How’s everyone doing with the prices…

The Kroger bacon bits (20oz) that I buy used to be $9.99 but jumped to $10.99 a few weeks ago.

This past weekend they were $14.99!

That is a 50% increase!

Left them on the shelf.

I stopped all discretionary spending. It's doable.

At least in Massachusetts, the eggs must now be cage free. That added a dollar to a dozen.

What pisses me off most is the disappearance of the private label store brands. Retailers and producers make more from the name brands so simply stopped making the less-expensive - but similar if not identical - alternatives.

Re: High cost of poultry and eggs. You do know that we're in the middle of an Avian Flu epidemic?

We've still got story brands in my neck of the woods - tho I have notices some disappearing.

OP, try the store brand for the junk stuff if you have the option. I switched many years ago for snacks and cereal and don't remember if there was a difference - so there couldn't have been that big of difference.

Not sure if you'll do better at the 99cent store these days. Seems like now their cheaper prices usually only mean smaller sizes.

It’s just nuts. I’ve never seen food cost this much.

As R2 suggests, it is do-able, but damn!

A small bag of Doritos was over $3.00 bucks. I wasn’t buying the Doritos, but I did a double take on the price tag.

I settled for yogurt, and sandwich supplies for the next week. Also got some eggs for breakfast, but I was genuinely blown away at how much things cost now.

[quote]Vons of Ralph’s

It's no Giorgio of Beverly Hills.

I'd shop around, look at prices online and find somewhere more reasonable. Locally I found both Hy-Vee and Kroger have Triscuits at $3.28 but the Cheez Whiz is $5.99. You can get two packages of sliced cheese for that much and it tastes better.

After reading comments here I looked up the store brands and there were none at either store, except Hy-Vee had their brand of Cheez Whiz for $2.50. I hope this lack of store brands isn't a permanent change.

The gas and grocery prices I can deal with. Gas prices fluctuate. They will come back down. I don’t buy cheese wiz, I shop at Aldi and Costco and buy store brand whenever I shop elsewhere. My rent about to double. That’s an extra $18,000 a year and the rent prices are not going to come back down. My heart bleeds for all of you fat asses paying a few extra dollars for cheese wiz though.

Pretty bad. As someone who works part time and spends frugally, it adds up. One of my local grocery stores (large city in midwest) has jacked prices way up. I stood there debating $6 for a small box of blueberries. My total bill was nearly double what it usually is!

Another grocery place is always out of stock of whatever it is I need. I also drive for work and gas prices have hit me hard.

I'm in Europe and it's the same here. Electricity and (natural) gas prices are really high at the moment so everything is more expensive to produce and transport

A stereo receiver that was highly recommended at $500 early in 2021, and $600 in December, 2021, is now $700.

Well, it’s not like I need crackers and cheese. I’m fine without them and even better off without these items in my diet.

My point is how expensive things are at this time.

I also hope it isn’t permanent, R9. They barely had any store brands yesterday.

I'm selling some stuff on eBay. It's going well and helps out a bit.

I'm pissed about shrinkflation. My shredded cheese is losing ounces (from 8 oz to 6 or 7). All recipes usually call for a cup or two of cheese, so I have to buy two packages. It's happening in other products too. I don't want to have to buy two packages, instead of one, so that they think I don't notice that the price hasn't been raised! And then I'm left with an awkward unusable amount and have to buy more.

R9, I’m not fat.

Sometimes, you just want a little bit of junk food.

I don’t make it a habit. Nothing wrong with wanting junk food once every few months or years.

Triscuits and cheez whiz? Is this a Roseanne rerun? At least get some carr’s crackers and Brie…

That just happened to me, r15. I wanted to make a broccoli and tomato casserole and had to buy two packages of pre-shredded cheese for it. I wasn't thinking and didn't even check the blocks of cheese, but they're still 8 oz. The shredded was 7.1 oz.

I hope Sandy Duncan got a lifetime supply of Wheat Thins.

Seattle area checking in. Gas prices are always higher here. There around $4.60-70 a gallon. It's the food prices I'm noticing big increases. Diary, orange juice and snacks have had significant increases Went to Home Depot to price Blackout out shades, price was almost double what I paid a few years ago. I wound up purchasing blackout pout curtains on sale from Crate and Barrel. Thank God, I don't have to purchase a car or a house. A house for sale near me had to lower its price. It went up for sale just before the big mortgage rate increase.

Haagen Dazs is having fun with resizing their ice cream cartons while retaining full price.

I think Wegmans still have their store brand. I shopped there a couple of weeks ago...bought their brand orange juice, cans of beans and canned tuna. I hope they still keep them. I didn't notice a change, but then...I don't buy a lot of store brands, so don't always look out for them.

r3 who do you think makes the store brands? It is the companies of the popular items. They were probably losing a lot of money to the store brands so stopped making them.

I'm glad I was forced to learn to cook for myself during quarantine. Before, I was eating out most nights of the week or getting carryout. And because I'm actually buying real food now - as opposed to just snacks and microwavable stuff - I started paying attention to prices for meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, etc. In the process I became a more astute shopper. So while I'm not happy about rising prices, I'm a bit smarter than I used to be when it comes to finding good values when grocery shopping.

My personal rant - Breakfast cereal has to be the single biggest ripoff of anything you find in the grocery store!!

Go with oatmeal over dry cereal - a better deal and better for you.

You ain’t seen nothing yet!

a jar of tomato sauce used to cover a package of pastsa better than it does now.

just sayin'.

Cereal isn't just expensive, it's frequently sold out. No one had my beloved Frosted Mini Wheats last week and I was shook!

Living in Germany, and there is a noticeable price hike here too. I cannot remember a year where inflation was this high - maybe the year when they introduced the EURO.

[quote]Avian Flu epidemic

The last detected outbreak was March 23rd so we may be past it, though you're right that it's going to be affecting product for a while.

It's hard to find Tyson brand anything these days, I assume because of the outbreak.

Someone is looking out for ya!

Was just discussing this with a friend. We agreed that if you go to the local Hispanic markets, the prices are still reasonable. It works for me, for most things.

I think this price gouging isn't temporary...will probably be more permanent, unfortunately. The pandemic and "supply problems" are just an excuse for the companies to raise their prices. They exploited it. When do food prices ever go down?

Has the price of a rim job gone up?

[quote] a jar of tomato sauce used to cover a package of pastsa better than it does now.

Maybe you should drain your pasta.

Just curious. While rising food prices are annoying, do most DL posters feel that it will make a significant difference in their overall financial position? I guess what I mean is, can’t most of us afford it?

The resizing of products is fucking maddening.

THIS is when I am grateful for not having small children. I cannot imagine what couples and single parents are paying right now. Just unbelievable.

Pet foods are another price gouger.

12-16 small cans of Fancy Feast are $20 or over, depending on where you go.

I’m buying ground beef, carrots and rice for my baby now. Cook, steam the ingredients, mix in a bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and voilà, you’ve got cat food for the next month once you freeze it.

She’ll get accustomed to it, it’s healthier for her than regular cat food, and it’s MUCH more economical than purchasing store packaged cat foods.

Any recipes for cat food from DL? TIA!

I’ve seen a creep up of just about everything. One I noticed was Publix store brand butter (cheapest they had) had risen to $5.09. I went to Lidl and got theirs for $2.00. Probably made in the same factory.

Publix runs their BOGO specials every week and rotate brands of things I buy so that I won’t buy certain things like sparkling water, coffee, Dukes mayo, and cereal until they’re on half price.

My partner goes through a box of Special K every week and that stuff is like 6 bucks. I told him it’s a luxury item and buy like ten boxes when it goes on BOGO.

I like the idea of making your own pet food. Google it...you'll find some good recipes. You know what's in the food and have control of the ingredients.

PS Audio Electricity Regenerators (particularly the PowerPlant 15) are now at $7500.00. Just a few years ago, they were selling for $2500.00. That is sad. I need one for my stereo and another one for my Home Theater System. That is $15000.00 for pure regenerated AC power.

One stupid orange at Hmart is $1.25!

I had an OLD Gannett newspaper from December 1977- an ad for the A&P advertised TEN oranges for a $1 and now ONE orange is a dollar and a quarter. Oranges have gone up WAY more than inflation since 1977.

JFC, R40!

That’s unbelievable.

This pandemic has brought out every corporate carpet bagger in full price gouging force.

"Tyson Foods, the nation's biggest meat processor, posted more than $1 billion in profit in the first quarter of 2022, up 48% from the year-earlier period."

r36 I can't afford it. I have always shopped by saving money. I try to only buy things on sale. I buy meat that has been marked down because it expires the next day. I am only one person and can make food stretch a long way but I no longer have room to do these things because the prices are so high.

R37, cats need Taurine. I don't know if you can buy it as a supplement or find foods that have it.

And they treat their employees like absolute shit. As if though they’re the lowest of the low.

Wanna experience what slavery may have been like? Go work at a food processing plant, and find out what it felt like.

These companies are overwhelmingly owned by Chinese billionaires.

During the first outbreak of CoViD, our grocery shelves were running short due to the food supplies being prioritized for the Chinese. Everything was going to them, rather than us, AND employees were forced to work during the outbreak. Employees were getting sick, left and right, many even dropping dead.

The shithole red states did everything to cover it up, hence why certain states refused to share data when the pandemic emerged upon our shores.

Most Americans have zero clue as to the extent that the Chinese own us.

When I open my Food Circus chain, it’ll be expensive. Not because of exclusive brands but because everything has gone up.

Funny the one thing that pisses me off the most was croutons for my salad. They went from $1 a bag to $1.54, there is no way it is costing the 54 cents more to produce a bad of croutons than is did a couple of months ago.

We have had almost zero inflation for the last several years, no way that could last forever, it doesn't matter who is President, inflation was going to happen regardless of who won the election. It is happening world wide but that won't stop Republicans from blaming Biden.

Are Dollar Tree pound cakes no longer a dollar?

People who needle in on micro analyzing cheap products with a price increase are insufferable.

Takes one to know one, R50.

I’m speaking of r48 you amoeba

r48 it isn't only the cost of the food but the increase in wages, the cost of transportation, etc.

Everything at the Dollar Store went up...$1.25 now.

[quote]Haagen Dazs is having fun with resizing their ice cream cartons while retaining full price.

So they've gone from 14 oz. to 12 oz. "pints"?

I believe it, r43, but it's been difficult to find Tyson brand anything for a couple of years now.

The other day all the quick-fix foods at the grocery store were sold out (a bunch of restaurants in town still have limited hours or close a few days a week) so maybe it's just that people are fixing food at home more, and they're selling more because of it.

r48, I agree, there are a lot of small items I buy that went from being 99¢ to $1.19 and now cost $1.59 or more. Canned vegetables, dehydrated mashed potatoes, bundles of fresh cilantro and parsley, green onions, and I'm sure more, that's all I can think of off the top of my head, but it adds up.

Look upon it as a dieting opportunity. Don't buy expensive junk food full of empty calories that you don't need.

So far, so good, OP!

"Don't be fooled. This is about corporate greed. It always is."

This thread is sort of fascinating in that here we have Dataloungers moaning about having to pay more money than they can afford for their Cheez Whiz, but whenever we have a thread about how much money posters have, we find out that the majority of them seem to be millionaires.

