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Chapwood Index 2025 Report Reveals Americans Face Real Cost-of-Living Increases Far Above CPI

PLANO, TexasNew Data Shows CPI Fails to Reflect the Actual Financial Pressure on American Households

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The latest Chapwood Index findings show that Americans continue to experience cost-of-living increases that dramatically exceed the inflation rates reported by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), raising serious concerns about the use of CPI as the nation’s primary measure of inflation and purchasing power.

The Chapwood Index tracks the actual prices of 150 commonly purchased goods and services in the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Unlike CPI calculations, the Chapwood Index measures real prices paid by consumers without substitutions, hedonic adjustments, weighting manipulations, or other statistical modifications.

“The CPI no longer reflects the financial reality facing American families,” said Ed Butowsky, Founder of the Chapwood Index. “Americans know their grocery bills, insurance premiums, taxes, utilities, healthcare costs, and everyday expenses are rising far faster than government statistics suggest.”

2025 FINDINGS

The 2025 Chapwood Index data confirms that Americans continue to face annual cost-of-living increases that are several times higher than official inflation reports.

Across major metropolitan areas, long-term Chapwood Index averages remain in the range of approximately 10% to 14% annually, far exceeding the CPI figures used to determine Social Security adjustments, pension increases, wage negotiations, and retirement planning assumptions.

Among the highest long-term inflation cities:

  • Oakland: 14.19% average annual increase
  • San Francisco: 14.16%
  • Long Beach: 14.04%
  • San Jose: 13.96%
  • Los Angeles: 13.34%
  • Boston: 13.03%

Nationally, the average annual increase in the actual cost of living remains approximately 11% to 12%, according to Chapwood Index calculations.

WHY CPI IS NOT A LEGITIMATE COST-OF-LIVING MEASURE

The Consumer Price Index was never designed to measure the actual increase in maintaining a constant standard of living.

The Chapwood Index identifies several reasons why CPI fails as a real-world cost-of-living benchmark:

  • CPI relies on statistical adjustments and substitutions that often reduce reported inflation.
  • CPI does not accurately capture the full impact of taxes, local costs, and many essential household expenses.
  • CPI applies national averages despite vast regional differences in living costs. A family in Dallas experiences a different inflation environment than a family in San Francisco or Boston.
  • Wage increases, pension adjustments, and Social Security benefits tied to CPI frequently fail to keep pace with actual household expenses.

The result is a steady erosion of purchasing power.

For example, while official inflation figures often report increases of 2% to 4%, Chapwood data regularly shows real annual increases exceeding 10% in most major cities.

THE IMPACT ON RETIREMENT AND FINANCIAL PLANNING

The consequences of relying on CPI are significant.

Retirement projections, pension assumptions, salary negotiations, and investment return targets are frequently built around inflation rates that substantially understate actual living expenses.
A portfolio earning 7% annually may appear successful when compared to CPI. Yet if a family’s true cost of living rises by 11% to 12%, purchasing power continues to decline.

The Chapwood Index demonstrates that many Americans are not falling behind because they fail to save or invest. They are falling behind because the benchmark used to measure inflation fails to reflect their actual expenses.

ABOUT THE CHAPWOOD INDEX

The Chapwood Index was created by financial advisor Ed Butowsky to measure the actual increase in the cost of maintaining a middle-class lifestyle. The index tracks the prices of 150 frequently purchased goods and services across the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas and publishes updated results on a regular basis. Unlike CPI, the Chapwood Index reports actual observed prices without seasonal adjustments or statistical modifications.

