Have you stopped buying certain things because of price?

[rickandcindy23]

Rick is a nut for Mountain Dew, diet version. He has noticed a marked increase in price, and he has really started watching sales. I drink water from our reverse osmosis system a lot. Probably half a gallon + a day. Plus, I brew my own tea and brew tea for my stepdad as well. He brings me gallon containers every week, and I fill them up. He drinks 3 gallons of tea a week.

I just use the top basket to my old Mr. Coffee Iced Tea maker, which is broken, put a basket filter in it, pour boiling water over that basket into my old Tupperware 1/2 gallon pitcher. Fits perfectly. I have an instant pot. I get a gallon of tea from each one gallon Red Diamond tea bags that I bought from Amazon. I bought 144 bags. Ridiculous to buy that many at once, but it's working for Lowell and me. He likes Raspberry SF syrup by Davinci syrup in his, I like Peach SF syrup by Davinci.

 

[WinniWoman]

Interesting that you mention Fritos, as it's also one of the few things that I won't buy now because of price. Can buy a big bag of Santitas tortilla chips for $2.79, so why are Fritos over $5 per bag? The other item we've cut way back on due to price is soda. Not paying $9.99, $7.99 or even $5.99 for a 12 pack of 12oz cans. I'll buy it on sale now, and that's about it.

I buy a lot more store brands, even if I’m not crazy about them.

Ex: Hannaford diet cola. I miss my diet cherry Pepsi or Coke. But price is outrageous.

 

[MabelP]

Buy what you want. Your children are paying for it out of their inheritance.

 

[Panina]

I still buy what I truly want in food as I have to eat gluten free and I only get what tastes good. There are so many awful gluten free products out there. I look for sales and stock up. I have added many more fruits and vegetable to my diet. As I like most fruits and vegetables I buy what is priced right.

As far as luxuries I find if I am patient I find most at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, fb marketplace, etc. For example there was a desk I had been looking at in the West Elm store that was $900. I found the exact one for $50 on FB marketplace. Another example would be an entry console table from William Sonoma that was $1500. I found it in a thrift store for $75. I saw a beautiful Ruby ring that I wanted at a jewelry store. I brought in jewelry that I never wear and sold it to them and got my ring.

Bottom line, I use the same mentality that I use to find bargain timeshares in other purchases that I make.

 

[klpca]

Some corporations are greedier than others, so I find alternatives when I think a company has gone too far. Frito-Lay is one of those companies. They have been raising prices and downsizing packaging for years, so I seldom buy their products. Since I retired from Marzetti's, the new management has raised prices and downsized the bottle for the Marzetti refrigerated Ranch salad dressing, so I quit buying it. Even though it is much better than Hidden Valley, it isn't worth the price difference. The problem is that it only takes one major company to raise their prices and everyone else follows.

Wine margins at restaurants have gotten absurd. We enjoy eating out, but prefer to have wine with our meals. Many restaurants now charge over $50 for a $10 bottle of wine, and charge $15 for 4 oz. glass. A mediocre bottle of wine costs more than many entrees. We now either get carryout or I drink a beer with my meal. While the owners seek a higher margin per unit, they are losing sales due to lost business.

This! $16 for a glass of wine? Nope. I can buy that wine at the grocery store for $12/bottle. I usually order a beer instead too!

 

[Passepartout]

I hardly ever buy a new Lamborghini anymore. It's Coke Zero. I used to buy 12-packs just willy-nilly. four at-a-time. For $12 bucks or so. Now, it's a special trip to Costco for a 35-pack for $13. Boy, where'll it end??? I had to stand in front of the toilet paper today at Smith's to decide if the 12 Mega rolls at $17 was a better buy than the SUPER MEGA 12 pack at $22.

What's a dyed-in-the-wool cheapskate to do???

I think I'll go get a $12 Craft Imperial IPA out of the fridge to survive the heat.

Jim

 

[heathpack]

I don’t go to normal supermarkets anymore. I think I’ve been in the local Publix twice since we moved. I’m all about Aldi, plus the occasional Costco run. Cheaper. I rarely buy any brand name items.

However I will pay almost any price at the Farmers Market. Because stuff is good enough to justify the price.

We go out to eat way less- in part because we live out in the country now and it’s not convenient. But also- the experience is too commonly diminished due to inadequate staffing yet more expensive. It’s just enough past my annoyance threshold to encourage me to eat at home instead.

I sometimes even make sandwiches now on road trips because fast food is gross for the price.

