The Price of Things

[eyoungren]

Back on topic, when I first started driving I think it used to cost me around £12 to fill up. Now it’s nearly £100. Of course the mileage hasn’t gone up any! Can’t wait for my EV to get built already.

Circle K or QuickTrip, whichever happens to be the place I stop for gas, gets $20 each time. And that's all they get. A full tank in the late 90s, early 00s cost me slightly under $20.

Now, over time they have been giving me less gas (petrol) and lately I've had to stop in more during the week, but they still only get $20 each time. That's the amount I budget. I usually get around 3/4 of a tank, from a starting point of 1/4 (my wife complains when there is less than a quarter tank).

I haven't completely filled the tank in years. That's liable to run me about $50-60 and I'm not prepared to pay that in one go between paychecks.

 

[wilberforce]

San Francisco...

Cupertino is probably similar, if not higher. Might explain Apple prices.

 

[BotchQue]

EDIT: I've deleted some of this post as I was unaware of some forum rules; my apologies.

There are a couple folks we all should be following on EweTube:
a. Robert Reich, PhD economist, former Secretary of Labor under presidents of both parties, Rhodes Scholar. He posts a <5 minute video daily, very well worth your time.
b. Beau of the Fifth Column, military brat, former military contractor, convicted felon(!). Very astute observer of things both military and political; <5 minute video daily, and again very worth your time.
c. John Oliver, British immigrant, comedian, commentator. This guy is brilliant, and illuminates things that fly under the radar of most news organizations. Several of you have mentioned trucking costs, above. Look up his recent show on the Trucking industry (he only does one show a week), it is illuminating to no end. The average salary for most US truck drivers has gone from ~$100K, to ~$20K or even paychecks in the negative column! (you owe us!) And Fedex has a >300% truck driver turnover, yearly?!?? Who's raking in THAT money? EDIT: here it is:

A final thought. The only way ANY of us can trust a news source, is by witnessing an actual historical event first-hand, and then see how it was reported by various news organizations. Hard to do, most of the time. The last time I could do this, rigorously, was during James Comey's testimony to Congress, 2017. I watched the unclassified first four hours, live, without distractions, and then recorded/watched how four different news channels reported it the hour after (my DVR could only record/play 4 sources at once). My beliefs on the accuracy of three of them were confirmed in spades; every American should do this.

Sorry for blabbing on so long. FWIW.

 

[Huntn]

And it's not just the price, it's about the size of the box or bag or how many per roll...remember the size of a bag of Doritos compared to it now. Shrinkage.

Was surprised to have this brought to my attention. ?

 

[icanhazmac]

And it's not just the price, it's about the size of the box or bag or how many per roll...remember the size of a bag of Doritos compared to it now. Shrinkage.

Yup, try to find a 1/2 gallon of ice cream!

Home prices are insane and if the bubble bursts, like many expect, we will have a large number of people with under water mortgages again like the mid 2000s.

 

[dukebound85]

A few houses in our neighbourhood have sold for $100K OVER what they were purchased for, only 2 years ago.
Our subdivision is new, 2019.

Everything is more expensive now. And, to be honest, I see no sign of let up...

I have neighbors who 3 yrs ago bought for 365 and just sold after 2 days on market for 550k

 

[Apple fanboy]

Circle K or QuickTrip, whichever happens to be the place I stop for gas, gets $20 each time. And that's all they get. A full tank in the late 90s, early 00s cost me slightly under $20.

Now, over time they have been giving me less gas (petrol) and lately I've had to stop in more during the week, but they still only get $20 each time. That's the amount I budget. I usually get around 3/4 of a tank, from a starting point of 1/4 (my wife complains when there is less than a quarter tank).

I haven't completely filled the tank in years. That's liable to run me about $50-60 and I'm not prepared to pay that in one go between paychecks.

I need petrol to get to work so don’t really have any choice. Plus where we live the choices are limited, so I tend to fill up when I go. Saves me time in the long run.
Funny Mrs AFB complains when she gets below a quarter of a tank. Even though she only drives 4 miles away once or twice a week.

