How are you dealing with inflation? [Archive]

gimmethesimplelife

10-19-21, 5:31pm

What are your ways to deal with inflation/price hikes? I understand that my ways are not for everybody, but what are your ways?

I'll start.

A. Living an auto free life

B. All clothes until further notice (other than socks and underwear) coming from the Nogales AZ Goodwill where clothes are sold by weight and unbelievable deals can be found. An example - a men's lightly worn Wilson's leather jacket for $3!!!

C. Using smartphone apps to take pics of all our receipts for points toward gift cards which can be used for Christmas.

D. Using my employee discount for food and growing some of my own food in the backyard. This year there's been a bumper crop of Armenian Cucumber and in another month there will be a bumper crop of navel oranges and figs.

E. Stocking up in Mexico on prescription meds.

What are some of your workarounds to inflation? Rob

bae

10-19-21, 5:42pm

Not buying stuff I don’t need.

Yppej

10-19-21, 6:05pm

Eating free snacks at work.

I try to hypermile but I'm not consistent.

Doing the best job I can supporting our sales staff so we meet our monthly goal and get a free breakfast.

Refusing to buy overpriced items. If it's 10 or 15% more fine but I will not pay double, the exception being gas.

Continuing to stay local for recreation. More hiking and other free activities, though avoiding mask requirements also plays a role as well as inflation. I am not going to museums, for instance.

My new hobby, fighting my city's mask mandate, is low cost.

iris lilies

10-19-21, 7:01pm

I’m dealing with it by not paying attention to it.

Tradd

10-19-21, 7:37pm

I’m dealing with it by not paying attention to it.

Yep, me too!’

Rogar

10-19-21, 7:41pm

I've not changed anything spending wise, but I've been looking at TIPS as an investment.

bae

10-19-21, 7:52pm

A. Living an auto free life

I will say that the used Fiat 500e electric vehicle I purchased right before the pandemic has cut my transportation costs, and bother, hugely. I basically haven't bought gasoline for nearly 2 years, unless I am doing something out-of-routine. I drive the remaining gasoline vehicles now-and-then to keep them happy, and this electric vehicle requires near-zero service and attention, which is a huge time/bother-saver.

I jumped at the opportunity earlier this year to resell a 4 year old used sports car back to the dealer for basically what I bought it for, perhaps even realizing a small profit once the warranty and service contracts were refunded. I'm looking at reselling two other vehicles too, as dealers continue to offer more than is reasonable for them.

Tradd

10-19-21, 8:19pm

Wow, Bae. Good timing on selling the cars!

JaneV2.0

10-19-21, 8:43pm

So far, I'm doing what Iris Lilies is modeling--at least for now.

Teacher Terry

10-19-21, 9:41pm

I don’t need anything. The only exception is I am waiting on the estimate for a new sliding glass door and bedroom windows. They are original and 43 years old. I will proceed if reasonable. Otherwise I just buy food and I intend to keep eating what I want.

ToomuchStuff

10-20-21, 6:22am

Not buying stuff I don’t need.

This, mostly. Then like anything else, you have to judge what is your time worth.

I jumped at the opportunity earlier this year to resell a 4 year old used sports car back to the dealer for basically what I bought it for, perhaps even realizing a small profit once the warranty and service contracts were refunded. I'm looking at reselling two other vehicles too, as dealers continue to offer more than is reasonable for them.

Was this the little red one you posted a picture of some time back? (don't remember what it was)

Now, on the flip side, has this inflation helped anyone?
I found out today, me, quite potentially. Rundown house in my old neighborhood (one street over) was bought for $11K, they put 20k in and it sold last week for $110K. It is the same layout as most of the houses in that area, compared to the last one I know that sold. With this market, I could potentially end up in my current location for less then 50K, on a quite a bit more expensive house, then my old one.

I am wondering how much the old Frank James in laws house, will go for up the street.

iris lilies

10-20-21, 6:43am

This, mostly. Then like anything else, you have to judge what is your time worth.

Was this the little red one you posted a picture of some time back? (don't remember what it was)

Now, on the flip side, has this inflation helped anyone?
I found out today, me, quite potentially. Rundown house in my old neighborhood (one street over) was bought for $11K, they put 20k in and it sold last week for $110K. It is the same layout as most of the houses in that area, compared to the last one I know that sold. With this market, I could potentially end up in my current location for less then 50K, on a quite a bit more expensive house, then my old one.

I am wondering how much the old Frank James in laws house, will go for up the street.

The James Gang, for those not from Missouri.

Did you ever see that wonderful movie about Jesse James with Casey Affleck? “ The assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford.” It is really good. It is poignant in showing how Robert Ford spent the rest of his life being the depised man who shot Jesse James.

rosarugosa

10-20-21, 6:58am

I was going to say the same as IL, but Rogar's comment reminded me that I am about to put some of our cash into I bonds for the very first time, and that is inflation related.

happystuff

10-20-21, 9:32am

I'm also just trying to not buy stuff and trying to spend less. That said, we are still waiting for a plumber to come and have already put out the deposit for the patio and mason work for the house.

It always seemed to me that the area I feel I have most control over spending is food. So, I'm going to re-organize the pantry and REALLY see what is in there and start using it and stocking where needed.

LDAHL

10-20-21, 10:06am

Restrict bond investments to the short end.

Avoid variable rate debt.

Keep current on your tax management strategy.

Vote Republican.

Teacher Terry

10-20-21, 11:26am

Rosa, I am doing the same thing with the I bonds. Llama, your first 3 strategies are good ideas. Your last one not so much.

catherine

10-20-21, 11:53am

I'm like happystuff--looking mostly at food costs, but that has less to do with inflation and more to do with just trying to proactively manage meals and shopping trips in general. My food bill was really high last month and I don't know why. It's a tad lower this month, but I know by the end of the month I'm not going to be happy.

bae

10-20-21, 12:14pm

Was this the little red one you posted a picture of some time back? (don't remember what it was)

Yes, a car that had a top speed of 205mph and a 10-second-range 1/4 mile time seemed a bit silly to keep around on an island with a top speed of 35mph, and covid limiting my road-tripping opportunities :-) When they offered to buy it back, I was happy to let it move on, fine car though it was.

Tradd

10-20-21, 12:50pm

Bae, do you still have the Mini?

iris lilies

10-20-21, 1:25pm

Restrict bond investments to the short end.

Avoid variable rate debt.

Keep current on your tax management strategy.

Vote Republican.

I avoid debt and won’t pay interest on anything, Even if someone can show me on paper that it’s in my best interest I just don’t do that. I also any more don’t think much about tax avoidance because it’s just too complicated. Granted, not that I made many moves according to taxes, but it’s just impossible to figure out.

I’m gonna live my life the way I want to live it and drawdown money the way I want to draw it and when I wish to.

so be it..

I will generally vote Republican though.

Rogar

10-20-21, 2:37pm

My travel and other reductions in expenses due to covid are by far outpacing any inflation effects. The news is actually saying that the increased demand for certain consumables is up for similar reasons and is one of the inflation drivers. I've seen articles predicting a big jump in energy and home heating this winter, but at least my last utility bill didn't show that. I suspect the whole inflation issue is not a partisan politics root cause, one way or the other, but I could find reasons to blame Donald. There is a lot of spendable money in the economy for those who've owned stocks or real estate.

frugal-one

10-20-21, 3:28pm

Restrict bond investments to the short end.

Avoid variable rate debt.

Keep current on your tax management strategy.

Vote Republican.

Same except for the last. It totally depends on who is running. Never trump.

Not really changing anything other than lack of travel. Like IL... we will do what we want to do. No debt except monthly credit cards paid in full each month.

bae

10-20-21, 4:27pm

Bae, do you still have the Mini?

Yes, it is a 2011 and notionally belongs to my daughter, who has been away for years unable to use it. I fire it up now and then to keep it happy, and it is the dog’s favorite car to ride in. So far nothing has really needed service on it other than oil changes and tires.

dado potato

10-20-21, 5:37pm

I grow sprouts in containers indoors. Eating fenugreek sprouts currently.

I make hummus with Besan chickpea flour, and save a lot of money by making my own hummus in the microwave. I enjoy dipping carrots in hummus.

Okinawa spinach and various herbs do well on the sunporch.

I prepare dry legumes, rice or bulgur in "Instapot" pressure cooker.

"Eat like a peasant".

ToomuchStuff

10-22-21, 10:43am

The James Gang, for those not from Missouri.

Did you ever see that wonderful movie about Jesse James with Casey Affleck? “ The assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford.” It is really good. It is poignant in showing how Robert Ford spent the rest of his life being the depised man who shot Jesse James.

Never saw it.

rosarugosa

10-22-21, 2:28pm

I did it - opened a Treasury Direct account and invested in I-bonds!

bae

10-22-21, 2:33pm

I did it - opened a Treasury Direct account and invested in I-bonds!

Weird, nobody suggested "go all-in on Bitcoin!" :-)

jp1

10-22-21, 2:50pm

Weird, nobody suggested "go all-in on Bitcoin!" :-)

That’s because Tradd’s SIL doesn’t post here. The people that do can read the room…

NewGig

10-23-21, 8:52am

We've moved some retirement money into things which are hopefully better about inflation.

I've always bought most of my clothes (except underwear and socks) at thrift shops. When DH fully retires, soonish, it's likely he'll start doing that too.

I'm buying produce in bulk and intend to mostly stop using the CSAs next year. With a bit more planning, I should be able to buy seasonal foods as well as putting aside baseline pantry stuff. We've almost quit using prefab frozen or canned foods. I've been making oat milk every now and then. The long-term plan is to make an almond-oat milk for day to day, as we go through about a gallon of organic cow's milk every 4 days.

This morning I was looking over my mix recipes and trying to decide what I should put together?

We're planning on the veggie garden being the source of much of our day to day, seasonal veggies, the other part of the CSA vegetables. Tomatoes, greens, beans, scallions, peas, and beans, with maybe small squashes thrown in are in the plan. Storage onions, potatoes, peppers, tomatillos, celery, etc. can be bought in bulk.

We're buying and selling things at auction. Housewares are pretty cheap I guess because of the boomers downsizing, etc. That makes the selling not so good, but I've been selling off the "white elephants," the pieces I wasn't sure how to market given our current circumstances: the expensive candle screen, the 2 barn cabinets I had, the 18" decorative tiles, etc. Most of those pieces I either had already tried to sell at the antique shop or knew I couldn't. (The candle screen would have been mangled by people fiddling with it, for example.)

