Canada's April CPI Hits 2.8% as Grocery Prices Rise 3.5%
Updated
Updated · The Globe and Mail · May 25
Canada's April CPI Hits 2.8% as Grocery Prices Rise 3.5%
6 articles · Updated · The Globe and Mail · May 25
2.8% inflation in April marked Canada's fastest annual CPI increase since May 2024, with energy prices—especially gasoline—driving the pickup amid Middle East tensions.
3.5% grocery inflation, though down from 4% in March, kept pressure on household budgets and added strain to Canadians pursuing early-retirement plans under the FIRE strategy.
FIRE followers and advisers said disciplined saving, investing and spending buffers have helped absorb higher costs, but housing remains the biggest threat to retirement timelines for younger adherents.
Some savers are cutting dining out, trimming grocery bills and relying on stock investing, home equity and side income, while shifting focus from a fixed retirement date to broader financial independence.
Is Canada's high cost of living turning the FIRE movement into a dream only for the rich?
As inflation challenges the 4% rule, how are early retirees adapting their financial plans to survive?
What is the psychological toll of delaying a dream after years of extreme financial sacrifice?