Inflation, how are YOU fairing? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

GentlemanJim · 10-15-2021, 04:31 PM

My typical weekly grocery bill is up 17% compared to pre-pandemic levels
Our local natural gas supplier is (coincidently, I'm sure) requesting a 17% rate hike
Gasoline prices are up about 25% compared to a year ago

And the Social Security Administration just announced a 5.9% increase in their cost of living adjustment?

I'm wondering where they expect us to "cut back" to cover the differential? I guess I'll have to fly "coach" for my annual vacation in Bimini?

Caroline13 · 10-15-2021, 04:33 PM

Ah coach, that's tough. I've flown coach all my flying years.

SarahBellum · 10-15-2021, 04:35 PM

But this inflation is only "transitory", right?

SarahBellum · 10-15-2021, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline13

Ah coach, that's tough. I've flown coach all my flying years.

Coach was OK years ago, before they reduced legroom to squeeze in more seats.

GentlemanJim · 10-15-2021, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahBellum

But this inflation is only "transitory", right?

ROFL!!...of course.

GentlemanJim · 10-15-2021, 04:52 PM

I'm pretty much a creature of habit, some might say that I live "in a rut", but grocery wise I know what I like, I tend to buy the same stuff week after week....a "big bump" in my grocery spending might be the weeks where I have to restock on laundry detergent....so I feel that I am a pretty good master of my grocery expenses.

What I've noticed is that pre-pandemic ...many prices were already too high, but the grocers ran cyclic sales regularly, that I was able to conform my shopping habits to, for instance stocking up on cheeses twice per month, canned goods likewise when their periodic reduction was in effect...and got by pretty well in the overall.

What I'm noticing now is that the already high list prices are only going up 5-8%...but the cyclic sales are gone now... meaning my net effect has been a rude introduction to much higher pricing.

I believe this has escaped mainstream attention. Hence my COLA increase was only 5.9%

Babalu · 10-15-2021, 05:00 PM

The best part of this is that Biden said that dumping all this free money from the federal government will not cause inflation and the left wing media said, "Dats rite boss!"

GentlemanJim · 10-15-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

The best part of this is that Biden said that dumping all this free money from the federal government will not cause inflation and the left wing media said, "Dats rite boss!"

While I don't doubt anything you say, I was hoping to keep this discussion out of the political arena in hopes of casting a broader net among the general forum user base,

My take on it is, the inflation is more based upon greed than politics.

The CEOs know that this extra money you mention is "out there" and it is their hopes to capture as much of it themselves as is possible. Sort of a contest to see who can soak up those left over stimulus dollars before their peers can...that sort of thing.

I'll confess, I guess that I am a "bad guy" of sorts, I still haven't spent one cent of the stimulus payments they sent me. I was going to use the money to buy a used car, but the used car dealers have all raised their prices through the roof...almost as though to say THEY are gonna take my stimulus money while giving me zero value in return.
And, I think many other industries have a similar motive...they consider those stimulus dollars to be theirs.....the tax payers who originally cashed their checks were just middle men

Babalu · 10-15-2021, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

My take on it is, the inflation is more based upon greed than economics.

Uh, no. Among other things, I do have a degree in economics. When you dump loads of cash into an economy, each dollar is worth less, and that is the definition of inflation. That, as they say, is simple economics. You can't leave politics out of economics because they are one and the same.

I do have a problem with "greed" though. Greed is always associated with Wall Street, greedy evil businessmen. But why isn't greed welfare recipients who don't want to work yet demand free food, shelter and medical care?. Or now, people who received $1,000 a week in unemployment in lieu of not working? This is selective demonization courtesy of your left wing media. Greed (and all things bad) means evil rich white men who "steal from the poor" when the truth is that the rich are excessively taxed to pay for the poor.

GentlemanJim · 10-15-2021, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

Uh, no. Among other things, I do have a degree in economics. .

You are responding to a brain fart on my part, I meant to type "politics" and typed "economics" by mistake...which I promptly corrected, but evidently you started authoring your reply before my edit was saved...my bad.

My intent here is to prevent the moderators from shoveling this discussion into the political forum. Your help in that regard would be appreciated.

Caroline13 · 10-16-2021, 03:18 PM

Oh cry me a river, the rich pay taxes...and yes and MANY don't. They pay others to help them out of paying their True Share. Greed is thriving in the U.S.