I also found an auction house who sells "collectible" books, so many are going there. Yay!

pinkytoe

10-23-21, 12:10pm

Just read that the average utility bill here will go up $35 a month. We already keep it very low in winter compared to most people so I guess we'll just have to pay. Also noticed all of our various insurances going up their annual 10%. Looked at other home and auto insurance but couldn't find enough savings to justify the hassle of changing. Now I need to go through various subscriptions - streaming, newspaper, etc and streamline those for best value. And stop buying more groceries than we really need (I love buying groceries:()

catherine

10-23-21, 3:51pm

Question for all you financially-astute folks:

I believe my son will have the funds to buy my NJ house in October, and the mortgage will have gone through. (Please pray for us.:(). My "strategery" is to put it in a "lockbox" for our "nursing home fund." Do we go index fund? More conservative than that? At this point, I prefer to be fairly low risk until the dust settles on this inflation thing. In any other time, I'd just do Vanguard Index Fund, but I'm not 100% confident of that approach now.

https://www.facebook.com/snl/videos/10154632240166303/

bae

10-23-21, 4:21pm

When do you expect to need to use the funds?

catherine

10-23-21, 4:25pm

When do you expect to need to use the funds?

I hope not for a long time, but who knows? It will be a big part of my "emergency fund." I am very healthy, but as you know, that can turn on a dime. DH has had medical issues in the past but he's on the rebound. So I expect and hope the proceeds will remain intact for 10 years. If I live that long, I will be turning the corner on 80 years old at that point.

Rogar

10-23-21, 5:24pm

The Vangard Wellington and Welsey funds have a slightly higher management fee than straight index funds, but diversify with different percentages of bonds in their portfolios, so are a little more conservative than all equities. They are old established funds with high regard. Otherwise, I'd find a split between a total market index fund and some fixed income such as a short term bond fund, maybe CDs or a CD ladder, or some iBonds at a split you are confortable with by staying conservative. My humble opinion.

Within the limits of predictabiity I like to think of equities as a five or more year investment horizon. My strategy anyway.

boss mare

10-23-21, 7:05pm

Sold a horse that I had been leasing out. I will be bringing Koda home from my trainers the middle of next month. Pulling shoes from Socks, Zazz and Koda. We logged our property a few years ago. We are splitting up the rounds and will be using the wood stove alot. Clothes are ok. When we were cleaning out my in laws house, I came across a manila envelope that was packed full with gift cards from all kinds of restaurants. We have been using them and splitting our meals between us. I bought my hay early this year.
With the last of my Corgis gone now, our vet bills, doggie physical therapy, meds, grooming, and food has given us a huge push in the positive column for our monthly expenses.

Yppej

10-24-21, 6:57am

Bought maybe 8 cans of tomato sauce since their price hasn't gone up in over a year and therefore probably will soon.

rosarugosa

10-24-21, 7:25am

Tradd

10-24-21, 1:58pm

Gas up in WI was $3.14 yesterday vs $3.55-$3.60 in the Chicago area. Filled up at the border before crossing back into IL on the way home yesterday.

NewGig

11-13-21, 10:11pm

Re the price of gas? Look on gasbuddy.com for your cheapest local gas station.

The biggest thing for us is to use less expensive options I think. I made a pizza blank and sauce from frozen tomatoes, for example. The tomato sauce I figure cost us $2, with the herbs? Probably around $3. To be conservative, make the pizza $5.

The tomato sauce has celery or bell pepper, onion in it. The spices were basil, onion, more bell pepper or celery, marjoram and oregano. The tomatoes were bought bulk. The bell pepper/celery/onion/basil are part of what we put back from our farm shares. It was dinner and we had 1/2 left, so 2 meals, 4 portions. Organic and cheap at $1.25 per portion.

I've been expecting the inflation for over a year. Given fewer people working, so the labor didn't happen. Less money to buy things, so no incentive to find an alternative to the labor situation. The supply chain. And so on. Even if COVID had stayed overseas, I expect we would have inflation, as all the imported goods we consume wouldn't be as easily available, or as cheaply.

JaneV2.0

11-13-21, 11:44pm

I don't expect to have much impact on my life. I haven't yet seen an increase in Amazon Fresh prices, and I don't use much gas. Durable goods might become a problem if supply-chain problems persist.

Teacher Terry

11-14-21, 3:41am

Part B Medicare premiums will cost 170/month for 2022 and the deductible went up by 30. Our car gas is now 4.35/gallon. My dog insurance went up 20/month so I switched to the lower plan. The dog’s dentals literally doubled in price from 300 if no teeth were pulled to 600. My yearly dental doubled in price to have my bottom implant supported denture removed and cleaned underneath. It went from 370 to 740. The only place I saved money is I switched to T-Mobile’s 15/month prepaid plan. In my state their coverage is the best. My son has noticed the food increases more than I have.

sweetana3

11-14-21, 7:43am

Mom, who is 89, wanted to go buy some specific yarn. The trip would require a 45-60 minute round trip for me and no guarantee the store closest to her would have all she needed. So I got online and ordered it. It was on sale and I ordered enough to not have shipping.

Note: She can go to this store on her group bus every two weeks but would miss the sale week. So I saved the gas, the time, the stress (I hate driving and shopping), and got exactly what we needed on sale. It was delivered in one week. Plus we are seeing her this week to take her all the way across town to a hearing aid appointment and I can give her the yarn then.

Win win for me. (Mom is only disappointed we are not doing a day of window shopping.)

This is kind of how we deal with inflation. Can we avoid the expense or combine the trips or use up what we have. (wish mom would use up some of the huge stash she has but at 89 it is a small thing to make her happy.)

razz

11-14-21, 10:42am

I stocked up through the summer so will eat that first. Surprised at the increase in the price of chicken.

Over the year I have examined the products that I buy. One day, when shopping for groceries, I was stunned at the number of feet of shelving of house cleaning supplies- the packaging involved and transport to make it available and how I have taken all these for granted. Now i mix my own laundry detergent with grated soap, borax and washing soda. with vinegar for softener I mix a general surface cleaner of 4C of water, a squirt of dish detergent and 3 Tbsp of Javex to clean everything from kitchen counter, bathroom sink, vinyl flooring and toilets. It is amazing how simple things can be and how cost-effective.

pinkytoe

11-14-21, 11:12am

I'm a big salad eater and normally buy organic romaine since it keeps the best. Jumped from 1.99 to 3.49 a head! So...we will eat more frozen veggies and/or grain/bean salads as sides instead. Might try growing some lettuce under lights since I have the setup for seed-starting. Have stopped running one purpose errands and try to combine when possible. No more eating out - it now costs nearly $30 for lunch out. A definite return to more frugal ways.

Rogar

11-14-21, 11:28am

The price of gas here is aout $3.30/gal. I actually think it is just returning to the prepandemic levels when demend went way down. I'd like to think gas prices could possibly mark a return or accelerated interest more efficient vehicles. I recall a time when the big gass guzzlers and SUVs were hard to sell. We've been spoiled with cheap gas the last couple of years due to low demand. Now it's just more normal.

I don't buy meat and for a recent while my other groceries were not seeing a big jump, but now I've noticed it more commonly in non-meat products and especially staples.

iris lilies

11-14-21, 11:35am

happystuff

11-14-21, 11:38am

I've been trying to keep my eyes open for deals with regards to the few Christmas presents that I will actually get. I'm not a shopper at all, but went out yesterday to pick up printer ink and made sure I walked the Clearance aisle at Walmart. Ended up finding some stocking stuffers at what I think was a tremendous discount price. I think that is how it's going to have to be. I don't like shopping, but I guess I'll need to get out there to find such deals. Not too many folks to buy for and not too many left, so I'm hopeful that I'll get this over with quickly and can then enjoy the holiday season in other ways.

JaneV2.0

11-14-21, 11:54am

You can get LED grow lights now--that should save some. I've looked at hydroponic setups.

JaneV2.0

11-14-21, 2:10pm

TT--ouch! Inflation has really hit you hard.

NewGig

11-14-21, 4:34pm

Try sticking the romaine in a jar with a little water in the bottom. When I worked in a farm stand, that's how we kept the lettuces in the fridge (only it was a lug). I've had lettuces start to root this way!

dado potato

11-15-21, 1:23am

I've not changed anything spending wise, but I've been looking at TIPS as an investment.

For several years I have been purchasing my limit of Treasury I Savings Bonds. I intend to go on buying the limit each January, as long as I can. TIPs can and do sometimes decline in price. (I think a short duration TIPs fund, such as VTIPX, may be a sensible alternative to a short term CD) I Bonds increase in value every month according to changes in the CPI, the variable rate of interest being updated by the Treasury every 6 months.

A credible source of information and analysis on inflation-protected Treasury securities is David Enna http://tipswatch.com

Rogar

11-15-21, 9:07am

For several years I have been purchasing my limit of Treasury I Savings Bonds. I intend to go on buying the limit each January, as long as I can. TIPs can and do sometimes decline in price. (I think a short duration TIPs fund, such as VTIPX, may be a sensible alternative to a short term CD) I Bonds increase in value every month according to changes in the CPI, the variable rate of interest being updated by the Treasury every 6 months.

A credible source of information and analysis on inflation-protected Treasury securities is David Enna http://tipswatch.com

Thanks for the additional information. I haven't kept up with ibond purchases for some time, but have a handful back when the purchase limit was higher and the fixed rate was actually a positive number. I've never regretted having them. Ibonds are slightly complicated and if a person needs to invest larger amounts, the annual purchase limits are slightly low, which may be reasons why they are not more popular. I've not given up on TIPS having their place too, and appreciate the link and VTIPX suggestion.

dado potato

11-17-21, 6:16pm

The symbol for the Vanguard Short Term Inflation Protected Index Fund is VITPX, and the comparable ETF symbol is VTIP.

These securities have gone up in price, and I think that is mainly because investors are expecting a more rapid rate of increase in the CPI. The FRED graph of the Real 10 Year Treasury Yield shows a low of -1.19% August 3, 2021 and a more recent -1.17% November 9. In the auctions of TIPs, I have been amazed to see price premiums that result in negative yields like these. But I understand that in the UK, inflation-protected gilts have traded at a real rate of -3%. So I can imagine CPI reports that continue to "surprise everybody" on the upside.

TIPs are most useful in a portfolio when inflation is higher than the market was expecting at the time the TIPs was purchased. Remember when Fed governors used to say, "Inflation expectations remain well anchored..."? And they seemed to wish for a 2% annual change in CPI?

I bonds do not have the volatility of TIPS. If you buy Treasury I bonds you are not able to redeem them until at least 1 year later. So I bonds are definitely not for every saver!

frugal-one

11-17-21, 6:26pm

Also Ibonds do not let you designate a beneficiary. So imagine this would have to go through probate?

dado potato

11-17-21, 8:48pm

Also Ibonds do not let you designate a beneficiary. So imagine this would have to go through probate?

At the account level I believe it is true that Treasury Direct does not allow a beneficiary, as may be the case with a brokerage account. However at the level of the individual I Bond holding, the buyer may designate a beneficiary or second owner (with rights either to view or transact that holding). It is possible to buy I Bonds, name a beneficiary at any time for that bond, and change the beneficiary at will.

