This decline is hardly "shocking". It's all simple math. Aside from the housing dollars mentioned, simple math can figure this one out.

At a time when certain expenses, at least here in NY, have gone through the roof, such as gasoline, food and tolls, salaries (if you have a job) have remained stagnant. Additionally, with mortgage rates still ridiculously low, banks are paying out next to nothing on savings and CDs.

I heard an economist speak last fall. He said if you put your money in a plain old savings account, you're actually losing money. Let's say that CoL increase was 3% (I don't know what it was, just using numbers) and you tied up $5,000 in a 12 month CD paying .4%, then you are actually losing money since that money can buy LESS this year than last.