Kind of a weird disconnect. Makes you think that people are lying on both ends of the spectrum.

R61 it’s a symptom of mental illness too.

R61 It's everything, not just Cheese Whiz. If your food bill goes up 25% a month even well-off people take note.

R61, millionaires in real life are some of the biggest tightwads you will ever meet.

Many got rich by watching every penny, and it's a habit they continue even when they have millions.

I'm sure there's a certain amount of lying about one's circumstances, but yes -- you CAN be a millionaire and still be pissed off because the price of Cheez Whiz has doubled.

Am I needed here?

I’m traveling less by car by combining trips and staying home more due to gasoline prices

[quote] Triscuits and cheez whiz? Is this a Roseanne rerun? At least get some carr’s crackers and Brie…

Carr's water crackers taste like paper, IMO.

[quote] My personal rant - Breakfast cereal has to be the single biggest ripoff of anything you find in the grocery store!!

R24, since you're getting smart about food now, quit eating boxed cereals. What kind of boxed cereal are you eating?

[quote]Carr's water crackers taste like paper, IMO.

Completely agree. Those crackers don't have any flavor. They are essentially an edible plate for a slice of cheese.

[quote] Funny the one thing that pisses me off the most was croutons for my salad. They went from $1 a bag to $1.54

Mary!

In Chicago, when I go to the grocery store I go to Walmart first . They will have things like Progresso Soup or Sugar Free Jello for around a dollar less than than Mariano’s ( Kroger ) or Jewel. The produce is always better at Mariano’s but I only buy fruit there and only when it’s two for one . Then for cereal and stuff I buy the Great Value brand whenever possible . Buy the store brands or two for ones wherever possible. Sign up for digital coupons from the stores to save money too .

[quote]here we have Dataloungers moaning about having to pay more money than they can afford for their Cheez Whiz

One Datalounger. One Datalounger who probably thought he was going to get more attention from the "Cheez Whiz" part of his post than the food prices part of his post.

We have a lot of threads about debt and bankruptcy, and there's an active thread right now about someone who is going to default on their credit card.

You're free to find some of those threads about being millionaires and use the ignore function to cross-reference those posts with the posts on these threads, r61, but my guess is that there isn't much overlap between the millionaires and the people complaining about the price of croutons and canned tomatoes.

Unless you are really poor, there are things you can cut out or cut down on to compensate for the rise in prices of essentials.

My son has pointed out that it’s cheaper to buy tacos at Taco Bell or a burger somewhere than to fix it himself. To fix tacos for one, he has to buy meat, shells, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc. it ends up at a ridiculous price. I really worry about his eating habits. I bought him an instant pot/crockpot to cook roasts, and showed him how to make it last for several meals. He is struggling with rent increases, too.

He worked extra hours for someone at work, who had to attend a funeral. As thanks, his co-workers mom fixed and delivered a tasty homemade barbecued pork roast (they live on a farm). My son loved it. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture.

R36, R64 - I'm bothered by the increase but it doesn't really affect me. And, I am not saying this to brag - just giving a different perspective.

We all have different circumstances so some will be affected more. For me, I have always had the mindset that I needed to take care of myself. I have watched my money, saved, invested and never really splurge, I lived in a rent control apartment for 25 years, albeit a nice one and in a nice area of West Hollywood and recently bought a condo - while all my friends were buying homes, I stayed put to take advantage of the cheaper rent. I have taken a very strategic approach with life (especially money and my career) which will lead to a nice retirement (in about 5 years).

Granted it might be hard to save now but do whatever you can to position yourself well for your retirement. You really need to take care of yourself (always). Have a strategic plan and put it in place. It may not be comfortable at times but in the long run, when it is most important, you will benefit.

What the hell are poor people going to eat. No everyone can get to Costco, Trader Joes and Aldi for cost savings. Seems like there should be subsidized stores where lower income folks can shop. As more and more people can't afford to feed themselves, things will go off the rails more than they already have.

Whenever I see high prices, I give the item the middle finger then throw it in my cart

[quote]My son has pointed out that it’s cheaper to buy tacos at Taco Bell or a burger somewhere than to fix it himself.

It costs almost the same, maybe a little cheaper. A Taco Bell taco has about 2 ounces of meat per taco and you can get 12 for $16.99 before tax, so about $19.00.

At the grocery store, it's $9 for 24 ounces of ground beef, $2.50 for 12 tortillas, $1.50 for one tomato, $3 for one head of lettuce, $1 for a package of taco seasoning, and $3 for one bag of shredded cheddar (after taxes). That's $20.00, but you'd have lettuce, tortillas and cheese left over for later.

I bet sec workers have raised prices due to the cost of gasoline.

Sex!

For those who like cereal, try CVS. There are always sales on different brands every week (you just need to have the ExtraCare card).

For those who like Progresso soups, Target has the best prices & selection, IME.

"It's one banana, Michael. What could it cost? 10 dollars?"

[quote]We have had almost zero inflation for the last several years

and we also had a reliable supply chain that functioned ...until it didn't. The point is that the pandemic wrought inflation; we all forgot that Adam Smith's invisible hand works in non-mysterious ways, and when supplies dried up demand didn't recede, and the only lever of control in a capitalist system is pricing. But being capitalists, corporations surveyed the landscape and realized (like Tyson, quoted above as having record profits) they could raise prices, so they did. It's the same for gas; the war in Ukraine impacted domestic oil production how, again? Isn't the Republican mantra that we have to frack to the point of ecological collapse so that the US is energy self-sufficient? We buy less than 5% of our domestic oil consumption from Russia and Russian-controlled petroleum companies, and that shortfall could have been easily compensated for by our "friends" in OPEC, but no; it was better to raise the price of gas by $2 a gallon so that the most profitable companies in the history of the planet reap untold rewards while the poors leave the car at home and take the bus (and for the idiots who can't read sarcasm, by "poors" I mean anyone who has to fill their own gas tank, rather than, say, the chauffeur).

Why, it's almost like the government in charge when the pandemic was imminent thought it would be better for business if there was a major disruption to the smoothly functioning supply chain. And then the oil companies, feeling left out of the bounty, found a global political disruption just too enticing to overlook.

There is nothing we won't do to each other for money. Nothing.

r4 I didn't know that. I've been wondering what the deal with chicken is and now I know.

Dog food is another thing going through the roof. I just got an 18 pound bag of the Purina puppy food for $50. It has shredded chicken so maybe that's the reason it's so high. I can't afford the fancier brands anymore. Some of us might do fine on our own but we're now supporting older parents. I'm glad I can do it but things have gotten much harder the past few months.

My friends and I did a challenge, 20 dollars to eat for a week. I bought bananas, strawberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes from Costco. It has been fun, and I am satisfied everyday. I think I may do this challenge for a bit longer.

My $2.64 box of Ritz crackers was $3.28 today at Walmart.

Pet food has shot up for both dogs and cats. PetSmart and PetCo have reduced the selection of products, but raised prices on almost everything they carry, it seems. The 3.5 oz cans of dog food used to be on average $1.50 a can. Now most are up to $2.00. Using 2 cans a day costs an extra $30 a month. I have started cooking more of her food to reduce costs.

Each one of any given item isn’t a budget breaker, but when you have many items with these percentages of markup, your $500 a month budget for food is now up to over $600 a month.

Those mini Haagan Daaz ice cream cups are now $1.39. Just a few years ago, I bought them for $1.09, then it jumped to $1.29 in the the pandemic. Still affordabke, but noticeable. Same with a KozyShack plastic tub of pudding: $3.49, maybe $3.69, and now $4.19 at a major chain. Still on sale at times.

Teddie natural peanut butter, local from Everett, Massachusetts and popular in the Boston area, used to be $3,49 a jar maybe two years ago, (or was it was $3.59?) but often on sale. Now it's about $4.19.

I love those Stouffers frozen vegetable lasagnas with white sauce. Maybe $3,19 last year, now $4,29. And three or more years ago, maybe $2,49, I think? But it still comes on sale fir 2 fir $6, but up from 2 for $5 pre pandemic?

Pasta boxes of 16 oz. are well over $1 now, around 1.98 for Barilla brand. That DeCecco premium pasta now isn't much higher now. And the store-brand pasta went from $0.99 to $1.19 and higher. Maybe it's still $0 79 or $0.99 at Dollar stores?

Whole Foods Market salad bar and hot food bars are now $9.99 per pound. Maybe $9 49 just before pandemic, maybe $8 49 just a few years ago. They removed it in March 2020 for a long time, which I thought permanent, so just glad it's been back over six months now.

Que sera, sera?

Not happy with increased prices but I'm doing OK. I shop around online to find the best deals that fit my nutritional needs and buy accordingly.

R89 what are your nutritional needs?

R86, Many might be going semi-vegetarian in the future as prices for certain items soar.

Older sister's SDSU cultural anthropology class held a challenge to copy the original Indian diet for 1 month. Broke students gathered to eat only beans, corn, chili peppers, and water (or herb tea..) Yes it's boring but everyone lost weight and got healthier as well as saving a lot of money.

I’m very blessed; I live in a sunny area and have solar panels. My electric bill was $54 this month and $52 last month. Everything is electric here; stove, fridge and HVAC. I drive a highlander hybrid and I live 25 minutes away from work. I usually pay $40 a month on gas and I’m now paying $56. All in all, I feel pretty fortunate that food is the only bill that’s high. I live alone and my house is paid for.

I can understand small increases here and there or something like the dollar store going to 1.25 or 1.50. Fuel prices do impact their prices to some degree.

But a lot of this is just forced on us by big corporations who are not in the least suffering during either the pandemic or this oil price jump. They exist to reward their shareholders, and they are all jacking up prices to do just that.

This isn't quite the thread, but how often should a car be driven? Once a week?.once every 2 weeks at least? For at least 20 minutes (in order to warm the engine up fully)?

I too am driving less, going so far as to walk to my local Kroger if I'm not buying heavy stuff like drinks liquids, canned food, liquid soaps etc. Trying to avoid being penny wise and pound foolish and end up having to pay for big car repairs for my 15yo sedan due to driving it too infrequently.

At Aldi, I bought a half gallon of milk for 84 cents, and a dozen eggs for 44 cents. The bread is under 60 cents, and a frozen 12 inch pizza was 2.99. I buy store brands, so the prices are better.

[quote] This isn't quite the thread, but how often should a car be driven? Once a week?.once every 2 weeks at least? For at least 20 minutes (in order to warm the engine up fully)?

Not sure if you really have to "warm" the engine of a modern car. You might pay attention to your battery level, though. There's something called a trickle charger that you might be interested in.

The Stouffer's family meals I get have jumped from around $8.49 to $12.49, and this is at Walmart.

I know the overall inflation rate is 8.5% now but it seems like a lot of food items are 20-35% more expensive.

R88 just two words: Market Basket

They’re going up, too, but still so much cheaper than the other local chains

Also: Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter: $2.29

Imagine a head of iceberg lettuce costing $3.99 (and it provides not an ounce of nutritional value)!

What's that word for people starting small farms in their backyards? Think we will start doing that more?

dirt

Haven’t bought meat. Luckily have a bunch frozen from mail-order.

