SENIOR NEWS

By Matilda Charles Shrink ation: Beating em at eir Own Game

“Shrink ation.” at’s a word that’s been in the news lately, and one that we need to pay attention to.

We know prices are increasing on our groceries. We see it every time we look at the price tags on the shelves when we shop, and certainly at the checkout. But shrink ation is a di erent thing and can be harder to spot. Shrink ation is sneaky price increases.

In shrink ation, the prices don’t go up, but what we get comes down. is is impacting most things across grocery stores, including dairy, shampoo, meats, frozen foods, toilet paper, pet food, pastries, candy bars, laundry detergent, sliced cheese, tea bags ... well, everything.

Example: e price of a can of beans stays the same, but we get fewer ounces. Example: e price of a loaf of bread stays the same, but it’s smaller. Same with cereal, which you’ll have noticed when the box sizes changed.

In my case, one particular item (frozen meatballs) at my local store dropped from 64 meatballs to 56 ... fewer for the same money.

Keep an eye on the unit pricing on the tag on the grocery store shelf. Yes, it’s in tiny print (which is one reason to carry a small magnifying glass at all times), but the numbers will tell you the unit price per uid ounce, pound or count. Over time you’ll be able to see if you’re getting less for your money.

Look at generics to save money (and, in many cases, get a better product) or just change brands. Buy more than one if the price is good, but watch the expiration dates.

Lastly, consider signing up for a store’s loyalty card if you get cash bene ts for doing so, and sign up for the emailed weekly sales yer to shop from.

By shopping carefully, we can beat them at their own game.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

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DID YOU KNOW?

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