Even if you’re not sure about the exact definition of inflation, you
have probably felt its effects. Here, we’ll share:
What is inflation?
How does
inflation affect me and my family?
What will
happen with inflation in 2025?
Of course, there is no way to predict the future. The good
news is that our experts are well-versed in inflation, so you’ll
learn what you need to know here.
What is inflation?
Inflation is the gradual increase in the cost of goods and
services, like groceries, gas, and rent, over time. Practically, it
means that a dollar today is not worth as much as a dollar yesterday.¹
Inflation isn’t always bad.² A small amount of inflation can
be healthy for the economy because it shows that people are spending
money. However, too much inflation – and when prices rise too quickly
– can become problematic.
How does inflation affect me?
Inflation touches nearly every part of daily life.³
Groceries and Essentials: Higher prices overall
mean your grocery bill increases, even if you’re buying the
same things you usually purchase.
Rent
and Housing: If you rent, your landlord might raise the rent
to keep up with their own rising maintenance costs due to
inflation. Similarly, if you’re paying a mortgage, the cost
of materials to fix or maintain your home might also
rise.
Savings: Unfortunately, the money
you’ve saved loses value, because if you saved $1,000, it
won’t buy as much as it could last year.
Wages: Sometimes your paycheck doesn’t grow as quickly as
inflation, making it harder to afford basic needs.
What will happen with inflation in 2025?
Although more data will be available in February, economists
predict that inflation may continue to slow down throughout 2025.⁴
Taking a closer look at global inflation, balancing growth and risk
will be important to determine if this will hold true. Recent U.S.
elections could change global trade trends, and small businesses,
which employ nearly half of workers in the U.S., play a big role in
economic stability. Problems in this sector could lead to job losses
and financial struggles – and this all influences inflation.
Highlights:
Account Takeover (ATO) fraud is a rapidly
growing, multi-billion dollar problem with consumer cos [...]
November 11, 2025
Tom O’Neill
Senior Advisor
Tom O'Neill brings over 25 years of experience leading analytic consulting engagements within Financial Services and other industries. As a Senior Advisor at Equifax, O’Neill provides analytic thought leadership to client senior management, public forums, and various industry and advisory councils.
Tom has been respons[...]
