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These Are the Things That Could Be More Expensive in 2013

Dec. 21, 2012 8:17pm Becket Adams

Although there have been moderate (emphasis on the word “moderate”) economic gains made in the past couple of months, don’t be fooled into thinking 2013 will be cheaper than 2012. Because it won’t be (didn’t you read the headline?).

Indeed, what with the 2012 drought, the subsequent rise in the price of commodities, the shipping costs associated with existing ethanol mandates, and maturing technologies, it’s guaranteed that certain items will increase in prince next year.

But which products will be more expensive? We’re glad you asked.

Each year, the folks at dealnews put together a list of the products that will “cost consumers more in the coming year,” as dealnews’ Laura Heller explains, “and it seems as if some prior trends are finally coming to an end — the price of gold may finally hit its peak in the next few months — while the cost of a college education is still on the rise.”

“Luxury goods continue to command an ever-increasing premium, and one new hot commodity – copper – could be problematic for home owners and beer drinkers alike,” she adds.

Without any further introduction, here are six of the 12 items that will probably rise in cost next year [block quotes via dealnews]:

Grocery Prices

Dealnews List of the 12 Things That Will Be More Expensive in 2013 | Goods & Services That Will Increase in Price Next Year

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Meat, poultry, and dairy prices are all expected to rise thanks to this summer’s drought. Feed corn and grass were most effected, and the impact from their scarcity will soon be felt at the grocery store: price increases will hit right along with the new year. Since drought conditions forced farmers to reduce the size of their herds to combat higher feed costs, the price of beef and chicken is also slated to rise. The cost of dairy products, too, will be affected, as fewer and leaner cows produce less milk. Overall, the USDA expects food prices to rise 3.5% to 4% in 2013.

Grain Prices

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Cereal and bakery product prices will rise too, as a result of the 2012 drought and lower wheat yields. Prices in this category began creeping up in October, and the USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts cereal and bakery product prices to rise 2.5% to 3.5% next year.

Health Care Premiums on the Rise

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Obamacare not withstanding, employee health care premiums are expected to rise an average of 6% in 2013, according to Aon Hewitt, a human resource consulting firm. That amount will vary by state and type of plan, but overall, employers will face higher premiums and the increased cost will be passed along in part to employees.

Copper & Beer

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Move over gold, it’s copper’s time to shine! Copper prices could be on the rise thanks to a move by the SEC to approve a fund to trade the metal. The fund could lead to scarcity and higher prices, as it did for gold. The problem is that copper is used in plenty of consumer items, including residential water pipes, wire, pots, and kettles, as well as equipment for brewing beer, distilling liquor, and making candy.

Say Goodbye to Subsidies for Smartphones

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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. While there’s evidence to suggest that the carrier will in turn allow users to opt for cheaper service rates (thus saving money in the long run), the pill of a full-price phone may be hard for many to swallow.

Shipping Costs

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While somewhat unsurprising, 2013 will see a 4.5% to 4.9% hike in shipping costs from both UPS and FedEx, the latter of which is slated to raise rates beginning January 7. Higher shipping costs may affect customers who predominately shop from “independent” sellers, like those found on eBay, etsy, and the like, but it may also have an impact on retailers that presently offer free shipping.

Since merchants end up paying for the handling and delivery of orders that “ship free,” the increased UPS and FedEx rates may affect the frequency of, and threshold at which, online orders receive free shipping in 2013.

Click here to see the full list.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

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Comments (52)

KEELHAULUM
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 5:14pm
@Monicne “we are off to some of the many happy family events that use up my time!”
You are a liberal. I doubt that it’s a truly “happy family”.
Merry Christmas anyway.

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- oldduffer
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 7:50pm
  You’re showing respect. That’s against liberal doctrine isn’t it?
  
  Report this comment
Jacopone
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:46am
My grocery stotes are already getting a jump on fiscal-cliff and Obamacare pricing. Everything up between 20%-50%. Some things have actually doubled in the last month.

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technecium
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:15am
The spin the other week was that an increase in purchases showed consumer confidence in the economy. I have been buying more myself the last few months– not from any feeling of confidence. I’ve been buying essential goods and stockpiling consumable items knowing that very soon those items will cost many times more. I could have waited a year or two for a new oven but decided that the $700 or so dollars now will be more economical that the two thousand it will cost in the near future.

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CatherineAnn
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 12:19am
Everything and then we can pay more taxes so no one has any money. How long can we hold out going into 4 more years? I am not amused.

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CulperGang
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 5:11pm
SAVE$$$$$$$$$$$$ =

1) FIRE 99% of DC.

2) THE Hill GIVE back half their salary and perks

3) Obama REIMBURSE 75% of the 1.4BILLION he charged the taxpayers for his personal lifestyle.

