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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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Stephen Powell Announces Financial Fortress, a Practical Guide to Building Wealth That Can Stand Through Life’s Uncertainty

ALABAMA, USStephen Powell, Founder and CEO of Powell Financials, announces the release of Financial Fortress: Protect Your Money, Grow Your Wealth, Build Your Legacy, a financial education book designed to help families rethink the way they approach money, preparedness, and long-term security. Financial Fortress is written for readers who have worked hard, saved what they could, invested […]

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Stephen Powell, Founder and CEO of Powell Financials, announces the release of Financial Fortress: Protect Your Money, Grow Your Wealth, Build Your Legacy, a financial education book designed to help families rethink the way they approach money, preparedness, and long-term security.

stephen powell announces financial fortress a practical guide to building wealth that can stand through lifes uncertainty WY4ZGf Stephen Powell Announces Financial Fortress, a Practical Guide to Building Wealth That Can Stand Through Life’s Uncertainty

Financial Fortress is written for readers who have worked hard, saved what they could, invested where they were told, and still wonder whether their financial life is truly protected. Rather than focusing only on accumulation, Powell encourages readers to look deeper and ask whether their money is structured to support them through taxes, market volatility, lack of access, inflation, family needs, retirement decisions, and legacy planning.

The book centers on four major pillars: protection, growth, control, and legacy. Through this framework, Powell explains that wealth is not only something to earn, save, or invest. It is something to structure with purpose. Each pillar is presented in clear, accessible language so readers can better understand the role of preparation, financial education, and intentional decision-making.

Powell’s message is deeply personal. In 2022, he survived a life-threatening aortic dissection, an experience that changed the way he viewed family, income, responsibility, and financial preparedness. That moment became a turning point in his mission to help families think beyond account balances and begin building financial structures that can stand strong when life changes without warning.

“Financial Fortress was written to help people ask better questions,” Powell says. “Many families are doing what they were told to do, but they still feel exposed. My goal is to help readers look beyond growth alone and begin thinking about protection, access, control, and legacy.”

The book also explores the common threats that can quietly weaken wealth over time. Powell discusses how taxes can affect the amount families actually keep, how market timing can influence retirement income, how limited access can create pressure during emergencies, and how inflation can reduce purchasing power. These ideas are presented as educational concepts, not personalized advice, giving readers a clearer foundation for more informed conversations with qualified professionals.

As the founder of Powell Financials, Powell works with families across the United States. His approach is rooted in education, clarity, and trust. He believes clients should be treated like family and that financial conversations should empower people rather than overwhelm them.

Financial Fortress is not positioned as a one-size-fits-all financial answer. Instead, it is a guide for awareness and preparation. The book invites readers to examine their current financial structure, identify potential gaps, and consider whether their plan is built only for ideal conditions or for real life. For readers who feel uncertain about what they may be missing, the book offers a clear starting point for reflection, education, and more intentional planning conversations.

By combining personal experience, practical education, and a clear four-pillar framework, Financial Fortress speaks to families who want more than a larger balance. It speaks to readers who want confidence, clarity, flexibility, and a legacy that can continue beyond them.

Financial Fortress: Protect Your Money, Grow Your Wealth, Build Your Legacy is available through Powell Financials.

About Stephen Powell

Stephen Powell is the Founder and CEO of Powell Financials, a financial services firm based in Alabama and serving families throughout the United States. After surviving a life-threatening aortic dissection in 2022, Stephen’s mission became deeply personal: helping families think beyond income and accumulation and begin building financial structures designed around protection, growth, control, and legacy.

Author Name: Stephen Powell  Book Title: Financial Fortress Book Published by: Visionary Book Publishers 

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For media inquiries about this release, submit an inquiry.
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NordFX Gives Traders More Freedom with Browser-Based Trading

Saint LuciaNordFX continues to support flexible trading by giving clients seamless access to the financial markets through the MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal, allowing them to trade directly from any modern web browser without installing additional software. As financial markets become increasingly accessible across multiple devices, traders are placing greater value on flexibility and uninterrupted market access. […]

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NordFX continues to support flexible trading by giving clients seamless access to the financial markets through the MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal, allowing them to trade directly from any modern web browser without installing additional software.

As financial markets become increasingly accessible across multiple devices, traders are placing greater value on flexibility and uninterrupted market access. Whether working from home, traveling, or using a different computer, many traders want the ability to monitor positions and execute trades without relying on a dedicated desktop platform.

To support these evolving trading habits, NordFX offers browser-based access through the MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal, enabling clients to access their trading accounts directly from a web browser. The solution complements the company’s existing desktop and mobile trading applications, allowing traders to choose the environment that best suits their daily routine.

nordfx gives traders more freedom with browser based trading bK8oSf NordFX Gives Traders More Freedom with Browser-Based Trading

The MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal provides access to live market prices, interactive charts, multiple order types, technical analysis tools, and real-time account management. Because it operates entirely within a browser, there is no need to download or install software, making it a practical option for traders who frequently switch between devices or need secure access while away from their primary workstation.

