Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Sometimes, it feels as though everything is more expensive today than it was a couple of years ago. For many things, that’s accurate. Inflation has been going up over the last few years, and prices for things like food, gas, and daily essentials seem to rise every week. Finding ways to make things more affordable has become a priority for many households.
However, like with anything, there are exceptions to this trend. There are a few items for which the prices have dropped. Some things people use every day. Others are larger purchases of things we buy as needed or as they need to be replaced, like furniture or watches.
Look at our list of 12 things that are getting more affordable, not more expensive. If you’ve been avoiding these purchases with the expectation you’d be paying higher prices, it may be time to reconsider. With that, let’s dive into the list.
Lettuce
There aren’t many grocery items that made this list. Grocery prices are still increasing for most items. But, the cost of lettuce has dropped about 12% over the last couple of years.
Watches
Of course, the price of watches varies from brand to brand. However, prices of the higher-priced watches have dropped by about 0.3%.
Utility Gas Services (Natural Gas)
The price of natural gas piped into our homes has dropped by almost 20% since 2022. Unfortunately, electricity prices are steadily increasing.
Airline Tickets
The price of airline tickets was sky-high a few years ago but is finally coming down. They’ve dropped over 13% over the last few years.
Dairy Products
Milk, yogurt, and cheese have seen small price drops over the last year or two. It’s not much, just 0.2%, but in today’s economy, any grocery store savings are welcomed.
Smartphones
The price of smartphones has dropped about 14% over the past few years. But it’s not just smartphones; it’s almost all telephony and other consumer information items.
Furniture
Furniture prices rose during the pandemic when many were stuck at home redecorated. But, prices have been trending downward over the past year and have dropped about 4.3%.
Used Vehicles
Over the past few years, the average price of used vehicles has dropped about 8% a year. This price drop has been about the same for both cars and trucks.
Fuel Oil
Fuel or heating oil is often used to heat homes and other buildings. It’s also used in power plants to generate electricity. Over the past year, fuel oil prices have dropped slightly over 5%.
TVs
Data from Nielsen shows people spend time in front of their TVs and more time on their smartphones. This decrease in demand has dropped the price of television sets by about 20%.
Medical Care
This includes health and wellness procedures and hospital stays. Medical care services have dropped almost 3% over the past few years.
Eggs
Eggs used to be cheap, but the prices have shot up over the last year or two because of an outbreak of bird flu. Fortunately, farmers have recovered, and the egg supply is increasing, causing the egg price to drop by about 18%.
18 Ways to Save Without Sacrificing Life and Happiness
Do you want a new perspective on saving money? If you think this is another article telling you to skip your morning coffee or give up dining out, then let us tell you—it’s not! What follows is a list of 18 innovative and painless ways to save cash without sacrificing what makes you happy. We believe that a good life isn’t about cutting back on everything you love but about making smarter decisions with what you have. So, if you’re ready to start saving without compromising your lifestyle or happiness, dive right in!
15 Smart Tips for Living Well on a Strict Budget
In today’s economy, strict budgeting has become a reality for many, sometimes involuntarily. With fast fashion and rapidly changing trends, temptations are on the rise. Mastering a budgeting mindset can empower a person to manage their finances responsibly. It’s a step towards achieving self-fulfillment while leaving room for some fun.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you want to earn more money toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money. Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
- Read More: The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