I am not a lawyer, but I believe that if an I Bond has a second owner or a beneficiary on record at Treasury Direct, the bond would not go through probate.

thefinancebuff.com/i-bonds-beneficiary-vs-second-owner-treasury-direct.html

Yppej

11-17-21, 10:02pm

One guy at work gave me a cannoli, another gave me 9 eggs. The boss bought a new bunch of snacks today. We are on track for our monthly goal which will entitle us to a free breakfast. In less than a month we have our holiday party with a free dinner and drinks. I love my job!

ToomuchStuff

11-18-21, 1:06am

frugal-one

11-18-21, 4:59am

Thanks dado… when I get back home I will dig the bonds out. I purchased them many years ago through payroll deduct and don’t believe there was a beneficiary designation.

GL from QC

11-18-21, 8:58pm

I deal with inflation by cutting down on my expenses and simplifying my lifestyle. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Moved from the US to Canada (Toronto, to be precise) a couple of years ago, then became a permanent resident, and was finally able to quit my job. Toronto tries too hard to be like NYC... It's kind of adorable, really: their version of Times Square has billboards with large burned-out pixels, and their subway shuts down around 11pm. (Good luck walking home from a party haha) It kept getting more and more expensive there, too, so I moved to Quebec City instead.

Quebec is the only Canadian province with rent control, so I got a beautiful one-bedroom rental for just $595 CAD ($471 USD) a month, and that includes fast internet and utilities. :0! Altogether, my combined monthly expenses are just $1,200 USD now, or $14,400 per year. That includes going out to eat once a week, and buying a cheap bottle of red wine (I can't taste the difference haha) when I go grocery-shopping every 9 days or so. :) Oh, and I sold the car just before the move - QC is a very pedestrian-friendly city, and I would've had to pay for parking + gas + insurance + registration...

My life is a whole lot cheaper and simpler now. I know that for many people, moving to a cheaper location is not an option, but it can be pretty beneficial, eh. ;)

Simplemind

11-18-21, 9:12pm

You are living my dream GL. I just love Quebec City.

GL from QC

11-19-21, 12:56am

Great (and simple) minds really do think alike, eh? :) It's so beautiful here. So, so beautiful... Before this, I used to live in Toronto, Seattle, Tampa, Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Reno, and a couple of tiny towns in rural Nevada. I have plenty to compare it with, and it takes the cake, hands down.

Winters here suck, apparently, but: a) I'm originally from Siberia, so I'll be fine, and b) once I get my Canadian citizenship in ~2 years (and my 3rd passport hahaha), I'll become a snowbird, and never see another snowflake again. :P

Teacher Terry

11-19-21, 1:11pm

Gl, when did you live in Reno and did you like it? I moved here 25 years ago for a job and absolutely love it.

GL from QC

11-20-21, 2:47am

Gl, when did you live in Reno and did you like it? I moved here 25 years ago for a job and absolutely love it.
I was there for 7 years! :) From 2004 till 2011. (Go wolfpack!) My perception of the city was skewed by the housing bubble's aftermath: after I graduated in 2008, there were no jobs anywhere... (That's how I ended up packing boxes as a temp at Amazon's RNO1 hahaha)

I liked the people, the vibes, the fact that you can see the mountains from just about anywhere, the idyllic traffic (compared to other places I've lived), the annual events... (Loved those balloon races!) On the other hand, the annual wildfire smoke was pretty ridiculous, and I worry about the long-term water issues if the mountain precipitation goes down due to global warming.

I still visit sometimes - the last trip was just 4 months ago. It was weeeeird to see how Eldorado has gobbled up all the other casinos, or how Sands had to close their tables by midnight because they didn't have enough dealers. :confused: (You know the Futurama meme, right? "Shut up and take my money!" :laff:) I'm a card-counter, so seeing all that variety disappear was really something. My beloved Eldorado buffet (they had the best gelato in the world!!) was shut down, so I had to make do with the fancy but not-as-good buffet at Atlantis. The downtown Nugget went out of business, which means no more Awful-Awful, and ditto for their famous hangover omelet that came with a huge side of beans and a free Bloody Mary. :cool:

I loved all the new art around the city, though: the murals, the statues... It was so beautiful. :) In another world, where I had just a little bit less wanderlust, I never would've started my looong trek across the US (Reno, Vegas, Fort Worth, Tampa, Seattle, then Toronto and Quebec City), and I definitely would've stayed in the Biggest Little. :)

Teacher Terry

11-20-21, 2:19pm

Now there’s tons of jobs and real estate is skyrocketing. Many tech companies have moved in. I love that if I want to snowshoe it’s a short drive to the mountain but mainly no snow in the valley. Unfortunately with all the growth and expensive rent our homeless population is exploding. Our city council is doing a poor job of addressing this issue instead hiring River rangers to harass the homeless. I intend next election to work on opposing campaigns for the mayor and much of the city council.

LDAHL

12-10-21, 11:14am

I see the CPI is up to 6.8%.

I wonder if the current administration will be more transitory than higher inflation.

Rogar

12-10-21, 11:43am

I've noticed some are calling it Bidenflation, although I'm not too sure how much he has too do with anything. Maybe an opportunity to tighten the money supply by raising taxes.

I'm not sure what the numbers are for meat products, but I have been surprised at how expensive they are.

LDAHL

12-10-21, 12:25pm

I never subscribed to the quasi-religious belief that the President controls inflation, crop yields or rainy days. That’s why I thought it was ridiculous when the Democrats put out that graphic showing a two cent downward tic in gas prices with a big “Thank you Joe Biden!”.

bae

12-10-21, 12:37pm

ApatheticNoMore

12-10-21, 1:34pm

There is no solution to homelessness that can be addressed at a local level really I don't think. I mean a few states like Utah had housing first programs for awhile and they seemed to work, but while they might work with a relatively manageable homeless population, I can't see them scaling to anywhere with a huge homeless population plus a housing shortage. Eventually I think they do resort to just cracking down on the homeless, because vast sums of money spent and still homeless everywhere and everyone is tired of it, so they just make it look prettier by driving the homeless ever more underground. Sad but true.

iris lilies

12-10-21, 2:01pm

“homeless” is not Correct Speak now, it is “unhoused.”

razz

12-10-21, 2:03pm

If one really examines the homeless issue objectively without assigning blame to anyone, it is mind-boggling.

There are large populations that move to wherever to find food and shelter. If a local municipality tries to resolve the issue of housing, masses more will migrate there. Once again, that same municipality is overwhelmed.

My small rural community tried to support the homeless and drug addicts with a safe injections site. We are now up to FIVE injections sites, many more drug addicts have moved into the downtown and the homeless take over the town hall steps, park benches, library during the day and doorways at night. People understandably want to help them during the cold weather trying find accommodation in local motels.

I have yet to see a clear understanding of the causes of all the homeless as it is such a complex issue. Joblessness, drug addiction, compromised mental health are just a few. Until the causes are defined and dealt with, Reno as well as my little community will struggle with complaints from every side. Politicians, social support agencies and law enforcement continue to try and taxpayers are footing the rising costs. It is having a substantial cost impacting inflation.

Tradd

12-10-21, 2:39pm

I remember someone, Iris maybe, posting about the homeless taking over libraries to the point that the regular patrons didn’t want to visit the library.

In other places, it’s parks that are overrun with the homeless to the point that families don’t want to take their kids.

Are we supposed to just yield our public spaces to the homeless? San Francisco is a very unpleasant place now, I read, with the human feces all over the place.

catherine

12-10-21, 2:48pm

Even the progressive City of Burlington has made efforts to relocate residents of an encampment where homeless have lived for quite a while, but it got to be too much, so the City shut it down. According to this article (https://www.wcax.com/2021/12/09/population-closed-burlington-homeless-camp-growing/), the homeless are leaving the warm hotels they were directed to, and are returning to the encampment, even though it's been in the 20s and 30s outside.

We had a couple of church friends in NJ who were homeless. They were allowed to camp down by the Raritan River. No one bothered them and they had built their own tent community. They told me that they don't like homeless shelters. They're rather be outside. My friends, when I knew them, were not addicts, although they had been in the past.

it's not easy to come up with a solution as long as there are so many unemployable and unemployed people, mentally ill people, and so little accessible housing.

LDAHL

12-10-21, 2:49pm

My experience with Habitat for Humanity has been that a distressingly large portion of the homeless population, for whatever reason (drugs, mental health, perhaps even cultural), are incapable of managing home ownership. Even in steeply subsidized situations, we have to foreclose on properties when the occupants can’t manage the finances and maintenance. We lose families due to an unwillingness to put in the required labor contribution or demonstrate an inability to hold down a job. We’ve also had trouble with people actively damaging their homes.

I’m told by people who manage subsidized rental properties who have had the same experience. It’s very frustrating and very sad. It’s also frustrating that so many people who like to signal their progressive virtues will fight tooth and nail against low income housing anywhere in their vicinity.

Teacher Terry

12-10-21, 2:56pm

Estimates are that 75% of homeless people are severely mentally ill. Many of these people were in institutions before we closed them to save money. The reason people don’t like shelters is because their stuff gets stolen and they are dangerous. People get beat up. It’s difficult to sleep in a room full of people. Also animals aren’t allowed. Families frequently can’t stay together. Past institutions were often hell holes and MI people have more rights then in the past. I definitely don’t have the answer either.

Yppej

12-10-21, 3:27pm

I am starting this weekend going to different stores to see if I can find lower prices on some things. This weekend it will be Aldi's.

Teacher Terry

12-10-21, 3:40pm

Y, figure in your gas and limited time. I would try to compare online.

Yppej

12-10-21, 4:09pm

Y, figure in your gas and limited time. I would try to compare online.

It is a similar distance to my regular supermarket.

rosarugosa

12-10-21, 7:18pm

Aldi's is supposed to have really good prices but limited selection.

Tradd

12-10-21, 10:49pm

Aldi's is supposed to have really good prices but limited selection.

Small stores, too, which can get quite crowded. If someone is looking to avoid people, maybe a bad idea.

ToomuchStuff

12-11-21, 1:40am

Small stores, too, which can get quite crowded. If someone is looking to avoid people, maybe a bad idea.

They used to be small stores, now they are not.

Tradd

12-11-21, 3:36am

My local one gets pretty crowded and it is a newer one.

dado potato

12-11-21, 10:59am

I got online and ordered it. It was on sale and I ordered enough to not have shipping. It was delivered in one week.

Generally I prefer to shop in local stores for food and supplies, but I also will order on-line from Amazon or Walgreens if there is a significant saving. There is one grocery store in my little town. Currently their price for Folgers ground coffee (all blends) is $7.97 for 24 oz ($0.3293 per ounce.) I can get Amazon's "Happy Belly" brand of ground coffee in 24-29 ounce tins at 23 to 27 cents per ounce. The local in-store price is about 35% higher than AMZN price on this occasion.

