Sources

Every cost post starts with a source line.

Backroads & Overdrafts uses public data, retailer price checks, and clearly labeled reader reports. Cost posts should include the source name, pull date, location, and caveat when the comparison is not exact.

Preferred Data Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics for inflation, CPI, wages, and average price series.
• FRED for historical economic series and long-run comparisons.
• EIA and AAA for fuel and energy data.
• Retailer-specific price checks for current grocery examples.
• Housing and travel sources when comparing rent, hotels, and regional costs.

Caveats Matter

Store, package size, sale status, city, and date can change the meaning of a price. When those details differ, the post should say so instead of pretending the comparison is cleaner than it is.