I’ve been a little worried of late because my limited income doesn’t seem to go as far as it used to. This led me to think there might be some inflation afoot. But thankfully, the government’s new inflation numbers have reassured me.

The CPI actually decline last month for the first time since 1982. Well, not exactly declined. It only did so, according to some numbers the government likes to parade around these days, when food and energy were excluded. But who uses food and energy after all?

Things like computers and clothing are what’s leading the way down — inflation-wise. Most people, of course, don’t buy a new computer monthly. And except for underwear and maybe a new flannel shirt to meet seasonal needs, most of us don’t spend a lot on clothing either. But if we did, things would be cheaper. So maybe we should.

Another reason the government doesn’t think there’s much inflation out there is because health care costs aren’t going up — at least in government reckoning. Though I have to say, while the 39 percent increase a leading health insurer in California tried to impose on its customers recently was retracted when the state stepped in, I have heard that similar huge increases are commonplace around the country. Strange, when inflation is so well under control.

Even when formal health insurer rate hikes aren’t on view, the surge in co-pays makes health costs more expensive for consumers— which I always used to think was what inflation meant. With my own coverage, co-pays just increased on various services an average of about 33 percent.

But what do I know. I’m no government economist or bean counter. If these people say there’s no inflation to speak of, they must be right. And if carpers like myself would just stop eating and using energy and getting sick on occasion we, too, would share the joys of a non-inflationary economy.