I paid $14 for a pound of lunch meat.

[quote] At Aldi, I bought a half gallon of milk for 84 cents, and a dozen eggs for 44 cents. The bread is under 60 cents, and a frozen 12 inch pizza was 2.99.

I haven’t seen those prices there.

[quote] just two words: Market Basket

That’s not a chain that is available most places, dear. You must live in flyover country.

In flyover country, "Crest" is also a good chain for cheap stuff.

R92, where in Florida do you live?

[quote] Cereal isn't just expensive, it's frequently sold out. No one had my beloved Frosted Mini Wheats last week and I was shook!

Honey, you’re 70. Stop with the shook shit.

Have you been to any fast food place lately? Subway used to be famous for their foot-long sub for $5 and not it's approaching $15! It's also about $15 for any single meal at a hamburger place like Burger King.

R90: I've been low carb since 2004. Mostly fresh or frozen veg/fruit/berries. Occasional beans/lentils. Grass-fed beef. Chicken/eggs pasture-raised. Skipjack tuna. Roasted macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds. Walnuts. Avocado, olive oils. Dark chocolate. Tend to stay away from highly processed products.

R110 Tell the truth are you still fat?

Just kidding. I do all that except the beef and my belly is stlll blubber.

r94 You need to drive it, not only to keep the battery in good shape, but to move the system fluids and rotate the tires. When it sits, the air isn’t evenly distributed, which weakens the tire and may mess up your suspension. Try to drive at least every two weeks (once a week is best), both around the neighborhood and on the highway, for 20-30 minutes. This was told to me by a mechanic.

Hot weather is more damaging to batteries than cold, contrary to popular belief. As r96 mentioned, a trickle charger will extend battery life (solar options exist if you don’t have a garage).

Probably good to change the oil based on time vs. miles driven (i.e., every 6 months or so).

Who eats something with “whiz” as part of the name?

LOL R111 :)

At age 17 and 5'11" I weighed 255 lbs. Got down to 165 lbs at age 19 and stayed there until age 40-ish. Weight slowly creeped up to 175 lbs and at age 50 discovered I had impaired glucose tolerance. Started low carb, got down to 155 lbs, labs improved. Almost 68 now and still doing great.

A lot of people drink men’s piss

R61, not once have I ever claimed to be a millionaire. And here’s a heads up: even if I were a millionaire, I’d still be frugal.

The only things I will spend big money on, are shoes, a decent watch or two, and a pair of diamond studs I have had for years now.

I drive a nice car, but I can now afford it.

I make decent money at this moment, however, I’m saving up because I want to purchase and build a retirement property in the next five years. Hence, my frugality and astonishment at the prices in the grocery stores.

I haven’t purchased discretionary items in months. I have all the nice clothes and shoes I will ever need for the rest of my life, and I’m keeping my car until I drop dead, or will eventually trade it in for an RV vehicle which I will pay for in full.

There are plenty of people on DL with money, and I’m positive they’d tell you that they’re tightening their belts, as well.

*EV vehicle.

Taco Bell? Meat? I thought they admitted it doesn't have meat in it?

Gas prices have dropped 30 cents in my area so that's a good sign.

R109 Where do you live?

BK had 8 chicken tenders (plus sauce) for $1.49 in most areas.

Folks were scared into a chicken shortage months ago but that hasn't caused BK to raise prices or say they are out of stock on chicken items.

The only item at Walmart that has increased in price (that I purchase from dozens of products) are Archway cookies

& they all went from $2.94 to about 20 cents more. No biggie.

Milk in my area is about $2.79 a gallon. Cheese has increased either.

Oh Man Remember the humble Acorn. You are gonna hate me for this but Gas needs to be high for planetary health reasons. As it is plenty of people on the margins and food and shelter will become unobtainable for so many people of the world. Can We have a little deflation now and then. A terrifying spiral of money becoming worth more and things costing less. Oh the pain it would cause. Just look at the Housing crash of 2008.

2 different tuna can brands that I buy for cats are still 79 cents a can in my area.

Its sickening. Someone tell me its going to get better…?

I commented recently on gas prices coming way down in my area recently. They're down to $3.38/gal as of today.

I have noticed lots of grocery items increasing in price but the increases have not been anywhere near as outlandish as I'm reading other people here are stating. The only outlandish price increase I've seen so far was for chicken wings at a Walmart deli a woman had just bought and went wild when she noticed the price for 12 wing pieces was almost $17.00. Ridiculous, but no big deal for me because I don't eat meat.

Not for a while, R125.

r25, I prefer milk over cereal, with oatmeal it would just be a sticky mess.

R128- I never drink milk. I pour Oat Beverage over my puffed Kamut on Saturday morning. It has a certain crunchiness to it.

So I had to look up Kamut. I’m not sure if r129 is a parody post or not.

You fat bitches don't need to be eating crap like crackers, boxed cereals, frozen meals, and croutons anyway! They're shitty processed foods that are killing you.

As someone else said, take this temporary situation as a dieting opportunity. Get one of those big canisters of old-fashioned oats and make oatmeal for cents per bowl. A carton of eggs creates several meals for less than a dollar each. You can make healthy, filling soups and stews out of whole foods—frozen vegetables are just as healthy as fresh—for a little more than a dollar per serving. At Target in NYC, cans of diced tomatoes and beans are 79 cents. Add garlic, onion and seasonings and you can make four big servings of vegetarian chili for about 75 cents each. At Trader Joe's, a bag of kale is $2.79 and makes three big salads. Add a can of tuna, part of an onion and tomato and some dressing, and you've got lunch for two bucks.

And stop eating all fucking day long! That's why this country is so obese—people are constantly cramming snacks into their gobs on an hourly basis. And wasting money on refined carbs that just make you hungrier.

[quote] 'It costs almost the same, maybe a little cheaper. A Taco Bell taco has about 2 ounces of meat per taco and you can get 12 for $16.99 before tax, so about $19.00.

[quote] At the grocery store, it's $9 for 24 ounces of ground beef, $2.50 for 12 tortillas, $1.50 for one tomato, $3 for one head of lettuce, $1 for a package of taco seasoning, and $3 for one bag of shredded cheddar (after taxes). That's $20.00, but you'd have lettuce, tortillas and cheese left over for later."

In those recipes, I almost always stretch my beef with cooked beans (black, kidney, garbanzo). So while those beans cost money, they're a lower-cost solution to stretch meals out further. If I don't have beans, I mix in rice.

[quote]Have you been to any fast food place lately?

We don't much because most of them close too early at night, plus they all got rid of their grilled chicken and salads, but I guess about twice a month we pick something up. I was doing the bills yesterday and noticed on our credit card bill that cost was $30 both times, and no, we don't order a huge amount of food. Last I'd checked it was usually around $23 or $24.

Of course, delivery from places like DoorDash adds another $20 to the cost.

I do the same, r132. I prefer to have tacos as a salad (I mean, I love flour tortillas, but my cholesterol is too high as it is) and always have white rice and black beans on the side, both inexpensive.

[quote] Of course, delivery from places like DoorDash adds another $20 to the cost.

have never had an order where delivery cost THAT much.

The DoorDash fee for some deliveries is $10, plus $1.99 or something for delivery fee and then $7 for tip.

Do I really have to feed my pets ?

I'm going to look into ways they stretched things in the past. Buying bulk at Costco and all that jazz. For too long I still sashay through Whole Foods and Trader Joes buying Mejul Dates and good cheese. Maybe a 13 dollar medium size container of chicken salad from Fresh Market or some pork chops. I need to real it in big time. When I lived in a big city, my rationale was "look as long as I am eating at home from grocery store food that I cooked, I am saving money compared to eating dinner out." Which is true. But that was then. I need to watch my shit.

For those who like cold cereal, make hybrid muesili. I toast regular oatmeal in the oven and keep it in a canister. Put some in a bowl, buy some nuts, dried fruit and throw a little bit of commercial boxed cereal on top for crunch. Always freeze or refrigerate the nuts so they won't go rancid. Food prices have been going up for a few years, but you'd have to be living inside some kind of bubble to think they aren't going through the roof now.

It may be worthwhile for those in the US struggling to feed themselves to apply for Food Stamps. I'd have no compunction in doing just that, given the corporate welfare that allows these companies to charge whatever the market will bear.

I’m drowning

Spam costs too much now. Guess I'll just end it all now.

Beans and rice and potatoes and leafy greens can be a good economical and nutritious foundation.

From a different thread:

Check your State’s LIHEAP, homeowner/renter relief programs, and income-based assistance programs. Many have increased their income limits to qualify and more federal programs are finally getting up and running, after the usual gqp blocks.

The best way to find your local programs is through usa.gov > Get government benefits and financial assistance

[quote]Pet foods are another price gouger.

R37: Yep!! I couldn't believe my eyes a few weeks ago, when I went to place an order online (for pickup) from the pet store near me. The 26 lb. bag of dog food that I normally buy had shot-up $15.00 since my last purchase in mid-January.

Making my own dog food was something I had thought about before, but always talked myself out of it for whatever reason. This was thing that finally pushed me over the edge. I've been feeding my dogs homemade food for three weeks and I already see a change, mostly in their coats. And their excitement level at feeding time (ha).

Probably a good idea to check-out some of the vet-approved cat recipes online, so kitty's diet is balanced.

I went to the grocery to get some things, small amount. It was double the amount. I was shocked.

Imagine living in the UK when the UK takes over the ports in June and adds more red tape. Kiss a lot of fresh produce goodbye!

They're saying that because of China's noxious "Zero Covid" policy that the total lockdowns in port cities recently are going to have significant supply chain impact to be felt more later this year and into the next several years, which will just make inflation worse worldwide.

Good thing is that it will further make encourage countries dependent on China to shift to local means of production, becoming less dependent on China in the long run.

China just can't admit its homegrown Covid vaccine stinks and its Zero Covid policy has failed miserably.

This, a hundred times

[quote] China just can't admit its homegrown Covid vaccine stinks and its Zero Covid policy has failed miserably.

I think doing zero (or close to it) food waste would help some. The fact is that Americans have huge quantities of food waste. That is throwing away your money.

r41 We stopped growing them here in Fl..we get our oranges from California now. The land was too valuable to waste on orange and citrus groves...now they are housing development

OP, I get my revenge at the self checkout. For fruits and veggies, if I have to enter the quantity, I enter half, if I have to weigh them, they're mostly off the scale. You think I'm going to admit they're organic? Ha! If the item is small enough, I'll stack them on top of each other and only scan one. That 12 pack of soda? Ooops, didn't realize it was on the bottom of my cart until I got to the car. I'm a modern day Jean Valjean and I'm not apologizing for it!

R149- Back in ca 1996 I would buy these large Florida Navel Oranges 🍊- they were good too. I haven’t seen them in the stores for years.

R149 R151 Florida’s orange groves are suffering from orange greening, an insect-borne disease that has decimated the crop.

The whores are increasing their prices too. You used to get away with 200-250 or 300 an hour with a hot escort. They now want 350-400 minimum! I’ll use my hand thanks.

Does San Francisco let you steal up to $1000 of groceries like they let you do at Walgreens?

