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This thread is because I am curious about other people's perceptions and experiences of inflation. In the past 10 years have you seen prices increasing or decreasing? Think of anything that you spend your money on, be it electronics, food, rent, clothing, beer, whatever.
Please vote in the poll above. Thank you.
(Note: I changed the poll to 5 years as 10 years was too obvious)
Note to self: Topics about inflation do not work. Try again next year.
Yeah video games prices.
I do see a lot of companies decreasing the amount of product in a package and charging the same amount. Don't know if that's inflation or profit grabbing. Also in the US, beef is getting very expensive. Part of that was low demand for a spell and increases live of feed which made farmers lessen herds. Besides that, I haven't seen too much sticker shock but you have to keep in mind I'm a shut in and rarely leave the house.
Computer games is an interesting one and I think they are actually cheaper today than when I was young. That is going beyond the 10 or 5 years timeline though. I remember Streets of Rage 2 was something like 40 pounds when it came out, which was a lot of money in those days. These days I can buy brand new PS4 games for about 25% less. Now which would I choose Streets of Rage 2 or Far Cry 4? Far Cry 4 and it is an improved product, longer lasting gameplay etc. With that it is deflation. Music CD's too are cheaper today. I saved up my PT work money as a kid and would spend 14 pounds buying Bob Dylan and Lou Reed albums. You can buy the same ones today, typically on sale for about half the price. I was gouged as a youngster. These days it's all for free with the pirate kids!
Walrus, they call that process shrinkflation and I see that every time I import something from the UK. I am awaiting my latest batch now and I am ready and waiting with my ruler and scales! :p One of the great tools for beating inflation is to have a wife. She is excellent at finding stuff in bulk at cheap prices. I must have a dozen deodorants, 8 packs of razor blades, 30 bars of soap, the home is like a mini shop, several new office shirts in their boxes. They should just call me Rodney. I tag along with the deal making Del Boy.
Then you go to the supermarket and it's 'What the heck is going on in here!'. Pricey! Buy local, buy from traders, buy online. A massive box of strawberries for a fiver, they taste great. Same amount would cost 3 times as much in the supermarket. Buy apples in a big box, slightly bruised but really cheap. There are ways to beat the con artists with their INFLATION.
Several new office shirts in their boxes.:-)
I have to try them on at some point, but I keep delaying as I am a man. My other shirts have got too baggy since I slimmed down to 2008 levels. Physical DEFLATION!
I work in the public sector and not had a pay rise in years but the price to get to work has increased substantially by train.
Prices went up and the value of the British pound and US dollar doesn't get us what it used to anymore....
4 votes to nil. The conclusion of this thread is that inflation is a significant part of all our lives. Governments may deflect, central banks may lie, but we know the score as we live in the real world and they do not.