What changes have you made due to inflation?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

We eat out less because it's so expensive. But just in general I am not spending less. I can't. Property taxes are up $1100 to $1400/month. Electric bill balanced billing went from $165 to $235/month. The water bill went from $300 to $400 for 2 months. The cost of our home insurance went from $1041 to $1285 annually. Our auto insurance went up from $784 to $989 for 6 months when you consider the cars we drive are older? Gas is expensive. I notice some grocery prices have come down like Eggs, but overall all grocery prices are up.

I can just tell since I shop how much more expensive things are. I am being more cautious about buying in general. This month I have eaten out but our grocery bill is almost nil since I'm forcing myself to eat from the freezer, fridge, and pantry. I am forcing us to use what we have up.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Today I got an email from the summer camp I signed up for DK1 in feburary. I put a 50% deposit down for a 1 week sleepaway camp. They sent out an email 10 days prior to camp 7/30 start date about final payment being due. If I don't pay I lose 50% deposit. The cost of the camp was $1000.

Well today the email said they are raising prices. They asked for $1000, $1250, and $1500 for an increase on their fees. Below is the message I received.

Second Half Payments. Our mission is to make the Beach Camp experience available to as many students as possible which is why our rates have not increased for many years, but our costs this year have risen dramatically, increasing 35% across the board and doubling in major areas. As such we are adopting the payment tier approach followed by other camps and sincerely hope that those who can afford to, will pay the full cost or at least the partial subsidy amounts. By comparison, the two major YMCA camps in our area were forced to raise their tuitions to $2,185 and $1,695 respectively to cover their costs and now require financial aid applications for subsidies. Nationally, the American Camp Association calculates the average one week overnight camp tuition at over $3,000. Thank you for your support and your investment in the next generation. Please make your second half payment with the link provided.


To say I am pissed is an understatment. First off, on their website it says 50% payment due upon registration then they dare send this email 10 days before camp? I was reading through FAQs and stuff and the website now says the new price, but it also says at the bottom they forgot to change the $500 = 50% deposit. I am annoyed by this and my friend says I should tell them that's not the contract I signed up for. If I balk I bet I lose the deposit, which I think is ridiculous.

I'm fine if they want to claim camps cost $3000. I'm also fine if they want to raise rates, but I think it's ridiculous to raise rates in the middle of camp season and to do it so sneakily.

[disneysteve]

my friend says I should tell them that's not the contract I signed up for.

Your friend is right. You signed up for $1,000. They are free to raise their prices going forward but they can't raise them retroactively. Do you actually have something in writing with the price you agreed to? If so, I'd hold them to it.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Your friend is right. You signed up for $1,000. They are free to raise their prices going forward but they can't raise them retroactively. Do you actually have something in writing with the price you agreed to? If so, I'd hold them to it.

They sent me an email and said that's the receipt and it says 50% deposit but no wording or official contract. I have an email out to them.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Gas keeps going higher in Los Angeles and $10 could be within range soon.

[disneysteve]

Gas keeps going higher in Los Angeles and $10 could be within range soon.

It’s crazy how different pricing is in different places. Here in NJ it’s in the $3.50-3.60 range which is reasonable.

The problem with gas pricing is it’s totally manipulated by OPEC and Russia. When they decide to cut production to boost prices (and profits) there’s nothing anyone can do about it. There’s no actual reason for the higher prices beyond that. The record profits are proof of that.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Gavin Newsom is mandating $20/hr for fast food workers in California beginning in April 2024. More inflation.

[QuarterMillionMan]

McDonald's branch slammed for charging $18 for a Big Mac meal (nypost.com)

$19 for a McD's combo meal. I don't eat at McD's due to its high fat content (ie, 40 grams of fat in a big breakfast, or 40 grams of fat in a Quarter pounder, etc). But at these inflationary prices forgetaboutit.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

McDonald's branch slammed for charging $18 for a Big Mac meal (nypost.com)

$19 for a McD's combo meal. I don't eat at McD's due to its high fat content (ie, 40 grams of fat in a big breakfast, or 40 grams of fat in a Quarter pounder, etc). But at these inflationary prices forgetaboutit.

I've noticed that as well.

[bjl584]

McDonald's branch slammed for charging $18 for a Big Mac meal (nypost.com)

$19 for a McD's combo meal. I don't eat at McD's due to its high fat content (ie, 40 grams of fat in a big breakfast, or 40 grams of fat in a Quarter pounder, etc). But at these inflationary prices forgetaboutit.

I remember getting a combo meal for around $7. Of course, that was 20 years ago, so apples to oranges.
Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and workers demanding higher wages are going to cause prices to rise.

[crazyliblady]

McDonald's branch slammed for charging $18 for a Big Mac meal (nypost.com)

$19 for a McD's combo meal. I don't eat at McD's due to its high fat content (ie, 40 grams of fat in a big breakfast, or 40 grams of fat in a Quarter pounder, etc). But at these inflationary prices forgetaboutit.

I don't eat fast food at all, but my husband does. I recently bought a couple of burgers and a large fries at Hardees (I think) and it was around $16.00. The crazy thing is that I can make a big pot of bean soup with 1 lb of beans (around $1.25), 1/2 lb ham (around $3.50), 1 onion (around 75 cents), and seasonings (pennies). And in 6 quarts of soup, I can make at least 3 suppers for 2 people.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Well try looking at your $7 starbucks drink and thinking I can totally make a meal for that price.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The national news said in some states gas is below $3. I just paid $4.59 in Los Angeles. Something is wrong with California.

[disneysteve]

The national news said in some states gas is below $3. I just paid $4.59 in Los Angeles. Something is wrong with California.

I paid $2.97 last week at BJ’s but most stations are still a bit over $3.

[Subdude]

California uses a "special petrol blend" to reduce exhaust emissions, and the oil companies use it as an excuse to price gouge. I paid $4.50/gal this week. As far as groceries go, I rarely do the shopping, but I did notice that the price of some cookies I occasionally buy has exactly doubled since 2021. I refuse to pay that for them, so maybe I'll eat healthier. We eat out less and buy more chicken ($) and less beef ($$$).