When I decided
to retire early I did not anticipate the rapid rate of inflation that has taken
place in the past two years. I did plan
for the “average rate of inflation” but I was simply not prepared for it to
happen all at once. I think we’ve all seen it hit us hardest at the grocery store.
So many of the items we purchase have risen in price - 25%, 50 %, even
100% or more. Along with the rising
prices we are hit even harder with the addition of “shrinkflation” with the noticeably
smaller sizes or fewer items per package.
 |
| Before - a 12 pack |
 |
| And now - it's an 8 pack |
The thing with
inflation is that if you continue to purchase items, regardless of price, then
there is no motivation for that to change.
In essence, the behavior will continue.
One of the things I used to buy on a regular basis was cans of flavored
sparkling water like La Croix or Soleil.
But when they stopped packaging it in 12 packs and made them 8 packs and
then doubled the price it really pissed me off.
I no longer buy their sparkling water or any other brand that is riding
this ship.
As consumers we hold the power to effect change. I you decide something is no longer worth its
value and stop buying it then companies will look at that and make changes in
order to regain your business. But, if
you do nothing but complain and still continue to purchase their products there
is nothing to motivate them to do better, in fact it will motivate them to
actually do worse, raising prices further and lowering the quality or the
volume. Have you really looked at a bag
of potato chips lately? At this rate the
standard size will become a single serve option at a party size price. This is no longer about supply shortages,
pandemics, wars, or any of that nonsense.
It’s really all about greed. Pure
and simple greed!
Companies have
seen an opportunity and have seized upon it. I for one am absolutely sick and tired of this
crap and if a manufacturer wants to play that game, I’m out! I don’t need what you are trying to sell
me. If you don’t give me what I want at
a reasonable price you can keep your products.
I will buy something else or simply go without. I’m taking a stand and that is my position on
it. In several upcoming posts I’ll be
telling you more about how I am making that work for me.
Since Hubby died and prices have steadily climbed, my grocery budget has taken a hit. I've had to get a lot craftier and cost conscious about what I cook. No more loading up my cart with whatever the two of us felt like eating. And I only buy what I can cook and eat each week because I have a smallish pantry and fridge. Time to start cooking beans!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Beans, soups and meals that I can divide up and enjoy a few times is typical for me these days.
DeleteYes!! Yes!! Yes!! I absolutely agree. I am sick and tired of them gouging us, just because they can. You've brought up some great points and I will not purchase these items either. I didn't even realize that they changed the sparkling water to 8 cans! I need to pay more attention. I have noticed a few items going back down to a more reasonable price, so hopefully they are catching on.
ReplyDeleteThe other day Fred Meyer had cottage cheese on sale for $1 a carton, but now instead of it being 16oz. it is now 15oz. (groan). Sneaky buggers!
DeleteGreat post. I am the same way. I went to buy a package of cough drops and noticed it went from 24 count to 19 count and the price is double what it used to be so I put them right back on the shelf. Vote with your money has always been my moto. If you want things to change don't buy their products. They'll get the message eventually.
ReplyDeleteExactly Lori! You know on the back of the package where they have their customer service number. Maybe we need to start calling them too and giving them a good reprimand.
DeleteThat is a good idea!
DeleteI just let Albertson's know my thoughts on their latest practices. I don't know if it will make a difference, but at least I didn't just sit around complaining. Instead, I did something!
DeleteI agree . It is our job now to stop buying overpriced stuff. You do not have to tell me about potato chips. I stopped, almost cold with that bc it was insane . And now I did notice the prices have come down a bit on my chips but still ! I also decided to try a second run with keto so that helps me ignore all the crap foods . So yes I will reframe those crazy food prices and stop buying into the insanity.
ReplyDeletebarb
Exactly! There is so much nonsense with the prices and products that we can do without.
DeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI’ve been following your blog for a long time and this post is great! I am really fed up with the way companies are ripping people off through stealth, it’s outrageous and criminal in my view. I am a Brit and I live in France and as you know the people of my adopted country take none too kindly to being walked over and quite right too. Very soon it will be illegal to sell shrinkflation items without it being labeled as such on the packaging! Maybe it’s come too late but I definitely agree with the politicians on this one! Small wins
Right on sister!
DeleteI completely agree. Which is what is currently guiding all of my purchasing decisions.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Amy!
