Inflation - the continued increase in prices over time with the resulting decrease in the value of money.
U. S. Average Annual Inflation Rate 1960 - 2006
4.24%
On Average something costing $1.00 in 1960 cost $5.72 in 2000
Examples
1960 2000
Bread $ .20 $ .95
Coffee/lb .75 3.00
Gasoline .31 1.45
Milk/gal 1.05 2.60
Sugar/lb .11 .42
U. S. Poverty Rate
1960 2000
22% 12%
T-Bill Rates
3.2% 6.2%