Even though I rarely shop "normal" stores like supermarkets and bigbox stores, instead preferring thrift, salvage (Ross, TJ, Grocery Outlet), and other options, I have noticed shrinkflation.
I check the clearance food aisles at Ross and TJ and I shop Grocery Outlet for groceries. You'd be surprised what you find at Ross and TJ. Like whole bean coffee. I figure decent coffee for 5$/lb is doable for me. Since I shop based on price per volume, I always check the amount listed on the package and in the case of bagged produce, I weigh the bags as there is quite a bit of variation.
Coffee is the case in point. A while back, years?, I noticed that what looked like a 1lb bag listed 12oz as the weight. That would be 3/4llb, not 1lb. NOPE. $3.75 is max for 12oz. It has to be a full lb. That is getting rare.
This weekend at one of the discount/salvage stores I noticed 11oz bags of coffee beans. Since I am shopping where merchandise goes to die, this must have arrived on "normal" store shelves months ago Do let me know!
I await the 10oz of coffee beans in the 1lb size bag. Cripes.
In June, didn't go in July, I found 2lb bags of coffee beans at Grocery Outlet for $9.99 so that met the 5$/lb price point. I don't worry too much about the blend or roast at that price. I do avoid flavored types. These almost always cost more and so far have never been the only option.
With prices going up, I bought a brick of "dollar store" type coffee. It is well under the 5$/lb rate even in an 8oz, or is it 6?, size. We'll see if it is drinkable.
TP is another one. I buy a regionally sourced off-brand. It is under 5$ for 24 rolls. Not fancy, soft, scented, lotioned, etc. JUST TP. I haven't bought any in a few months as I can store 2 packs at that size (thanks dead camper fridge that is still mouseproof!) so haven't looked at it of late. I should keep the size label portion of the current pack and date it so in the future I can see if my TP rolls are shrinking. At one point I calculated price per square foot but it was a lot of calculating. I am rethinking "family cloths" (wipe rags) and rotating in newspaper now and then at least for #1s. The savings is real now. We'll see...
I went for 5gallon buckets at various hardware stores now and didn't buy any. 7-8$ per bucket. Last time I bought them they were $3.50ish per bucket. So, I did not buy any new buckets. I am going to sort through what I have and glue up some of the old ones with glue I have. Those that are beyond gluing but still bucket-like, will get the tool-toting duty. Those that are glued and water tight can be non-potable water toting type tasks. Glued but not water tight can haul dirt-like things. Those that are still in good shape will get rotated in to laundry and other duties I consider high-end.
As for Shrinkflation with buckets...some of the "5-gallon" buckets are 4 gallon! This is fine, but ends up with a non-standard height or lid size and mess up my system. Also, less hauling/storage capacity for the price.