DeleteThere's a grocery store here that is cutting its steak thinner. So while you may be paying the same per package you're getting less meat per package.
ReplyDelete~margaret
Oh, grrrrrr! It's maddening.
DeleteLong time reader, first time comment. Totally agree, I refuse to pay these outlandish prices. Today I was shopping at Costco, because that’s what makes the most sense for my large family. I *used* to be able to buy 3 jars of grape jelly for $4.99. Today it was 2 jars, same price. Other prices up at least 30% or more for less product. It’s very discouraging, but again, I know how to make substitutions, and or do without. Cooking from scratch is a huge savings, and even though I’m in an income bracket now that I CAN buy something I want, my frugal ways from early years of marriage and kids is ingrained in me. I won’t buy something that is price gouged, I refuse to line the pockets of the corporate fat cats! I fear for the people that don’t have a financial cushion to fall back on. Best, Liz from New York
ReplyDeleteI used to be a
Hi Liz! So glad you commented. Like you, I am also blessed in that I can afford to buy whatever I want, but I just don't want to pay more than it is worth. I feel like I'm giving in.
DeleteIt's a good thing to vote with your pocketbook. It's also good to take an extra step and let the perpetrators know that you've noticed what they've done and will no longer be buying their products due to their shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteLots of products have free 800 consumer hotlines. Take a minute to call and let them know exactly why they've lost you as a consumer. It can't hurt, and may well help.
I just called a skin care company to provide feedback about A) a wonderful product they've inexplicably discontinued, B) how the "new and improved!" updated version is horrible, and C) how they've lost me as a customer. They are sending me a check for the money I wasted on the updated version. Sigh. I'd much rather have the old product back, but I doubt that will happen. At least I'm no longer out $14!
Good for you! I recently contacted a company about their pricing and shrinking of sizes and they actually contacted me! That surprised me. We really do hold the power.
DeleteThank you for sharing these thoughts. I hadn’t really thought about food inflation in this way, but now that you’ve made this point, wow! There are things I pass right by in the store, then think to myself, you’ll cave eventually and pay their crazy prices. Your thoughts are motivating, keep holding out! I have four kids, that makes it tougher to say no, but to a point they understand too. We are able to grow some of our own food (beef, poultry, vegetables, some fruit), so that helps by making for less trips to the store.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan! This can be a good lesson for your kiddos too. They are never too young to learn about economy and finance.
DeleteOh, we do, to a good extent! :-) I would just be able to be so much more conservative myself. I just can’t say no to the potato chips with their pb&j a lunchtime once or twice a week and maybe a carton of ice cream a couple times a month, but they know they’ll only get the generic brand for their occasional treats.
DeleteI'm a softie too when it comes to my kiddos. I totally get it.
DeleteThis bothers me, too -- and I have a sneaking feeling that if we all refuse to pay these prices (or buy only what we absolutely need...i.e., very little), then suddenly the manufacturers will be offering '25% more FREE.' Things like that. It will be interesting to see!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, we go out to eat less (because restaurants around here have really ramped up their prices, too) and I patronize salvage/discount places as much as I can. (I hope to have a garden next season.) You do the best you can...that's all you can do.
P.S. I found a website that offers free vintage prints. These would be perfect for your cards! Here's one of the categories:
https://www.pictureboxblue.com/antique-scandinavian-christmas-cards/
I completely agree with you. They want our business and will do whatever it takes to get it. We just have to demand better.
DeleteI will check out this website. Thank you!
I agree with the above comments, but we have a society today that does not even think about this. It is all convenience to drive up to a store to load your groceries or have them delivered to your front door. As an example take Costco or Sam’s and look at the millions of people that come in and out daily and are spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars to n items. And those of us that are frugal and trying to do more with less have really gotten hit hard. I agree with shrink flation and refusing to buy those products. My Aldi has the La Croix 12 pack and also their brand. I have found that Aldi has been a step above most other chains and have not shrunk their brand. Maybe that is why U love them so much.
ReplyDeleteI am truly amazed at how much money people spend and I can't help but wonder where it comes from. Debt! Credit card use and debt is sky high right now. I don't have a Sam's or Costco membership and haven't for a good long time. It doesn't make financial sense for me to shop there. I wish we had an Aldi here, Idaho doesn't have any. Fred Meyer and Albertsons could use the competition.
Delete