For additional information and full city-by-city results, visit:

https://www.chapwoodindex.com

Media Contact:

972.897.0197

Chapwood Investments, LLC

[email protected]

Plano, Texas

https://www.chapwoodindex.com

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Best Real Money Online Pokies Experiences – Pokies Galaxy Reveals Updated Listings for Pokies Players

Sydney, AustraliaIndependent review site, live since 2017, refreshes its real money pokies rankings after hands-on testing, with dedicated shortlists for PayID, crypto and no deposit players Pokies Galaxy, the independent online pokies and casino review resource that has guided thousands of players to top real money pokies sites since 2017, today published a refreshed edition of […]

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Independent review site, live since 2017, refreshes its real money pokies rankings after hands-on testing, with dedicated shortlists for PayID, crypto and no deposit players

Pokies Galaxy, the independent online pokies and casino review resource that has guided thousands of players to top real money pokies sites since 2017, today published a refreshed edition of its top real money online pokies casino listings. The updated page ranks the top online casinos for pokies players and adds focused shortlists for the features players search for most, covering PayID casinos, crypto and Bitcoin options, and no deposit offers.

pokies Best Real Money Online Pokies Experiences – Pokies Galaxy Reveals Updated Listings for Pokies Players

The refresh follows a full round of hands-on testing by site owner and lead reviewer William Jones, who deposited real money, played real sessions and timed real withdrawals at every casino before scoring it. The result is a set of rankings built on payout performance and fair terms rather than the size of a welcome banner.

“Online pokies players deserve to know exactly which sites pay out on time and which ones do not, and the only way to find that out is to put our own money on the line,” said William Jones, lead reviewer at Pokies Galaxy. “Every casino in this guide has been tested the hard way. If a withdrawal drags or the terms hide an unfair catch, it does not make the list, no matter how generous the bonus looks on the surface. We have only a handful of online casinos across our site, and avoid listing every Tom, Dick and Harry for the sake of it”

Demand for reliable information has never been higher. Pokies Galaxy’s own research shows tens of thousands of Australians search each month for real money online pokies, fast payout pokies and PayID casinos, yet much of the content ranking for those searches is thin, questionable, out of date or paid for. The refreshed guide is the site’s answer to that gap, pairing current rankings with plain guidance on payments, bonuses and player safety.

Listings for Every Real Money Online Pokies Player

The updated guide is designed as a starting point for anyone searching for the best online pokies Australian real money players can access right now. Rather than a single undifferentiated list, it routes each player to the option that suits them, with four clear shortlists:

Best Real Money Online Pokies Casinos List. The top ranked all round sites for variety, reliability and fast payouts.

Best PayID Casinos. PayID has become the most popular real money pokies payment method in Australia, linking a player’s bank account to a phone number or email so transfers clear almost instantly. The guide highlights the sites that process PayID withdrawals fastest, with SpinsUp and Ripper among the standouts for same day cashouts.

Best Crypto and Bitcoin Casino Options. For players comfortable with cryptocurrency, the guide points to casinos that support Bitcoin and major altcoins for the fastest withdrawals of all and often the highest limits. Crypto banking sidesteps the delays that can affect card and bank transfers, and the guide offers clear guidance to start small for anyone new to it.

No Deposit Options. For players who want to test a site before committing their own funds, the guide lists current no deposit offers, including sign up bonuses that let players try the pokies, and even win real money, for free.

New in this edition, each shortlist links through to a dedicated, deeper guide, so a player who cares most about instant PayID withdrawals or crypto payouts can go straight to the detail that matters to them. The all round rankings, meanwhile, give newcomers a safe, tested shortlist to start from without needing to weigh up every option themselves.

Testing that goes beyond the bonus

Pokies Galaxy scores each casino across four checks. Every brand is put through a real money deposit and a full play session, a timed withdrawal with a focus on PayID and e-wallet speed, a complete read of the bonus terms including wagering requirements and cash out caps, and a review of the licence, game library, mobile performance and customer support. Brands are revisited regularly, and any site that slips in one of these areas sees its ranking fall.

This ongoing, evidence based approach is what separates the guide from lists that simply rank casinos by the headline value of their welcome bonus. It is also the reason players have returned to Pokies Galaxy for their pokies picks for close to a decade.

“Payout speed is where most sites either earn a player’s trust or lose it,” Jones added. “PayID has changed the game for pokies players. At the top sites we list, a verified account using certain payment methods can often see winnings land the same day. That reliability, not the headline bonus number, is what keeps players coming back. Our job is to do the legwork so a player does not have to gamble twice, once on the pokies and once on whether the casino will actually pay.”

