In an era where fears of soaring inflation still linger, many consumers grapple with the burden of higher prices for everyday essentials.
While some struggle with stagnant wages that no longer cover their expenses, others lament the escalating costs of once-affordable items, including fast food.
This pressing issue has ignited fervent discussions online, with individuals sharing their past shopping lists and comparing them to current expenditures. The alarming revelation is that today’s grocery bills often dwarf those from 2020.
The 2020 vs. 2023 Grocery Price Challenge
Kay stirred the pot with a video that garnered massive views. In her video, she utilized the Walmart app to revisit a 2020 shopping list. The total, post-tax, amounted to $161.18.
Recreating the same list as accurately as possible, she tallied up the items to reveal a new post-tax total of $205.52—a staggering 27.5% increase.
This price surge far surpasses the modest inflation rates reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Had the original prices followed the inflation calculator, the total should have been just $189.30.
The Strain of Rising Costs
The impact of this price hike on consumers must be considered. Kay emphasized that the extra $44 she now spends, if extrapolated over a month’s worth of groceries, sums up to approximately $170—a significant sum for anyone, especially for educators like herself.
Several similar experiments conducted by others yielded even higher percentages of price increases. Some claim their grocery bills have surged by 41% since 2020, while others report a jaw-dropping 50% spike.
The Reality of Shrinking Dollars
In closing her video, Kay echoed the sentiments of many viewers, affirming that the feeling of one’s money not stretching as far as it used to is not a mere perception—it’s a harsh reality.
This video sparked an outpouring of outrage from commenters who shared their own distressing stories of surging prices.
Many pointed fingers at “shrinkflation,” a practice where product packaging shrinks while prices stagnate or increase.
Commenters lamented the soaring cost of living and the inadequacy of employers to provide wages that match the ever-increasing expenses. One commenter summed it up succinctly: “And I only get paid $1 more than I did in 2020.”
The video serves as a stark reminder of the economic challenges ordinary individuals face as they navigate a world where the prices of everyday goods continue to rise, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.
Grocery Statistics In the USA
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food increased by 0.2 percent from July 2023 to August 2023, with food prices 4.3 percent higher than in August 2022.
- Food-at-home (grocery store purchases) CPI increased by 0.1 percent in August 2023 and was 3.0 percent higher than in August 2022.
- Food-away-from-home (restaurant purchases) CPI increased by 0.3 percent in August 2023 and was 6.5 percent higher than in August 2022.
- Food prices are expected to grow more slowly in 2023 than in 2022, with all food prices predicted to increase by 5.8 percent.
- In 2024, all food prices are predicted to increase by 2.2 percent, with food-at-home prices expected to increase by 1.6 percent and food-away-from-home prices predicted to increase by 4.3 percent.
- Food inflation in the United States fell to 4.3% year-on-year in August 2023, down from 4.9% in the previous month and a peak of 11.4% in August 2022. Prices slowed down for both food at home and food away from home.
- Every month food prices increased by 0.2% in August, consistent with the previous month.
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Sources
- ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/
- tradingeconomics.com/united-states/food-inflation
- bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic/data/averageretailfoodandenergyprices_usandwest_table.htm
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:
@kaypal7 #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen #inflation2022 #inflation2023 #politics #shrinkflation #poverty #finance #povertyfinance #teacher #workingclass #richmennorthofrichmond #makeotmakesense #poor #teachers #teacherlife ♬ original sound – Kay Pal
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.