The Price is Right?

Jaimal Yogis

It starts gradually, an otherwise imperceptible blip on the economic radar screen. But soon it hits you where you live. Your morning joe goes up a quarter. The toll on the Bay Bridge jumps to $3. And then there's the crossing of a major psychological threshold: the $10 movie ticket, now a reality at the Sony Metreon. Dare we say it? Inflation is back! Official confirmation came last July, when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in four years. They say inflation is still low...so why does our priceometer show everything from BART fare to beefsteak is on the rise? Are local businesses bracing for a hike in costs? Here, our market basket of goods and services.

Golden Gate Ferry ticket
$5.60 to $6.15

Cosmopolitan at Blondie's bar
$8 to $9

Cut (by owner) at Alexander G. salon
$85 to $125

Average Comcast bill
up 6%

One year's tuition at St. Ignatius Prep
up $920

Ticket for sidewalk parking
$75 to $100

Baby cobb salad to go at MacArthur Park
$8.95 to $10.95

Estée Lauder makeup (many products)
up $1 to $2

Monthly Club One "Network" membership
$81 to $83

Minimum BART fare
$1.15 to $1.25

Monthly payment for a $500,000 mortgage
up $160

PG&E gas bill
up 33.3%

Derby Atlantis scooter at FirstKick Scooters
up $205

Tri-tip steak at Whole Foods (per lb.)
$8.99 to $9.99