Dear Reader,

Inflation shows up in everyday choices long before it shows up in a portfolio statement. When a refrigerator quits or a water heater starts leaking, the “just replace it” instinct can turn into a budget hit.

The latest CPI report shows overall prices up 2.7% year-over-year, while “household furnishings and operations”—the bucket that best mirrors appliances, upkeep, and household basics—ran up 4.6% over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And because the government shutdown disrupted data collection, the details are a little messy—something Reuters emphasized when noting holiday discount timing and the report’s limitations. What to watch next is the next CPI release on January 13, 2026, also listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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For households, this isn’t theoretical. Replacement prices, parts, and service calls tend to rise with broader goods inflation, and when you’re forced into an unplanned purchase, you lose negotiating power.

Meanwhile, corporate executives are still bracing for higher costs ahead—Reuters reported that finance chiefs, on average, expect prices to rise about 4.2% in 2026, with tariffs still a top concern. That matters because tariffs and input costs filter into the everyday items families replace.

Use a simple “total cost of ownership” checklist instead of a gut call:

1) Compare repair cost to replacement cost (all-in). Replacement means more than the sticker: delivery, haul-away, installation, hoses/cords, and taxes. Put a real number on it.

2) Use a repair threshold. A conservative rule: if the repair is under ~25–30% of a comparable new unit and the appliance is in the first half of its expected life, repairing often makes sense. If the repair is pushing 50% or more, or failures are repeating, replacement usually wins—especially when downtime is costly (spoiled food, no heat, missed work).

3) Do the energy-payback math. If a newer unit saves $10/month in electricity, that’s $120/year. A $600 higher price takes five years just to break even—before considering financing costs.

4) Treat extended warranties like insurance, not a “deal.” Read exclusions, service fees, and who chooses “repair vs. replace.” If you can self-fund a major repair from cash reserves, you’re often better off building a small “home maintenance” fund instead.

Inflation changes the penalty for rushed decisions. The steady approach is to price the options, protect cash flow, and plan replacements before they become emergencies—especially while tariff policy remains in flux, as Reuters noted in its recent coverage of ongoing tariff disputes.

Stay steady,

Kenneth Boyd

Author, Finance Writer, Former Investment Advisor & CPA