expensive summer fuel. As long as there are no major surprises, experts say the national average will peak at between $3.50 and $3.75 a gallon this summer. So what’s the full outlook for 2024? Economists say this year is going to be a better year for inflation. They expect inflation to shrink continually and that we’ll see more job creation and economic growth.