Examples of current inflation - add yours!

[GenXguy]

Saw Walmart just raised the price of their ice cream and ice cream bars about 3.5%.

So much for grocery prices going down that some were predicting or promising. I haven't seen that at all.

 

[CaptTom]

I've noticed a lot of prices bouncing around. Even in the same store, something which used to cost around $1 and went up to $1.89 during the "big" round of inflation came back down and is now skipping around between $1.25 and $1.50. I've even seen a few things hit their pre-pandemic price, only to inch back up. And it's common now to see vastly different prices on the same product in different stores.

My theory is sellers are testing the market, seeing what the consumer will tolerate.

My advice remains the same: Vote with your wallet.

 

[John Galt III]

I've noticed a lot of prices bouncing around. Even in the same store, something which used to cost around $1 and went up to $1.89 during the "big" round of inflation came back down and is now skipping around between $1.25 and $1.50. I've even seen a few things hit their pre-pandemic price, only to inch back up. And it's common now to see vastly different prices on the same product in different stores.

My theory is sellers are testing the market, seeing what the consumer will tolerate.

My advice remains the same: Vote with your wallet.

I was surprised to find an 11 foot rail for a split rail fence dropped a few dollars. Used to be $18 for one rail a year ago, now is $16. Have not noticed any other price drops for anything.

 

[Flieger]

I don't expect many things to drop in price for a while. It will take a while for all of this to turn around.

Flieger

 

[GenXguy]

I don't expect many things to drop in price for a while. It will take a while for all of this to turn around.

Flieger

Turn around? That's not happening. Unless we get deflation, which is supposedly bad for the economy and highly unlikely, prices will continue to go up on average for most things as they have. Some items may come down, like eggs eventually, but those are exceptions.

Another thing I've noticed is that Dollar Tree has fewer $1.25 items and a lot more items that are $3 to $5 in the last couple months. For example, a 2-pack of toilet cleaner for $5 when they all used to be $1.25. Instead of a $1 battery, you might be paying $3.

 

[Flieger]

Turn around? That's not happening. Unless we get deflation, which is supposedly bad for the economy and highly unlikely, prices will continue to go up on average for most things as they have. Some items may come down, like eggs eventually, but those are exceptions.

Another thing I've noticed is that Dollar Tree has fewer $1.25 items and a lot more items that are $3 to $5 in the last couple months. For example, a 2-pack of toilet cleaner for $5 when they all used to be $1.25. Instead of a $1 battery, you might be paying $3.

Well, we all can have our opinions. I chose to be optimistic.

Flieger

 

[Koolau]

Well, we all can have our opinions. I chose to be optimistic.

Flieger

I won't go quite that far. I'll say "hopeful." Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation as a pessimist.

 

[GenXguy]

I won't go quite that far. I'll say "hopeful." Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation as a pessimist.

But is hoping for deflation actually optimism or pessimism?

 

[John Galt III]

But is hoping for deflation actually optimism or pessimism?

Optimism, in my book, lol.

 

[Koolau]

But is hoping for deflation actually optimism or pessimism?

Optimism, in my book, lol.

DW always says I'm an optimist in pessimist's clothing. That way, I'm never "disappointed." If it turns out "bad" then I can say I was "right." If it tuns out "good" I can be happy that I was "wrong" (heh, heh, THIS time.)

 

[Gumby]

DW always says I'm an optimist in pessimist's clothing. That way, I'm never "disappointed." If it turns out "bad" then I can say I was "right." If it tuns out "good" I can be happy that I was "wrong" (heh, heh, THIS time.)

It's always darkest before it goes totally black.

 

[Chuckanut]

My advice remains the same: Vote with your wallet.

Absolutely. If we pay they will go higher.
Buyers Strike!

 

[Koolau]

It's always darkest before it goes totally black.

And inside every silver lining, there's a dark cloud.

 

[GenXguy]

Shrinkflation - I just saw those 5 packs of mini-candy bars likes Hershey's and Reese's are now 4 packs. Oh, and the price is the same at $1.18, that they had previously hiked. So, you would have been getting 25% more for the same price prior to this change.

Before:

Last Sept., you could even get the 12 packs of these for $1:

Examples of Inflation Easing--Add Yours!

Property tax "estimate" arrived in the mail....Up 5.5% if the council approves the proposed budget...not sure the gubment understands that inflation is running supposedly at 2.5%

www.early-retirement.org

 

[CaptTom]

Don't get me started. Shrinkflation wouldn't work if people refused to buy those smaller packages.

I was looking in my cabinet the other day, and I have an old Rubbermaid or Tupperware container made for the freezer - to keep a "standard" half-gallon box of ice cream fresh. Good luck finding one of those today!

One time I was on a serious diet, drastically cutting portion sizes. I got it all the way down to eating nothing for lunch except one 8-ounce yogurt container. Now they sell like 4-ounce containers. That's barely a tease! Think about it. That's like one-third of a standard 12-ounce water glass. Why bother?

