Energy is driving inflation back up, but groceries and big-ticket electronics tell a different story. Here's how to rebalance your holiday budget.
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Inflation jumped to 3.7% in September, and almost all of that came from one place: energy. Gasoline alone is up 34.2% from a year ago. The good news? Groceries rose just 1.8%, and plenty of the things on your holiday list are on sale right now.
Takeaway: if fuel is eating your budget, make it back on the stuff with real markdowns.
Today's picks
$248 at Walmart · ✓ verified Samsung 55" Class U8000H 4K TV at Walmart Only $248 (Reg. $298)! $50 off a big-name 4K TV with thousands of shopper reviews.
Why we picked it: 4.4★ from 6.3K reviews · $50 below Walmart's regular price · Solid Deal on our Dude Meter
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$89 at Walmart · ✓ verified Apple AirPods 4 at Walmart Only $89 (Reg. $129.99)! $40 off one of the most-gifted gadgets of the year.
Why we picked it: 4.3★ from 90K reviews · $40.99 below Walmart's regular price · Solid Deal on our Dude Meter
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Dude Fact #1 Dale's did-you-know
Gas did the heavy lifting. Energy prices rose 20.4% over the past year, while prices excluding food and energy rose just 2.6% (BLS ).
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$89 at Walmart · ✓ verified Instant Pot RIO Chef Series 6-Qt at Walmart Only $89 (Reg. $119)! Cooking at home is still the easiest way to stretch a grocery budget.
Why we picked it: 4.5★ from 7.4K reviews · $30 below Walmart's regular price · Solid Deal on our Dude Meter
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$98 at Walmart · ✓ verified Ninja Hot & Iced 10-Cup Coffee Maker at Walmart Only $98 (Reg. $114)! Coffee-shop drinks at home add up fast.
Why we picked it: 4.5★ from 2.7K reviews · $16 below Walmart's regular price · Solid Deal on our Dude Meter
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More Dude Facts Dude Fact #2 Dex can't believe it
Groceries are cooling off. Food-at-home prices are up only 1.8% from a year ago (BLS ).
Share this fact Dude Fact #3 Dale dug this up
Used cars actually got cheaper. Used car and truck prices are down 1.5% over 12 months (BLS ).
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Bottom line
Combine errands to save on gas, and put the savings toward the gifts that are genuinely marked down this week.
Prices change fast; the store's price at checkout is the one that counts. Some links earn us a commission, which never changes our picks or ratings.