Love bourbon, bacon, and chocolate? Too bad. Those are just a few of the things you can expect to pay more for next year.
Take heart, there’s some good news, too. In spite of the earthquake in Napa Valley this August, wine prices aren’t likely to increase. Also, national average gas prices have actually fallen every day since the end of September, are currently at four-year lows, and are expected to continue dropping.
Here is the list that you may not be able to enjoy without a bitter after-taste since these are items that will get expensive in 2015:
1. Bourbon:
Not predicting the craft cocktail- and hipster-fueled popularity, some bourbon distilleries are rationing their bottles for the first time since the end of Prohibition — and, of course, raising their prices.
2. Beef and Pork (Yes, Bacon Too):
The price of bacon has increased, hitting an all-time high in 2014. Chipotle has even reported that customers are opting for chicken instead of steak after the chain’s menu prices changed to reflect the rising beef costs. Beef and pork prices will continue to increase in 2015.
3. Avocados
Speaking of burritos, it might cost more to make guacamole. It looks like 2015 will be the year of the avocado shortage, largely because people are eating too many of them.
4. Chocolate
Well, this is just getting depressing. Top chocolate manufacturers have warned of a cocoa shortage. If prices of sweet treats don’t increase, it’s not necessarily luck. Some confection experts predict that candy makers will use less chocolate and more of other ingredients — nuts and raisins, for example — to keep costs down, while others will use cheaper ingredients, like palm oil. Even the Easter Bunny is expected to fill baskets with smaller chocolate eggs this year.
5. Air Travel
Fuel prices have been falling, but while airlines are paying less for jet fuel — 17% less than at the end of 2015 — they are increasing their prices.
6. Hotels
For hotels, business travel is up and unemployment is down, so rates will continue to tick up. Hotel rooms in Latin America are expected to cost 6.5% more because of a shortage of rooms.
7. FedEx and UPS Fees
As of December 29, UPS will increase prices 4.9% for ground, air, international, and freight services in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Beginning January 5, FedEx prices will also increase an average of 4.9% for U.S. domestic, import, and export services, as well as for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery.
8.Coffee
Last year, coffee prices were expected to drop, but a drought in Brazil — the world’s largest grower of coffee — caused prices to increase among brands like Folgers, Dunkin’ Donuts, Maxwell House, Gevalia, and Starbucks.
9. Olive Oil
Italian olive growers have just weathered what they called the worst year in memory, decreasing olive oil output from Italy by 37%, while Spain, the top olive oil exporter to the U.S. and Japan, suffered adrought that’s expected to raise prices worldwide.
10. Some Sports Cars
If you were thinking of buying a car, keep in mind that some models for 2015 will be more expensive. For example, for the 2015 Ford Mustang, prices have increased by about $1,000
11. Redbox Rentals
As of January 6, the price of renting a video game from a Redbox kiosk will increase from $2 to $3 per day. In December, Redbox raised DVD rentals by 30 cents to $1.50 per day, while Blu-Ray disc rentals increased by 50 cents to $2 per day.
13. Girl Scout Cookies
Prices of Girl Scout Cookies are set by each of the 112 Girl Scout councils across the country, so prices vary. San Francisco Girl Scouts raised prices last year raised prices last year to $5 a box, and in 2015, Orange County and Los Angeles area Girl Scouts are following suit. (Just keep in mind about 75% of sales go back to the Scouts, and you’ll make a girl aiming for a badge very happy.
14. Health Care
Medical costs will increase by 6.8% in 2015, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute report. The institute’s survey found that 85% of employers are implementing or considering increasing employee cost-sharing within the next three years, and 18% of employers now offer a high-deductible health plan as the only health insurance option for employees.
Some insured under the Affordable Care Act could pay up to 20% more for health insurance if they don’t reconsider their current plans.
Credit: DealNews.Com