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The REAL Economy: 'Empty shelves, higher prices’- Americans tell cost of Trump’s tariffs
@Old_Joe, i use the Lancaster, CA (north of LA) store.
We also shop at Trader Joe and Aldi, and much prefer Aldi for their produce. These stores are quite different. Trader Joe is more resemble Whole Foods with lots specialty and expensive items. Aldi is very competitive to regular grocery stores. The chain is growing fast on the west coast.
Thanks, @Sven. The next time we're at the Novato Costco I'll take a look at the chicken rotisserie.
...We seldom buy those. More often for my wife. We have neighbors who buy them instead of dog food for the dog. Cheaper. But those dead chickens are always under-cooked.
Had some dead, fried chicken at Max's Filipino Restaurant yesterday. Crispy skin, perfect-a-mundo.
Trader Joe's is not what it used to be. I mostly go for the dark-yolk eggs and wine selection these days.
We have various types of ethnic markets around us for quality vegetables at reasonable prices. The Korean and Halal markets are good places to buy meat.
The only time I go to an old mainline market is to get the Kroger knock-off versions of triscuits and oyster crackers.
Geez, I've been preaching the joys of ShadowStats for some 20 odd years. teehehe
In addition to the price increase due to tariffs and labor shortages, there is a LOT of piggy-back price markups taking place across the spectrum. Recall the increases that took place during Covid totally unrelated. Anyone check their home-owners insurance lately? How about your utility bills? Shrink-flation was mentioned and note Coca-Cola is coming out with a small version. [side bets on how long before it becomes their primary sale].
I jokingly mentioned Shadowstats but I haven't trusted the gov'ts CPI numbers in decades. I grant that their calculations have been accurate, but the problem lies in what they count and how much weight things receive. It's designed to mask inflation and we all know it. Hedonic adjustments are sweet. If the product is new and improved, the additional costs don't count. What if you can no longer buy the old and unimproved version? Oh, and Greenspan equated burger with steak.
Now there is another problem. With the current administration, even when the BLS gets back to work, the calculations can no longer be trusted.
So, plain and simple, we're on our own. As the Governor used to say a long time ago, 'keep your asses low and your flak jackets close'.
The irony continues. After years of panic-inducing narratives from unhinged Democrats, inflation is finally under control. Yet these same Democrats once denied the highest inflation in four decades during the Biden years—and now they’re attempting to spin the truth all over again.
The irony continues. After years of panic-inducing narratives from unhinged Democrats, inflation is finally under control. Yet these same Democrats once denied the highest inflation in four decades during the Biden years—and now they’re attempting to spin the truth all over again.
One-track mind. No, it's not just Dems who can see the higher prices. I'm no Dem, nor a Rep. The Orange Moron took office and soon instituted tariffs which upended any kind of trade normalcy. He claims lots of money coming into the Treasury. Who's paying it, in the end? The U.S. consumer. Businesses will eat the cost of the tariffs for only so long. Then it falls on everyone who needs to buy anything, literally.
I do believe Joe was too free in throwing around covid-era money, to rescue the economy. It resulted in big-time inflation, which Yellen, Powell and the others claimed for too long, was "transitory." They got it wrong. I see no one here denying that. Go fight your own straw man where we're not bothered by it.
Jump right in to 1:50 of this clip, if you care to taste a bit of Reality. And I never thought I'd be agreeing with Ronny Ray-guns about anything, but there it is:
The irony continues. After years of panic-inducing narratives from unhinged Democrats, inflation is finally under control. Yet these same Democrats once denied the highest inflation in four decades during the Biden years—and now they’re attempting to spin the truth all over again.
Inflation is finally under control? The monthly premium on yours and mine - Humana Gold Choice H8145-069 (PFFS) Medicare Advantage plan is increasing from $0 to $27 for 2026. That’s an increase so steep you can’t even calculate the percentage!
I gather you will need to pick up a job. With your great hindsight, how about running a few funds for a big mutual fund company? If that does not meet your fancy, trade up to some faster Yugo’s.
@mona. I was thinking the same thing. Our Medicare Advantage plan went from zero to 48.00. I am the kind of nerd who thought about how to calculate the rate of inflation. And don’t forget the increase in co payments, although I will never get sick. So with the MA and the soon to be announced Medicare premium increase the social security increase is all gone. Luckily our home and auto insurance will not go up, food will not go up and on and on. Another great week week for the senior nation.
Comments
We also shop at Trader Joe and Aldi, and much prefer Aldi for their produce. These stores are quite different. Trader Joe is more resemble Whole Foods with lots specialty and expensive items. Aldi is very competitive to regular grocery stores. The chain is growing fast on the west coast.
Had some dead, fried chicken at Max's Filipino Restaurant yesterday. Crispy skin, perfect-a-mundo.
Pancit Canton was excellent, too.
https://www.maxsrestaurantna.com/locations
We have various types of ethnic markets around us for quality vegetables at reasonable prices. The Korean and Halal markets are good places to buy meat.
The only time I go to an old mainline market is to get the Kroger knock-off versions of triscuits and oyster crackers.
Geez, I've been preaching the joys of ShadowStats for some 20 odd years. teehehe
In addition to the price increase due to tariffs and labor shortages, there is a LOT of piggy-back price markups taking place across the spectrum. Recall the increases that took place during Covid totally unrelated. Anyone check their home-owners insurance lately? How about your utility bills? Shrink-flation was mentioned and note Coca-Cola is coming out with a small version. [side bets on how long before it becomes their primary sale].
I jokingly mentioned Shadowstats but I haven't trusted the gov'ts CPI numbers in decades. I grant that their calculations have been accurate, but the problem lies in what they count and how much weight things receive. It's designed to mask inflation and we all know it. Hedonic adjustments are sweet. If the product is new and improved, the additional costs don't count. What if you can no longer buy the old and unimproved version? Oh, and Greenspan equated burger with steak.
Now there is another problem. With the current administration, even when the BLS gets back to work, the calculations can no longer be trusted.
So, plain and simple, we're on our own. As the Governor used to say a long time ago, 'keep your asses low and your flak jackets close'.
and so it goes,
peace,
rono
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/heres-much-more-expensive-groceries-212033110.html
A few examples:
The price of a bag of coffee at TheEggWatch's local store was previously $7.99. Now, it's $9.99 a bag.
On Jan. 19, 2025, TheEggWatch bought a pack of bacon for $7.49. Now, it's on sale for $8.99.
Lean ground beef was $5.69 per pound in January. Now, it's $7.49 per pound.
I do believe Joe was too free in throwing around covid-era money, to rescue the economy. It resulted in big-time inflation, which Yellen, Powell and the others claimed for too long, was "transitory." They got it wrong. I see no one here denying that. Go fight your own straw man where we're not bothered by it.
Jump right in to 1:50 of this clip, if you care to taste a bit of Reality. And I never thought I'd be agreeing with Ronny Ray-guns about anything, but there it is:
I gather you will need to pick up a job. With your great hindsight, how about running a few funds for a big mutual fund company? If that does not meet your fancy, trade up to some faster Yugo’s.