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Many of us long for the good old days when you could get out (Essentials Defying Inflation Post-covid) of the grocery store for less than $100. Post-COVID-19 inflation has made us all tighten our purse strings a bit more. According to real shoppers in a recent online message board discussion, the following items have not changed in price since before the pandemic.
Costco Hot Dogs
Thank God for the beloved Costco hot dog that hasn’t changed in price since 1984. When the current CEO of Costco asked the original co-founder, Jim Sinegal, if they could raise the price of the hot dog, Sinegal replied, “If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.”
Computer Ram and Ssds
Despite needing more and more with our world’s technological advances, the cost of computer memory hasn’t increased much with inflation. People who buy external hard drives report not seeing much price change compared to a few years ago. Great news if you have too many digital photos that you can’t seem to throw away!
Tvs
When plasma televisions and flat screens were first introduced to the market, they cost thousands of dollars. Now you can get a good-sized flat screen at big box stores for an affordable $200-$300. Some complain that the lower quality means you have to replace them more often, but even considering that, it’s still a better deal than when these TVs first came out.
Bars in the Rural Midwest
Although it’s quite specific, more than a few people on an online message board called out these middle-American bars for their dirt-cheap prices. One commenter said, “I went to a bar in the rural Midwest last week and whispered, ‘these are 2012 prices.'”
Bananas
Bananas have been a staple in the American diet since they first started importing them from South America in the late 1800s. Although they’ve grown in price since the 19th century, they’re still very affordable. People of all income levels can enjoy this tropical fruit at reasonable rates.
Skateboard Decks
Skateboard decks are the main wooden part of the skateboard the rider stands on, while the trucks and bearings are the wheels and axles on the bottom. Standard skateboard decks haven’t changed much in price since the 1980s. Buying a basic one will only cost you about $30-$60.
Potatoes
French fries, hash browns, roasted, buttered, fried—is there anything potatoes can’t do? Luckily, getting a big bag of potatoes can go far in the kitchen and won’t cost you much more than it did pre-COVID.
Public Library Cards
This one is a bit tongue-in-cheek since public library cards have always been free. However, let’s revel in all the new, updated features many public libraries offer in response to COVID-19. With a library card, you can access many online audiobooks, ebooks, movies, special national park passes, and more, all for free!
Arizona Iced Tea
Ah, those tall cans with the southwestern designs filled with sweet, flavored iced teas. You can get them nationwide at most grocery stores and gas station mini-marts. Thankfully, the CEO has vowed to keep the price at its traditional 99 cents.
TJ Maxx Oversized Shopping Bags
If you’ve ever been to Marshall’s or TJ Maxx, you’ve likely seen the oversized shopping bags available for purchase near the registers with various colorful seasonal designs on them. One commenter joked, “I have acquired approximately 12 billion Marshall’s bags [through] gifts and such from my lovely parents over the years. I am not complaining.”
Camping at State Parks
Although commercial campgrounds can be quite expensive, government-owned state parks are usually very affordable. Prices vary quite a bit by state, but some campsites can be as cheap as $12 a night in some states, like Texas.
Home Appliances
“I bought a new house and need to buy appliances. Last time I did that was 13 years ago. Prices are about the same,” said one happy customer. However, additional commenters complained that the quality has suffered and they may have to be replaced more often than older appliances used to.
Cabbage
Cabbage has been a main staple in traditional cultures in Eastern Europe for hundreds of years. It’s not the sexiest vegetable, but this modest plant has much to offer. It’s high in vitamin C, versatile, and rich in fiber, and you get a lot of volume from one head of cabbage.
Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Another point for Costco, thanks to the ever-affordable rotisserie chicken. Coming in at around $5 for an entire chicken, you can stretch this food as your lunch or dinner for a few days. Make sandwiches, tacos, soup, wraps, chicken salad, and more!
Beer
Those fancy microbrews don’t make the list this time since they are often produced on a small scale and have succumbed to inflation. However, mainstays like Coors and Budweiser have stayed at the same price through the pandemic. Beer fans rejoice!
Jack in the Box Tacos
This fast food chain doesn’t just serve burgers. They’re also known for their international menu items. Coming in at a very reasonable 99 cents each, Jack in the Box tacos are a win for cheap and quick food. I can’t speak for the quality of the tacos, but hey, you’re saving money, right?
Electric Guitars For Essentials Defying Inflation Post-covid
“The Squier Stratocaster starter pack used to be $300 in the late 90s, but you can grab it for $250 or an Epiphone Les Paul one for $200 all day long. Factoring in 20-25 years of inflation, it basically costs half what it did back then,” said one user.
Source: Reddit
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In the world of automobiles, some cars are timeless, forever etched in the minds and hearts of those who drove them. But generational shifts in taste and values can lead to once-beloved vehicles being relegated to the shadows. Let’s revisit 18 classic cars adored by Baby Boomers but often overlooked by Millennials.
Generational Shift: 18 Classic Cars Loved by Boomers, Snubbed by Millennials
From Boom to Bust: 18 States on the Brink of Financial Ruin—What Went Wrong?
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From Boom to Bust: 18 States on the Brink of Financial Ruin—What Went Wrong?
Avoid These 19 Pointless Expenses When Living Paycheck to Paycheck
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Avoid These 19 Pointless Expenses When Living Paycheck to Paycheck
