Sorry for the inflation rant, but y’all…
On what planet am I living when four two-liter drinks cost $11??? Now, I know inflation has gotten bad—real bad. But I was just floored when I went to Dollar General to grab a few drinks, and this was my total! And that was even with saving fifty cents! HA!
I remember when I was a newlywed and could buy these all day for about seventy-nine cents a piece. You could really stock up when the holidays rolled around because they would mark them down to almost fifty cents. Twelve-pack cans were two dollars. The RC Cola twelve packs used to have a coupon on the inside of the cardboard where you could save a dollar on two, so I could buy two packs of 12 cans for $3.00.
I know, I know. I sound like a crotchety old person fussing about, “Well, back in MY day…”. But I wonder how much more the average person can pay for groceries when wages are stagnant. I know sodas are not a necessity, but it’s truly a shame when the smaller joys of life become too expensive.
Breakfast Is Served…For Supper
In happier news, we had breakfast for supper last night and I made French toast! I love the McCormick French toast recipe because it is so easy and so good! Hubby made the eggs, bacon, and hash browns. He loves to cook, and I love to let him! Haha! Our egg girl made our first delivery of two dozen eggs this year, so we really enjoyed those. Her eggs are something I don’t mind paying more for because I love to support her small business, and the eggs are always fresh and tasty!
Sunday Happenings
My mom and I are off to a baby shower for a family member this afternoon. It’s about 45 minutes from where we live, so we have a little drive ahead of us. The fun part is this baby has already been born, so we will get to meet her! Yay for new babies!
I apologize for the rant; these kinds of prices concern me greatly. I know it has been bad for a while, but something about this purchase hit differently for some reason. It’s just ridiculous and sad. Are you seeing these outrageous prices where you live?
I rarely buy the bigger bottles of soda, these days, but, I looked up the price for a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew in my grocery store’s website and it is priced $2.99 (plus $0.10/bottle deposit); however, right now, it’s on sale for 2 for $5.00, or $2.50 each (but, you must buy two bottles).
I love soda, but, these days, since I am off my diabetes medications and control my diabetes through diet alone, I avoid drinking soda; even diet soda, because I’ve read that the body reacts to the sweeteners used in diet soda the same way it reacts to sugar in regular soda. Having said that, I do, occasionally drink a little soda. I buy the 16 fl. oz. bottles when it is on sale for $3.00 per six pack ($0.50 per bottle) and drink about 4 oz. of it, at a time, over a few days.
I think I have to be contrary to Elle, though know she knows her stuff where she lives. While I agree brand names, convenience foods, and junk food have really gone up, I’m seeing way more than 3% increase on many if not most staples. Maybe it’s regional or seasonal. The price of a 40 ounce round of quick oats was $4 at Walmart last week. I know the same was under 3 just last year or within last 18 months. Canned veg, 50¢ now 62¢, 12 ounce frozen up to $1.12 over the previous 99¢. It’s pennies here and there, but a lot of pennies here and there on the dollar. I’m going to r ally try to have a small garden this year. I figure if I save two grocery shops worth of vegetables, I’ll save $100-$150 on my annual grocery budget, or 5%.
Things have gotten so expensive lately, it’s just crazy. I keep saying that to my kids and I feel the same way, like an old lady talking about the old days! Haha! I’m glad to hear I’m not alone.
Kim, it’s really outrageous. I know I shouldn’t be amazed by any of this, but those drinks just threw me for a loop!
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t noticed how little our money buys in the grocery store these days. I know so many young people who only do grocery pickup because they are able to continue the ending amount.
I do grocery pickup or delivery, too, just because I can’t walk a huge store anymore, but it also keeps me on track and not making impulse purchases. I’ve noticed here lately I can put about 6 things in my cart and I’m already pushing $75. Ouch!
I am still adjusting to the price increases that came with COVID and never left. I am constantly surprised how much something costs although I will say that I’m not as surprised as I used to be. We don’t buy many soft drinks these days because of the cost and the wasted calories that come with them. But sometimes, they do hit the spot.
I’m thinking these soft drinks might be coming to a screeching halt at our house soon. I love diet ginger ale, but the dollar store didn’t have them, so I got those Diet Mt. Dew’s instead. I probably should have waited and bought it somewhere else. The dollar store prices just aren’t what they used to be anymore.
Yes, it really is crazy, and sad!
However, your french toast looks so good!
Thanks, Mari! I almost made your hot chicken sandwiches Saturday night, but I was just too tired. We did breakfast instead. Haha! But I plan on trying it this week!
Food inflation in 2023 was 1.03% !!! It’s crap like this that people buy, regardless of price (and then complain ad nauseum, is what is being marked up. Those manufacturers are laughing all the way to the bank. Real food? Not up much. There are items I buy that are less than they were 6y ago. Yes, I keep 1 big shopping receipt per year for a decade and yes, some are up nearly 50%. I”m also a farmer so know full well the cost of raising actual food. I know these comments to be actual fact.
Well, when I was a newlywed my apartment was $235/m. Now a 2b/1b is $1500 here. Not exactly an appropriate price comparison from 1980 is it?
Now MY rant is over.
Well, this is my first experience with terrible inflation as an adult, so although this post may sound whiney, I’m just genuinely concerned for everyone. Perhaps if I live another twenty years, this won’t be so surprising anymore.
I think that is one of those things that make us think about choices. Some things are just too expensive – I’d rather spend on other things.
Dollar stores and drug stores are probably the worst for pop. I won’t buy it there ever.
Yeah, I’m thinking that is not the place to purchase these types of items for sure.