Fun Facts on Inflation: Or, Why $140 Oil Looks Dirt-Cheap Compared to Other “Necessities”…

Investors are fretting over $142 a barrel oil this morning, and gasoline is well above $4 per gallon, but a recent story on CNBC.com shows how the high price of crude really stacks up against several other “necessities.”

The conclusion… oil’s actually pretty cheap at these levels... so quit complaining.

In fact, a trip to your favorite neighborhood sports bar will really give you sticker-shock. A barrel of Budweiser beer will set you back $447.25.

Would you like some Tabasco hot sauce for your chicken wings? That’ll cost you $6,155.52 a barrel! Hmm…I’ll take mine mild.

Switching to water to quench your thirst instead of beer won’t save you much either.

A barrel of Perrier will set you back $300.61 per barrel.

How about a trip to your local neighbor Starbucks instead? Cost: $954.24 a barrel – that’s only IF you take your coffee black.  Adding milk will cost you another $163.38 a barrel. 

Of course you can always just stay home, and drown your inflation sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk instead; cost: $1,609.44 a barrel!

Clearly it’s belt-tightening time for the average American amid these soaring prices for everyday “necessities” – just cut back on the luxury items and you'll be ok. After all who can afford Chanel No. 5 at a cost of $1,666,560 a barrel?

My wife will just have to do without!