While Kathryn Finney-pictured here-Editor At Larger for BlogHer and founder of the Budgetfashionista blog is renowned for some of the best tips on fashion deals in this blog post we’re spotlighting answers to the questions what will cost more in 2013 and why from Budgetfashionista. I hope you find these insights useful for your 2013 financial planning. For most insights shared here the credit is given to Dealsnews… a good resource for you as well.
According to Dealsnews:
As tablets continue to gain momentum in the consumer electronics, computers are returning to their original function as work-related machines — becoming more powerful and more expensive.
Beer prices are expected to increase this year in part due to the role of copper in the beer making process. This thanks to a move by the SEC to approve a fund to trade the metal that could lead to scarcity and higher prices.
Auto prices are increasing for 2013. Cars running on gas are getting more expensive in part due to new required government standards on improve fuel efficiency and resulting more expensive engine upgrades.
Cereal and bakery product prices are rising this year as a result of 2012 drought lowering wheat yields.
Also grocery prices are expected to increase as much as 4% this year as a result of last summer’s drought impact on feed corn and grass causing scarcity in meat, poultry and dairy products.
Okay maybe we are stating the obvious here–Employee health care premiums are expected to rise an average of 6% in 2013, according to Aon Hewitt, a human resource consulting firm.
While in general there are arrange of budget home entertainment folks that like to be early adopters and want latest and greatest will face some shockingly high price tags in 2013. According to Jeff Joseph of the Consumer Electronics Association, Ultra HD TVs with an extremely high pixel density will be selling for $20,000 to $25,000.
And for all of the big time Apple fans iPhone 5 accessories are costlier than previous generations. This is because the iPhone 5 features a radically different lightening connector requiring a brand new fleet of accessories with no alternatives from prior iPhone generations.
This year smartphone users can likely say goodbye to subsidized phone costs. According to Dealsnews, “The U.S. smartphone market has long been subsidized by service providers, offering phones at reduced prices with the signing of long-term contracts. In 2013 T-Mobile will eliminate the subsidy and charge full price for its phones.”
Daily deals on services like spa treatments from companies like Groupon will become more difficult to find this year. This business is evolving to become profitable. Too many competitors and not enough profits are forcing these sites to focus more on product deal. Checkout “Groupon Goods.” This may make deals on services more difficult to find.
And for small business and Internet shoppers you are likely already feeling the pinch of higher shipping costs. Dealsnews says “While somewhat unsurprising, 2013 is seeing 4.5% to 4.9% hike in shipping costs from both UPS and FedEx.”
And finally – no drum roll needed – education costs continue to increase this year as more and more states are finding it challenging to subsidize much of its students’ tuition costs.