We fly way less too. I’m increasingly into driveable destinations. Flying, like dining out, has just a little too much annoying relative to enjoying for me these days. I don’t want to pay a premium for that. But of course sometimes I want to go somewhere you can only get to via plane, so I suck it up and fly.

Cable TV and streaming: prices got outta hand. We’re down to Netflix and Prime only.

Some of this is my new found frugality, which is mostly psychological. I took a 30% paycut when I moved to Alabama. However we now have no mortgage and a lower cost of living, so we’re actually better off financially and able to contribute maximally to my 403b, HSA, and state pension. But in my mind, I’m making less so I gotta spend less.

 

[heathpack]

PS However I will pay any price for bully sticks for the dogs. Money is no object there.

 

[SmithOp]

I gave up soda during the pandemic because I could not find caffeine free colas, they must have been using the equipment to make sanitizer or something. So it wasn't really because of the price. Now I drink flavored carbonated waters, specially the Soleil Ginger Mule, Mojito, or Lime flavored. I have a 24oz Contigo that I put in one can then top it off with chilled water. I try to drink 3 refills a day, and plain water gets boring.

Cindy's flavored tea sounds good but I'd have to use decaf, I usually drink Earl Grey Decaf hot with a little honey. I do like a raspberry tea flavor. I can't do caffeine any more, it's not good for my aFib.

I generally shop with digital coupons at Vons /Safeway, there is always some brand of chips on sale. I don't buy Fritos, we are partial to Juanitas tortilla chips, my wife craves chips and salsa or guacamole. I will buy store brands but I do prefer multi grain Cheerios for cereal.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I’m interested in how government is in the way of more competition.

Government in Seattle is using public funds to sell parking spots on city streets. Undercutting the private marketplace that wants to offer the same service. Absolutely decimates the profits of private companies trying to do the same thing. Most have given up and sold their surface parking lots to developers who build 40 story condo and apartment buildings.

 

[TolmiePeak]

This! $16 for a glass of wine? Nope. I can buy that wine at the grocery store for $12/bottle. I usually order a beer instead too!

$16? It is the $500 for a bottle of 1st growth Bordeaux that pushed me to stop buying. Plus that stuff needs 20+ years of ageing. I have moved onto domestic cabernet from Washington State. Much cheaper.

 

[TolmiePeak]

When my Cable TV bill went above $40 a month I said no and cancelled.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Buy what you want. Your children are paying for it out of their inheritance.

Exactly. Everytime my parents talked about that I told them to spend it as it was their money. Cheapskates wouldn't buy business / first class when they flew overseas. I told them to spend their money.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We eat a lot more takeout food instead of eating in the restaurant. Saves on drinks - why spend $17 for a mixed drink when I can make the same at home for about $1 -$2? No dessert, no large tips or Doordash delivery fees because we pick it up.

 

[Superchief]

PS However I will pay any price for bully sticks for the dogs. Money is no object there.

Animals are a different story. We have 3 rescue pits and a cat. Fortunately, I retired from Hill's and receive BOGO coupons for Science Diet and that helps a lot. I can't believe how much pet food prices and flea/tick medicine prices have increased. Our favorite vet practice was recently purchased by a large corporation so their prices almost doubled and two of our favorite vets left. I will miss meals before my pets do.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

Fast food. I actually eat a lot healthier now than 5 years ago. Sometimes fast food was so cheap and easy to get, I would have it like once a day. Now that healthier groceries are relatively less expensive than fast food (at least at my local Walmart), and because I can now get groceries delivered to my door cheaply, I have been eating much healthier.

 

[heathpack]

Animals are a different story. We have 3 rescue pits and a cat. Fortunately, I retired from Hill's and receive BOGO coupons for Science Diet and that helps a lot. I can't believe how much pet food prices and flea/tick medicine prices have increased. Our favorite vet practice was recently purchased by a large corporation so their prices almost doubled and two of our favorite vets left. I will miss meals before my pets do.

As a veterinarian, I can get Purina food delivered to the house for 50% off retail +$2 shipping. So I started feeding ProPlan, and I have it on autoship.

When we were going to Pulse South Beach last Jan, my autoship was due to arrive while we were gone, so I went online and moved my delivery date up. Then the day before it was supposed to arrive, I got an email that my delivery would be late. I called to just cancel because I didn’t want it to be dropped on my porch while I was gone. I was slightly annoyed because the food was allegedly out of stock the whole time, not reflected on the website and they didn’t know when it would be back in stock. Whatever. I’d figure it out when we were home. They sent me a $10 e-coupon for my troubles.