Substitution of a lower priced item or a lower priced channel of distribution is a short-term response to inflation.

Yppej

12-11-21, 11:46am

I found most of what I wanted at Aldi's with some things a little lower, others higher. Like Market Basket they did not have cornmeal. Next week I will hit Walmart which is also nearby.

jp1

12-14-21, 10:21pm

Gas prices here have dropped quite a bit recently. At costco I paid $4.35 9 days ago, down from $4.85 five weeks ago when I last bought. Now it's down to $4.25. Gas isn't a big part of my budget but I'll take it. Our gas/electric rate hasn't gone up, but it's been a little cool for this time of year so we just got a $199 bill for the past month. Our electric usage is pretty steady at around 400 kwh/month so the increase is all because of gas usage for the furnace. We'll probably replace it this spring with a more efficient unit since it's now 44 years old.

JaneV2.0

12-15-21, 3:26pm

I never paid much attention to gas prices--even during the Carter administration when I was waiting in line at the pump in my 8 mile a gallon Ford and driving to work every day. I certainly wouldn't hold OPEC prices against a president or party.

ApatheticNoMore

12-15-21, 3:32pm

I never paid much attention to gas prices--even during the Carter administration when I was waiting in line at the pump in my 8-mile a gallon Ford and driving to work every day.

really who wants to waste much time worrying about gas prices going up, buy a fuel efficient car so it won't be much of a worry, and accept they bounce around a bit. Or of course better yet buy a hybrid or an all electric car if it makes sense (the electric cars need somewhere to charge and so are harder for those in apartments as they can't charge at home - although would be doable the way my parking situation is). I seriously doubt my next car will be gas, but I only have like 50k miles on this car.

beckyliz

12-28-21, 3:30pm

Well, my newly-married son transferred his cell phone from my account to his wife's. I also changed the multi-line insurance to single coverage for my daughter's new iPhone. My phone and my husband's are paid for and old, so not worth insuring at this point. Between the two changes, I'll be saving $77 a month on our cell phone bill. Woot!!

razz

12-28-21, 3:34pm

GL from QC

12-28-21, 8:33pm

I think this counts. :) I found an amazing deal on rice at my local grocery store: 11 cents per 100 grams, or ~50 cents / lb, or (in USD) $0.40 / lb. :) Of course, then I had to carry that 20 lbs bag of rice home (about a mile away), so I got an excellent workout for my biceps as well. :laff:

rosarugosa

12-29-21, 6:30am

bae

1-14-22, 2:59pm

I went to our local grocery market yesterday, and paid careful attention.

I normally just "shop along the walls" and get produce, dairy, and meat. The past year or so, meat prices have been through the roof, so I typically only buy anything that looks good and is on sale - $30/lb steak doesn't appeal to me. Produce selections have been diminished and expensive as well.

On this expedition, I found very little of anything worth buying. Most of the produce was sad and overpriced. The meat selection, while fairly broad, was priced sky-high, and nothing of note was on sale. Cheese and dairy prices were up from their already-high prices of several weeks ago. I came out of the store having spent very little, with only a bag of necessaries.

I will probably live out of my pantry and freezers for the coming year, and buy lower-priced "substitute goods" when I do purchase things. I am also ceasing all unnecessary spending entirely, to maintain my cash reserves.

Luckily, the cow I had raised for me is ready for pickup today - $4.50/lb for local, ethically-raised beef, from a good friend. Hopefully I can convince my dog to happily eat beef instead of chicken as the protein component of the meals I make for him.

I wonder if stagflation is in the cards for the coming year? All those folks who have declined to go back to work for The Man, faced with these high prices, may also decline to participate in the expensive part of the economy.

Who knows?

pinkytoe

1-14-22, 3:21pm

Our local Sprouts had all dried beans for 25% off so I stocked up as one of my favorite meals is beans and rice. Every country has their own version so plenty of recipes. Filled the tank at Costco - $2.79 a gal. The problem here seems to be that certain items at the grocery are just gone. DH said that all crackers were out of stock at Trader Joe's. Most of them are made in Canada so maybe that has something to do with it. So many mysteries these days.

razz

1-14-22, 4:17pm

Talked today to my sister living south of Raleigh NC who commented on the empty shelves currently in grocery stores and the reduced shopping hours. I am horrified at the prices that she is paying for fresh vegetables and fruits.
Aside from local apples from the farmer and fresh milk, I am living out of my pantry and freezer. I do monitor a discount section but not interested in more chocolate, however good it might be.

Dog food is complete, good quality and delivered to my home.

sweetana3

1-14-22, 5:33pm

We live in an area with extremely high competition for the food and other spending dollar. Lots of stores all over. This really helps to moderate issues with prices and empty shelves. Although it is strange that frozen breaded chicken and instant ramen are hard to keep in stock at our big box store. Geography really helps.

I do not like shopping so have determined who has what I want at the generally best prices. I do one big box(not Walmart) shop with fill ins from reduced price product at a small Kroger we like. We have a freezer so we can buy a little more when on a very good sale. We will change our menu depending on what we find.

Rogar

1-14-22, 6:22pm

One of our big supermarket chains is on strike for higher wages and benefits. I hardly blame them after dealing with Covid and skyrocketing housing, but I assume everything will be passed on to the consumer eventually. And I suspect other big chains to follow suit. National network TV talking heads are claiming groceries are up something like 15% over a year ago, which doesn't seem like as much as the anecdotal stories I hear. Produce looked fresh today and the only empty shelves I noticed were items on sale. I suppose more people are bargain shopping.

If it is a concern by springtime, I'm going to expand the garden spaces.

Yppej

1-14-22, 6:25pm

Trying to eat less and lose weight. If I get the least sniffle I take a decongestant since everyone is so paranoid these days about normal cold symptoms and I don't want to be a pariah. That helps suppress my appetite.

sweetana3

1-14-22, 8:06pm

Here is another interesting fact. I have counted at least 20+ new and newish Asian and Hispanic grocery stores opening up all over. 14 on one road alone. We do have a lot of Burmese due to refugee resettlement and enough from Mexico to have our own consulate. Maybe they know something about finding ingredients or want the specialized products they are familiar with that the big box stores do not stock.

LDAHL

1-18-22, 1:14pm

We just bought a cow from a local farmer and had it slaughtered and processed. It saves quite a bit as long as you have the freezer space. Won’t need to worry about shortages for the next year or two either.

pinkytoe

1-18-22, 1:25pm

The main thing that has really gone up for us this winter are utilities. We were warned that the average household would see a $30 increase but it is closer to having doubled even though the usage is the same as last year. All of this supposedly due to the Texas freezes and the price of gas going up. I continue to wear three layers top and bottom and keep the thermostat at 62 during the day and 55 at night as I really don't want a $300 bill.

Teacher Terry

1-19-22, 1:55am

Pinky I don’t know how you can stand it that cold. In the house we only had electric baseboard heat so during the day it was 68 and at night we would turn every room to 55 except the one we slept in. That was bad enough. In my condo we are on a boiler system and heat is part of the hoa fee.

rosarugosa

1-19-22, 6:31am

happystuff

1-19-22, 11:19am

pinkytoe, we keep our heat about the same - 63. And, yes, I'm seeing some of the monthly bills have been increased. Not a lot, but combined it makes a bit of a dent. First off, was garbage pickup. Sigh...

catherine

1-19-22, 12:03pm

That would be too cold for us. We keep the temp at 70 during the day and it goes down to 65 at night. It costs what it costs, but at least our house is quite small. I don't want to be uncomfortable in my own home if I can avoid it.

Your temperature sounds about right for us--if we had a thermostat. An interesting aspects of living up here is one of the things that most people take for granted--a constant temperature of their choosing--doesn't happen in our house. Our woodstove burns as it will. Our electric baseboards are old and have an "on" and "off" switch, so you turn it on until you start sweltering and then you turn it off until you start freezing.

What complicates that equation is that DH and I have different body temperatures and then we have to navigate that as well. I keep pushing for a heat pump / mini split so we can get a constant temperature and not waste heat, but he seems to be against that. If there will be anything that will force us into separate bedrooms at night this will be it. I like cool in the bedroom--he likes "sauna"

As for the topic of inflation, we have been trying to hold down food expenses--by that I mean basic food, not restaurants and take-out--and our food budget is still going to be high. I have to do some further analysis if it's the choice of foods we're buying or a rise in the prices of the same things we bought last year. But I'm disappointed. We spent $347 in the first two weeks of January. We used up leftovers, made a lot of soup, took things out of the freezer, and the food bill is still high.

Tradd

1-19-22, 1:56pm

My 1984 old furnace in rented condo finally broke about a week after I got back from FL. Landlord will fix it and it works for a day, but that’s it. He got me a ceramic tower electric space heater and I got one of the oil filled radiator looking ones. I don’t run them when I’m at work or otherwise not home. I run the ceramic one on low unless it’s very cold out. I am running very hot these days. I’m fine with the temp at 59 or 60. New furnace has been ordered but no clue how long it will take for it to arrive or to be installed.

Tradd

1-19-22, 1:57pm

My last natural gas bill was $44. Since the furnace doesn’t run much (when it was working as I keep it low), the bill is mostly from my long hot baths every night.

Yppej

1-19-22, 1:59pm

Free lunch at work today.

bae

1-19-22, 2:01pm

I just got my power bill for the last month, which included the all-time-record cold period here. Nearly $900! And I was burning the wood stove constantly and went through mountains of wood, and have a well-insulated home.

Tradd

1-19-22, 2:14pm

Bae, what would your usual electric bill be this time of year?

bae

1-19-22, 2:25pm

Bae, what would your usual electric bill be this time of year?

In a "normal" cold month, ~$350 or so if I used the wood stove whenever it dropped below 45 outside.

catherine

1-19-22, 2:33pm

In a "normal" cold month, ~$350 or so if I used the wood stove whenever it dropped below 45 outside.

Yeah, during the winter we do 350-500/month on electric depending on the weather + $700/year for split cords of dry wood

Alan

1-19-22, 3:00pm

Our utility company has an 'even billing' program we've been enrolled in for years. Each year they average the previous years charges and bill us the average monthly cost until the end of the year when we are then either billed or credited with any discrepancies. For the past several years we've been paying $170 to $180 per month and then had at least one free month of energy usage during the balancing period, at the end of last year we had 2.5 months of credits.
Based upon what I'm hearing about unusually high costs this year, I'm not looking forward to the next true-up.

Tradd

1-19-22, 8:49pm

Aka budget billing

jp1

1-19-22, 11:06pm

Our utilities haven’t gone up in price (they’ve always been high) but we had a long cold spell. Our last bill was $100 for 400ish kw/hours of electricity and $125 for gas for heat/hot water. We’ve never gone over $100 for gas before. But it was crazy cold for like 3 weeks. At least by coastal Northern California standards.

