Inflation and Your Money with Fexingo: Protecting Purchasing Power and Beating Inflation

In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine how inflation is reshaping the cost of eating out. With the latest CPI data showing food away from home up 4.2% year-over-year, they dig into why restaurant prices are rising faster than grocery prices — and what that means for your household budget. Lucas breaks down the labor and rent pressures behind the numbers, while Luna shares how changing consumer behavior is forcing chains like Darden Restaurants and McDonald's to rethink pricing. They also talk about the 'trading down' phenomenon and whether the era of the $20 fast-food combo is here to stay. Plus, a quick look at how the breakeven inflation rate and Fed policy affect the broader picture. If you've noticed your restaurant tab creeping up, this episode explains exactly why — and what you can do about it.

#Inflation #DiningOut #RestaurantPrices #CPI #ConsumerBehavior #FastFood #DardenRestaurants #McDonalds #LaborCosts #RentPressure #TradingDown #PurchasingPower #FedPolicy #BreakevenInflation #PersonalFinance #Budget #FexingoBusiness #FinancePodcast

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine how streaming services are quietly raising prices while cutting content, eroding subscriber value. They discuss the latest CPI data showing core inflation at 336.1, and how the major platforms have increased prices by 20-30% over the past two years while reducing library sizes. They offer practical strategies for viewers to measure their own streaming value and decide whether to cut the cord or negotiate better bundles. The hosts also touch on the broader trend of subscription fatigue and how inflation is reshaping the entertainment landscape.

#Streaming #Inflation #PersonalFinance #PurchasingPower #SubscriptionEconomy #ContentCosts #Netflix #DisneyPlus #Max #Peacock #ParamountPlus #CPI #CoreInflation #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancePodcast #MoneyTips #SubscriptionFatigue

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into why gold, often seen as the ultimate inflation hedge, is actually losing ground to inflation in 2026. Gold is down about eight percent in the past month while the Consumer Price Index keeps climbing. They break down the numbers: gold at roughly four thousand one hundred twenty-four dollars an ounce, the GLD ETF sitting at three hundred seventy-seven dollars, and a ten-year breakeven inflation rate of two point two three percent. They explain the role of real interest rates, the strong dollar, and central bank selling. Plus, they discuss why gold miners like GDX are getting hit even harder, down nearly four percent. If today's conversation makes you think differently about your portfolio, listener support keeps this show ad-free at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo.

#Gold #Inflation #PurchasingPower #GLD #GDX #GoldMiners #CPI #BreakevenInflation #RealRates #DollarStrength #FedFundsRate #AssetAllocation #Hedge #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Investing #InflationAndYourMoney

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Lucas and Luna explore how inflation is quietly eroding the real value of profits from prediction markets, which have surged in popularity. Using the latest CPI data—May's index at 334.0, up from 332.41—they calculate that a $10,000 trading gain is worth about $200 less in purchasing power than a year ago. They discuss how Kalshi traders are betting on gas prices staying high amid U.S.-Iran tensions, and why even savvy forecasters overlook the inflation tax on their winnings. The hosts break down why prediction market profits are especially vulnerable because they're typically short-term cash holdings, not invested. They also touch on Goldman Sachs winning a $70 billion asset management deal, contrasting that institutional approach with retail traders' cash drag. A practical episode for anyone dabbling in political or economic betting markets.

#PredictionMarkets #Inflation #CPI #Kalshi #GoldmanSachs #PurchasingPower #CashDrag #GasPrices #IranTensions #Trading #PersonalFinance #Investing #IndexedReturns #TIPS #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #InflationAndYourMoney #Finance

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Episode 104 of Inflation and Your Money with Fexingo revisits gold — but with a fresh twist. Even as the spot price hovers near $4,100 an ounce, gold mining stocks like the GDX ETF have dropped over 3% in the last week. Lucas and Luna dig into why the metal itself and the companies that dig it up can move in opposite directions, and what that means for everyday investors trying to protect their purchasing power. They break down the role of production costs, geopolitical premiums, and investor sentiment using current data: gold at $4,144, the GDX at $75.85, and the 10-year breakeven inflation rate stuck at 2.25%. If you own gold or are thinking about buying some, this episode will help you separate the metal from the equities.