A disease called "citrus greening" has pretty much wiped out the Florida citrus industry. Rare to see any Florida grown citrus in stores anymore.

I just got a dozen eggs for 1.49 at Meijer.

I just buy kangaroo meat

[quote] China just can't admit its homegrown Covid vaccine stinks and its Zero Covid policy has failed miserably.

They admitted that the Sinovax vaccine isn't as as effective as Pfizer or Moderna, and have domestically developed MRNA vaccines almost ready for deployment.

R158

[quote] China just can't admit its homegrown Covid vaccine stinks and its Zero Covid policy has failed miserably.

They have acknowledged it, and are developing mRNA vaccines. Once they have one or two approved, they'll deploy them en masse, and will move away from zero-COVID.

They need their own mRNA vaccines; America hasn't been particularly generous with non-vassal states when it comes to sending Pfizer and Moderna vaccines overseas, and they certainly can't fill China's demand.

China's mRNA vaccines may offer a huge boost to the Global South's access to mRNA vaccines.

No other developing country offers such promise of bringing mRNA vaccines at the scale that the developing world needs. Pfizer and Moderna aren't licensing their vaccines, nor providing the technical assistances necessary for local mass production that Africa et al need. Only China offers hope.

You can track the progress of the vaccine trials here. There's hope around the corner, I think. Mass inoculation all over Asia with indigenous mRNA vaccines will do a lot to improve supply chain reliability.

They don't want to risk lives while they lack access to expensive mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna - they're expensive, hard to deploy (refrigeration requirements), in very limited supply (in large part because rich countries buy more than they need), and not being manufactured at the scale they need.

I buy Impossible and Beyond Meat products; they're cheaper than the Whole Foods meat I used to buy, and have no cholesterol. Plenty of fat, though; makes them taste pretty great. No gristle, either, in the burgers, and no cartilage or veins in the chick'n nuggets and strips.

They're not health foods. They're a cholesterol-free version of unhealthy foods everyone loves.

Oh, well I guess it's Biden and the Dems fault so we should all vote rethug, right OP?

Do your normal targets really fall for such transparent attempts at manipulation?

As long as gas prices are high the cost will go thru the roof. The cost of just getting stuff to stores is crazy.

R158/r160 they have not admitted it publicly. And they still won't use working MRNA vaccines, but they insist on "making their own" (which to the Chinese is probably stealing the technology and copying it, with a "made in China" stamp).

R166, they admitted it. No one's rushing to help them with mRNA vaccines. They have to make their own.

R164 I'm not OP and I voted Biden, and even I can see that the inflation is having actual, tangible effects. Ignoring it because some people think it makes Biden look bad won't make it go away.

I don't blame Biden for it because I know it's happening worldwide, and a lot of it has to do with increased demand for product and reduced supply due to the pandemic, with some extra thrown in due to the war. I know not everyone sees it that way, but I don't think they understand the situation.

R74 where the hell did you learn to talk like that? You keep saying “fixing” and “fix” like your some inbred West Virginian. I am utterly offended by your lack of class. Coming here and speaking foolishly!

R166 they admitted it. That said the Nature articles shows how they vaccines played an important albeit temporary stopgap role. The West wasn't exactly rolling out mRNA vaccines to poor countries, nor are they now. The conventional Chinese vaccines did some good in holding back the tide in the Global South.

R167 yes, you should probably have read that article first:

[quote]In a message to The Associated Press, Gao said late Sunday night he was speaking about the effectiveness rates for “vaccines in the world, not particularly for China.” He did not respond to further questions about which vaccines he was referring to.

how *the [conventional Chinese] vaccines

R170 yes, see the tagline for the article you quote, "However, he later appeared to backtrack, saying his comments were a "complete misunderstanding"

And regardless, the point was that China's Zero Covid strategy has been a failure, their vaccines as they are today are not working very well.

You can't rely on information put out by authoritarian regimes. Remember the glowing articles of praise from certain pundits saying China was a model for the rest of the world on how to handle Covid? They were taking the figures put out publicly by the Chinese at face value. China is all about saving face, not truth.

In practice, which we can see currently in action, the policy is an abject failure.

Chinese researchers - 70% effectiveness, lower than 95% effectiveness of Pfizer.

They admitted it.

They never said their vaccines are as effective as Pfizer. They offer some protection, and they have. Just not as much as Pfizer. Who cares about some hedging on their part. They admitted it. That's why they're gung-ho about making mRNA vaccines. It's a process. Developing countries will benefit greatly from Chinese mRNA vaccines. They'll be cheaper, more easily sstored and deployed (refrigeration not needed), and manufactured at massive scale.

Try not to be all down on them, They're going what they can. They're a developing country. America isn't sending billions of Pfizer doses to anyone in the Global South. The Nature article discusses; the conventional vaccines did some good. They're still doing some good, but not as good as mRNA vaccines.

Walvax's mRNA vaccine looks promising.

hong kong has been entirely under lock down, for a variety of reasons for months now

Yet US has more Covid deaths

All right, all right. Millions have died in China from COVID, no better than in America. Is that what you want to hear? Believe it if you want, but I don't think that's right. But go with it, if that's what you want to believe for whatever reason.

Cheaper, shelf-stable mRNA vaccines are coming regardless. That's the big hope. And they're not just copies of Pfizer or Modern's vaccines; they target a different part of the receptor. But just say they're copies if you want; that's what Westerners need to do ("they can't create; only copy" coping trope).

Looking backwards and saying they're lying is fine, if you want to do that. Let's do that. But let's also hope that these new mRNA vaccines work (phase 3 trials ongoing now); they can create the kind of widespread high-level immunity that everyone hopes for, so China can feel more comfortable about letting go of zero-COVID. Berating them and mocking them for fearing death from the virus, and claiming and hoping for their "abject failure" doesn't save lives. All we can do is hope Walvax et al have good results.

Phase 3 testing right now. Almost there, possibly.

R175 no, they have not admitted it. Or rather, a few scientists have to some minor degree, but they have walked it back once the regime heard about it. You are relying on what the authoritarian regime says their effectiveness is, a regime which has been repeatedly shown not to be trustworthy, and you need only look at their current situation to see that their whole strategy - which includes Chinese vaccines - is not working. This is only what has slipped out, by the way - the fact that China has lost some control over the perception, that videos were able to get out showing the port city in disarray, that people under lockdown are starving, is a huge thing. You can bet it is far worse than even what we see, given how tightly controlled the Chinese image tries to be.

R179 they have been and still are clearly lying.

R181 Well, I'm convinced, now that some random YouTube video has said Biden is to blame for inflation (which again is happening worldwide, not just in the US).

I read a really heart wrenching story yesterday on DM. Maybe you saw it too. Photo of middle aged (aged probably due to stress) woman with 3 or so young kids and barely able to make ends meet in UK. She told reporter she has about 7 pounds left after all bills, rent paid. That's 7 pounds for the month. The distressed mother said her kids knows she goes without food to feed them and save for bills. She said she knows that this knowledge is not good for them.

Such a sad story. Makes me think how many more mothers or fathers (single or married or divorced) are living under the same conditions. Yes, she shouldn't have those if she can't afford it. But that is beside the point. She also words in a hospital if I remember correctly. So she has a job but doesn't cover living expenses. She's had to go to food banks from time to fime.

In the article you can see her cooking potatoes and you can see cans of soup, corn, etc. It occurred to me that she doesn't know or even think that if she cooked from scratch - she could eat herself, eat more healthy foods, and have plenty to cover the month.

An example is lentils. 99 cents (in North America) for a bag (size of 2 Dorito packages approximately) and buy some potatoes, carrots, onion, ginger, vegetable stock or broth, can of cooked tomatoes and you can make a very nutritious stew. That stew could last easily 2, or 3 weeks. Easily. And she could have bread wieth that .....anyway.

I posted this lentil stew recipe a few years ago on a thread asking for home cooked meal ideas and got a few replies asking for the actual recipe. I got it from New York Times in 2003.

Anyway, I don't know how this poor mum can continue buying so much processed food, like canned food and not realize there are other options.

I always wonder about people who post a bunch of YouTube videos and think that somehow proves a point. A point they can't articulate in words, that they can only express by posting someone else's opinionated visual show.

[quote]But just say they're copies if you want; that's what Westerners need to do ("they can't create; only copy" coping trope).

Imagine being a defender of a brutal authoritarian regime in 2022.

I'm guessing you have some inherent interest here to be defending them so strongly, and your snide "if that's what Westerners need to cope" remarks give it away.

To the schmuck blaming Biden for inflation, I ask if he had the power to do something about it, would you support him? For instance, if he could simply say that excess oil company profits were going to be taxed at 100%, so they might as well not charge anything more than $3 a gallon, would that answer your gripe? Or maybe he should declare that the Federal Government will mandate that grocery stores can only charge government-approved prices, or they'll be shut down.

I suspect that you, schmuck, would not support the President having this power. But that's not going to stop you from bitching about a matter over which he has no control.

Of course, the flip side to this (and I say this to anyone who forecasts a Democratic bloodbath this Autumn) is that when the GOP takes control back, it will be [italic]their[/italic] inflation and recession to solve. And you can count on me and my ilk bitching about them not doing anything to solve the problem.

r185

R188 thank you for proving my point so adoitly.

Sweetie, the pound cake is still $1, it's now just 12 ounces instead of 16!

r189, Oh dear...

how did this topic morph from consumer prices to China's homegrown vaccines?

[quote]She's had to go to food banks from time to fime. ... In the article you can see her cooking potatoes and you can see cans of soup, corn, etc. It occurred to me that she doesn't know or even think that if she cooked from scratch - she could eat herself, eat more healthy foods, and have plenty to cover the month.

Did it occur to you that the family got those canned foods from the referenced food bank, R184, or does your self-sanctity cloud not only empathy, but logic?

R191 please forgive the typo.

R192 because I made the mistake of pointing out there was going to be more supply chain disruption, which will likely result in greater increased prices and inflation, due to China's mishandling of the coronavirus, and ideological China defenders rushed in to insist that China was good and pure and does not make mistakes.

[quote]America isn't sending billions of Pfizer doses to anyone in the Global South.

No, but: Created by two Houston scientists, Corbevax can be licensed by a vaccine producer in any low- or middle-income nation, which would then take ownership of it, produce it, name it and work with the government to get it to the people.

The vaccine is being praised by scientists, members of the public and the media as “the world’s COVID vaccine,” “the vaccine game changer” and “the way out of this global pandemic.”

I can definitely tell prices have gone up. I'm single with one cat. Shop Rite had its annual Easter Holiday promotion. Spend $400 between mid-March and April 16th and you qualify for a free ham. In the past, I had to REALLY spend in order to qualify. This year, I qualified within 3 weeks!

Cos's cat food is now $14.99 for 12 cans of Fancy Feast Savory Centers Variety pack. It's the only wet food he eats so I have no problem spending the money on him. That same 12-pack used to cost under $12 for it. I recently bought a 2-pack of rib eye steaks; they were $37. I am on the GOLO food plan (not really a diet) and eating whole foods; nothing processed. I buy the large packs of chicken but buy beef once a month. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

I have very little debt other than my car and mortgage. I recently received a great merit increase as well as some bonuses so I'm doing pretty well. I drive to work once or twice a week (36 miles roundtrip per day). I have a Shop Rite, Walmart, and farm market all within walking distance so I try to do that whenever I can. I also get my exercise in so win-win!

