There's been much talk in the news about grocery costs climbing much
faster than inflation, but 50% seems a bit outrageous. Hopefully it'll
average down some in March.
Milk has been hit especially hard. Two years ago, we were paying just
under $2/gallon. Last week, it was up to $3.15 at the same Cumberland
Farms store.
We are also starting to see the same inflation in our local breakfast
places. Two years ago, it was easy to find two eegs / potatoes & toast
under $2. It's now hard to find many under $3.
Prices go up. That's for sure. Farmers are being reamed due to increased
cost of energy, plus many are dealing with unusually bad growing
conditions, and the cost to transport farmed goods to market is going up
very quickly due to higher gas prices.
Don't forget to figure in your eating out costs. Have your dining out
habits changed?
Or have you added any pets to the family? More entertaining?
Actually, the cost of sunflower seeds went up from about $14 / 50 lbs
last year to $22 this year, although that does not get included in our
grocery costs.