Energy<\/p>\n
According to the Wednesday consumer price index report<\/a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the energy index rose 3.9% in May accounting for 60% of the monthly all items increase last month. In April, it rose 3.8% and in March it rose 10.9%. <\/p>\n Gas has been a particular drain on American consumers since the U.S. joined Israel to attack Iran, a move that resulted in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an important trade route for oil. Per the BLS, prices for all types of gasoline increased by more than 40% during the 12-month period ending in May. Prices jumped up by 21.2% in March, after President Donald Trump announced that we had entered the conflict with Israel and Iran. <\/p>\n Fuel oil prices jumped up nearly 60% in the 12-month period ending in May. As of Friday, AAA data showed<\/a> that average per-gallon gas prices in the U.S. were still over $4. <\/p>\n Summer travel<\/p>\n With higher gas prices travel gets more expensive too, News Nation noted<\/a>. Citing Kayak<\/a>, the outlet said that average domestic plane ticket rose to $388 near the end of May, $306 at the same time last year. Airline fares increased by 2.7% in May, according to the BLS. <\/p>\n Of course, higher prices at the pump mean that road trips are more expensive, too. Audacy reported last year that many Americans were already going into debt to take a summer vacation<\/a>, and this year, experts have predicted that gas prices could reach record numbers<\/a> if the conflict with Iran persists. <\/p>\n Other items that have become more expensive <\/p>\n