ALL CONGRESS/DC CIVIL SERVANTS INCLUDING OBAMA MUST USE “obama care.”

NO TO THE HILL AND NO TO TO THAT FRAUD IN THE WHITE HOUSE. Go F yourselves.

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BehindBlueEyes
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:52pm
If there is inflation then your dollar is worth less. Therefore any purchase of any item is going to cost you more.

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Do The Right Thing
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 11:34am
I’ve noticed something…It’s been said that there’s paid trolls on this site, and up until today, I haven’t believed it. Well, I’ve been checking out different threads on this site, and haven’t run across any of the prog supporters. Simply an observation, I guess they must not be getting paid to work on holiday weekends. I thought that if they were actually using their spare time to post here, this site would be overrun with their trash.

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- MONICNE
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:50pm
  You are exactly correct! Now, we are off to some of the many happy family events that use up my time! But I will check back later tonight over a cup of hot cocoa and catch up with all the tru believers!
  
  MERRY CHRISTMAS
  
  Report this comment
- BehindBlueEyes
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:05pm
  @MONICNE
  That’s a nice feel good troll story. I’m planning to spend the evening cleaning my gun and reading my bible with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.
  Merry Christmas
  
  Report this comment
- MONICNE
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 9:32am
  Well, I guess no one knows what it’s like to be a bad man, a sad man; BEHINDBLUEEYES.
  
  Your love is Vengance, that’s never free, e e.
  
  Keep yourself warm. You can’t wear my coat but you can use the Blaze. Clean that thing with oily rags and be safe. We need you around.
  
  Merry Christmas
  
  Report this comment
- oldduffer
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 7:48pm
  @ MONICNE
  Please make sure that if you need help that instead of going to your possibly armed next door neighbor that you call 911 and wait for the police while he slams it home and steals you blind.
  Please call 911 and wait for them to answer. People like you should have the signs out front “gun free minds and have fun hon”.
  
  Report this comment
nilo
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 10:32am
‘To all who voted for Obama. Thanks! To all who didn’t vote for Obama. Thanks. To all who didn’t vote. Thanks. To all Republicans who didn’t vote. THANKS A LOT!

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- AZfreeman
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:27pm
  @nilo,
  Yep prices are going up…the Commies are feeling their oats everywhere…Republicans and their Rino brothers are wondering what happened…well…
  I held my nose and voted for Romney as a vote against the Marxist, but I won’t do that again. I am starting to believe that Americans haven’t felt enough pain yet to come to their senses. Here’s a thought…Maybe give us a true Conservative to vote for next time??? If Republicans don’t move back to Conservative principles, the Commies, Marxist, and leftwing Socialists will inherit the ‘grand ol’ flag’. Where’s the outrage? Where are the patriots? Where is the ‘silent majority’ ? Where is Thomas Jefferson? ….rf
  
  “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.” Ronald Reagan
  
  Dear President Reagan, we are there.
  
  Report this comment
RemoteCoderz
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 9:41am
Hey “The Blaze”. You could have accomplished the same thing by keeping the headline of this article, and in the body of the message simply state: “D) All of the above.” Because as we all know, every thing will cost more. Stop sugar coating it.

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- Gorp
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:21am
  Sugar is good. It will just cost an arm and leg soon. But who needs arms and legs anyway?
  
  Report this comment
SocialistSlayer
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 8:06am
Now that the election is over they care less about hiding the dire situation ahead. Stock up on Dehydrated foods for your families before it’s too late !

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- ImMadAsHell
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:31pm
  been doing this for 2 years now, i have at least 8 months of supplies
  
  Report this comment
- IronHamster
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:42pm
  The dehydrated stuff is great for long term, but this is going to be hitting soon. Buying extra canned goods on sale is like putting money in the bank. …better actually. Have you seen the interest lately?
  
  Report this comment
riddleman
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:27am
I don’t live in TEXAS, but I keep enough fuel on hand to get there, I won’t want to get stuck with Vermont or Maryland if the Republic comes apart.

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Noonien_Soong
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:31am
Barack Hussein Obama built this bad piss poor economy.

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kindling
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:44am
You notice nothing is being said about what happens when taxes go up for the “rich”. When that happens we will be paying the higher prices to offset this tax increase. We all know it is the middle class that will feel that pinch.

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- mensa141
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:36pm
  The guy who gets a paycheck is the one who always pays for corporate or rich taxes. Our dumb-down electorate is unfortunately incapable of understanding that little fact.
  
  Report this comment
Tigress1
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:24pm
EVERYTHING has been going up! Keep an eye on the number of ounces, quantities, etc. are in packages. This is where the hidden inflation is located. Manufacturers don’t have to raise the price of products if they simply lower the amount given. They are hoping people don’t notice. Especially pay attention after a product goes on sale. They lower the price for the sale hoping that you don’t remember the original price, and then after the sale the quantity, ounces, etc. go down but the price is higher than the original. Sneaky!