Why an independent voice matters in the Australian market

With no locally licensed online casinos available in Australia, players who want to enjoy real money pokies rely on internationally licensed offshore sites. That makes independent, hands-on guidance more valuable than ever. Reputable offshore casinos hold licences in jurisdictions such as Curacao, but standards vary widely between operators, and the gap between a fast, fair site and a slow, restrictive one is not always obvious from a homepage.

Pokies Galaxy exists to close that gap. The site focuses on filtering out operators that stall withdrawals or bury unfair conditions, so players can spend their time playing rather than second guessing whether a casino is safe. Having served the Australian market since 2017, the site recently completed a full redesign that makes its rankings, casino reviews and payment guides faster to navigate on mobile and desktop alike.

The common traps the review team screens for will be familiar to experienced players: welcome bonuses locked behind steep wagering requirements, maximum cash out caps that quietly limit what a player can actually withdraw from a win, and verification requests that only appear at payout time. Pokies Galaxy flags these in plain language and recommends completing identity checks at sign up, which is the single easiest way for players to avoid payout delays.

Responsible play front and centre

The refreshed guide continues the site’s emphasis on responsible play. Every page carries clear 18+ messaging and practical reminders to set a deposit limit before playing, avoid chasing losses and treat pokies as entertainment rather than a way to make money. Pokies Galaxy directs anyone who needs support to Gambling Help Online, Australia’s free and confidential national service, on 1800 858 858.

“A good pokies session should be fun and it should stay within a budget you set before you start,” said Jones. “We will always put responsible play front and centre, right alongside the rankings.”

The guide is built to serve two kinds of player at once. Newcomers get a safe, tested shortlist they can trust without having to research every operator, while experienced players get the granular detail on payout speeds, wagering terms and payment methods that helps them choose between strong options. In both cases the aim is the same, to help Australians play real money pokies at sites that are fair, fast and safe.

The updated Best Real Money Online Pokies Casinos guide is available now at pokiesgalaxy.com.

About Pokies Galaxy

Pokies Galaxy is an independent real money online pokies and casino review site that has helped players find safe, trusted sites since 2017. The site is led by reviewer William Jones, tests every casino it ranks with real deposits and real withdrawals, and publishes dedicated guides covering real money pokies, PayID casinos, crypto and Bitcoin options, and no deposit offers. Pokies Galaxy is committed to responsible gambling and is intended for adults aged 18 and over. Learn more at pokiesgalaxy.com.

Responsible Gambling (18+)

This announcement and the resource it describes are intended for adults aged 18 and over. Gambling should always be fun and never a way to make money or recover losses. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential help is available in Australia around the clock through Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or at gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Media Contact:
William Jones
Pokies Galaxy
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.pokiesgalaxy.com/

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New Leadership Book The Alchemist’s Way Shows Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Transformation

Pasadena, CAAward-Winning Author and Engineering Executive Paul Boerger Reveals a Practical Framework for Developing Authentic, Purpose-Driven Leaders Award-winning author and engineering executive Paul Boerger challenges conventional thinking about leadership in his new book, The Alchemist’s Way. Drawing from nearly four decades of leading engineering organizations, launching innovative products, and mentoring future leaders, Boerger demonstrates that leadership […]

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Award-Winning Author and Engineering Executive Paul Boerger Reveals a Practical Framework for Developing Authentic, Purpose-Driven Leaders

Award-winning author and engineering executive Paul Boerger challenges conventional thinking about leadership in his new book, The Alchemist’s Way. Drawing from nearly four decades of leading engineering organizations, launching innovative products, and mentoring future leaders, Boerger demonstrates that leadership is not defined by titles—it begins with mastering yourself.

Blending practical leadership principles with compelling personal stories, The Alchemist’s Way introduces a transformational framework built on clarity, belief, character, vitality, habits, and servant leadership. Rather than focusing solely on management techniques, the book encourages readers to cultivate the mindset and personal disciplines that inspire trust, strengthen relationships, and create lasting organizational impact.

“The most effective leaders are those who first lead themselves,” says Boerger.”Leadership is a continual process of personal transformation, where growth from within enables us to positively influence those around us.”

