Woodworking

1. Supply Chain Disruptions: Issues in the supply chain, like delays in production or transportation, can lead to shortages of goods. When supply is limited, and demand remains constant or increases, prices tend to rise.

2. Increased Demand: When consumer demand surges, especially for certain goods or services, it can drive up prices. This can happen due to economic recovery, changes in consumer behavior, or specific events (e.g., a surge in demand for home office equipment during the pandemic).

3. Global Economic Conditions: Global events and economic conditions, like changes in oil prices or fluctuations in currency exchange rates, can impact the prices of imported goods, which in turn affects inflation.

4. Monetary Policy: Central banks can influence inflation through their monetary policies. When they lower interest rates or increase the money supply, it can stimulate spending and potentially lead to inflation.

5. Fiscal Policy: Government actions, including stimulus measures and public spending, can also impact inflation. An increase in government spending, like stimulus checks, can boost demand and contribute to inflation.

6. Wage Increases: Rising wages can lead to higher production costs, which may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

7. Expectations: If people anticipate future inflation, they may adjust their behavior, expecting prices to rise. This expectation can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as businesses and consumers act in ways that drive prices higher.

8. Commodity Prices: The prices of commodities like oil, metals, and agricultural products can affect production costs and, subsequently, consumer prices.

All of these things combined have effects on inflation. But I believe the way the central banks and government handled things made it worse for all of us. There is some obvious greed involved, however, that is never going away. People will be shitty forever.