Nickel and Dimed
Grandma's Lye Soap labels, March 2011 & Jan. 2011
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There's an old joke about a whorehouse called "Granny's Place" made of the usual dirty stuff with the punchline, "You just got screwed by granny!" That was then, this is now.
It is a small point to make but illustrative of the larger realities in the U.S. (Higher Food Prices are Here to Stay). A Cracker Barrel product will be our example, as that establishment portrays itself as the purveyor of all things down home (ignoring for the moment the fact that most of the tchotchkes they sell, like quilts and harmonicas, are actually Made in China.) But witness, Grandma's Pure Lye Soap, which is usually in Ranger's soap dish (not the SF variety).
The soap appeared more petite in size this month, and the label told the story: Within three months, Granny's soap has downsized 9%, from 6.6 oz. (185 grams) to 6 ozs. (170 grams) -- but with no concomitant decrease in price. This is a surreptitious example of 9% inflation, and this is not an isolated event.
Examples abound everyday of getting less but paying more (or the same), therefore we are suffering devaluation of the dollar on a micro level with every reduced-size purchase. This is such a clear example of hidden daily inflation, yet we are told there is no inflation and therefore, no forthcoming Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
We are being treated to the Chinese death of a thousand cuts through this nickle and dime-ing. We are all getting screwed by Granny. and there is no indication we will pull out of this nosedive anytime soon.
Labels: cost of living increase, cracker barrel, dollar devaluation, food and commodities, grandma's lye soap, inflation
posted by rangeragainstwar at 4:54 PM
11 Comments:
Hi Jim and Lisa,
You damn skippy it's "not an isolated event."
Just mention ice cream to my Dad and you'll get a world-class rant about how the half-gallon containers are now 1/3 gallon, for more money.
No inflation, though.
Dave
Ranger,
Shrinking 'Creemo' and Granny's soap bars are the tip of the spear. Whats is jarring my noodle is the ongoing escalating nuclear nightmare in Japan and the economic fallout that that going to hit us like the doomsday astroid. If one begins to ponder how many quality products Japan produces such as cars, electronic's, etc. and how much of that we have consumed...Tokyo is 150 miles from ground zero. We're talking 4 'dirty' bombs that have gone critical. The 4th largest economy in the world has been nuked.... Enter the Dragon, China, who is holding/controlling 36% of our National debt. Nobody is telling us the truth but if one looks.....it's there
I'll sign off on personal upbeat note. In order to to 'beat the devil' I decided to to cut the wages of sin taxes. Quit smoking, drinking, eating out, I eat a third less than I normally did. Result: lost 35 lbs BP dropped from an average of 156/93 to a consistent average of 110/67, reduced bad blood lab's by 50% . Results: I'm freaking healthy and content and know that nobody is going to save my ass, but me.
Extrapolate this on a national level, there goes obesity, the American idol, doctors, lawyers, "Change you can believe in" and all the other horseshit we've been told we need...the other option is to 'get Libyan' on each other. Thats what they want...not getting sucked into that LZ.
The PTSD you ask ? Well, I'm working on it, as you can plainly see...lol
Dr. Who,
I like your spirit -- kudos to you!
How big is that coffee container?
39oz. or 33oz.?
A can of coffee is 33.9 oz. The "pound" bag of coffee is 13 oz. The old 5 lb bag of sugar has been 4 lbs for quite some time (although I can still buy a standard 10 lb bag of Domino sugar at the commissary). I shudder to think what will happen to cocoa!
I guess U-ground Carpenter's Dad and other ice cream lovers will be buying the stuff by the "lick" before long.
No inflation though. :)
Jay in N.C.
I meant to congratulate Dr. Who on his improved health. "Needs must when the devil drives" seems to be the order of the day.
Good on you, Dr.!
Jay in N.C.
And Jay, speaking of "buying the stuff by the lick" -- we're already THERE (and I'm not referring to manner in which Ranger understands this):
Many ice cream makers have now discovered they can sell us 1 oz. "containers" of their precious concoctions -- which amounts to a few spoonfuls, NOT a scoop -- for over a dollar. That would makes on half-gallon + 1/8th of a pair of Bruno Maglis. Yet I have heard women shriek in delight over this. I don't know why.
Perhaps it was featured on Sex in the City, or in some tres chic mag; perhaps their portion control is that bad.
There's a sucker born every minute.
I've been meaning to say thanks to Jay and Lisa, thanks jay and Lisa ;{>
To the good Dr. --
You are welcome, and keep up the good work :)
typo:
"That would makes on half-gallon + 1/8th of a pair of Bruno Maglis."
I meant,
"That would makes on half-gallon = 1/8th of a pair of Bruno Maglis."
Ahem.
Dr. Who,
Are you "BH", by any chance?
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