Inflation in Lozano's Car Wash Coupons - 2016 Update

You can get an idea of why the US economy is growing so slowly with this look at "real inflation" at my local car wash that has to deal with rising minimum wages in Mountain View plus the costs of ACA, Affordable Care Act also known as "Obamacare."

Over the past three years, the lowest price for a "car wash" went up $5 or 38.5%  at "Lozano's Car Wash" in Mountain View, California.  (Map)

Lozano's is on the corner at the city limit of Mountain View with Los Altos across El Camino Real and Palo Alto across Del Medio Avenue.

Lozano's Car Wash Coupons

Expires 8/31/13

Expires 8/31/16

Kirk Lindstrom's Investment Letter:

• Subscribe NOW & get the August 2016 Issue for FREE!!!

The "Tuesday Special Coupon" is still "only" $17.99 but it expires at the end of the money so I would not be surprised if they raise it $1 again, or perhaps wait until January when Mountain View minimum wages go up again.

The major costs to run a car wash are:

• Labor
• Energy
• soap, towels & other supplies
• Water

They recycle the water but I imagine some is lost due to evaporation and water costs are way up due to higher labor and pension costs.  

Energy prices are down so I think the biggest reason for the higher prices is higher labor costs.

See my 2015 update at:

• Real Inflation at Lozano's Car Wash in Mountain View, California

More coupons to show the price progression: