Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

[Mark42]

Last year, exhaust hanger (rubber 8 donut) was $4. Just called for another, its $7. Same piece, different price. Called another parts store that has it for less, but the longer trip will use more in gas than the savings from buying at the second store. Oh well....

Inflation: It just picks and chips away at your income. It won't ever stop until the economy turns around. I try to avoid the big expenditures, but obviously its the daily expenses that creep up and end up taking 20% more out of your pocket for the same old stuff.

Uhhhggggg. Its killing me.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

At the grocery store, all those "little things" add up to like $50-100!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

Have you guys noticed that some companies have resorted to reducing the amount rather than increasing the price?

Toothpaste, potato chips, etc. Easier to fool the consumer since people look at the price, not the weight of the product in many cases.

More inflation on the way with the bad growing season this spring. I've heard that this fall most groceries will be costing more as a result of lower grain production.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

Yeah, like the half gallon of orange juice that now contains 59 oz. The price increase over the past 8 months or so on some of the stuff I buy regularly is just stunning, 30 - 40% on some stuff like meat and cheese. Have to watch the weekly sales.

 

[IES99]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

They just don't make dollars as strong as they used to. These are junk dollars.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

30 - 40% on some stuff like meat and cheese

Meat has gotten absolutely ridiculous.

 

[jkust]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

I saw a thing on tv specifically about how they have shrunk toilet paper in every way imaginable over the years. One of the mainstream brands just did it again in response to higher costs. I caught a blurb yesterday that one of the big food manufacturers, not sure which, is raising prices on everything as well. Funny how core inflation is calculated.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

Have you guys noticed that some companies have resorted to reducing the amount rather than increasing the price?

Toothpaste, potato chips, etc. Easier to fool the consumer since people look at the price, not the weight of the product in many cases.

More inflation on the way with the bad growing season this spring. I've heard that this fall most groceries will be costing more as a result of lower grain production.

I've noticed this one, used to be you always bought a pound of bacon.....now some packages say 12 ounces, but it looks like the same.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

They just don't make dollars as strong as they used to. These are junk dollars.

That is what happens when you try to "print" your way out of a recession. You can thank the Fed for that.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

Have you guys noticed that some companies have resorted to reducing the amount rather than increasing the price?

Toothpaste, potato chips, etc. Easier to fool the consumer since people look at the price, not the weight of the product in many cases.

More inflation on the way with the bad growing season this spring. I've heard that this fall most groceries will be costing more as a result of lower grain production.

This is the item that has made me madder every year! Used to be, okay 30 years ago, you'd buy the large bag of chips and it was a pound. They've taken .25 ounce out often enough to not notice and it's now 12 ounces and costs 5 times more. Oh, but now you can buy the POUNDER or FAMILY size.. hmmm same one we used to get that didn't say anything special.

Those fraction of ounces can really pay off if you watch them. Or should I say, you can be cheated pretty bad if you don't pay attention.

Okay, so don't get me going with the TP. Used to be most every brand was "quality", but now the only quality brand is labeled with the BOLD and costs 2X as much!

Now on to corn... with ethanol being so popular for the fuel additive, the price of corn and other products made form corn has gone up significantly. Now, if only the US government would stop paying farmers to NOT grow corn (yes, thus controlling the supply and price), the price would go back down.

Wow, betcha didn't know I had this all ready to vent, didja? whew, I feel so much better now... oh wait, no I don't! Keep your eyes open.

Btw, a guy that works at our marina said to buy our "lake" gas at the state park. Since they are state, their price is based on a higher volume bulk price (lower cost). Love our BoatUS discount of 10% off the pump price, though.

Thanks for bringing this up, Mark. :facepalm:

 

[rbh]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

So how many people here raise or grow their own food?

As well do you bake your own bread products, can/preserve fruits and veggies?

Meals from scratch, or ready to eat meals/restraunts?



Now thats food for thought.

 

[linxlvr]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

That is what happens when you try to "print" your way out of a recession. You can thank the Fed for that.

Actually, taking the media out of the equation, our dollar was heavily weakened before the recession. It has a lot more to do with Trade deficit than anything else. Not that I am supporting the last administration more than doubling the Governments' deficit before the recession, but Trade is the real problem.

The other part of the equation is the question, do you want a strong dollar? It will make it more difficult for us to export, and things we import will increase in price.

Studying recent financial history of several countries, including ours, does seem to actually lend SOME credit to the idea of "spending" to get out of a recession cycle. I emphasize SOME. I would be more inclined to support large tariffs to support manufacturing in our country. I do not believe for one moment we should encourage, let alone force our companies to compete with third world nation labor markets. I am just not seeing the benefit of this "Race to the bottom". I know, my toaster is cheaper. But maybe if we weren't in this race to the bottom, I wouldn't need a new toaster every three years. And if we weren't in this race to the bottom with real wages and quality, perhaps I could better afford the new quality toaster.

So, actually I would like a strong dollar. With Tariffs to boot. But very few people would actually agree.
--
Protectionist

 

[Cofe]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

Another thing to mention along these lines is the need to support our local communities. I have a hard time dealing with this, because many consumer goods can be bought online, at a cheaper price, and delivered to my door..... and sometimes delivered with free shipping at that. As much as I would like to see local economies flourish, I just cannot afford it, but it still makes me feel guilty in some way.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Inflation: Its the little things that get you.

I can see a linxlvr 2012 sticker on my bumper, except be careful what you do with tariffs.

Cofe, I'm kinda with you too. I think the problem lies in both retailers are selling procucts produced by the same company, China.......