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I understand that, but if a container of food shrinks by an ounce or two over time most won't buy an entire extra one to make up the difference. If you could b

I understand that, but if a container of food shrinks by an ounce or two over time most won't buy an entire extra one to make up the difference. If you could buy all food by weight this would be easier to notice and make an apples to apples comparison. Hat's off to the parent comment if they even tracked it down to the exact amount of food and kept it consistent for years. Most people set a budget of $X dollars of food that is rather generous and if they get slightly less food they don't notice because they are already buying an excess of calories most of the time.

Negitivefrags 5y ago
Are you seriously suggesting that food prices have increased more and people are just generally eating less calories?
- klipklop 5y ago
  Allow me clarify, I think people in general consume more calories than they did in the past. They are just 'wasting' less food. Most people when buying food budget money, not calories. So if food producers shave off a few ounces over time you won't notice because you already buy a surplus of food to begin with. The surplus just shrinks ever so slightly on the consumers end. That unused 2 ounces at the bottom of the mayo jar is now 1. That pack of fruit snacks has 1 less in the pouch, etc. It usually takes a dramatic sudden change for most consumers to notice "shrinkflation". I have noticed that when somebody says "so you are saying/suggesting X," X was never actually said/suggested. A frustrating thing to encounter in a discussion. Sorry if I was unclear.
cecilpl2 5y ago
As I mentioned in the sister comment I do indeed track unit prices for things like meat, dairy, and produce. My total monthly expenses have increased by roughly 50-100% since 2006, but that's also because I now earn more, buy more expensive things like steak and good cheese, and am more physically active so eat larger quantities. I actually think that I overstated food price increase marginally. Many things I buy are the same price they were 15 years ago.
- klipklop 5y ago
  I admire the thoroughness of your data collection. I don't doubt your numbers at all. If anything the only huge inflation I ever see is not in consumer goods, but in appreciating assets.

Negitivefrags 5y ago

Are you seriously suggesting that food prices have increased more and people are just generally eating less calories?

klipklop 5y ago
Allow me clarify, I think people in general consume more calories than they did in the past. They are just 'wasting' less food. Most people when buying food budget money, not calories. So if food producers shave off a few ounces over time you won't notice because you already buy a surplus of food to begin with. The surplus just shrinks ever so slightly on the consumers end. That unused 2 ounces at the bottom of the mayo jar is now 1. That pack of fruit snacks has 1 less in the pouch, etc. It usually takes a dramatic sudden change for most consumers to notice "shrinkflation". I have noticed that when somebody says "so you are saying/suggesting X," X was never actually said/suggested. A frustrating thing to encounter in a discussion. Sorry if I was unclear.

cecilpl2 5y ago

As I mentioned in the sister comment I do indeed track unit prices for things like meat, dairy, and produce. My total monthly expenses have increased by roughly 50-100% since 2006, but that's also because I now earn more, buy more expensive things like steak and good cheese, and am more physically active so eat larger quantities. I actually think that I overstated food price increase marginally. Many things I buy are the same price they were 15 years ago.

klipklop 5y ago
I admire the thoroughness of your data collection. I don't doubt your numbers at all. If anything the only huge inflation I ever see is not in consumer goods, but in appreciating assets.