Tradd

1-20-22, 12:56am

jp, what do you call crazy cold?

Rogar

1-20-22, 3:04pm

My utilities bill came yesterday and has quite a bit of information. Average daily temperature, 37 degrees. The total bill was about $200. Electricity looked about the same as last year, but the gas price was probably 20% more than the same month last year. And last year was about the same average daily temp.

jp1

1-20-22, 4:26pm

jp, what do you call crazy cold?

A couple weeks of lows near 30 and highs only in the low 40’s. Normal is about ten degrees warmer at night and 15 degrees warmer for the high.

We keep the thermostat at 62 except for 1 1/2 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the late afternoon/early evening. Normally the furnace on runs during those 4 1/2 hours. But during the cold snap it got cold enough inside that it had to run to keep the house up to 62 and had to run almost nonstop during the 1 1/2 hours each morning.

happystuff

1-20-22, 8:21pm

Oil. Temps have been, are and will continue to be below freezing for a few more days (hopefully less!). I am billed by fill-up not by month = ouch!

Teacher Terry

1-20-22, 10:29pm

I noticed my electric bill is more every few months in the 9 months I have been in my condo. My son looked at it and the rates went up 25% having 3 rate increases. My bling chandeliers have some energy hogging bulbs so ordered Led bulbs for all.

Rogar

1-23-22, 8:08pm

I watch one of the big three evening news reports fairly routinely and could get a little baffled by what seems like conflicting reports. First they will claim grocery prices are sky rocketing and then they maybe interview the mom of a family going one about affordability and escalating prices. Then the statisticians give their report, and beef, poultry, fish and eggs are up 12.5% from a year ago. That's not nothing, but it hardly seems like "skyrocketing" or so much it is causing significant hardships.

Alan

1-23-22, 8:23pm

Based upon what I'm hearing about unusually high costs this year, I'm not looking forward to the next true-up.
Received our January bill yesterday. $0.00 due for this billing period and a remaining $99 credit for the next one. Maybe I've been listening to too many horror stories.

happystuff

1-25-22, 11:20am

Just got my electric bill due Feb 1st. It's up an additional half of last month's bill. I don't know how much the weather may or may not have added to the increase. Will be able to tell over time.

pinkytoe

1-25-22, 2:23pm

Got my latest utility bill so compared it to one year ago. Gas portion was 71.81 last year and now 134.07. Total bill $273 so $100 over a year ago. That is a significant bump for the same amount of usage thus so there is a lot of grumbling here and asking for more clarity on the whys.

Tradd

1-25-22, 2:37pm

My electric bill is more but the circa 1984 furnace in my rented condo died soon after I got back from FL. I’m using two space heaters. New furnace has been ordered but unknown when it will arrive and be installed. And yes, they’re off and unplugged when I’m not home.

dado potato

1-25-22, 8:04pm

I am letting a magazine subscription expire. Renewal would have cost about $150 per year. I will just have to get by on other subscriptions that still are in effect, and/or find good articles on the internet.

I am reducing my consumption of oranges (previously 1 per day) to alternating days. As a substitute for breakfast oranges, I am brewing tea from white spruce tips, from trees which grow on my property. I flavor the tea with honey and a shake of either ground turmeric or cinnamon.

Also, I am growing sprouts (daikon radish and fenugreek) on a windowsill, and okinawawa spinach in pots on the sunporch, for home-grown salad greens.

Yppej

1-25-22, 9:23pm

I am only spending on essentials.

JaneV2.0

1-25-22, 10:22pm

I'm postponing a purchase of two hefty jars of artichoke hearts, hoping for a price break. But I'm running low...Also, I'm saving on gas.

razz

1-25-22, 10:31pm

Aside from grocery shopping and a few appointments, I drive very little so I have to plan to ensure that my Prius gets exercised. So much of my activity is walkable or via zoom.
My utilities like gas and water had price increases announced late last year but electricity is a little higher because while usually I air dry my laundry I use my dryer in winter for my fleece sheets.

Tradd

1-25-22, 11:12pm

Just put together an Amazon grocery order. Some things like ground beef seem to be a bit more expensive. Others not so much.

Rogar

1-25-22, 11:26pm

I dropped my subscription to Netflix streaming. Either I've already seen it or the newer additions have gone down in quality. I still get Netflix DVDs which has a better selection. And PBS portal streaming. Who would have guess a decade or two ago of all the streaming options. Never quite seen the need or desire for Amazon Prime. My NYT one year trial subscription for $4.00 a month is going up to about $18 a month. I enjoy it but the new rate exceeds it's value. I'll drop it and wait for a few months for any new trial discount rate.

It a new year's resolution to read more for at home entertainment. I'm not terribly worried about inflation, but just trying to keep spending in line.

I rebalanced my portfolio a couple of months ago, taking profits and moving money into short term bond funds. I've considered moving some of that into money market accounts. Undecided, but I will probably take a hit on NAV of the bond funds in the short run with rising interest rates.

Tradd

1-25-22, 11:43pm

Rogar, I went to cancel my NYT digital subscription today too. Was on the chat thing on their website. Indicated the increase to $18 from $8/month was too expensive. They offered me another year at $8/month. I took it. So you might see about getting a better rate.

Tradd

1-25-22, 11:44pm

My internet went from $60 (one year deal) to $90 in September. I called Comcast once to get a lower rate and nada. Need to try again

sweetana3

1-26-22, 6:46am

rogar, we flit around streaming sites throughout the year. Usually wait until they have enough new content. $7.99 for a month of new movies that we like is for us a good value. Then we cancel for awhile.

Britbox, Acorn, MhZ, etc. do not have enough for continued watching. We have prime because of shipping too.

So much less than cable/satellite. Note: we do not watch sports.

happystuff

1-26-22, 10:36am

No pay tv whatsoever. Actually cut the cord almost two years ago. There is enough enjoyable content out there for free that I'm glad we did.

herbgeek

1-26-22, 10:46am

No pay tv whatsoever.

We just have Amazon Prime, which we had anyways for shipping purposes.

razz

1-26-22, 11:23am

Tybee

1-26-22, 11:28am

Wow, that NYT digital subscription is insane.

Tradd

1-26-22, 11:28am

So Amazon Prime at C$7.99/month includes movie streaming? Interesting. I expect that my fee to include streaming will be higher. I did read about Amazon getting into movie production. I use free shipping so have never used Amazon Prime or investigated it further.
The world is a-changing rapidly.

Yes tons of stuff to stream. I have Amazon Prime here in the US. I also use it for grocery delivery via Amazon Fresh, which I love.

Tradd

1-26-22, 11:30am

Wow, that NYT digital subscription is insane.

It’s an excellent news source. The Sunday paper was something like $6 the last time I checked a few years ago.

JaneV2.0

1-26-22, 12:14pm

I'm a big fan of Amazon Prime, for many reasons--not the least of which is free shipping, since I do all my shopping through them. I do watch the occasional video.

pinkytoe

1-26-22, 12:41pm

I have been doing the use and drop thing too. Dropped the NYT a while back and they sent an offer for $4 resubscribe so I bit. Ditto the local paper. I will keep both through the winter months and then drop when I can get outside more. Started Amazon up back in Nov for holiday shipping and dropped yesterday after watching the Gordon Lightfoot documentary. I will resubscribe in a couple of months to watch the new Mrs Maisel episodes. I try to keep all these various subscription things to no more than $25 a mo. I did note on my latest pension check that the withholding rate has gone up for 2022 so I guess I will cut back on monthly expenses somewhere else :(.

LDAHL

2-10-22, 12:53pm

I see the CPI is up 7.5%.

Ultralight

2-10-22, 1:12pm

I haven't noticed inflation. I don't buy much more than groceries. And my groceries are mostly things like bananas, oranges, oats, soy milk, veggies, yogurt, rice, and olive oil.

I still drive my old 2012 Nissan Versa, and not that much. Also, I'm TNK, so my dollar is more stretchy than other folks' dollars.

LDAHL

2-10-22, 4:17pm

According to Marketwatch, used cars are up 40% on the year. Nurse the Versa.

Yppej

2-10-22, 7:13pm

I've always voted pretty far to the left, but I think this year I will vote for the Donald Trump endorsed candidate for governor. He won't win but it will send a message on inflation and covid restrictions.

Ultralight

2-10-22, 9:13pm

According to Marketwatch, used cars are up 40% on the year. Nurse the Versa.

Wow! I have got almost 100k miles on it. So I should get another 75k. After that, I might just uber for short distances (since I live across the street from my job, and only go to the office 2-3 times a month).

And I can rent a car for long distances.

But point well-taken. As I said, I haven't noticed inflation, perhaps because I haven't needed to buy a dang car!

jp1

2-10-22, 9:42pm

According to Marketwatch, used cars are up 40% on the year. Nurse the Versa.

And dealers are desperate for inventory. I took mine to have the airbags replaced six months ago to a dealer I’d never been to before and they have sent me two snail mails and made a follow up voicemail to see if I would be interested in selling it to them. Yes, it’s a Honda so it is still runs great. And it’s only got 60k miles, but it’s 20 years old. Seriously, dealers are chasing 20 year old cars because they need inventory…

bae

2-10-22, 10:03pm

I sold a ~4 year old sports car last year for basically what I had paid for it new - the dealer called me up and basically begged for it. I may sell off a few more of the lightly-used vehicles here soon.

ApatheticNoMore

2-10-22, 10:13pm

The only inflation I've noticed is in food and gas, and of course driving less so it's not experienced as actual inflation, just it cost more when I do fill up.

Teacher Terry

2-11-22, 4:01pm

My Toyota Corolla is 14 years old and I have had dealers trying to buy it. I only have 67k miles on it. Barring some catastrophe this may be my last car.

Tradd

2-11-22, 4:09pm

Needed another pair of diving tanks. $850 a year ago. $1100 including tax yesterday.

bae

2-11-22, 4:21pm

I've been costing out some projects I wanted to do during the coming year:

- refurbish yacht
- replace wall oven, cooktop in kitchen, and switch cooktop to propane
- install large propane-fueled generator
- build bunkhouse and/or yurt platform on property
- build additional garage
- replace carpets in house, or put in wood flooring

Every single project seems to be insanely priced, and material/labor availability is dicey at best. None of them are essential at the moment, I will likely just stall until "later".

I have some forest management work to do, and I'm just going to do that much more slowly, and by myself with a friend instead of hiring it out.

LDAHL

2-11-22, 6:22pm

And dealers are desperate for inventory. I took mine to have the airbags replaced six months ago to a dealer I’d never been to before and they have sent me two snail mails and made a follow up voicemail to see if I would be interested in selling it to them. Yes, it’s a Honda so it is still runs great. And it’s only got 60k miles, but it’s 20 years old. Seriously, dealers are chasing 20 year old cars because they need inventory…

I’ve heard that in some areas people are getting unsolicited offers for recent model used cars the way you used to see offers to buy houses.

bae

2-11-22, 9:24pm

I’ve heard that in some areas people are getting unsolicited offers for recent model used cars the way you used to see offers to buy houses.

