Money For the Rest of Us Is Inflation Manipulated? If So, What to Do About It
24 snips
Jul 15, 2026 They dig into recent changes to how inflation is measured and why those revisions raise eyebrows. Discussion covers what actually drives inflation, including AI infrastructure and money supply. The conversation highlights how quality improvements can make things cheaper and why your personal inflation rate matters. Practical strategies include boosting skills and income to stay ahead of price shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Methodology Changes Can Move Reported Inflation
- Government inflation measures change methodology which can materially alter reported inflation numbers.
- J. David Stein highlights BEA's PCE change for portfolio management fees announced June 2026 and its opaque description as suspicious.
CPI Is Now A Cost Of Living Index Not A Fixed Price Basket
- CPI evolved from a fixed basket to a cost-of-living measure that adjusts for substitution, outlet, quality, and new-product biases.
- The 1996 advisory commission pushed these changes to better reflect real consumer behavior and product improvements.
Control Spending Timing And Choices To Manage Inflation
- Focus on how much money you have, how fast you spend it, and what you choose to buy to manage personal inflation impact.
- Stein stresses money supply growth, bank lending, and QE drive inflation, so personal choices matter.