Costa Rica News – Family budgets are a tricky thing to figure out. There are some items that influence the consumer price index more than others, such as the purchase of a car and rent payments. Their relative weight is highest.
Just a few years ago, a car was considered a luxury whereas now it is listed as a need in the consumer price index and is in first place of relative importance within the payroll used by the National Institute of Statistics and Census, to calculate the consumer price index, every month. Prices of cars reflect variation in the cost of freight fuels and metals as well as a strong devaluation of the colón.
We must focus on specific goods and services to accurately plan and monitor a budget. Aside from cars, another big one is rent. Luckily, legislation put a ceiling on the increase in lease prices to equal the annual increase in inflation.
Gasoline, domestic service, electricity, education, meals, bus fare, TV, and water service round out the top 10 items that weigh 27% of the group of prices considered in the statistics.
