Today, we hear the word “affordability” everywhere. But what exactly does that mean?
The annual inflation rate of 3.4 percent reported in August 2026 sounds manageable, especially compared to the pandemic-era peak of 9 percent. But a closer look reveals that the day-to-day cost of living is far more troubling. What matters to consumers is not merely how quickly prices are rising, but the much higher prices they are paying after several years of inflation.