R107, Saint Cloud; 30 minutes to the airport, 30 minutes to the beach and 15 minutes to medical city in the Lake Nona area.

I recently bought eggs at Kroger's for $1.49 a dozen.

I have no problem with that price.

The way I cope with rising food prices is to buy good basic whole foods and incorporate them in my meals and appreciate them. A kilo of good local Swiss carrots is still only a US buck. That's 2.2 lbs. A stick of good local butter isn't that expensive. And so and so on. Apples are still cheap. The price of local non-manufactured food is still reasonable.

As far as some manufactured consumer products, there is WILD variation in pricing so you have to shop. I shopped for 2 tall floor lamps with 3 bulbs each. I found prices from 60 to 1200 each. I settled on wanting cement type sockets for an industrial look. The range was 80 to 400.

Students in my university have to buy books. The price in the local book shop is 100 to 200% higher than the price they can find searching on internet. It's an infuriating situation but since I am not a local bookseller, it's not job fix the situation, nor the poor students. So what if the book is shopping from Ireland or Singapore?

Meanwhile, it is in the news all the time that we consumers are THROWING AWAY TONS OF GOOD FOOD AND PRODUCTS. We are buying enormous quantities of stuff and throw it away.

My job Is job which I do well and I can't fix this massive issue with pricing and global supply chain.

I do my little bit buying local fruits and vegetables. Which are reasonably priced.

Oh everyone in Los Angeles is apparently fantastic with all the prices! Especially the very affordable gas prices here. Freeways and streets are pack with drivers everywhere you go. As if nothing has happened. I asked my bf how can EVERYONE afford all these prices hikes and he said "most people are wealthy in SoCal." I guess he's correct!

[quote] Sweetie, the pound cake is still $1, it's now just 12 ounces instead of 16!

Sweet Jesus, the humanity! I will waste away if the pound cake is only 12 ounces!

At least wine is still cheap. Also I can get a good Port at Trader Joe's for $6.00 when the price elsewhere is twice that. Add some vegetables, rice, potatoes, soy products, beans, hummus, tabouli, nan, homemade tomato sauce for pasta, occasionally an organic barbecued chicken from the local Deli, I keep things under control.

What scares me is the price of home repair and labor. I have a broken wooden gate that I can't get anyone to fix for under $1000 --lumber cost is insane although a bit better than last year. I hope all my appliances keep working--they're old--since the supply chain crap is driving prices through the roof. It's difficult to find trades people who are available, much less good. This might just be a California thing with all the fires and rebuilding but all construction is slow going because builders can't get supplies.

this is because companies never flex what the company makes or what they pay to investors. The fluctuating variable is the price to the consumer. The fluctuating variable should be what profits the company makes and what is paid to investors.

It is a crazy, ungrounded system this has become. It is not a Free Market Economy.

If you see a high price or pricing varies too much, this is the FAULT of the company's CEO and wall street investors. BLAME THEM!

The fluctuating variable should be: what the CEO makes, the profits and what is paid out to investors. It should NOT be the price to consumers.

Stop eating. Grow your own garden and go meatless.

remember, we are NOT experiencing real inflation. Companies are not allowing profits, their salaries or what is paid to investors to decrease. This is purposefully raising the price for consumers all the time. This is not the Free Market, nor is it an example of hyperinflation in a national economy.

What these companies and wall street are doing is also causing real problems for the American People. The danger here is altering the purchasing power of the American people, also knocking people out of the middle class. Having the majority of the people in the middle class (have the financial mean to live comfortably.) is the SIGNIFICANT VARIABLE (factor) in having a healthy national and local economy and having a vibrant, grounded Democracy.

KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOSED. FEWER MOUTHS TO FEED.

Not fucking well, bitch.

How many people have the disposable income and assets to also add in an upgrade to their household energy system to hybrid cars and solar panels without negatively effecting their living standards?

This is what the true MIDDLE CLASS is in America. How many Americans can do this easily, not many, a very low percentage?

During the pandemic I shopped at my small market a block away from my home. Normally I shopped at Whole Foods actually about 8 blocks/.5 miles away.

Recently I went to Whole Foods for first time in 2 years. My bill for $53 at WF would have been $83 at my local little food store. I now see it as a company store. LOL!

E.g., Bag of tangerines at WF $5.49 - at my neighborhood store it's $11.99. So many other examples like hamburger meat less than half the price per pound at WF. Parmigiana cheese $3.59.WF and over $8 at local mart.

Fast food places have increased their prices too ?

I’m not doing well. I was recently price raped at my local supermarket. Please help me.

R213, #metoo

R131 I have taken what would be my usual grocery money and started buying adderall with it while using the leftover to buy cat food and litter. If Im gonna be poor I am at least determined to be hot. Fuck food!

My brother stopped by the Big Boy drive through today for their combo burger, fries and drink and it was $12. That crap is 12$! My husband and me are moving towards a vegetarian diet, which is not as expensive and it just feels like the timing is right to change.

Not good. Time to make Alpo meatloaf

I haven't noticed too much of a difference in prices, I mostly buy things like eggs, flour, blocks of cheese, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, chicken thighs, things along those lines. I haven't had any issues finding store brands, though anything with pork, like ham, bacon, and sausage can be hit or miss. I generally spend about $160 per month on groceries, which may be a little more than before the pandemic, but not that much. I don't buy a lot of processed, pre-prepared foods, so that may be why

I'm an old, mean, cranky fucker and the jump in price of grocery bills is horrible. If we're on the cusp of a new Depression, buy shelf stable shit like rice, cornmeal, flour and toilet paper.

I don't blame any single politician for it but it does seem to be happening. Mormons are crazy in just about every aspect of theology, but their dedication to keeping a good pantry is admirable.

Get some peanut butter and beans, people, it's happening!

I’m not poor. I will survive.

[quote]My husband and me are moving towards a vegetarian diet,

Oh, dear.

R218, all of those items have jumped up in price where I live. I paid $5.99 a pound for chicken thighs yesterday. Eggs are probably 30% more expensive. These used to be sources of cheap protein. I spend more on groceries in a week than you do in a month, but I buy for myself and my partner. I buy little or no processed foods either.

Stiff upper lip, chums...

Pussy and piss girls are still really cheap, especially when they're your daughter and you threaten disinheritance. #GOPFamilyValues

I suppose seafood is out of the question for Easter

I've walked out of grocery stores many times empty handed because of exorbitant prices. I can't justify paying double what I paid two weeks ago for an item. Sorry, but it is not going to give me any pleasure to eat something so expensive when it's price gouging. I won't pay 50 cents for one lime or $6 for a quart of yogurt. Get out of here!

My asshole fat ass neighbor and his family are going on an Easter trip with their huge massive truck and a 12 person camper with 8 ATVs. How much gas will that take? They go atv-ing twice a month. He doesn't work. His wife does of course and they have some woman come over every other day to clean. They live in a house across the street from me that his parents own. His parents live next-door. They are totally tribal. They have nothing to do with the neighborhood. Their kids go to some tribal bullshit school. Plus, they are super religious.

Those cereal boxes are getting thinner and thinner.

I love OP claiming first that he knows exactly how much a can Cheez Whiz SHOULD cost, and then when he's caught out, he desperately tries to backpedal and say he only buys cans of it years apart.

Cheez Whiz! It's not even ACTUAL cheese: it's just cheese by-products emulsified into a cheese-like consistency. How ratchet can you get?

[quote] a box of Triscuits was over $5.00

really? in Walmart or Target, a box of Triscuits (8.5 oz) is $2.99 all year around, and every 4 weeks or 6 weeks, they will put it on sale for $5 for 2 boxes, or $2.5 for one. I think you should check the prices before you shop in grocery stores, they are grossly overpriced for non-sales items, everyone should have known this already.

Fasten your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy year. And it's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better.

I’ve been surprised by the things with outrageous prices. I bought some off-brand beef jerky without looking at the price, and I was shocked to find I paid $16. Meanwhile, at CVS even the generic body lotion was almost $10.

the people in R232, R233 and R234 are not poor, they are just cheap!

r235 you can usually do better with pantry and personal health/beauty items online - a lot more sales, coupons and other discounts on name brand especially if you don't mind damaged packages... though the various dollar stores have some options, too!

Also, you'll find many auctions with personal/hotel/sample size bulk packages.

Or if you don't mind a bigger immediate expense but potentially longterm savings, then consider looking at bulk size raw materials for DIY.

r236 and?

anyone can be frugal.

and there's always someone to scream that the western poor are rich compared to the third world... blah, blah, blah.

But it's idiots that scream they're not poor as if it validates the information they have... that keep people from even checking out resources they can use. Errmagad, volunteers are virtue signaling, don't let them gentrify the poor... the meek will inherit the earth. stop colonizaling the lower classes. that's eugenics! and all kinds of other nuttery.

^validates=invalidates

I've downgraded from organic food to non-organic. Prices for organic in my area have increased even more than the regular stuff.

To be honest I'm more worried about my savings, which I refuse to touch (and thankfully don't need to at the moment). What is there is worth less and less every day!

I'm having to work the corner with everyone else.

It's hard out there for a fat whore.

I hate myself for it, but I started shopping at Wal Mart on a regular basis. My FB gave me shit for the Great Value items I had in my fridge. I took it out on his hole afterwards. I doubt he'll ever mention it again.

As retail/grocery stores continue to gouge their customers, it will cause competition and opening of new stores. They will will provide cheaper goods.

R243 tell your FB that those Great Value products are the very same products as the major manufacturers because they are all made by those same major manufacturers, just put in store brand packaging. Walmart and most other grocery stores make a mint off those store brand products. I found out by the dairy guy at Walmart that their store brand yogurt is just Dannon yogurt in Walmart packaging.

Rice beans and fresh veggies. Also eat less. Most Americans eat 150-200% then they should. The Japanese have a saying “Hari Hachi Bu” meaning est until you are 80% full. If you’re eating food on a regular sized dinner plate that is already too much.

Eat not est ^^^

If you are making soups or stews add a couple of spoonfuls of sawdust to pad it out, it’s a good source of roughage as well. With salads add some grass and a few chopped leaves from the garden.

Your welcome.

R245 if one wants to spend the time doing it, you can actually look up where the store brands get their stuff from. Most , as you said, are from major dairies and farms.

Mother used to say, "Do you think Mrs. Waldbaum is in the back of the store making _______ whatever?" she was right

"We're doing just fine, thanks for asking!"

Wealth of Elon Musk

2012: $2,000,000,000

2022: $273,600,000,000

Wealth of Jeff Bezos

2012: $18,400,000,000

2022: $181,300,000,000

Wealth of Mark Zuckerberg

2012: $17,500,000,000

2022: $76,800,000,000

Meanwhile:

U.S. Minimum Wage (Federal)

2012: $7.25

2022: $7.25

Keep people, poor, undereducated and stupid and you can control them..Make them grateful for every crumb you toss them...this is our america now

I'm shocked by the minimum wage! America is one of the richest countries in the world; I assumed it would be better than ours. U.K. is on £9.50 ($12.45) and France is €10.57 ($11.43).

