The Economic Downturn..

[Pastor of Muppets]

I don't really pay attention to most prices.  It's not that I have money to burn.  It's more like, I need what I need and it costs what it costs.  I have in general noticed that $100 or $200 doesn't go as far as it used to.  I did notice that soda is really getting up there.  It's $7 for a 12 pack of Diet A&W root beer.  I remember when you could get a 12 pack for $3.00 and a 2 liter bottle for $1.  But I am really dating myself here.  That was 25 to 30 years ago.

I live in Illinois and they suspended the sales tax on food for 1 year.  It ends in summer 2023, I forget exactly when.

[ihavemyreasons]

We have a huge super mega grocery store on the other side of town I went to for the first time in months today (called Woodmans - exclusive to Wisconsin and Illinois). Hate that they are on the other side of town, but for new year planning to plan oir grocery purchases better and run over there every 2 weeks due to prices being much better than the couple of nearby grocery stores and Walmart. Actually found chicken wings for $4.99 for a 2 1/2 pound bag and they're not freezer burnt. So woohoo homemade chicken wings for first time in probably 6 months tonight.

[ihavemyreasons]

First energy bill of the new year. Rates raised 30% effective Jan 1. Most expensive energy bill in 20+ years of living here. Couple that with a 50% increase in water / garbage pick up, we're looking about a greater than $2K increase in utilities this year

[ihavemyreasons]

So gas and electric utility costs are way up here. Prior to this year had maybe 2 utility bills that were over $200 in our 20+ years in this house. And only ones over $200 were just over that and were for months where we had a week or more of 100+ degree temps. Could count on $100 to $150 per month other than during the rare heat wave. First 2 - 2023 bills = $250 per month.
And gas back to $3.50 a gallon.
At least eggs are down from $7 a dozen to $4...still way over the under $1 price they were until last summer.

[RVR II]

We're getting to that time of year when I can start turning the heat off and not turn the AC on so that will save on the monthly budget..
Also I go to the grocery store almost every Sunday and Wednesday mornings when they open to get needed stuff so it's not too noticeable but also to avoid the crowds.

[ihavemyreasons]

Back from a week in California. Was a Denny's near hotel where I was staying in LA. Grand slam breakfast was $19.99 plus $4 for coffee. Haven't been to a Denny's in years but last time I was - while it wasn't in CA - that was like their cheap $5 meal deal. And that was about the cheapest - and sadly best - meal I had while there. Thankfully work was picking up the tab. Not gonna complain about prices here for awhile.