Yup - the Toyota dealer called me up 2 months ago and tried to talk me out of my pickup truck. For more than I bought it for originally.

Weird times.

Yppej

2-12-22, 11:07am

I am still struggling with supply chain. Went to my third store and they actually had a Hamilton Beach microwave but it did not work when I got it home and I had to lug it back to the store. Done for the day. It also cost as much for a 900 watt as I would have expected to pay for a 1200 watt. I will try Home Depot another day. I have six other decent brands on my list, will get whatever I can find that works and has a reasonably reliable reputation. At this point I don't care about price.

Teacher Terry

2-12-22, 2:02pm

I ordered a microwave from Walmart and it was delivered to my door.

Yppej

2-12-22, 2:07pm

I ordered a microwave from Walmart and it was delivered to my door.

Walmart is the store that had the microwave that did not work.

happystuff

2-12-22, 2:11pm

I'm going back to some simple things today. It's decent weather and a little windy, so I've gotten laundry - including bedding - drying out on the line.

Yppej

2-26-22, 12:33pm

I spent $169 on gas, $239.84 on utilities, and $431.13 on home heating oil in February. Grand total for energy = $839.97. This is my largest single expense and there is little I can do to control it.

pinkytoe

2-26-22, 1:42pm

I am wondering about any upcoming road trips as gas will no doubt continue to soar.

JaneV2.0

2-26-22, 1:44pm

I ordered a microwave from Walmart and it was delivered to my door.

There are few sweeter words than "delivered to my door." :)

LDAHL

3-10-22, 10:11am

I see we’re up to 7.9% for the year ending last month.

Yppej

3-10-22, 10:19am

I am trying to eat less - wanted to go on a diet anyways, so it's a twofer.

Rogar

3-10-22, 10:21am

I ordered a microwave from Walmart and it was delivered to my door.

I ordered something from Wally Mart recently that did not work out. I discovered they don't take returns at the store for online orders and you have to send them back by mail or otherwise. Possibly not a deal breaker for some.

I wonder if those electric bikes will see some big sales. They look fairly effortless for those who are not well matched for regular bike exertions.

iris lilies

3-10-22, 10:32am

There are few sweeter words than "delivered to my door." :)

I’m still waiting for my American built stove to be delivered for our Hermann property. It was supposed to be ready on December 8. Here I thought I was so smart to buy American because it wouldn’t be subject to all the container ship and port problems. And etc. The parts are likely made in China.

pinkytoe

3-10-22, 11:42am

Trying to figure out best way to travel coming up. Road trip or fly/rent car. Either way is much higher than last time.

JaneV2.0

3-10-22, 12:26pm

I’m still waiting for my American built stove to be delivered for our Hermann property. It was supposed to be ready on December 8. Here I thought I was so smart to buy American because it wouldn’t be subject to all the container ship and port problems. And etc. The parts are likely made in China.

Anticipation is half the fun! :~)

ApatheticNoMore

3-10-22, 2:10pm

trying to reduce food costs a bit. That and gas are the only areas of my life actually impacted by inflation at present. And with partial work from home, and a fuel efficient car, the gas thing is very minor indeed (I mean I buy gas once a month presently, how much am I going to cry about that). Food though has been higher bills than I expected.

bae

3-10-22, 2:24pm

Between inflation and the recent stock market unpleasantness, I have gone-to-ground and am basically only purchasing essential items at this point. For transport, I am using my bicycles and electric car and not buying gas at all.

pinkytoe

3-10-22, 3:01pm

We have always driven small cars and being retired allows us to limit the number of trips here and there. As I am currently kind of snowed in, I decided to go through the pantry and was amazed by how much food we already have. Things like dried beans, grains and canned fish. I even found six cans of coconut milk in the backup basement closet. So the new idea is to use down some of this stored food and try to buy only fresh stuff. When winter finally abates, I will grow food though I do have a healthy crops of arugula and herbs in the window now.

KayLR

3-17-22, 5:11pm

Yppej

3-17-22, 7:08pm

Ate free food at work. Back on the diet tomorrow. We had a big St Patrick's Day event after missing it for two years.

happystuff

3-17-22, 7:39pm

We're going meatless more than before. However...

Today I saw a can of kidney beans on the shelf for $3.69!!! Sure, they were organic and in the whole foods-type store, but still, $3.69? So I ran over to the Safeway close to our house and they were 4/$5 which still seems a bit high, but I got a can for tonight's dinner recipe.

It seems that shopping around is definitely worth it these days. My last shopping trip to my regular grocery store had butter ON SALE for 2/$7! Sale prices used to be $1.99. I'm going to check out Aldi's soon. Haven't been to the Dollar Store recently, but posts here say they are not $1.25 stores. I guess I'll find out soon, as I wanted to pick up a few things this weekend.

It's really starting to get hard!

dado potato

4-12-22, 11:29am

On May 1, 2022, the semiannual reset of interest paid on Treasury I Bonds will increase from 7.12% to 9.62%.
The variable rate is based on CPI. It goes up and down every 6 months based on the rate of inflation.
Purchases are limited to a maximum of $10,000 per person per year.
I Bonds are sold in electronic form by Treasury Direct, and they are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. They increase in value every month due to compound interest, in contrast to a traded bond or a bond fund which would be at risk of price declines, depending on market conditions.

If you buy an I Bond between now and April 30 you would lock in 7.12% for six months, followed by 9.62% for the next six months for a full year rate of about 8.4%

I have been buying I Bonds for several years, usually in January, and I intend to continue. In a diversified portfolio, I Bonds can do comparatively well when the economy is in "stagflation", or when inflation is unexpectedly high.

The annual limit of $10,000 is per person. Two spouses could each open an account, buy $10,000, and make their two $10,000 I Bonds "payable on death" (POD) to the surviving spouse. For a couple, that tactic would in effect raise the annual limit to $20,000.

This is not intended as investment advice... I am discussing how I am coping with inflation.

Teacher Terry

4-12-22, 11:37am

Dado, I am doing the same thing. My son turned me onto I bonds.

pinkytoe

4-12-22, 12:49pm

Looking at food price outlook (https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/) and more belt-tightening will be needed. We will continue to shop sales at groceries and stock up on good buys.

catherine

4-12-22, 4:11pm

LDAHL

4-12-22, 4:53pm

I was happy to see my pension payment will increase 7.4% on May 1st. I was less happy to see that as of March the CPI was up 8.5%.

Alan

4-12-22, 5:55pm

I was happy to see my pension payment will increase 7.4% on May 1st. I was less happy to see that as of March the CPI was up 8.5%.
And Social Security's 2022 increase is 5.9%, a number our government came up with well before the "Putin Price Hike" we've lately been hearing as the cause of that 8.5% inflation.

Teacher Terry

4-13-22, 11:15am

My pension has a cola which is only 3.5% and eventually will top out at 5% but I get it yearly. My small SS however took literally every penny of my increase when raising my Medicare part B premium.

Tradd

4-13-22, 12:52pm

I’m starting to see a good bit of expensive dive gear (rebreathers) for sale. Sellers are mentioning financial reasons. These go for thousands of dollars depending on age, condition, and specific model.

Coworker was complaining she can barely afford the gas to get to work. Drives a huge SUV. Lives 15 min from the office. Yet I see her with a big McD iced coffee every morning and a McD bag or something. Hits Subway for lunch for a footlong, chips, and a big drink. I used to do that a lot until I figured it was costing me $15-20 a day. $300-$400/month.

As I think I’ve mentioned, I’m cutting back everything except my diving. The ac will be a challenge due to my hot flashes and always running hot. Last night it was high 60s. I had a window open and a fan on me in bed. I was so hot I got up and turned the ac on partway through the night. I’m taking very short showers where I’ve been the queen of 1-3 hour long hot baths for years. Even with the diving, I’m going to take gas prices into consideration with regards to diving at the local quarry 90 minutes away one or both weekend days. I’d like to do both, but I’ll have to see. Going up to WI to dive is different as gas prices are so cheap up there compared to the Chicago area. It’s been at least $0.75 cheaper per gallon.

I’m pulling back some on debt repayment. Still doing it, but I’m trying to stash more in savings.

LDAHL

4-13-22, 4:37pm

And Social Security's 2022 increase is 5.9%, a number our government came up with well before the "Putin Price Hike" we've lately been hearing as the cause of that 8.5% inflation.

Well, they could only blame Covid and Joe Manchin’s opposition to that “inflation crushing” build back better bill for so long.

My favorite dumb inflation comment so far is Jennifer Rubin’s about how great the economy is going except for inflation. “So apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”

jp1

4-16-22, 12:53pm

Since such a large part of that jarring inflation number for last month was gasoline I suspect we have reached "peak inflation" for at least the moderate nearterm. It's fairly unlikely that gas is going to keep going up, and in fact oil prices have dropped 20% and gas 6% from their peaks. From personal experience the price I've paid over the past few months has bounced from a peak of $5.79 a month ago to $5.09 Thursday.

Rogar

4-16-22, 1:15pm

Well, they could only blame Covid and Joe Manchin’s opposition to that “inflation crushing” build back better bill for so long.

My favorite dumb inflation comment so far is Jennifer Rubin’s about how great the economy is going except for inflation. “So apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”

Well, my best understanding is that corporate profits are good, wages are rising, unemployment is record low, and until just recently the stock market has been booming. I have a personal theory that Trump overstimulated the economy with tax cuts, expansion of the national debt, free stimulus money, and constant pressure on the Feds for low interest rates. So now we have a decent economy with a corresponding lagging high inflation. Which does spell future trouble.

It's probably a good thing that the build back better plans have hit a dead end, which would probably add to the difficulties. However with some corresponding tax increase to compensate for the expansionary spending, things might have turned out ok. But people get a little sensitive to tax increases. It was a little over ambitious.

Gas here never got over $4.00 and is a little lower. I'm planting more spring greens in the garden today.

LDAHL

4-18-22, 10:52am

I think we’ve been overstimulating the economy at least since Obama’s shovel-ready projects of blessed memory. Quantitative easing and an accommodative fed policy had some short term benefits, but (along with zany fiscal antics) have added a structural component to inflation that goes beyond energy (although going after pipelines and drilling leases contributed).

ApatheticNoMore

4-18-22, 1:00pm

That the economy has been overstimulated since Obama is absurd, look at those unemployment rates from 2009-2013. Super high (it's official unemployment of course it understates the reality since so many fall off the rolls etc.). This was the Great Recession. This elected Trump (among much else), perhaps that's the plan . Things did eventually improve. The stock market may have been overvalued or something, but the general economy. No.