Rather than replacing traditional desktop trading, browser-based access has become an important part of a modern multi-device trading experience. Many traders use desktop terminals for detailed market analysis while relying on browser access for monitoring positions, reacting to market movements, or managing trades from virtually anywhere.

“Today’s traders expect flexibility,” said Vanessa Polson, Marketing Manager at NordFX. “Trading is no longer limited to a single computer or workplace. By providing browser-based access alongside desktop and mobile platforms, we help our clients stay connected to the markets wherever they are, without compromising convenience or functionality.”

The MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal synchronizes with a trader’s existing account, allowing users to access their positions, order history, watchlists, and account information through a familiar interface. Since no installation is required, traders can quickly log in from almost any internet-connected device while maintaining access to the essential tools needed for day-to-day trading.

The availability of browser-based trading also reflects a broader trend across the financial industry. As cloud-based services continue to reshape digital finance, traders increasingly expect the same level of accessibility from their trading platforms. Fast access, seamless synchronization, and the ability to move between desktop, mobile, and browser environments have become valuable features for both active and occasional market participants.

By offering multiple ways to access the markets, NordFX continues to focus on delivering practical trading solutions that adapt to the changing needs of clients around the world. Whether traders prefer a desktop platform for advanced analysis, a mobile app while on the move, or browser-based access for maximum convenience, they can choose the environment that best fits their trading style.

About NordFX

Founded in 2008, NordFX is an international multi-asset broker providing access to currencies, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, indices, stocks, and other financial instruments. The company offers flexible trading conditions, browser-based trading via the MetaTrader 5 Web Terminal, and multilingual customer support to clients in more than 180 countries.

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Nashville Sports Council & Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl COO/Special Advisor Jay Grider Releases Hybrid Memoir on Building a Major Sports Destination

NASHVILLE, TennLast Call blends personal story with practical lessons for event professionals, students, and sports fans Jay Grider, chief operating officer and special advisor to the Nashville Sports Council and Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, today announced the release of Last Call: From the Minor Leagues to Nashville’s Rise as a Major Sports Destination, a hybrid memoir that […]

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Last Call blends personal story with practical lessons for event professionals, students, and sports fans

Jay Grider, chief operating officer and special advisor to the Nashville Sports Council and Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, today announced the release of Last Call: From the Minor Leagues to Nashville’s Rise as a Major Sports Destination, a hybrid memoir that blends personal narrative with behind-the-scenes lessons on recruiting and running major sporting events.

nashville sports council liberty mutual music city bowl coo special advisor jay grider releases hybrid memoir on building a major sports destinationlast call blends WoLF4p Nashville Sports Council & Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl COO/Special Advisor Jay Grider Releases Hybrid Memoir on Building a Major Sports Destination

Grider’s career began in 1988 with the Huntsville Stars with additional stops with the Boston Red Sox Spring Training,  Jacksonville Suns and Clarksville Coyotes. That hands-on foundation carried into his work with the Nashville Sports Council and  Music City Bowl, where he helped recruit and or stage events that include the annual Music City Bowl, SEC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments, Rock N Roll  Running Series, NCAA Women’s Final Four, NHL All Star Game and NFL Draft and FCS Championship.

The book moves beyond game results to show how venue conflicts, weather emergencies, public safety, television requirements, volunteer coordination, and sponsor commitments can determine whether an event succeeds. Readers are taken behind the scenes of defining moments in Nashville’s sports growth, along with the mistakes, improvised solutions, difficult conversations, and unusual memories that rarely appear in official recaps.

As Nashville prepares for another generation of large-scale sporting events, Last Call connects that future to decades of relationship-building, dependable execution, and local cooperation, showing that a city earns major events repeatedly by proving how it can produce quality events.

Written in a personal, direct, and often humorous voice, the book is grounded in the long hours required to deliver on promises made years before an opening whistle. It is not a polished corporate history, but an insider account of the work that makes major events possible and the many people who make it happen.

Last Call is now available on Amazon.

About the Book

Last Call: From the Minor Leagues to Nashville’s Rise as a Major Sports Destination is a hybrid memoir by Jay Grider, chief operating officer and special advisor to the Nashville Sports Council and Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. For nearly 28 years, Grider helped recruit and stage events that strengthened Nashville’s reputation as a sports destination. The book weaves together personal stories from his career with practical lessons on event planning, operations, and stakeholder management. It details the venue conflicts, weather emergencies, public safety challenges, television requirements, volunteer coordination, sponsor commitments, and other behind-the-scenes realities that determine whether an event succeeds or fails.

About the AuthorJay Grider is chief operating officer and special advisor to the Nashville Sports Council and Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.

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