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- loriann12
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 8:28am
  You are so right. I bought a can of coffee, at what I thought was just under a buck more expensive…to find that it had way less coffee in it. The little vaccuum seal was sucked down almost a third of the can.
  
  Report this comment
exfire
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:55pm
To all of the morons that voted for Obama…I will have to pay much more for my things..but then,so will you..and that does make me feel somewhat better…thank GOD I live in Texas …

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:45am
  Morons indeed.
  
  Report this comment
- loriann12
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 8:32am
  So, what? Their food stamps won’t go as far? OMGosh, they might have to use some of their own money for food? Here in my part of Texas, we have a thrift store that has a 99 cent day once a week, where a certain color tag is 99 cents. On that day, you can see the Mexicans loading up their cart with everything with that color tag, without even checking sizes. They check condition, and throw it in their cart and then pay cash for it. Next week look for the yard sales with clothes for $2.
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 9:11am
  Everything that we need to exis, that “SKYROCKETS”….is NOT ON KINGo’/bERRIE’S “INFLATION”-LIST!!!
  
  Report this comment
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:53pm
What about energy prices? Will that be this year or next year? I’m sure Zero will get to them in his own time.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 1:09am
  Hi Anonymous T. Irrelevant,
  
  I think that’s now covered under the category of “grains”. : (
  
  Report this comment
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:41pm
Maybe the list should be titled “Whats not going up in price for 2013″?

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- Conservative2
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 12:22am
  Your Income! Well unless your Union then it’s going up for
  sure!
  
  Report this comment
- Gorp
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 5:23am
  Unless you work for a company like what happened to Wonder Bread. Then your wages will go down a lot. Probably almost for sure 100% even. AHHH Unions and stupid people, gotta love em.
  
  Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:40pm
Using chain consumer price index, the government lies to you & tell you there is no inflation.

CPI is hard to measure, but the government is using the fact that it is hard to measure to fudge the inflation rate reporting to benefit the regime. Just like they did with the unemployment rate.

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hugo65hsv
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:02pm
ObamaCare it’s not a tax, it’s not a tax.. It’s a tax.. Thank you liberal idiots hope you feel the cost of your stupidity..

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DennisWG
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 9:06pm
and, of course, taxes will go up too…

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- Gorp
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 9:50pm
  Come on now. Where did you hear that rumor? Obama loves us. Doesn’t he? Yes he does…
  
  Report this comment
TheBurningTruth
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 9:00pm
It’s another part of the “equality of outcome” plan the Progressive Liberals are implementing. Devalue the currency so that everything costs more. Then increase the subsidies to “the poor” while letting the rest of us pay the freight. By ignoring those subsidies and NEVER including them any effective income calculation, people that don’t work are becoming steadily richer than working people at the bottom of the ladder.

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- decendentof56
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:15pm
  Burning………Obama said from the beginning (of his ’08 campaign) that he thought it would be good to “spread the wealth around.” I’m sure you remember that statement, made to Joe the Plummer.
  Or, maybe you remember the famous…”under my administration ,energy costs would “necessarily skyrocket.”
  Ethanol production is primarily intended to do two things:
  (1) – raise prices of corn-based food products by limiting the supply. The gov gets to tax the gas, which is more revenue for them as oposed to a box of cereal. Its simple, really…….you can change your diet, but you need to buy gas.
  (2) – force all of us to buy, or consider buying, a flex-fuel or electric vehicle. Manufacturers have already given notice they will void warranties if you use ethanol in cars of a certain age.
  
  Aside from all of that…..don’t think that the Feds will not charge to keep that older car of yours on the road in the form of higher registration fees. A higher registration fee will probably be imposed for gas-guzzlers like, say, a Chevy Avalanche or Suburban at some point. You will pay, one way or another.
  
  You’ll especially like an environmental surcharge for keeping that older vehicle on the road.
  See, people…..the possibilities are endless when it comes to spreading the wealth.
  
  Report this comment
justa_thought
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:49pm
dats da plan boys and girs. Yo wuz a matta wit dat?

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:46pm
I shop by the week, and have seen prices go up, serving sizes go down, and there is no end in sight.

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- dealer@678
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:25pm
  Snow, Its the same here in Dallas and getting worse
  
  Report this comment
DougHuffman
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:39pm
Everything will be more expensive in US dollars. Compare the prices against a stable currency or a commodity. The US dollar is in a nose dive off the fiscal cliff.

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Al J Zira
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:21pm
Why the long article? The answer is everything!

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- neverending
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:29pm
  Yeah no kidding!
  
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- Bro Geo Too
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:33pm
  Ditto
  
  Report this comment
- cemerius
  Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:34pm
  in Total!! Yep!
  
  Report this comment

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