Then two days later, when we‘re in South Beach, I get a notice that the food is out for delivery. It turns out it was out of stock, came back in stock, but somehow couldn’t cancel my order. Again I call Purina and express annoyance. This time they sent me a go-to-the-store coupon for a free bag of dogfood.

So when I got home, I ordered our normal 6 pound bag of ProPlan using my e-coupon. Then sent Mr. H to the store with instructions to buy the biggest bag of Pro Plan Performance they had with the store coupon . It was 60 pounds, $100. Many months of food. I packed most of it away in the freezer because that’s a lotta food for three mini dachshunds.

Then we went field trialing to a bunch of spring trials sponsored by Purina. We got quite a few placements and won… guess what? Numerous bags of ProPlan Performance.

We weigh the dogs food and Mr. H did the math. We are set on dog food until well into 2025. I assume kibble freezes just fine because half of our chest freezer is Purina Pro Plan.

So I guess add that to our list of things I’m spending less on: kibble.

Although they still get a homemade meaty bone broth added to every meal!

 

[Superchief]

As a veterinarian, I can get Purina food delivered to the house for 50% off retail +$2 shipping. So I started feeding ProPlan, and I have it on autoship.

When we were going to Pulse South Beach last Jan, my autoship was due to arrive while we were gone, so I went online and moved my delivery date up. Then the day before it was supposed to arrive, I got an email that my delivery would be late. I called to just cancel because I didn’t want it to be dropped on my porch while I was gone. I was slightly annoyed because the food was allegedly out of stock the whole time, not reflected on the website and they didn’t know when it would be back in stock. Whatever. I’d figure it out when we were home. They sent me a $10 e-coupon for my troubles.

Then two days later, when we‘re in South Beach, I get a notice that the food is out for delivery. It turns out it was out of stock, came back in stock, but somehow couldn’t cancel my order. Again I call Purina and express annoyance. This time they sent me a go-to-the-store coupon for a free bag of dogfood.

So when I got home, I ordered our normal 6 pound bag of ProPlan using my e-coupon. Then sent Mr. H to the store with instructions to buy the biggest bag of Pro Plan Performance they had with the store coupon . It was 60 pounds, $100. Many months of food. I packed most of it away in the freezer because that’s a lotta food for three mini dachshunds.

Then we went field trialing to a bunch of spring trials sponsored by Purina. We got quite a few placements and won… guess what? Numerous bags of ProPlan Performance.

We weigh the dogs food and Mr. H did the math. We are set on dog food until well into 2025. I assume kibble freezes just fine because half of our chest freezer is Purina Pro Plan.

So I guess add that to our list of things I’m spending less on: kibble.

Although they still get a homemade meaty bone broth added to every meal!

I actually worked for Purina in the 80's and did the marketing research for Pro Plan and Purina ONE. They were actually the same food at that time, one for groceries and the other for pet specialty and vets. I think they are different now, but both were high quality. I worked at Hills for six years and have been feeding our pets Science Diet (and KD to one dog with kidney disease). They all have done very well and previous pets lived long lives (Rottweiler lived to 14). I'd feed Pro Plan again also. Hill's prices increased a lot faster after Colgate purchased Hill's, but the quality has stayed high, and the food is developed by nutritionists and vets. The Science Diet Oral Care is really good as a treat. Our dogs love the large kibble and like it better than any treat brand. We also use it as a topping on their regular dry food and sometimes add Greek Yogurt. They eat all of their food, but always eat the Oral Care large kibble first.

 

[Tia]

As a veterinarian, I can get Purina food delivered to the house for 50% off retail +$2 shipping. So I started feeding ProPlan, and I have it on autoship.

When we were going to Pulse South Beach last Jan, my autoship was due to arrive while we were gone, so I went online and moved my delivery date up. Then the day before it was supposed to arrive, I got an email that my delivery would be late. I called to just cancel because I didn’t want it to be dropped on my porch while I was gone. I was slightly annoyed because the food was allegedly out of stock the whole time, not reflected on the website and they didn’t know when it would be back in stock. Whatever. I’d figure it out when we were home. They sent me a $10 e-coupon for my troubles.

Then two days later, when we‘re in South Beach, I get a notice that the food is out for delivery. It turns out it was out of stock, came back in stock, but somehow couldn’t cancel my order. Again I call Purina and express annoyance. This time they sent me a go-to-the-store coupon for a free bag of dogfood.