 

[Pezimak]

Yup, try to find a 1/2 gallon of ice cream!

Home prices are insane and if the bubble bursts, like many expect, we will have a large number of people with under water mortgages again like the mid 2000s.

Ghis was done under The guise of obesity, at least here in the U.K. it was, many sweets and chocolates reduced in size, and big packs have ‘share’ written on them to imply you don’t eat it on your own. But the prices still remain the same or increase, funny that. I’m all for promoting healthy eating, but not for profiteering from the companies. But that’s what happens in every aspect of life like petrol, price drops and has done for a while now on oil, and yet the fuel pump price are still ridiculously high…

 

[fanboy-ish]

Of course those prices are never going back to the way they were - only gas and utilities maybe - and of course salaries and pensions stay the same.

Where I live the most staggering price increase I've seen is renting, the city is attracting college students but the campuses are not ready yet, and many people who used to live and work in a nearby big city have been attracted by the lower prices here and moved here, there are very few new buildings and the housing market has skyrocketed over the last year.

Cars also have absurdly high prices.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Circle K or QuickTrip, whichever happens to be the place I stop for gas, gets $20 each time. And that's all they get. A full tank in the late 90s, early 00s cost me slightly under $20.

Now, over time they have been giving me less gas (petrol) and lately I've had to stop in more during the week, but they still only get $20 each time. That's the amount I budget. I usually get around 3/4 of a tank, from a starting point of 1/4 (my wife complains when there is less than a quarter tank).

I haven't completely filled the tank in years. That's liable to run me about $50-60 and I'm not prepared to pay that in one go between paychecks.

I need petrol to get to work so don’t really have any choice. Plus where we live the choices are limited, so I tend to fill up when I go. Saves me time in the long run.
Funny Mrs AFB complains when she gets below a quarter of a tank. Even though she only drives 4 miles away once or twice a week.

 

[Allyance]

It is not only pricing, but packaging as well. A pint (16fl oz) of Haagen Das ice cream is now 14 fl oz. Subtle but more than 10% less. Plus the price increases.

 

[scubachap]

Shrinkflation - been rampant for a while now. (And will get worse). Here in the UK in my experience the standard measurement unit is the Wagon Wheel (a novelty biscuit for those who haven’t come across them.)

Also, on a more serious note we’re currently using last years harvest - with current events anyone like to guess the price of wheat or sunflower oil next year… ugh!

 

[Pezimak]

Shrinkflation - been rampant for a while now. (And will get worse). Here in the UK in my experience the standard measurement unit is the Wagon Wheel (a novelty biscuit for those who haven’t come across them.)

Also, on a more serious note we’re currently using last years harvest - with current events anyone like to guess the price of wheat or sunflower oil next year… ugh!

80% of the worlds sunflower oil comes from Russia… and an awful lot of wheat comes from Ukraine. They said good luck getting Sunflower oil once current stocks run dry, and bread prices have already gone up. This is what I heard on the radio last week.

 

[Satjiv's one click]

I remember when low end Mac Pros didn't cost 7K.. imagine waiting for your turn to buy a new Mac Pro and you see the price.. All the affordable Macs are glued and locked.. Thanks a lot Apple for the middle finger.

 

[scubachap]

80% of the worlds sunflower oil comes from Russia… and an awful lot of wheat comes from Ukraine. They said good luck getting Sunflower oil once current stocks run dry, and bread prices have already gone up. This is what I heard on the radio last week.

Exactly, we’re all (and the the third world particularly) in for a rough ride…

 

[contacos]

I have noticed Tomatoes ? have gotten really expensive here. They increased by about 1 Euro. Also oil and flour just don’t seem to exist anymore. Don’t remember the last time I have seen any in store

 

[russell_314]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's pushed at some point.

I don't tip the barista either. Those tip jars were not there in the 1990s and the early 00s. Didn't seem to be a problem then. They only showed up within the last ten years or so.

I will do what is traditionally tipped, but I do not participate in this new stuff where there were never tips before.

I think these tip jars are considered optional compared to going to a seated restaurant where if you don’t tip you’re pretty much a.