Sadly 70% of Americans Blame Biden and his policies not realizing this is a direct result of Trump's failed Covid response, his trade wares with China and Mexico, his trillion-dollar subsidy of farmers, and his failed energy policies.

R225, I usually make crab legs for Easter. Safeway is charging $79.99 a pound for king crab legs. I have never seen them that expensive in my life. I’m doing ribeye roast instead (on sale for $5.99/lb) and grilled large shrimp. Apparently, it was a bad crab season.

R252, as with most things in the US, the minimum standards (which apply to a small minority of the population) look horrible on the surface. However, very few people who work full time make the federal minimum wage.

One of my first jobs was at one of the most demonized employers in the US (Wal-Mart), and I made around $8.50 an hour in 2000.

People shift and buy cheaper, and better. Time to test a Vegetarian diet.

Time to ride share.

Time to adjust the thermostat.

Come on people, we've been here before.

R14, thanks for the reminder!! I have a few items that could sell, such as sports jerseys and brand name, like-new boots. (anyone ever used Posh Mark or one of those?) - going to get those listed this weekend. Everything helps.

Look how some people were unwilling to do something as simple as wearing a mask, r256.

R251 Bingo.

One thing I need to no longer buy is chips and salsa. The prices of a jar of quality salsa are INSANE. Plus, it's a snack that I often binge eat and will ruin a meal over. Not to mention the chips I buy feel overpriced. It's a good time to take stock of a handful of unhealthy items you could cut out (one of mine was diet soda). Perhaps find a more affordable, healthier option. A bag of carrots is only about a dollar.

R256 yes we've done it before but damn it, arent you tired of having to sacrifice while the rich get richer. Why (rhetorical) is it always us that has to do this..I tired of this bullshit

[quote] Apparently, it was a bad crab season.

It happens.

R260 Right? I was reaching for my usual Trader Joe's white corn organic chips when I see the price has gone from $2 to $3.79. In a couple weeks! Having to draw a line somewhere I cross the street to a depressing Grocery Outlet and get their "Mexican restaurant" brand which is perfectly good, using few ingredients, for $1.87. Also pick up two large jars of salsa casera for $1.29 each.

It's the fucking principle, dammit. I want my snacks!

Oh, for chrissakes. Buy corn tortillas and make your own chips.

[quote ]Oh, for chrissakes. Buy corn tortillas and make your own chips.

Oh for chrissakes shut up about making your own shit. We are all aware you can make things from scratch. Some of us have jobs. And fyi I do buy corn tortillas and use them for mini tostadas. I like corn. You gonna tell me to grow my own corn you smug little missy?

You know what you are, r265? You're a complainer, that's what you are...a complainer. Nobody likes a complainer.

[quote]Nobody likes a complainer.

And nobody likes fat whores who spend all day naked in the kitchen making their own fritos. Nobody.

Don't eat chips made with oil. Its extremely rare to find a chip made with healthy oil. Most vegetable oils used for chips are poor quality. If you love your dips and salsa, enjoy it with dry flat breads made with little oil.

That sounds gross, R268.

Repairing ruptured plaques in blood vessels caused by pro-inflammatory, highly oxidized oils used in processed food is also gross, R269.

If you live long enough to get them repaired, that is.

To the person here who said they were worried about their savings, I Bonds bought thru US Treasury Direct are paying 7.3% interest. You can buy them as low as $50 increments. If you're into that kind of thing and are a US citizen. Or have any money left over after buying groceries this month...

It good. My wallet gets raped every week at Schnucks and Jenny Craig.

Not good.

What Governor Greg Abbott (R) is doing in Texas is also raising the cost of fruits, vegetables and other goods. There will be a chain reaction of higher prices because of it. Beto O'Rourke is running against this Abbott. Hopefully, Beto wins.

If you are from Texas, VOTE FOR BETO!

If you have family or friends in Texas, start preparing them to vote for Beto. Make sure they are registered and can vote for Beto.

I plan everything! When I bought my house I made sure I put 20% down and I got a 20 year mortgage. I’m anal retentive, so I researched When I wanted solar panels. I paid down my credit card bill, then bought them. I don’t use my credit card outside of large items. I had to pay off my SUV so I could get them. I’m single, if I don’t plan everything I would freak out.

Also, my house only cost 187,900 25 years ago; I couldn’t afford it now. I’m a state employee and earn $88,100 yearly. I still feel very fortunate; I full health, dental, vision, plus a pension in 9 years.

^ r210, the above response is for you.

271 Where would you start if you want to buy bonds? TIA

stop eating so much you fat cunts

R277: See link below

R278 so much? Everything has gone up you amoeba! Inflation!

R280 Eat shit, that’s free.

R277 Go to Treasury Direct website and look up I bonds. you will have to set up an online account. They will explain it on their site.

R279 R282 Thanks, I checked it out. Do you know if it's fairly uncomplicated to cash out after 2 years without penalties? I might be circling the drain by then.

I’m on the supermodel diet of cigarettes, mineral water, and prenatal vitamins. So I’m saving money and keeping my girly figure!

Recently I Bought a smart pot. It is t an electric pressure cooker. You can cook things like beans even meats and many grains in 25 minits They are ready to eat. Great for inexpensive homemade foods of all sorts. l do stews and grains veggies and quick too. You can program it to be done when you are ready to eat.

I’ll take your word for it r281. You’re the shit expert.

Really r285!?

Too few minits in a day, r285.

Visited my mom, filled up her car, shocked at prices. I don’t have a car since I was smart enough to live in a city with the 2nd best public transit in America.

Grocery prices have gone up, but I don’t really focus on that price. It is what it is. I made life choices to ensure that I’d be insulated from the drama of worrying about common daily experiences.

R289 why are you arrogant? You had me until your last sentence.

R275 And you realize we poors are paying for your generous pensions and insurance, right?

I can barely afford a summer vacation this year.

R289, enjoy the public transportation. You are going to get pushed in front of a train and die. Just like us commoners.

[quote]Kind of a weird disconnect. Makes you think that people are lying on both ends of the spectrum.

In a similar vein, Dataloungers simultaneously are obese pigs who live in their mothers' basements, AND have met, interacted with, and even been in the homes of almost every famous person who has ever existed.

One of my recent favorites was that couple who got lost in the RV in Nevada. They were found in a county with a population of fewer than a thousand people, but OF COURSE there was a Data Lounger - a forum that gets 1000 unique visitors a month if it's lucky - who resided in that county.

i just spent 300.00 at kroger buying groceries and cleaning supplies. i dont think ive ever spent that much in my life at kroger. A package of chicken breast was 10 dollars, same with bacon

R294 Wowzers, it never crossed my mind that that poster in Podunk Nevada was lying, at the same time it did seem highly improbable that a gay couple went there for WORK.

R290 I’m not trying to be arrogant, just honest. I really haven’t noticed the price jumps outside of the gas I put into my mom’s car yesterday (I’m visiting her). But I also made life choices (career, public transit friendly city, high travel job, no kids) that intentionally cushion me from this drama.

Been there done that with putting food back in the checkout line because we didn’t have the money for something when I was growing up. I vowed to avoid that reality and have succeeded thus far. Today, I refuse to penny pinch on food, fun, or savings because of the humiliation and hardship of my childhood.

I’m a product of my upbringing and the stuff I went through to get to this level of financial comfort.

Here's the fucking truth to all those bitching about high prices and the rich not feeling the pinch! Stop cunting on a anon board that few read and cunt on all social media now! Go after Wall Street and 1% THEY are the reason regular people are hurting. Protest and march! Get rid of old cunts like Miss Lindsey, Miss Mitch and fat ass Cruz. Pitch fork the shit out of them and EAT THE FUCKING RICH!!!!!! It's YOU or THEM!

R296, I don’t think the Nevada poster is a liar. He’s posted on here DL in many threads for quite awhile now about where he lives.

[quote]Get rid of old cunts like Miss Lindsey, Miss Mitch and fat ass Cruz. Pitch fork the shit out of them and EAT THE FUCKING RICH!!!!!! It's YOU or THEM!

Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer has a plan to dismiss millions of dollars in student loan debt. Who pays for that? We, the taxpayer. Admit it, there are just as many lethal Democrats as there are Republicans.

But he's posting anonymously. Are you saying there's an anonymous poster who continuously mentions he lives in basically the middle of nowhere?

R301 was for R299

R300 we can afford to pay that massive military budget year after year, then we can afford loan forgiveness. Just have to organize our funds. Stop acting obtuse.

R303 Uh, one has nothing to do with the other.

[quote]then we can afford loan forgiveness

It's not whether we can or can't. Were guns held to student's heads and forced to take these loans? Nope. Previous generations have worked their asses off putting themselves through college and trying to make their loan payments in a timely manner. Why should these snowflakes have their debt erased?

R305 it is about that because that’s what r300 was worried about paying it off. R300 was not asking about the debate post a if should we do this. If you want to get into a separate conversation about the benefits or drawbacks of loan forgiveness then fine. But that wasn’t what r300 said.

R291, both responses stated that; grateful for my career choices, in addition to my personal ones.

Has anyone seen the "repackaging" at Trader Joes? The whole container for a chicken caesar salad has shrunk by 1/3 on the side and are still charging 4.99. I would say my monthly budget has gone up by about 200 in 2022 when you add in the gas and food costs. I buy the same things and know what they cost. Gas is about $5.65/gal at the reliably cheap gas stations.

I spent $20 to fill my gas tank, which was a little less than half. Before, It would take $5 to $10 to fill it up. I don't like to let the tank get too low. I paid cash and the price was $4.09 (cash) a gallon. Other stations are a bit over that now. I have a Honda Fit.

[quote]I also made life choices (career, public transit friendly city, high travel job, no kids) that intentionally cushion me from this drama.

A high-travel job and daily use of public transit is NOT going to shelter you from everyday drama. In fact, it's going to guarantee it.

If Trader Joe's starts charging more than 19 cents for a regular banana, I'll know we're doomed.

Taken from page linked below, R283:

"I bonds earn interest for 30 years unless you cash them first. You can cash them after one year. But if you cash them before five years, you lose the previous three months of interest. (For example, if you cash an I bond after 18 months, you get the first 15 months of interest.) "

"How do I cash my I bonds? Electronic bonds: Log in to TreasuryDirect and use the link for cashing securities in ManageDirect. "

"Paper bonds: Two Options:

[1] If you hold an account at a local bank and it cashes savings bonds, ask the bank if it will cash yours. The answer may depend on how long you've held an account there. If the bank will cash for you, find out what dollar limit, if any, it has on redemptions and what identification and other documents you need.

[2] Send them to Treasury Retail Securities Services along with FS Form 1522 (download or order). You don't need to sign the bonds. You will have to validate your identity. FS Form 1522 tells how; see the "Certification" section of the form. The form also gives our address."

The grocery store is becoming a source of anxiety for me. I'm as cautious and frugal as I can be, and I do without things I would like to have, and I still can't get out without a whopping bill. And I still have just enough to get me through a week. I'm thinking of taking appetite suppressants to make what's in the house last longer, to keep from going back so regularly. Although not, you know, "Ellen Burstyn in Requiem from a Dream" stuff.