So when I got home, I ordered our normal 6 pound bag of ProPlan using my e-coupon. Then sent Mr. H to the store with instructions to buy the biggest bag of Pro Plan Performance they had with the store coupon . It was 60 pounds, $100. Many months of food. I packed most of it away in the freezer because that’s a lotta food for three mini dachshunds.

Then we went field trialing to a bunch of spring trials sponsored by Purina. We got quite a few placements and won… guess what? Numerous bags of ProPlan Performance.

We weigh the dogs food and Mr. H did the math. We are set on dog food until well into 2025. I assume kibble freezes just fine because half of our chest freezer is Purina Pro Plan.

So I guess add that to our list of things I’m spending less on: kibble.

Although they still get a homemade meaty bone broth added to every meal!

BIL retired from Nestle Purina a few years ago, top levels of the company. OMG did he make the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and still gets good benefits including executive jet use.

 

[geist1223]

Nope if one of us wants it we buy it.

 

[dioxide45]

Those Frito's or any chips are staying in the store with the current prices, unless there is a decent sale where you can get them for $2.50 if you buy 4. So is the soda 12 packs that they try to get $9 for, highway robbery. Just not going to pay the prices.

I sometimes buy 5oz bags of potato chips. I have noticed that price of them have doubled in the past few years. They used to often be on sale for $1, now it is $2. I looked into it and the price of potatoes has been going up, but only up by about 20 cents a lb since 2020. So it isn't the raw materials that is pushing up prices.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Although we haven't totally stopped, we are eating out at restaurants far less often. For the high price, restaurant food is often disappointing. Service has declined, and then everyone wants a huge tip on a meal with an inflated price.

We eat better, healthier, and less expensively at home. My gas grill is getting quite a workout.

We've actually raised some of our spending on food because we will be eating at home. I'll gladly pay for sea bass or halibut at Costco. We'll enjoy it at home and I won't dry out the fish the way so many restaurants do. I know how to grill a steak the way my wife likes. No more worrying that her restaurant steak is going to be overdone.

I am also getting tired of this tipping nonsense. No, I will not tip for counter service even if you shove that machine in my face asking for a minimum 18% gratuity. I am happy to hit the "no tip" button. Tipping was for when restaurant workers were not paid well. Now they earn a decent wage, and I'm paying for their wage in the high cost of my meal.

 

[dioxide45]

We eat a lot more takeout food instead of eating in the restaurant. Saves on drinks - why spend $17 for a mixed drink when I can make the same at home for about $1 -$2? No desert, no large tips or Doordash delivery fees because we pick it up.

My big issue with take out is the "takeout tax". Not really a tax but the value of takeout is poor in comparison to dine in. If I go in to a restaurant that provides something like free chips and salsa or free bread, when I get carry out I really only get the bare minimum. Where if I eat in I get unlimited refills. If I want extra dressing for my salad I get it for free dining in, but I have to add it as an additional sauce/dressing when ordering for carry out and pay extra for it. This is especially bad at Chuy's. They have this addictive jalapeno ranch for dipping tortilla chips in. That *bleep* is expensive to add extra to a carryout order, but they will happily bring me more for free when dining in. We have never done Olive Garden carry out, but I bet the bare minimum is provided in the way of salad and breadsticks on a carryout order. Dine in, I could have 20 bowls of soup if I wanted them. Call me a pig. Though I have never had 20 bowls

It is also well known that fast casual places (like Chipotle) give you less if you order on the app for pickup than if you stand there and watch them assemble your bowl or burrito. It is apparently even better if you film them when they make your food, but I haven't done that. We don't eat in restaurants a lot, but probably more than we should but I am tired of getting skimped when I get takeout.

 

[bizaro86]

I sometimes buy 5oz bags of potato chips. I have noticed that price of them have doubled in the past few years. They used to often be on sale for $1, now it is $2. I looked into it and the price of potatoes has been going up, but only up by about 20 cents a lb since 2020. So it isn't the raw materials that is pushing up prices.

The price of vegetable oil actually more than doubled from prepandemic/2020 to 2022. It's come down some since then but is still more than 50% higher than prepandemic. I wouldn't be surprised if that is equal or more than the cost of the potatoes themselves.

 

[slip]

The price of vegetable oil actually more than doubled from prepandemic/2020 to 2022. It's come down some since then but is still more than 50% higher than prepandemic. I wouldn't be surprised if that is equal or more than the cost of the potatoes themselves.

I was going to say the same.