Designed for executives, managers, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and professionals across industries, The Alchemist’s Way provides practical insights that readers can immediately apply to both their professional and personal lives. Boerger’s approach bridges leadership theory with real-world experience, offering a roadmap for building resilient teams, navigating change, and leading with authenticity and purpose.

Whether guiding an organization through innovation or helping individuals unlock their leadership potential, The Alchemist’s Way reminds readers that true leadership is not achieved through authority alone—it is earned through integrity, service, and continuous personal growth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Boerger is an award-winning author, engineering executive, and leadership mentor with nearly forty years of experience leading engineering teams, driving product innovation, and developing high-performing organizations. Through his writing and professional experience, he equips leaders with practical strategies for cultivating character, resilience, and transformational leadership.

Media Contact:
Paul Boerger
Email: [email protected]

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REVERSIBLE Addresses Online Fashion Inventory Fragmentation With Retail and Marketplace Aggregation

San Jose, CAThe platform combines real-time pricing and availability from global retailers with individual seller listings, helping shoppers compare new and preowned versions of coveted designer styles in one place

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REVERSIBLE, a fashion discovery and shopping platform, is addressing one of online fashion’s most persistent challenges: fragmented inventory and opaque pricing across retailers, boutiques and resale marketplaces.

20260708 193928 REVERSIBLE Addresses Online Fashion Inventory Fragmentation With Retail and Marketplace Aggregation

For many designer shoppers, the same coveted item can appear across multiple online stores, niche boutiques and peer-to-peer marketplaces at dramatically different prices. In some cases, a resale listing may be priced higher than the same or similar item available from a boutique with less online visibility. For preowned pieces, shoppers may also struggle to understand fair market value without seeing current retail availability and real-time pricing context.

REVERSIBLE solves this by aggregating real-time inventory, pricing, shipping, return information, available sales and coupons from online retailers while also allowing individual sellers to list preowned versions of the same styles. The result is a more transparent way to discover, compare and shop designer fashion across both retail and marketplace channels.

“Fashion inventory online is deeply fragmented,” said Deng Deng, founder of REVERSIBLE. “A shopper might see a coveted piece on a resale marketplace without knowing that a niche boutique in Europe has the same style available at a different price. REVERSIBLE was built to bring that information together, so shoppers can understand availability, pricing and value before making a purchase.”

The platform aggregates seasonal collections from authorized retailers and selected boutiques worldwide, while also enabling users to discover and purchase coveted pieces from fashion enthusiasts across its marketplace. By placing retail inventory and preowned listings side by side, REVERSIBLE gives shoppers a clearer view of the market for specific designer styles.

REVERSIBLE currently features more than 1 million styles, with new arrivals added daily, spanning luxury fashion houses, independent designers, techwear labels and artisanal brands. The platform includes products from brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Sacai, Rick Owens, Acronym, Veilance, Visvim and Guidi.

Beyond product aggregation, REVERSIBLE also includes REVERSIBLE Discover, a social commerce experience that blends fashion inspiration with retail discovery. Users can share outfits, moodboards, product recommendations, reviews and personal style perspectives, with posts tagged to featured items so content becomes instantly shoppable and discoverable.

As shoppers increasingly move between current retail, sale inventory and preowned designer pieces, REVERSIBLE reflects a broader shift in fashion commerce: consumers are no longer shopping in isolated channels. They are comparing availability, price, condition, styling context and long-term value across the market before deciding what to buy.

According to REVERSIBLE’s media kit, as of April 2026, the platform has reached 250,000+ registered users, 1.3 million+ monthly visits, 500+ retail partners, 1,000+ brands and an average order value of $700+.

About REVERSIBLE

REVERSIBLE is a fashion discovery and shopping platform designed to make online designer fashion more transparent, connected and discoverable. The platform aggregates real-time inventory and pricing from authorized retailers and selected boutiques worldwide while enabling individual sellers to list preowned pieces across its marketplace. REVERSIBLE also offers a social commerce layer through REVERSIBLE Discover, where users can share outfits, moodboards, product recommendations, reviews and personal style perspectives.

For more information, visit https://www.reversible.com.

Media Contact:
Raina Wang
reversible
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.reversible.com

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