Eat half of the regular portions at mealtime...then save it for the next day...lol.

r255 that is a true ISH statement. Yes, about 2% of hourly workers make the Federal Minimum wage but if you add in states' mandated minimum wages that number is considerably higher. Nearly 15% of Americans live at the poverty level on a national stage. That number is much higher in some states like Florida where 1-3 children are in poverty..Median household income was $67,521 in 2020, a decrease of 2.9 percent from the 2019 median of $69,560 (Figure 1 and Table A-1). This is the first statistically significant decline in median household income since 2011.. The real median earnings of all workers aged 15 and over with earnings decreased 1.2 percent between 2019 and 2020 from $42,065 to $41,535. Despite the call for a rise in wages, wages are declining.

Don't worry R311 - I just bought bananas at the WeHo Trader Joes a couple of days ago and they are still .19 so you can rest easy...for now.

I'm really starting to consider using coupons. I hate coupons, but I feel it might be a way to beat the system and stick it to the man. My mom used to carry a huge stack of coupons in her purse and count them like cash.

Buy some potatoes, you effete motherfuckers.

Where do you get coupons from R317? I really need to cut corners here and there. Beef and gas are out of control! Omg, we Democrats are gonna be swamped at the ballot box this round. When is Biden gonna provide real student relief?! R318 potatoes are empty calories you baboon.

Potatoes are not empty calories. Your expensive snack food is, however.

R319 Surprisingly, junk mail is still one of the best sources for coupons for local stores, especially if you get takeout or fast food. Also, lots of stores will give you coupons with your receipt. There are a lot of 2 for one deals. Many grocery stores have their sales pages with coupons online or will send specials by mail to customers. But, it's not like the old days where Mom could cut coupons out of magazines and there was once a whole section of coupons every Sunday in the local newspaper. Those were the days! I remember the excitement of going over those coupon sections in the paper. It was like a treasure hunt and a craft project--find the deals, then carefully cut the coupons out on the dotted lines!

I was going to buy an outdoor gas barbecue grill last spring, but put the purchase off because I had to work out of state for several months last year. I just went by Lowes and priced some Weber grills on their website and they have gone up by several hundred dollars since spring of 2021. I'm going to delay this purchase a while in the hopes the prices will come down again. I was also thinking about a new vehicle purchase but am putting that off at least another year.

Not everyone is price-gouging.

Arizona Iced Tea is still 99 cents. Same price it was in 1992.

Today I found a gas station at $5.49/a gallon which is the best I've seen. Total fill was $78. I don't care about the politics of it all, but I really would like to see gas prices drop a dollar at the bare minimum. During the pandemic it was the cheapest I had seen at around 2.99-3.50, which is super cheap.

I just came home from the grocery store. $16.99 for a pound of top round roast beef. Top round! Even sliced turkey was twelve bucks a pound. I was never a big cold cuts eater but I'm out completely at these prices.

I don’t buy any prepared foods except for Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash (an indulgence), canned beans, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce so I’m not feeling the sticker shock. Gas is $3.89 a gallon here in eastern Iowa.

R326 What do you mean by "prepared"? Do you mean processed? Because that includes store-bought bread, tofu, cheese....

Not a criticism, a question.

It's Kroger tuna fish all day every day. I may die of mercury poisoning but my grocery bill is $16 a week.

R324...A year or two ago, most people were staying home... on lockdown. Not as much demand for gas. Now that offices and businesses are opening up, there are more people on the roads....the companies are taking advantage by price gouging. They do this all the time. Notice, even before covid, that the gas prices to up in the beginning of the summer...and holidays. They get away with this shit.

*go up...not to..^

R326 is was and always will be a miser. Don’t try to figure him out, r327

I used to buy chicken wingettes for about $2.95 a package (Shop Rite brand Bowl and Basket). Now this isn't a head-to-head comparison because this past week, having found wings for the first time in weeks, I bought a package of whole wings. But there were only 6 wings in the package where there used to be 7 or 9 (always an odd number which is weird!) but they were over $7.00! I still bought them because it's 2 meals for me.

I remember a woman in the food store (back when the wingettes were $2.95 a package) saying she couldn't buy them because they were so expensive. She was older, maybe in her 70's, and probably remembers when they were much cheaper like 59 cents a lb.

r332 I remember when all chicken was 36¢ a lb., regular price. Chuck steak would go on sale for 19¢ a lb. In the last 45 years items have skyrocketed seeming somewhat out of proportion. I know things go up but everything seems so out of balance.

[quote] I still bought them because it's 2 meals for me.

Sure, Jan.

The gas prices have not been this high in years, R329. Hopefully they will go down.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years, and this still holds true today, grocery store flyers on any major or minor holiday will have jacked up prices. They did it on Easter week and next it will be Mother’s Day . Shopping the ads or flyers on nonHoliday weeks is a lot more palatable with better deals.

True, R336, last week before Easter lamb chops were $38 for four. Today? $19 for four.

Also, in a hopeful sign, Shell gas is now $3.99 ah gallon.

[quote]BK had 8 chicken tenders (plus sauce) for $1.49 in most areas.

Your fat ass is too lazy to even type out Burger King. You’ve had enough chicken, honey.

R333, what century was this?

[quote]Potatoes are not empty calories.

It’s starch. It’s crap. It makes you fat.

I pray gas prices go to $15.00 gal. There are far less cars now on the streets on Los Angeles. Especially at night. It's great!

Are you praying rent goes up $1000 more a month too? Those car-empty street will then be filled with people in tents.

R88- You type like a FRAU.

r339 it was in 1968/69 just before inflation hit big time like it is doing now.

R334, have you SEEN the size of chicken wings and breasts lately?! They are HUGE! I eat 3 wings at a time so that's 2 meals. With split chicken breasts, I'm able to eat some for dinner and have enough to make a 1/2 sandwich for lunch the next day.

R345 that’s hormones making big chickenzilla

Agree R346. R345 Have you ever seen organic chicken breasts that large? They don't typically exist, at least where I shop. I've been told that American chicken has been bred to favour larger breasts, and the hormones and antibiotics make for even larger breast, smaller thighs and legs. Despite American producers claiming "No hormones, no antibiotics" that usually isn't the truth. Organic is always leaner, and smaller overall.

I regularly make homemade chicken broth, and save the schmaltz, and it's quite a noticeable yield in rendered fat, purchasing organic.

We're giving hormones to our kids, surely they're okay for our chicken.

R348 Oy vey!

meant to type noticeable DIFFERENCE in the yield.

I did my usual xix month edible supply pick up from the despensery. Weed is cheaper than ever! My bill was a full 60 dollars less for the same amount I always buy.

These prices are really getting me down. My Jenny Craig bill is now $185 a week even with my discount. Then add another $75 a week for Fage yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Just because you are one, you don't have to eat the yogurt!

Are you calling mr a Fage?

them?

R345 actually those chickens have a designated name - Franken Chicken!

[quote] Unlike natural chickens slaughtered after an average of 100 days, franken-chickens are slaughtered at around 47 days old and usually weigh more than twice the size of natural chickens.

I saw a high price at Dierbergs today. I flipped it the bird as I threw the son of a bitch in my cart.

Having been poor for half my life has helped me be a very thrifty shopper. I still go to the bargain section in Ralph's. I get the meat that is a day from expiring and cook dishes I can store in the freezer for later and I still use coupons. One thing I've noticed lately is that store brands discounts have started to return.

I also bought a shit ton of weed and edibles on 4/20 (42% off!) and I am stocked till fall.

Kroger Greek yogurt just went up .20.

Tell the high prices to eat shit n die

I have had ok luck with yogurt. I read that fresh vegetable have the lowest rate of inflation right now (but with Abbot's border shenanigans that might not be true for long). A couple of weeks ago I spent a ton of time searching between Walmart, Target, Amazon, Wegmans for the best prices for pasta, sauce, canned salmon, cereral, ketchup and then bought in bulk. I have been buying pizza dough too instead of pizza.

Jesus, Cheez Whiz here in Canada is normally $8-9.

But yeah, I do a lot of staple shopping at Walmart because it’s cheaper than my local grocery stores, and my bill gets slightly higher each trip. I can’t imagine what people on assistance, minimum wage or fixed incomes do.

R356 You're entirely correct! My brother is keen on collectively calling it all Frankenfood. I believe he got that from someone else... namely Paul Lewis.

NO one pays when the government cancels student loans, neither the student, nor the government, nor the taxpayer.

R364 The defaulting student often pays with a ruined credit rating, collection agents, regrets, and feelings of hopelessness. I've met several hard-working Americans who have gone through this. Some say the banks "pay", but it's hard to have much sympathy for banker ls these days.

^ I forgot to include garnishment of wages, which does happen... (if rarely) but it is still a reality unless they're working for cash off the books, or in some underground economy.

chipotle went up. My fast food order for just one, was $20.00. i was shocked at the register. It went up by $7 dollars.

Wegmans: avocados @ $2.29 each. They used to be $1.29. OTOH, really nice (and hefty) fresh pineapples for $2.59 each. More often $3.99.

Go figure.

R367 but to be fair, Chipotle is not a fast food chain, they are fast casual like Panera Bread.

Obscene

Pineapples are less expensive now because they’re in season

R370 IKR? All the record breaking profits of these huge international conglomerates are disgusting. (Cargill especially, as they're poisoning everyone with their mercury-laden sticky corn goo)

Huge profits, and yet we’re to blame inflation?

I go to Dollar Tree and buy as much as I can there, within reason of course. It's not a grocery store. No longer $1.00...now everything is $1.25!!

But you can buy spices, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, body wash, moisturizer, laundry detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, dishwashing liquid, tin foil, candles, greeting cards, etc. And every once in a while, a Mama Celeste pizza for one!

...and Dollar Tree cookies!

well, i just went to a fast food place and spent $20 for just one person (LUNCH). It is crazy high.

the dems are going to have to increase pension (cost of living) now, before midterms, elderly, disabled this. They need to be increased anyways.

FUCK MANCHIN FUCK ENEMA! It was so nice not having those a-hole in my brain for awhile. they will let elderly starve now. Children starve now. Disabled starve now. I fucking hate those two fucking traitors.

if there is a shortage of something, restaurant will not carry it. Avocados are very MEXICO. What the fuck is this about?

R77 You mean the COLA on Social Security? Last year they had an increase, but the Medicare premium went up so that cancelled any gains for the low earners. Krysten Enema and Manchin, I hate ‘‘em too. Love the Enema nickname!

Thanks for the Dollar Tree remind! I should buy my garbage bags from there. Why pay top dollar for Hefty bags when you are literally buying the bags just to throw them out!

OT, how is everyone doing with remembering to bring their reusable bags to the food store? I have 4 or 5 Grab n' Go bags but seem to forget them unless I'm doing my weekly shopping. If I just run in for a few things, I forget to bring them with me.

The GnG bags are great! They have a plastic bar with hooks that go over the shopping cart sides. As you are bagging, you just put the items in those bags. They have Velcro so you can close the bags and handles which makes it easy to carry and bring your groceries in the house. They are also washable.

