Thursday, September 01, 2022

Inflation: Oy Vey, Since When Did Dental Floss Go Up To Almost $10.00?!?

I went to Target last week to pick up a few things and was SHOCKED to see the price increase on the dental floss that I use, which comes in a 2-pack. 

*note: I remember not long ago, when I paid $4.95 for this same value pack...

In fact, I was so shocked at the price increase, I blurted out to the woman who was standing next to me in the aisle, "Well...I never thought I'd see the day when I would be paying almost TEN DOLLARS for dental floss!?!" And she agreed. She said that every time she goes to buy something, the price is significantly higher than before. 

Here, take a look at the wrinkled receipt that I dug out of my trash can. Notice how the dental floss is more expensive than the toothpaste. Also notice that the toothpaste is taxed, but not the dental floss. Which is confusing because both of those items are specifically listed on the PA non-taxable "cosmetic" list.

Between the two, the total came to: $18.42.

And that doesn't include the two different mouthwashes I use daily - one to keep my gums healthy ($10.50), and one to reduce tooth stains ($8.99). And just to prove how OCD I am about oral care, I also use GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens to help reduce plague between my teeth ($9.29). 

$18.42

$10.50

$8.99

$9.29

--------

So if you total everything up, I spend $47. 20 (plus tax) on oral care per month (I brush, floss, and use a mouthwash after every meal). 

And at the rate these prices are inflating, it'll be cheaper for me to just let my teeth rot out of my head and spend the rest of my life eating jarred baby food.

And speaking of food, I'm sure you've all noticed the huge price increases at your grocery stores. 

OMG, have you seen the price of a single avocado?!?!?!

As you all know, I worship avocados and eat one everyday. I get them at Trader Joe's because they normally offer the best prices. However, they have now escalated to OVER $3.00 per avocado, whereas before I could get them for $1.49. But I refuse to give up (or cut back) on my passion for avocados, so I purchase them anyway. 

And another price increase I've noticed is bottled water. 

I drink a lot of water. Particularly during the hot, humid summer months. In fact, I am like a camel when it comes to drinking water. I usually carry a 16.9 oz. bottle in my backpack whenever I'm out and about, and also at work. My job entails a lot of talking; therefore, my throat gets dry. Besides, where I work, the A/C barely functions, so it's hotter than a seat in hell.  

Sometimes I'll run into Walgreens or Rite-Aid to grab a bottle of water before work or on my lunch break. I used to purchase a bottle anywhere from $1.65 - $1.95. Yet, now they're priced anywhere from $2.69 - $2.99 and over. 

Oh, and one last thing. Gas prices.

I can't imagine still owning a car and filling the gas tank because I've heard how high the price of gas has climbed. At one point, my store manager (who drives to work) told me that gas in New Jersey was OVER $5.00 per gallon at the pumps. 

Yes, inflation has been very challenging for all of us. Hopefully in the new year, things will start to swing back the other way. And I emphasize the word, hopefully.

Fingers crossed...

 Have a fantastic rest of your week, y'all!

💗 & 🤞

 

*Have any of your favorite items (food or otherwise) gone sky-high?