#Gold #Inflation #GDX #PurchasingPower #GoldMiningStocks #SP500 #CPI #BreakevenInflation #FederalReserve #GoldETF #Commodities #Investing #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #InflationAndYourMoney #WealthProtection #July2026

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In this episode of Inflation and Your Money with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dig into a surprising inflation victim: pet insurance. With the Consumer Price Index at 334.0 and core PCE rising, pet insurance premiums have surged over 20% year-over-year in 2026 — far outpacing overall inflation. Lucas breaks down why vet costs are soaring (specialty care, consolidation, drug prices) and how insurers are repricing risk. Luna asks the practical question: is pet insurance still worth it? They walk through the numbers, compare coverage strategies, and offer concrete tips to protect your pet and your wallet. Tune in to learn one thing you can do today to lower your premium without sacrificing coverage.

#PetInsurance #Inflation #VetCosts #PersonalFinance #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PurchasingPower #CPI #PCE #InsurancePremiums #PetCare #Budgeting #ConsumerSpending #Veterinary #SpecialtyCare #DrugPrices #Consolidation

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Episode 102 dives deep into a painful paradox for precious metals investors: even as gold prices have surged past four thousand dollars an ounce, real purchasing power has barely budged. Lucas and Luna break down the numbers using the latest CPI and gold data from July 8, 2026, explaining why your gold holdings might feel like a mirage when you try to spend them. They explore the mechanics of nominal versus real returns, the role of inflation expectations, and whether gold still serves as a reliable hedge in today's environment. This episode is essential listening for anyone holding physical gold, gold ETFs like GLD, or mining stocks — and wondering why their portfolio isn't keeping up with grocery bills.

#Gold #Inflation #PurchasingPower #PreciousMetals #GLD #CPI #RealReturns #Hedge #GoldETF #GoldPrice #InflationHedge #InvestmentStrategy #Finance #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #GoldInvesting #EconomicIndicators

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Lucas and Luna look at how inflation is driving up life insurance premiums in 2026. With the Fed holding rates steady at 3.63% and the PCE index still creeping up, insurers are raising term and whole life rates by double-digit percentages. The hosts break down why inflation hits life insurance differently than car or home insurance — it's all about the bond yields insurers earn on their reserves. Lucas walks through a real example: a 40-year-old nonsmoker who saw a 12 percent increase on a 20-year term policy renewal. They also share tips on locking in rates while you're healthy and comparing quotes every two or three years. A quick listener-support segment is woven in early, tied to the value of independent money conversations.

#Inflation #LifeInsurance #TermLife #WholeLife #PurchasingPower #Premiums #InsuranceRates #BondYields #Fed #PCE #CPI #PersonalFinance #WealthProtection #FinancialPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #MoneyConversations

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In this milestone 100th episode of Inflation and Your Money with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna drill into an often-overlooked cost of inflation: its impact on auto loan interest rates. Even with the Fed holding the federal funds rate steady at 3.63 percent since June, the average rate on a new-car loan has creeped above 7.5 percent. Why? The hosts unpack the mechanics: lenders build inflation expectations into risk premiums, used-car values affect collateral math, and banks are pricing in sticky core CPI and PCE data. They finish with a concrete tip: how shopping around at credit unions can shave a full percentage point off your rate, citing a recent Bankrate survey. A tight, listener-friendly summary of a hidden inflation tax.

#Inflation #CarLoanRates #AutoLoans #FedPolicyInterestRates #CoreCPI #PCEIndex #PersonalFinance #CreditUnions #Bankrate #LendingRates #InflationExpectations #UsedCarMarket #RiskPremium #Finance #ConsumerSpending #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Fexingo

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Episode 99 of Inflation and Your Money with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna unpack why Series I savings bonds are suddenly a much weaker inflation hedge than most people think. With the new November 2025 rate reset at 3.11% and CPI data showing persistent pressure, the hosts crunch the numbers on what a $10,000 I-bond purchased in 2022 is actually worth today. They discuss tax treatment, the three-month interest penalty for early redemption, and why the fixed rate has fallen from a peak of 1.3% to just 0.9%. If you bought I-bonds during the 2022 hype, this episode explains why your real return may be lower than you expect — and what alternatives like TIPS and short-term Treasuries offer instead. Anchored to the latest CPI reading of 334.0 and the 10-year breakeven inflation rate of 2.24%, this is a sobering look at how inflation can eat even the instruments designed to fight it.

#SeriesIBonds #Inflation #PurchasingPower #PersonalFinance #TIPS #TreasuryDirect #CPI #FixedIncome #SavingsBonds #InflationHedge #RealReturn #BondInvesting #WealthPreservation #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #InvestingStrategy #EconomicData

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