I think the reason why most shoppers aren't realizing this (at least until just recently, when it's been in the news a lot) is because they are too busy to take their time shopping like we do. Those of us who are frugal are very aware of what we are getting for our money. But most people are in a rush all the time and just throw the quick convenience, preprepared foods in the buggy and rush to get to the ckeck out line.

That's why I started shopping less often and just spending more time there when I do. I used to stop by Walmart constantly after work and pick up things here and there. A couple of years ago I started making a big shopping trip every couple of weeks (only picking up essentials in between at the local store) so that I can take the time to plan out my list, find whatever coupons I want to use and take my time when I'm in the store. I also find better deals this way.

God bless,

Julie

I've been doing the laundry soap thing for years now, I use only about 1/4th or less of the cup. I went to Walmart today and I saw that they did get the Free and Clear but it was tiny, very tiny...and it costs $4.98 for something that was half the size of what I paid $2.50 for. I spent $3.88 on a new product that is still tiny but bigger than the Free and Clear one I used to buy. I may go back and buy the $10.80 one just to make it stretch longer. We spent $87 on groceries and got only a handful of bags with very little in it and that's with careful shopping. I had a list and I stuck to it but the prices didn't agree...I remember if I spent $87 at Walmart I would have a ton of groceries and if I went to Save-A-Lot, I would have even more. Crazy!!! Oh, and I saw about the coffee...I ended up buying a tiny can for $2.48 verses $7-$9 for the larger cans I used to buy and the plastic ones are smaller than they used to be.

The manufacturers are using the excuse that the cost of everything is going up and they have to stay in business somehow. Ok I can agree with the fact that prices are going up for grains and such but do you suppose when the price for grain and such drops again that they will then "add back" to the products we buy everyday passing the savings back to the very people who keep them in business in the first place ?

Yeah, I didn't think so either...I wish Iived in the country where I could grow more food.

I wish I could live out further where I could grow more food too...

When the product shrinks, and the price stays the same or goes UP, Consumerist.com has come up with a good term for it, that the product has been hit by the "Grocery Store Shrink Ray"!     

The classic product shrinkage is toilet paper -- bigger cardboard roll and less "ply"s on the TP. I remember this happening 20 years ago, but it is absolutely ridiculous now...

Another that is happening in my area (Ontario, Canada) is soda....a case of Coke/Pepsi now has 18 cans instead of 24.

Cheers!
Julie

I will have to see if they are doing that in BC. I only buy 12 pks so haven't noticed. 

Julie,

No kidding. I almost laughed when I went to the Dollar General and saw what they call a "regular" roll of toilet paper. The double and mega rolls look the same as a regular roll did when I was a kid. Next thing you know, they will be selling us cardboard tubes with 1-3 sheets of paper per roll for $5 a roll. Come to think of it, I had better shut up now and hope that no one from corporate headquarters reads this board for ideas!

Walgreens has their soap on sale this week 4/$1.00. Use to get it for 5/1.00 but I figure I better stock up at this price. Some were wrapped in a different wrapper - checked and yep, the new wrapper means 1/2 ounce less soap than the older ones. Been buying as much of the older ones that I can find this week.  In the meantime, dh bought some Zest and it is 4 oz also. I don't have any old ones to compare if it was 4.5 oz before as well. Darn!

Oh and dd needed ziploc bags for her back-to-school list. Walmart had some of their own brand with 17 bags in it. 17 ??? I'm guessing that is down from 20.