TVFactFan · 10-16-2021, 08:24 PM

Eat less
Dont Date

AB · 10-17-2021, 07:25 PM

I have a set budget so the inflation isn't working out too well for me. I'm paying more for groceries and gas here too. I'm trying to buy more of the store brand items which are a little cheaper. I've cut back on meat since it's gotten so expensive, and I'm not buying as many sodas. I've increased my pasta and soup purchases. My husband's not too happy doing without his meals with meat. But I told him if he wants it, he can go buy it. Got any tips?

MrCleveland · 10-17-2021, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB

I have a set budget so the inflation isn't working out too well for me. I'm paying more for groceries and gas here too. I'm trying to buy more of the store brand items which are a little cheaper. I've cut back on meat since it's gotten so expensive, and I'm not buying as many sodas. I've increased my pasta and soup purchases. My husband's not too happy doing without his meals with meat. But I told him if he wants it, he can go buy it. Got any tips?

The way things are...we're almost becoming Venezuela! I can't even buy a house and real soon...we'll have to share houses with families!

And we'll all be eating ramen noodles every night!

Foggy · 10-17-2021, 08:14 PM

My wife and I saw this coming at the beginning of the "pandemic" when the country got shut down for two weeks and then for an extended two more weeks. . . . so we started buying "extra" when we could to stock up.

WE are lucky to have friends with a "local butcher shop" and another with a "chicken poultry farm" (for eggs) and another with fresh produce ... of course, with winter coming the produce will soon be gone.

10-15-2021, 04:31 PM	#1
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Inflation, how are YOU fairing? My typical weekly grocery bill is up 17% compared to pre-pandemic levels Our local natural gas supplier is (coincidently, I'm sure) requesting a 17% rate hike Gasoline prices are up about 25% compared to a year ago And the Social Security Administration just announced a 5.9% increase in their cost of living adjustment? I'm wondering where they expect us to "cut back" to cover the differential? I guess I'll have to fly "coach" for my annual vacation in Bimini?
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

10-15-2021, 04:33 PM	#2
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	Ah coach, that's tough. I've flown coach all my flying years.
	__________________ Inexpensive Health Insurance = Grape Seed Extract Keep It Simple

10-15-2021, 05:00 PM	#7
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	The best part of this is that Biden said that dumping all this free money from the federal government will not cause inflation and the left wing media said, "Dats rite boss!"
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

10-15-2021, 04:35 PM	#3
SarahBellum Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,873	But this inflation is only "transitory", right?

10-15-2021, 04:52 PM	#6
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I'm pretty much a creature of habit, some might say that I live "in a rut", but grocery wise I know what I like, I tend to buy the same stuff week after week....a "big bump" in my grocery spending might be the weeks where I have to restock on laundry detergent....so I feel that I am a pretty good master of my grocery expenses. What I've noticed is that pre-pandemic ...many prices were already too high, but the grocers ran cyclic sales regularly, that I was able to conform my shopping habits to, for instance stocking up on cheeses twice per month, canned goods likewise when their periodic reduction was in effect...and got by pretty well in the overall. What I'm noticing now is that the already high list prices are only going up 5-8%...but the cyclic sales are gone now... meaning my net effect has been a rude introduction to much higher pricing. I believe this has escaped mainstream attention. Hence my COLA increase was only 5.9%

10-16-2021, 03:18 PM	#11
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	Oh cry me a river, the rich pay taxes...and yes and MANY don't. They pay others to help them out of paying their True Share. Greed is thriving in the U.S.

10-16-2021, 08:24 PM	#12
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,102	Eat less Dont Date

10-17-2021, 07:25 PM	#13
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	I have a set budget so the inflation isn't working out too well for me. I'm paying more for groceries and gas here too. I'm trying to buy more of the store brand items which are a little cheaper. I've cut back on meat since it's gotten so expensive, and I'm not buying as many sodas. I've increased my pasta and soup purchases. My husband's not too happy doing without his meals with meat. But I told him if he wants it, he can go buy it. Got any tips?

10-17-2021, 08:14 PM	#15
Foggy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2014 Posts: 3,423	My wife and I saw this coming at the beginning of the "pandemic" when the country got shut down for two weeks and then for an extended two more weeks. . . . so we started buying "extra" when we could to stock up. WE are lucky to have friends with a "local butcher shop" and another with a "chicken poultry farm" (for eggs) and another with fresh produce ... of course, with winter coming the produce will soon be gone.