Nicole Lapin

We were at 2.4% as recently as February of this year.

In just two months, inflation jumped a full percentage point.

So here is what's driving it.

Energy prices surging nearly 18% year over year in April alone.

Gasoline up 28%.

Fuel oil is up 54%.

Now, we know why this is happening.

The conflict in Iran has disrupted oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the most critical choke points for global oil supply.

But it is not just gas, it is eggs, it's burgers, it's electricity.

The BLS confirms what our receipts already told us.

Food at home is up 0.7% in April alone.

Beef is up 2.7% in a single month.

I mean, if you're barbecuing this 4th of July, your grocery bill is gonna be no joke.

But even if the war were to end today, it's not like it's gonna come down right away.

It will take a beat for prices to come down.

But meanwhile, we're out here dealing with 3.8% inflation right now.

A 3.8% inflation rate means that $100 you had in January is only worth about $96.30 right now.

All right, here's the good news.

there are ways to protect your money for the long haul.

And I'm going to start with a personal favorite of mine, I-bonds.