Inflation has cooled a lot. So why do things still feel so expensive?

Inflation has cooled significantly in recent months, yet many people are still paying more for a lot of things. That's because easing inflation doesn't actually mean prices are falling — it just means prices are rising more slowly. And that's a good thing for the economy. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Inflation has cooled significantly in recent months — but you may still find yourself paying more at the grocery store or the doctor's office than before the pandemic.

It's a big reason why people are unhappy about the economy, as this recent Gallup poll revealed, even if by many measures the economy is actually doing quite well.