A significant increase in the cost of fresh vegetables (14.4%) and meat (7.2%) propelled grocery bills 4.9% higher, while restaurant meals cost 2.3% more in July compared with the same month last year. Despite lower prices for natural gas (-3%), shelter costs rose 1%, an increase driven by higher insurance premiums (17.2%), electricity bills (6.7%) and property taxes (4.8%). The cost of household operations rose 3.2%, while furnishings were comparatively less expensive (-4.2%). Prices dropped for women’s (-9.6%) and children’s (-14.4%) clothing. | 