I’ll put a dollar in the tip jar because if I can waste $6 on cup of coffee it’s not going to break my bank to give the barista $1. Especially with inflation, people working these jobs probably need every dollar they can get to survive. Of course as I said optional so you have to make your own decision as to what you feel is the right thing to do ?

 

[Mousse]

Just the price of oil alone is driving up the cost of everything else, although that's not the only reason.

Heard from an acquaintance working for Haliburton that crude has dropped to pre-Putin war crime spree. It's corporate greed keeping gas prices high.

 

[HazardousT]

Heard from an acquaintance working for Haliburton that crude has dropped to pre-Putin war crime spree. It's corporate greed keeping gas prices high.

Wouldn’t shock me one bit.

 

[millerj123]

Circle K or QuickTrip, whichever happens to be the place I stop for gas, gets $20 each time. And that's all they get. A full tank in the late 90s, early 00s cost me slightly under $20.

Now, over time they have been giving me less gas (petrol) and lately I've had to stop in more during the week, but they still only get $20 each time. That's the amount I budget. I usually get around 3/4 of a tank, from a starting point of 1/4 (my wife complains when there is less than a quarter tank).

I haven't completely filled the tank in years. That's liable to run me about $50-60 and I'm not prepared to pay that in one go between paychecks.

Wow.

I always try to fill the tank. But, I also don't like getting below 1/4 tank between. You are paying a bit to haul the gas, but it's generally 20 to 30 minutes to go to a station and fill, so what's your time worth?

With the recent uptick in prices, Costco has had a wait. I'll just go somewhere else if my other option is to wait in line more than about 3-5 minutes.

 

[eyoungren]

Wow.

I always try to fill the tank. But, I also don't like getting below 1/4 tank between. You are paying a bit to haul the gas, but it's generally 20 to 30 minutes to go to a station and fill, so what's your time worth?

With the recent uptick in prices, Costco has had a wait. I'll just go somewhere else if my other option is to wait in line more than about 3-5 minutes.

I live in Phoenix, so I have my choice of gas stations, two of which are right near the freeway. The one down the street is about three minutes away. I try to avoid that one when it's dark out though. I work from home so those gas stations can be visited either going out or coming back when I take people to where they need to be. Since it's the city, there's also plenty of stations along the way too.

Once, long ago, I lived rural. You got your gas and filled up. Not having enough to actually get to the gas station was a problem you didn't want to have.

 

[Herdfan]

I haven't completely filled the tank in years. That's liable to run me about $50-60 and I'm not prepared to pay that in one go between paychecks.

Wow.

I always try to fill the tank. But, I also don't like getting below 1/4 tank between. You are paying a bit to haul the gas, but it's generally 20 to 30 minutes to go to a station and fill, so what's your time worth?

What's funny about this is it sounds like my parents. Dad would always fill the tank, but mom usually just got $5-10. And since they had an account at the local Gulf (anyone remember those) station, it wasn't about the money. Mom just hated waiting for her gas to be pumped.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I try and not let my car get below 1/4 tank and usually fill it up rather than just put a little in it.

 

[Herdfan]

I try and not let my car get below 1/4 tank and usually fill it up rather than just put a little in it.

The only time I will put just a little in is if I am on E, but want to get to a Kroger so I can use my Fuel Points for a discount before the month ends.

 

[eyoungren]

What's funny about this is it sounds like my parents. Dad would always fill the tank, but mom usually just got $5-10. And since they had an account at the local Gulf (anyone remember those) station, it wasn't about the money. Mom just hated waiting for her gas to be pumped.

I do recall Gulf. When I started to learn to drive though the most known where I was Unocal (Union 76).

For me, my $20 is largely a middle finger to the gas companies. $20 in the late 90s and early 00s filled my tank. But the gas companies have ONE pipleline burst in 2003 due to their own poor maintenance and ~$1.50 gas shoots up to $4.50 and when it comes back down a month or so later, guess where it settles? Over $2 a gallon - not back to ~$1.50 where it was before their own poor maintenance broke the pipes. So the gas companies took the opportunity to jack the price up, as they always do.

So, they get my $20 any time I have to get gas - and that's it.