A Foolish Take: Why Your Inflation Rate Won't Match the Consumer Price Index

Inflation has gotten more attention lately, as price increases at the gas pumphave taken a bite out of Americans' disposable income. For many, the personal experience of having to pay more for prescription medications, rent, and food makes budgeting increasingly difficult, especially for those on fixed incomes that haven't seen much in the way of boosts to paychecks or Social Security paymentslately.

Yet official readings from the Consumer Price Index indicate low levels of inflation, running at around 2% per year over the past several years.