I have trouble making pasta these days. The jars of sauce are down to 24, sometimes even 18 ounces. You need 32 ounces to go with a one-pound package of pasta. Why are people buying these?

I could go on...

 

[DEC-1982]

I used to think there were 2 ways for manufacturers to handle input cost changes (and increase profits of course)

1) increase prices
2) reduce the size or quantity

But they have discovered a third way
Reduce the quality in such a way that you need more of it. I am thinking specifically about coffee, where I find myself having to add more coffee powder to produce the same taste

 

[audreyh1]

I used to think there were 2 ways for manufacturers to handle input cost changes (and increase profits of course)

1) increase prices
2) reduce the size or quantity

But they have discovered a third way
Reduce the quality in such a way that you need more of it. I am thinking specifically about coffee, where I find myself having to add more coffee powder to produce the same taste

I think you need to switch coffee companies. The beans haven’t gotten weaker. Lots of suppliers and competition. Costco has great prices on whole beans online.

 

[Chuckanut]

I have trouble making pasta these days. The jars of sauce are down to 24, sometimes even 18 ounces. You need 32 ounces to go with a one-pound package of pasta. Why are people buying these?

Good pasta sauce is easy to make. And healthier since there is no sugar or other junk in it. Just tomatoes, garlic, spices, olive oil, and maybe a bit of red wine if you wish.

 

[GenXguy]

One time I was on a serious diet, drastically cutting portion sizes. I got it all the way down to eating nothing for lunch except one 8-ounce yogurt container. Now they sell like 4-ounce containers. That's barely a tease! Think about it. That's like one-third of a standard 12-ounce water glass. Why bother?

I notice the Greek yogurt I get is only 5.3 oz. Feels like you haven't eaten anything. Plus the price is $1.50 now. I miss the days of 8 oz. for 50 cents.

 

[CaptTom]

Good pasta sauce is easy to make.

Fortunately I found a brand of sauce I like at the BJs warehouse store which comes in a package of 3, 32-ounce jars. I have made my own in the past, and will do so again when they stop carrying that size.

But you're absolutely right that making your own is a great way to, as I like to say, vote with your wallet. If more consumers did this the manufacturers would soon learn not to reduce quality or quantity.

There is one product I buy regularly which came out with a "New! Improved!" formula a couple of years ago. Basically they added about 40% more water. I stopped buying it and sent an e-mail to the company. Apparently others did, too, because it wasn't long before I got a nice reply saying they'd returned to the "classic" recipe. They even sent me several dollars' worth of coupons. I watch the package carefully since then, and so far no changes in either the size or ingredients.

I started making my own bread when that tripled in price after the pandemic. I notice now the store brand breads are back to only something like 50% more than before, which is in line with actual inflation (not the government numbers.)

It's harder to make my own potato chips and similar snack foods, so I've just stopped buying them. It would be great if y'all would join me and we could get those prices back to normal, too.

 

[Fermion]

Potato chips are actually not that hard to make, especially if you have a air fryer or air fryer oven. You can hand slice or buy a slicer, spray them with a bit of oil then air fry.

 

[audreyh1]

It's harder to make my own potato chips and similar snack foods, so I've just stopped buying them. It would be great if y'all would join me and we could get those prices back to normal, too.

I understand you wanting people to boycott these snacks due to crazy price increases. But that stuff is so not good for you. People are better off not eating them at all.

 

[Badger]

Good pasta sauce is easy to make. And healthier since there is no sugar or other junk in it. Just tomatoes, garlic, spices, olive oil, and maybe a bit of red wine if you wish.

I have been making my own for the past 40 years. Prep only takes a few minutes then I walk away as it simmers. The recipe may vary a little but always better than store bought.

 

[Chuckanut]

I started making my own bread when that tripled in price after the pandemic. I notice now the store brand breads are back to only something like 50% more than before, which is in line with actual inflation (not the government numbers.)

I’ve been making my own bread for many years. At first I used a bread machine, but the bread was only OK. When I learned about No Knead bread and the long overnight rise, I was hooked. Using just a bit of yeast (or starter) and letting the bread rise for 8-12 hours really does improve the flavor and texture of the bread, IMO.

FWIW, my body reacts much better to my homemade bread than to store bought breads. Almost no reflux. But, it does take a lot longer to toast than the store bought stuff.

OK, back on topic, my favorite daily use cheese has gone from a little over $5 a pound to nearly $7 a pound in the last year. Now, when Costco has a deal on it, I stock up. The price of Costco’s French Brie has also gone up about $2 for a package of it.

Who pays for this? Local restaurants. A new one near me has opened and people rave about it. But, coffee and the cheapest breakfast plate that I would enjoy are nearly $30 after tax and tip. We’re talking biscuits and gravy with two eggs on the side, not steak and eggs. Unless I am traveling or it’s a social occasion, I don’t go out to eat anymore.

 

[disneysteve]

Home owner's insurance

2023: $948
2024: $1,081 - up 14% from the year before
2025: $1,282 - up 18.6% from the year before

We don't live in a high-risk area (tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.). I assume we are bearing the impact of natural disasters in other parts of the country.