Inflation? What inflation?

The national inflation data seem benign, but what about Florida?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes Miami's inflation index every two months, and it's a pretty good gauge for the rest of the state (a separate measure for Tampa is published twice a year).

You wouldn't know it from grocery shopping, but the consumer price index in Miami fell 0.1% in the May-June period. When you take out the more volatile prices of food and energy, prices over the May-June period fell 0.2%. For the year ending in June, Miami's CPI rose just 1.7%.

In fact, this may be a good time to buy some big-ticket items. The bureau noted price decreases in Miami for televisions, tires and toys.