Jan 1, 2008 5.00%
Jan 1, 2009 7.80%
Jan 1, 2010 9.80%
Jan 1, 2011 9.10%
Jan 1, 2012 8.30%
Jan 1, 2013 8.00%
Jan 1, 2014 6.60%
Jan 1, 2015 5.70%

Now it's not like I think this is Jan 1, 2011. Now is a complex and very different situation. Most of the stimulus was Trump and it probably is sloshing about (you might be "but those checks weren't all that much in the scheme of things" and they weren't. But there was a lot else going on like PPP etc.). And for stimulating the economy this way TRUMP WOULD HAVE WON, he would have won for delivering a better economy than Obama could, because Obama let the recession ride, and Trump stimulated. Only there was a pandemic and Trump wasn't handling it well. Who knows maybe with a 3rd stimulus he would have won even so, but he was lazy about pushing that too. Let's face it the man didn't like putting in the work of governing, he was lazy among all his other vices, he was an incredibly lazy person.

But we have aftereffects (and still effects) of a pandemic, war, etc. as well. Eventually climate change in the price of food but probably not the main driver now.

It's probably a good thing that the build back better plans have hit a dead end, which would probably add to the difficulties. However with some corresponding tax increase to compensate for the expansionary spending, things might have turned out ok. But people get a little sensitive to tax increases. It was a little over ambitious.

I think one of the goals of BBB was to soak up some inflationary money and put it to good use. Not the only goal, but a goal. Anyway it didn't pass. I have no idea if it would have worked or been more inflationary, the thing is we needed some of those programs as programs.

jp1

4-20-22, 10:21pm

Another thing one might take away from all the checks that went out due to covid is that a relatively small amount of money compared to the idiocy of the trump/Republican tax cut for the rich had an outsize effect on boosting the economy. Maybe the idiocy of ‘trickle down’ economics will die it’s deserved death. If one wants to boost the economy it’s far easier, cheaper, and more effective to give people on the bottom end of the economic spectrum some cash to spend.

Molly

5-8-22, 9:27pm

I am not an economist but I think it's too simplistic to say whether a Democrat or Republican is better for the economy. Reagan's "trickle down" was an epic failure. And the stock market was booming during the Clinton administration. I think the Republicans are worse for the environment and women's issues, but they may be better with fiscal conservancy. I would rather have clean air and water, and since we've probably reached peak oil production, inexpensive gas may be a thing of the past. Who knows. So what am I doing now during this inflation? Since summer is coming, I am hibernating. I live in the southwest and it's too darned hot to do much of anything outdoors. Hoping to only spend on what is necessary. Rarely eating at restaurants or getting carry out. That sort of thing.

Yppej

5-14-22, 12:58pm

Paid $4.27 a gallon today at the cheapest place in the area. We can't suspend the gas tax but we can send $40 billion more to Ukraine.

LDAHL

6-10-22, 9:55am

I see we’re up to 8.6% over the past year. Closing in on five dollar gas.

Rogar

6-10-22, 10:43am

I saw my first $5 gas yesterday, but most are still in the upper end of $4+. Our local news said that it was record highway travel over Memorial Day weekend, so it apparently isn't having any drastic effect yet. Between the stock market and real estate, I think people are feeling sort of wealthy. Unfortunately some of us seniors that count on some fixed incomes and no longer having some stock run ups are probably in a worst spot. I see people in the national news complaining about gas prices in California, but are filling up their tanks of some gas guzzler. It seems like there were high gas prices not too long ago and big SUVs were not selling. I've not seen any evidence of that yet.

I think there was overspending due to Trumps growing budget related debt and tax cuts, low interest rates, and COVID relief packages, and now there is a surplus of money in the economy that has increased demand. Of course there are supply issues, too. I don't see a near term end to things.

Alan

6-10-22, 10:58am

Locally we're at $5.099 for regular unleaded and $5.999 for diesel for my truck. We usually spend several months each summer roaming around out west with our camper but will probably limit ourselves to a few more local adventures this year. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight to these outrageous prices.

Teacher Terry

6-10-22, 11:06am

Locally our gas is 6/gallon but I am sure JP can top that:)).

happystuff

6-10-22, 12:20pm

Just got some an hour ago... 4.93 for regular.

pinkytoe

6-10-22, 3:00pm

On the road now to see family in Tx. Gas has varied from 4.69 to 4.25 ppg so far. Less traffic on the road though especially big trucks.

ApatheticNoMore

6-10-22, 3:56pm

Running about $6.70. There is definitely not less traffic on the road though.

pinkytoe

6-10-22, 4:35pm

We were talking about the 70s gas crisis and how there was often no gas to buy. There does not seem to be any shortage this time around.

JaneV2.0

6-10-22, 4:36pm

Last time I remember high gas prices, I was driving an 8 mile to the gallon car. :0!
This probably doesn't seem high to Europeans, Australians, and others worldwide.

bae

6-10-22, 4:53pm

Last time I remember high gas prices, I was driving an 8 mile to the gallon car. :0!
This probably doesn't seem high to Europeans, Australians, and others worldwide.

My daughter filled up the tank in England Monday, and it was ~$8.50/gallon.

She takes the train a lot...

ToomuchStuff

6-10-22, 5:05pm

$4.59 the other day (didn't look this morning), not quite the highest I have ever seen. (2001, September 11, $5.00 a gallon locally)

LDAHL

6-11-22, 11:55am

The Babylon Bee says the Biden Administration will be providing grief counselors at every gas pump.

In my town, there is a sort of sticker war going on with “I did this.” stickers of Biden and Putin alternately covering each other up on the pumps. It must be a pain for the employees who need to scrape them off.

ApatheticNoMore

6-11-22, 12:31pm

$4.59 the other day (didn't look this morning), not quite the highest I have ever seen. (2001, September 11, $5.00 a gallon locally)

it's not particularly, adjusted for inflation, and I don't mean the high inflation we have now of which gas prices are a major part, I mean just ordinary inflation we had prior. Because I remember gas prices being $5 here like a decade or two ago in the last "high gas prices" time. So yea adjusted for inflation. It might be part of why instead of actually decreased driving there were supposedly a record number of people driving here over memorial day (well that and years of pandemic, people are probably more restless than usual).

catherine

6-11-22, 1:35pm

ToomuchStuff

6-11-22, 3:43pm

We chose to take my Prius rather than DH's 2004 Chevy Avalanche to New Jersey to babysit the kids this week. The reason for my car vs his was the price of gas--$4.99. The round trip cost us about $60 for 800 miles of travel--if we had taken the pick-up it would have been at least double that.

Woah is us with this inflation. I hated having to take my car because I want to keep my mileage low, and DH hated it because I wouldn't let him smoke in my car. Talk about first world problems! But we will survive.
Your mileage may still be low, from choosing not to go out places, and explain to him, that the money you saved on gas, should be able to buy him about six packs of cigarettes. LOL

Running the business (still not an owner, so multiple issues still up in the air and started talking to his family/explaining my situation and how I will have to protect myself as none of us are thinking he is actually going to do, what he has said he is going to do), seeing how the inflation is affecting the business. Higher supply costs, labor costs (if you can find labor, which is a BIG problem), lower income (and comments like, shouldn't you be dropping your prices right now). Landlords playing games with the rent, trying to offset their costs/responsibilities. Wondering how long this will last and if it will make it.
I talked to a friend the other day about a local well liked business, and they were designed for 20 employees, had 6, and closed due to the help being tired of 80 hours a week, each.

gimmethesimplelife

6-11-22, 5:15pm

My OT at work just got cut back. I am now cutting back to the level I was waiting tables - other than occasional trips to the Borderland, for family and to stock up at the cheap Border Goodwill. I just can't justify spending much extra these days.

Rob

gimmethesimplelife

6-11-22, 5:16pm

Forgot to add - I saw gas today for $5.89 in Phoenix!!!

Rob

jp1

6-11-22, 9:44pm

Paid $4.27 a gallon today at the cheapest place in the area. We can't suspend the gas tax but we can send $40 billion more to Ukraine.

It’s a shame you live so far from work that gas prices have made you a selfish unempathetic person and Russian troll.

Alan

6-11-22, 10:04pm

It’s a shame you live so far from work that gas prices have made you a selfish unempathetic person and Russian troll.
We should probably all take a break from calling others names. It's unbecoming.

Tradd

6-11-22, 10:16pm

Forgot to add - I saw gas today for $5.89 in Phoenix!!!

Rob

I’ve been paying that in the Chicago area for a while. Up in WI diving this weekend and it’s about $1.25/gallon LESS than the People’s Republic of IL.

JaneV2.0

6-11-22, 10:39pm

In a perfect world, employers would see the light and, where possible, institute permanent work from home protocols, saving the planet and workers' sanity simultaneously.

Yppej

6-12-22, 5:53am

Up to $4.77 now in my area.

LDAHL

6-13-22, 12:23pm

I see treasury yields are rising in anticipation of this week’s fed meeting. I’m also seeing fewer opinion pieces claiming that if you could only see past your declining standard of living you would realize how great things are going.

JaneV2.0

6-13-22, 12:41pm

Inflation and high fuel prices have come and gone over the years, and they will again. People adjust.

LDAHL

6-13-22, 1:09pm

Inflation and high fuel prices have come and gone over the years, and they will again. People adjust.

I’d be more sanguine if I thought we had figures like Reagan and Volcker waiting in the wings.

ApatheticNoMore

6-13-22, 2:38pm

Teacher Terry

6-13-22, 2:46pm

Reagan was a disaster.

gimmethesimplelife

6-13-22, 2:54pm

Reagan was a disaster.TT, I am no supporter of Ronald Reagan and his union busting ways that ushered in the train wreck America is these days, slowly over time. That said, I DO miss his leadership in negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev to reduce nuclear weaponry. I could not see Donald Trump engaging in such a noble endeavor.

Rob

gimmethesimplelife

6-13-22, 2:55pm

Gas creeping closer to $6/gal in Phoenix.

Rob

Yppej

6-13-22, 3:20pm

TT, I am no supporter of Ronald Reagan and his union busting ways that ushered in the train wreck America is these days, slowly over time. That said, I DO miss his leadership in negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev to reduce nuclear weaponry. I could not see Donald Trump engaging in such a noble endeavor.

Rob

Trump tried negotiating with North Korea. He just wasn't good at the art of the deal.

LDAHL

6-13-22, 3:24pm

Reagan was a disaster.

Yeah. Apart from breaking the stagflation of the seventies, reforming the tax code and burying Soviet communism, what did he really accomplish?

bae

6-13-22, 3:48pm

Yeah. Apart from breaking the stagflation of the seventies, reforming the tax code and burying Soviet communism, what did he really accomplish?

Saved the world from nuclear destruction.

JaneV2.0

6-13-22, 5:20pm

Yeah. Apart from breaking the stagflation of the seventies, reforming the tax code and burying Soviet communism, what did he really accomplish?