I got 2 dozen organic brown eggs at Costco for $6.50. Bye, Whole Foods. I buy a bag of 6-7 Avocadoes at Costco for $6-7 dollars. A huge box of mixed greens for salad for $3.50. Sweet juicy grape tomatoes, 3 cucumbers in a pack. I can get a 2 LB bag of brussel sprouts, a bag of asparagus, some broccoli and cauliflower florets, etc. Bell peppers 6 to a bag. Fresh Ginger root. Mushrooms. I buy olive oil, laundry detergent and bottled water .All at Costco. They have 48 ounce containers of yogurt, and 4 one pound packages of butter. They have the absolute best frozen cauliflower crust pizzas, too. Two loaves of Whole Wheat bread from their bakery for $6. Costco also has a great variety of fruits. Apples Oranges Mangoes, pineapple. My fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are organic and cheaper here. Then I go to Home Depot for my other cleaning products. The trick is to shop with purpose. Don't impulse buy. Ty to stick to a list. I don't buy all those items every time I shop. I may go to Costco once a month or so. But I'm holding my costs down. I still buy my fish at Whole Foods. And thee a e definitely things I get form the Supermarket. But not much, and not often.

We could all start eating more like poor Third World people and still live well. I'm mainly prepping Vegan Indian these days and it's not an expensive diet.

I'll have to sign up at Costco. I spent $170 yesterday, at a store that is usually on the expensive side. It was a big shopping order...will last me for a week or two. I got a whole roasted chicken, pork chops, asparagus, two containers of spinach, bananas, apples, tomatoes, garlic, a big container of blueberries, TP, a frozen chicken pot pie, two containers of their homemade soup, two cans of sardines, two bags of fresh pasta, three half gallons of organic milk, half gallon of orange juice...and some other things. I always spend at least $100 at this store...usually upwards around $150.

[quote] The trick is to shop with purpose. Don't impulse buy.

Calm down. You're talking about pop tarts and ice cream. Not a car.

When I forget my useable bags at the grocery, I look around for any empty cardboard boxes to carry out my groceries. Easier on the wrists.

I've been reusing the plastic bags that I've accumulated. Now they're getting holes from use. I like the Grab Bag in R380's post.

You gays will bitch about some prices, but spend like mad on other items. Either you don't have a plan, or you just like to complain while actually changing nothing about your budget!

"These eggs are too pricey" is mentioned in the same shopping trip as "These goat-cheese cauliflower pizzas are SOOO yummy!"

Same goes for the baffling combination of "Trump's economy ruined my plans for homeownership" and "Check out these cute raincoats I bought for my housecats!"

Pick a lane, queens! Either live the gaudy lifestyle and leave a bejeweled corpse with a mountain of debt, or dive all the way into the pool of frugality and live like the cheap cunt we always said you were!

Weed is so cheap these days, but the price of edibles has stayed the same. It pisses me off because I’d much rather have edibles than smoke. I went to Costco yesterday and got a $5 rotisserie chicken with a $5 bagged spicy Asian salad. It made a nice meal for me and my partner. I will eat the other half bag of salad for lunch today. I hate shopping there (the parking lot sucks and I don’t like the other customers) but the Kirkland coffee (roasted by Starbucks) is so cheap. They have a pretty good bottle of Prosecco for $6.99 too. I also picked up a couple packages of .99 cent/pound chicken thighs, which is cheaper than I’ve seen them recently.

If you live in the Mountain West (or Texas), shop at WinCo Foods.

They have Aldi prices and Mega-Lo-Mart selections. It's an enormous store. It's open 24/7, and they only take cash or debit cards, and you bag your own shit. And unlike Costco, there's no idiotic membership or parking lot full of pump jockeys.

Because they cater to mountain people, Mormons, and preppers, they have a big section of bulk goods sold by the pound - everything from exotic spices to pastas and dry cereal. Need a tablespoon of cardamom or a fistful of fusilli? WinCo can do ya for pennies on the dollar!

R387, The Kirkland Cauliflower pizzas, Supreme with pepperoni and ground beef and tons of vegetables, is $12 for two large pizzas. It's not extravagant. I am frugal and I have no house pets to buy raincoats for. My car is 9 yrs old.

R389 There's a Winco here in my northern California (NOT mountain) town that people love but I just can't hack it. The lighting, the warehouse atmosphere, the tank tops, the zombie fraus....and bulk is unsanitary. The prices were not worth it. I'd rather go to three stores with sales and coupons than spend a half hour in that place waiting for fat mouth breathers to bag their carbs.

Yes I'm a horrible person.

R391 I've been to WinCo stores in five states, and I've never seen anything like you're describing. They're warehouse stores, but that's no different from Costco, Sams, or Walmart. And despite the prices, they seem to attract very few trashy poors like you describe. They're also famously clean, and make hygiene a big part of their company culture.

You sure you're not thinking of Walmart? That place is full of Fat Rubes Who Smell. Or maybe you just live in a town (Stockton, perhaps?) where even the high-class families are still unrepentant trash. If so, that's not WinCo's fault.

Gas; don't care, drive an electric car. Food; haven't really noticed a big change yet.

let's go brandon!

Cat food! Shelves are half empty and what is there is more expensive than it was last week. Stop it!

There’s a WinCo up in Indio Ca. Hell on earth. Tanks tops, stinky socks , BO and farts.

Costco had razors today…usually $19 are now $39, same quantity. I’m growing a beard. And Aldi avocados usually .39 each now $1.18 each. Huh?

On the plus side, tequila at Costco is $6 off on mid shelf brand. If only I could live off margaritas.

So can't you get razors at the Dollar store? I never buy food products at Walmart or Target.. But I have ordered stuff online from Walmart and they have good prices and a great selection way better than Amazon or Target.

Stop buying cheap razors, you stupid bastards!

If disposable razors are too expensive for your skinflint budgets, consider switching to an electric razor or a straight razor.

Aldi has been raising prices for months, R396. That's a company policy, and not our government's direct doing. You think there's some button on Ja'Biden's desk that he presses because he wants some dipshit's avocados to get more expensive? Do you really think that's how this all works?

I was able to buy what I needed, but noticed emptier shelves when I last went to the supermarket. It almost felt like the early days of Covid.

Ditto on the razors. Buy a safety razor with real razor blades that you replace often. Better shave, cheaper, less plastic. I bought a box of 100 razor blades last year on Amazon and won’t run out…

I think I'm in love with R398

You don’t need to buy tequila.

I’m going to switch to an electric razor because I hate tossing disposable razors in the bin. What’s the best brand to buy?

[quote] They're warehouse stores, but that's no different from Costco, Sams, or Walmart.

But those aren't grocery stores primarily. Warehouse grocery shopping is depressing. I'm not dirt poor anymore.

R404 Money still can't buy good taste, class, or a tight pooper, can it?

Before the war it cost me $60 to fill my Outback now it costs me $86.

I live outside of Atlanta and the price of gas went up 25 cents a gallon in one day

Don't blame Joe for gas prices. Blame the oil companies and their RECORD PROFITS!

It's so good to live in a flyover state. We raise chickens, hunt, fish, and garden and have since I was a kid. Know how to put up for winter too.

Don't forget dating cousins!

R402, I don't know how to make my own tequila (and lack the requisite worms) so I do need to buy it.

[quote]I don’t buy any prepared foods except for Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash (an indulgence)

R326=FAT WHORE! Gays don't indulge in calories!!!

[quote]Don't blame Joe for gas prices. Blame the oil companies and their RECORD PROFITS!

Then the democrats should do something about the price gouging. We do have laws against price gouging. I don't know why we are still giving subsidies to oil companies, but we are.

The democrats can not think outside the box for a single second, not even to save their own asses during the next election.

R413 It's not exactly price gouging, though. There's no law against charging whatever the market will bear for gasoline. And since there's no emergency situation affecting demand (like a natural disaster or a civil war), it would be quite difficult to label this as gouging rather than simply profit-reaping.

Laws against price gouging usually only apply during times of emergency demand, and this isn't that.

Congress COULD raise taxes on oil companies, but they'd merely pass on that new cost to consumers.

D or R they are all owned by corporations.

[quote]It's not exactly price gouging, though. There's no law against charging whatever the market will bear for gasoline.

Then they need to pass a gasoline price gouging law. At the very least, they need to take back/roll back every subsidy the oil companies get.

I can afford the price increases, but am appalled by some of them. I won't spend $2.50 for an unripe avocado at a chain store. I now buy food at a local produce market and get what's in season. I cook at home more and eat fewer processed or packaged items. Have cut back on meat and other animal products. Nevertheless, I haven't seen an increase for Vodka yet, so that's still a staple in my pantry.

Weston loafers are not 800 bucks. I'm out. Luxury is not for the middle class.

reply to 402

The worms live in the cactus.

R15 and all you other people buying pre-shredded cheese- read the label next time. They add mitomycin or some other funky anti-fungal crap to it, I guess to keep it from gettng moldy. Do you really want to ingest that? Think about buying a bock of cheese and shredding it yourself (it might be cheaper too.)

Yeah, invest in a cheese grater. Chances are you already own one for your elbows. Don't get the shredded shit.

Sign up for in store coupons and look for bogo free sales. Especially in the meat department . Wednesday I get emails for the weekly sales and coupons from both local grocery stores

Buy an EV if you have the chance, a used one if you don't have the money to buy new. You will save a ton of money on gas. It's good for the environment too.

I just take a razor a day from Equinox and toss it in my bag. I don't shave at the gym, so I'll use it for home and spare myself having to pay for razors.

Gas was down slightly from 2 weeks ago ($5.69/gal now $5.39) which is good.

[quote] Gas was down slightly from 2 weeks ago ($5.69/gal now $5.39) which is good.

R424 that's because the administration is currently releasing the emergency oil from the strategy reserve, a million barrels per day till it reaches 180 millions cap, in theory, it should last 6 months, but people travel in the summer and will use a lot more gas, so we should expect the price will soon rise again.

Draining those oil reserves just in time for a world war. This administration is actually more retarded than Trump's, a feat I never thought could happen.

[quote].Think about buying a bock of cheese and shredding it yourself (it might be cheaper too.)

Some of us find shredding cheese ourselves very grating.

My neighbor Miss Jenny has cotton fields, so I pick for her. She pays what she can, the last farm in our area that's not mechanized, and it's back breaking work. Miss Jenny puts up a lot of fruits, vegetables, salsa, you name it, she's caning it, and she's quite generous with me. I also get a couple of chickens per month from her, so I do ok.

[quote]Gas was down slightly from 2 weeks ago ($5.69/gal now $5.39) which is good.

Gas was down to $3.95 in my area last week ... two days ago it jumped back to $4.39.

cat food is just 2 parts crude protein to 1 part crude starch.

Is gas in LA still at $6? A friend posted a photo the other day.

Im R424 - Gas in LA is 6.00+ but at the gas stations that are expensive. We have our cheap gas stations that are around 5.39/gal but if you are in a pinch and go to a Mobile (always the most expensive), you could pay close to 7/gallon

Dollar Tree is now $1.25 Tree, because they can.

[quote] Draining those oil reserves just in time for a world war. This administration is actually more retarded than Trump's

And selling a big chunk of it to China.

Still too many giant personal trucks on the road. Add a stupid tax for over consumption we could pave the streets with gold.