Elections: An Action Plan for Voters (Track Your Cost-of-Living)
- Admin
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
On May 3, I purchased a cartridge for my HP laser printer for $121.89. When I sought to replace that cartridge 3 months later (August 2), the price had jumped to $133.89. The price hike does not reflect the fact that the $12 price increase also triggered a $0.99 hike in the amount of sales taxes owed on the purchase (8.25 percent combined state and local rate in Texas). Although I’d been expected a tariff related price hike – this amount surprised even me. (Note: The cartridge is manufactured in Japan.)
Given that experience, between now and Election Day 2026, I will be snapping photographs periodically of prices for items I commonly purchase, creating a personal cost-of-living index. In addition to laser cartridge prices, I’ll be tracking prices for these items at my local grocery store (HEB, a Texas chain):
Canned pet food (both the store brand purchased through HEB and the Nine Lives brand, obtained at Dollar Tree),
A carton of Tai Pei Shrimp Fried Rice;
A ream of paper;
Makeup squares; and
Two brands of coffee (i.e., Hills Brothers and Yuban).
The products were selected because (with the exception of coffee), I buy them regularly, they aren’t luxury items, and they aren’t subject to seasonal price changes (e.g., soup prices fluctuate as the outdoor temperature changes). In addition, I assume that HEB will keep these specific brands in stock long into the future.
Another key element in everyone’s personal Cost-of-Living are insurance premiums so I’ll be tracking those as well. For me, the following figures are relevant:
Medicare Part B – TBA (projected 11.6 percent increase to $206.50 effective January 1, 2026);
Renter’s insurance – 10.6 percent increase (effective September 12, 2025 – September 11, 2026);
Utilities – Proposed increases to take effect October 1 are 10 cents per month (resource recovery); $0.044 per kilowatt hour (electricity); 9.7 percent (wastewater); and 10.8 (water); and
Vehicle insurance – 16.2 percent increase (effective October 20, 2025 – October 19, 2026)
Among other incidental cost increases biting into my budget are both permanent and temporary price increases by the US Postal Service. Multiple price hikes took effect on July 13 (e.g., 5 cent hike in the cost of sending a first-class letter). Furthermore, USPS announced on August 8th temporary price increases for the 2025 holiday season (October 5, 2025 to January 18, 2026).
The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 7, would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express® (PME), Priority Mail® (PM), USPS Ground Advantage®, and Parcel Select®. No other products or services would be affected.
Update (August 27, 2025). As expected, Dollar General raised the price of the Nine Lives canned cat food to $1.50 (i.e., 20 percent). A similar product at my local grocery store remains at $1.22 as of this writing.
Update (August 28, 2025). And in a very sad discovery, I learned that price hikes reach everywhere in the economy. On May 20 of last year, I had to send my beloved kitty Cappuccino to the Rainbow Bridge (aka heaven). On August 28 my beloved Frappuccino followed her. In just 15 months, the price for the associated veterinary services jumped 11.9 percent.
Update (September 8, 2025). I assumed that once “back to school sales” concluded that prices for office supplies would increase. That assumption proved out, as the price for the ream of paper increased ) $0.25 (4.4 percent). Although this was not on my tracking list, I noticed that the 4 pack of Nine Lives cat food (5.5 ounces) which was $1.44 pre-pandemic and $2.66 most recently just jumped to $2.96 (11.2 percent).
Although this was not on my tracking list, I noticed that the 4 pack of Nine Lives cat food (5.5 ounces) which was $1.44 pre-pandemic and $2.66 most recently just jumped to $2.96 (11.2 percent).
Update (September 12, 2025). Frankly, I was a bit surprised that coffee prices didn’t jump sooner. Today I noticed that the Yuban Traditional Roast that I was tracking jumped $0.70 since I recorded its price on August 3. That’s an 8.7 percent price hike.
Stay tuned for updates over the coming days ….
Source:
Sharon Lawrence, Information Bank
Friday, September 12, 2025 11:05 PM
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