Union-busting, ignoring AIDS, "reforming the tax code=gutting the treasury," Iran-Contra. I guess he proved that a demented old fool could run the country, paving the way for Trump.

LDAHL

6-13-22, 5:24pm

Union-busting, ignoring AIDS, "reforming the tax code=gutting the treasury," Iran-Contra. I guess he proved that a demented old fool could run the country, paving the way for Trump.

I forgot that one. Busting PATCO’s attempt to hold the country hostage was probably his first great accomplishment.

Alan

6-13-22, 5:30pm

Reagan was a disaster.

Union-busting, ignoring AIDS, "reforming the tax code=gutting the treasury," Iran-Contra. I guess he proved that a demented old fool could run the country, paving the way for Trump.
I've never understood why people refuse to acknowledge Reagan's greatness. In virtually every list of the greatest US Presidents Reagan leads every successor, so it can't just be a partisan thing. But then again, maybe it is.

Teacher Terry

6-13-22, 5:53pm

He closed the psychiatric hospitals and facilities for developmentally disabled people and said that the money would go to the communities for services. Instead the government kept much of the money and that was the beginning of our national homeless problem.

catherine

6-13-22, 5:59pm

I will grant you that I understand why Republicans loved Reagan, and while I didn't agree with many policies, in general, I liked him. I've mentioned probably too often Anna Quindlen's hypothesis that presidents somehow project how they feel about their job that somehow has a halo effect for the rest of the country. For instance, Reagan clearly loved being president, as evidenced by his big smile and humor and general joie de vivre. As Anna Quindlen said, OTOH, Jimmy Carter approached the presidency as if it were the Stations of the Cross. Look how that worked out for him.

As a marketer, I think there's something to that. You can have his trickle down economics but overall he was a decent leader.

Here is an interesting chart with rankings of all the presidents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_presidents_of_the_United_St ates

bae

6-13-22, 6:24pm

I've always liked this speech of Reagan's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VBtCMTPveA

JaneV2.0

6-13-22, 7:02pm

Eric

6-13-22, 10:58pm

jp1

6-14-22, 5:35am

My favorite part of the Reagan presidency was when his press Secretary made fag jokes when asked about the aids crisis that Reagan was ignoring. It was sort of a foretell of where the Republican Party would be on LGBTQ issues nearly 40 years later. Except now instead of being the butts of ugly jokes we’re evil monsters that want to harm your kids. I suppose that’s progress of a sort.

LDAHL

6-14-22, 10:22am

I agree with the idea that Americans vote for the guy they'd like to have a beer with, although I'll never understand who would want to drink with that grifting egomaniacal bloviator, Trump.

And I agree with this: "Reagan clearly loved being president, as evidenced by his big smile and humor and general joie de vivre. As Anna Quindlen said, OTOH, Jimmy Carter approached the presidency as if it were the Stations of the Cross. Look how that worked out for him." That made me laugh.

I disagree with Reagan's political philosophy, which doubtless colors my opinion of him. (Let he who is without partisan bias cast the first stone.)

RR was certainly a breath of fresh air after four years of being preached at and scolded by JC. I wish we produced more “happy warrior” politicians. I sometimes think Hubert Humphrey could have done for the Democrats what Reagan did for the GOP, if their intraparty politics hadn’t been so vicious at the time.

What have we had recently? Obama’s condescending lectures? Trump was an obscene gesture incarnate. Biden’s barstool malarkey? Is it possible our politics have become so mindlessly embittered and humorless that we there is no room for inspiration or even fun?

JaneV2.0

6-14-22, 11:17am

catherine

6-14-22, 11:24am

I've never understood President Obama's Republican characterization as "condescending.' I found him a breath of fresh air--unapologetically intelligent and urbane--especially after George W Bush's carefully cultivated cornpone persona. I don't want a President who's "a regular guy," I want to be inspired.

I absolutely agree.

The point about the happy in-love-with-life President Reagan isn't so much the idea of him being a regular guy, but the idea that he transmitted a certain positive energy that was contagious to the populace. Again, I'm not a big Reagan fan, but I understand the power of that kind of charisma. JFK had it and Clinton had it. And I certainly don't view Obama the way the LDAHL does.

Trump has charisma but the wrong kind--his is the energy that attracts hate and hostility.

LDAHL

6-14-22, 11:34am

I've never understood President Obama's Republican characterization as "condescending.' I found him a breath of fresh air--unapologetically intelligent and urbane--especially after George W Bush's carefully cultivated cornpone persona. I don't want a President who's "a regular guy," I want to be inspired.

All those “teachable moments” got old after a while. And being instructed about who was and wasn’t “on the right side of history”; which he seemed to think was a long curve of progress that culminated in himself. And if the public didn’t support him on something, it was because they simply didn’t understand what he was trying to do for them.

ApatheticNoMore

6-14-22, 1:34pm

I think my dad had a great fear because the work he was doing depended on grants for medical research, which was being cut right and left under Reagan.

LDAHL

6-14-22, 2:07pm

I absolutely agree.

The point about the happy in-love-with-life President Reagan isn't so much the idea of him being a regular guy, but the idea that he transmitted a certain positive energy that was contagious to the populace. Again, I'm not a big Reagan fan, but I understand the power of that kind of charisma. JFK had it and Clinton had it. And I certainly don't view Obama the way the LDAHL does.

Trump has charisma but the wrong kind--his is the energy that attracts hate and hostility.

I think JFK and his retinue were the first team to really understand and use television to his advantage. I do think, though, that dying when he did helped to cement his reputation. Had he served a couple of full terms he would have needed to deal with the civil rights and Vietnam battles that were to come. He might have lost some his magic in that messy period.

Clinton had the charisma of a really good used car salesman who liked to spend his free time seducing women with low self esteem. To his credit, he was very good at “triangulating” to new positions when his reading of public opinion demanded it. Many have remarked that if Biden had been smart enough to throw a few of the more ridiculous Democrats under the bus as ruthlessly as Clinton did, he’d be better of today.

Teacher Terry

6-14-22, 2:08pm

Obama was confident, well spoken and intelligent. Republicans hated how competent he was.

ApatheticNoMore

6-14-22, 2:27pm

I understand how voters might have been frustrated with Obama as there was 5 years of recession, Obama did not cause the recession, but the response wasn't enough to shorten it either. But inflation is worse? Really I think for most people recession is worse, but both can be difficult. At this point everyone suspects we are probably going to overcorrect for inflation and bring on a pretty severe recession. Given that plenty of indicators for future recession are already there right now.

dado potato

6-14-22, 2:39pm

A summer drink of sun tea.

Today I made a quart on the south side of my deck.

I re-used a clear plastic jar with a screw-on lid, one qt of filtered water, and 5 jasmine/green tea bags. The tea was a beautiful color after 2 hours in full sun. Longer in the sun might have caused the tea to be more bitter.

From an anti-inflation perspective, all the inputs were "free", except the tea bags, which were bought in a box of 100, when I believe they cost less than they do today. The current replacement cost would be about 9 cents per tea bag. At that rate, the cost of my quart of sun tea would be 45 cents.

Here's a toast to all the Republicans and Democrats, in case they may be perspiring in the heat. Cent'anni!

Rogar

6-14-22, 4:02pm

Despite his weaknesses, Clinton was a good communicator. Something that recent presidents have lacked. Speaking of drinking a beer with a pal, when Obama was in Denver he played pool and had a couple of beers with John Hickenlooper at a downtown brewpub that Hick started years ago. Liked Obama, but he did have an elitist attitude, IMHO. And Trump exuded anger an hate that I think has infected some of conservative society. If I could sit down and have a regular conversation with a former living president over a beer or sun tea, it might be Carter. I'd like the topic to be, peanut farming in the days of a warming climate.

I think the health of the economy has as much to do with the Fed and the a lag time from the previous administration as it does current presidential policy. They obviously missed the boat by keeping interest rates so low for so long and otherwise over fueling things during the Covid crisis.

JaneV2.0

6-14-22, 11:28pm

"And Trump exuded anger an hate that I think has infected some of conservative society."

Here's a guy who has never worked a day in his life, has had everything handed to him, stiffed his creditors and contractors, skated away from accountability at every opportunity, and his most notable emotion is one of full-on grievance. Everyone is out to get him, according to him. Sucks to be you, dude.

dado potato

6-18-22, 3:29pm

pinkytoe

6-18-22, 4:42pm

Surprisingly, there was an article in the WSJ about families that they refer to as Super Frugals. It stated that inflation does not really upset their apple cart since they have always been frugal and get by equally in good and bad times. I had hopes of growing some food but it has been so hot and dry, we shall see...I love cucumbers but paying .99 each is a bit shocking.

Simplemind

6-18-22, 4:50pm

I'm with you pinkytoe, but on the opposite end of the scale. I put in a lot of extra garden this year but it has been so cold and wet. The seeds are rotting and the plants are bolting. So frustrating.

happystuff

6-18-22, 5:11pm

I tend to wonder how "bad" it will actually get and what I have left to cut back on? :(

iris lilies

6-18-22, 5:52pm

Matt Luzetti, an economist employed by Deutsche Bank, predicts CPI to peak at 9% in 3Q 2022 in the USA.

September 30 we can see how accurate this economist's prediction will be.

I look for pleasures that are "free". Inflation may be any number; I still encourage my dear wife to make pies with rhubarb from our garden.

Visually, our garden presents bearded iris and Siberian Iris (see photo), a rich aesthetic experience. It is sweet to know that more is to come.

4535

predictions by a random economist—? Ok.

but the iris is nice.

The Twin Cities had their iris show last weekend, and you are further north than they are so your iris will be in peak bloom. I envy you. Our peak was May15-20.

Yppej

6-18-22, 6:24pm

Bought iceberg lettuce instead of the loose leaf packaged. Eating wild strawberries and herbs from the garden.

JaneV2.0

6-18-22, 7:11pm

Bought iceberg lettuce instead of the loose leaf packaged. Eating wild strawberries and herbs from the garden.

Wild strawberries are the best!

bae

6-18-22, 7:23pm

Had a nice porterhouse steak for lunch, $6/lb. from my cow.

A cheeseburger in town would have cost me $22 w/tip.

jp1

6-18-22, 8:14pm

I read today that Moody's says that the average monthly car payment for people currently purchasing cars is $712. I realize that cars have gone up more in price than the average of all things due to the chip shortage and whatnot aggressively driving up prices, but goodness, I can't even imagine. SO's monthly payment is less than half that and I've never had a car payment. The now 20 year old gift from my dying father of a then 12 year old honda accord 8 years ago is more and more appreciated every day even as it approaches high mileage status with 63,000 miles on it. Other than routine stuff like tires and various scheduled maintenance the only thing that I've had to do with it is replace a window regulator. Nothing close to $712/month.