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If you've recently spent time on planet Earth, chances are that you’re no stranger to the soaring prices of, well, just about anything. These spikes are topping our expectations and pushing the already soaring U.S. inflation to extreme levels. According to the Labor Department, the May consumer price index (CPI), which measures cost changes in food, gas, housing, and many other goods and services, rose 8.6 percent over the last 12 months. That’s the highest it’s been since 1981. And we, the general folk, are definitely feeling the pressure.
While inflation is biting hard, our paychecks don’t go as far as they used to. It begins to feel almost impossible to afford to be a person these days, and people are having a hard time making ends meet. Looking for a way to vent, they wasted no time sharing their discoveries with everyone online.
We at Bored Panda have scoured the web and picked out some of the most painfully alarming examples of how inflation has been going wild. Continue scrolling, upvote the pictures that deeply resonated with your inner frustrations, and be sure to weigh in on the topic in the comments! If you’re in the mood for some similar price-gouging madness, check out our recent piece about shrinkflation right over here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Prices Only Go Up. No Down, Only Up
RELATED:
#2
Inflation Has Never Been "Transitory" For Working People Especially This Hell Of A Year
#3
A One Month Supply Of My Son's New Cystic Fibrosis Medicine. At $24,000, It's The Most Expensive Thing I've Ever Held In One Hand
Inflation has been driving the prices of grocery staples, home goods, beauty products, gas, services, and pretty much everywhere people spend their money. So naturally, it is making more and more Americans change their shopping habits. And the people affected by this most? Low-income families that are feeling the income and wealth inequality deepen to alarming levels.
According to Rachel Siegel and Andrew Van Dam, reporters at The Washington Post, price hikes are particularly devastating to households with already tight budgets. The main reason for this is that the majority of their expenses go to necessary everyday items such as food, energy, and housing — things that have seen some of the largest increases over the past year.
"Of the 10 categories with the highest levels of pandemic inflation analyzed by The Washington Post, lower earners spent a greater share of their total spending on most of them, from natural gas to beef," they wrote, adding that the highest earners outspent the lowest on cars and furniture.
#4
A Very Helpful Graph
#5
He Was
Agata Fronia 2 years ago
I really do not understand why people below age 25 are earning less, like it is not like that when you are 24 you are showing your ID you are paying less for rent/bills/itd,
Wealthier Americans won’t feel as affected by inflation because of their spending habits: "They spend more of their budget on retirement accounts, mortgages and investments, and less on the necessities, such as energy or groceries, that are squeezing budgets around the country." Moreover, they have stronger protections shielding them against increasing prices. They already own homes, have substantial retirement savings, and their investments will probably outpace inflation in the long run.
#7
Ben And Jerry’s Is So Expensive Where I Live That They Have To Put Security Devices On Each Pint
Will Cross 2 years ago
You know things are bad when people have to steal food because they can't afford it. How on God's green earth do people think it's normal or ok to deny humans actual food all because they don't have or earn enough money? Everyone has to eat to stay alive and continue to fuel themselves so they can continue to work as hard as they do. There's plenty of food for all of us, yet somehow we've been convinced that folks should go hungry if they don't or can't back it up with money. Placing a condition on eating is extremely inhumane and wrong. Why can't people understand that? It's not like people are out here trying to take advantage of food and get over. They just want to have a full belly and eat FFS! We already kill ourselves working and barely get to enjoy our existence. Just imagine also having to come to the realization that you will be denied the very thing you need to keep going. All because money is desired more over you being able to eat and feed your family. Just let that sink in and know that no one should be put in that situation to begin with. Not when we have so much food that gets wasted as it is. They'd rather deny you actual food and throw it away than see it go to someone for free. That's how you know our entire m system is intentionally choosing to hurt us while constantly convincing everyone that this is normal or it has to be like this. No it does not and no it should not ever be something any of us have to struggle with. If you think differently than I'm afraid you are one of those people that has been made to think it's just another day at the office and all of this atrocious treatment going on is normal. I can firmly tell you, you are wrong.
#8
You Peel The Sticker Off To See The Original Price Of $1.99
#9
I Just Want To Give My Students Some Snacks Without Going Broke
Peacemaker21 2 years ago
Aww it's gonna be hard to get teachers like you who give students snacks :(
So, unfortunately, lower-income workers usually feel only the negative side of inflation. "Their rent goes up. Their heating oil prices go up. Their grocery bills go up. And there’s no room for higher prices in their already stretched budgets. Plus, with stimulus benefits and child-tax credit payments long gone, many have exhausted their financial cushions."
Xavier Jaravel, a London School of Economics professor stated that for low-income Americans, a small change in disposable income is very difficult to cope with. "Every bit of additional inflation just reduces purchasing power," he added. "If you have a large income, which often goes with the fact that you’re saving a lot, then losing some of your purchasing power is not a big cost."
#10
Walmart Is Getting Real Honest With Inflation These Days
#11
This Play Money Costs 5x Real Money
#12
I’m An Art Teacher - Old Tube Price vs. New
Fear of losing our hard-earned savings makes us want to stockpile goods and let emotions overtake our decisions. And as it turns out, doing so can only make matters worse. As Michael Finke, a professor of wealth management at The American College of Financial Services, told NBC News, "People tend to have a rational response to gains but an emotional response to loss."
He explained that loss is processed in the limbic, otherwise known as the emotional part of our brain, and gains register in the prefrontal cortex, where cognitive behavior is processed.
#13
I Really Need To Ration My Breathing
Denise Solomon 2 years ago
On the other hand $17.99 isn't that much for a prescription when some ppl pay $80, $90, $100+ for scripts
#14
The Picture Shows 8 Mozzarella Sticks, I Received 3. It Cost $12
#15
A Grocery Store In Germany Has Started Importing Arizona Ice Tea Cans And Covering Up The 99¢ With Mini American Flag Stickers
"When inflation is bad and people expect it to continue or get worse, they generally tend to not save money and try to buy durable goods before the price rises," George Loewenstein, professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, added. He continued by explaining that people are rushing to get products that are not frequently replaced, "to the extent that doing that increases demand relative to supply — that can exacerbate inflation" and can become "a self-reinforcing cycle."
#16
Inflation Measured In Costco Beef Rib Units
Heather Talma 2 years ago
Guys the weight is more but the price per pound is also more and the product name is exactly the same. Read the entire label.
#17
Inflation Has Been Hitting Everything
Susan Bosse 2 years ago
Lids are different. Probably cut:chopped differently which would explain the difference.
#18
Some Interesting Boxing Day Prices At H&M Today
While we patiently wait for inflation to level off, there are a few things to consider to make our lives a tad easier. Jay Zigmont, a certified financial planner, explained that "you may have been able to just make it before without a budget, but with inflation, a budget becomes a must." And while the first month will be rough, and you may get things wrong at first, he suggested to keep on trying.
According to him, it takes three to six months to make budgeting part of your life, and he advised budgeting based on "musts, shoulds, coulds, and won’ts." Musts include things we can’t live without — housing, utilities, insurance, and transportation. After you take care of your musts, you can move on to shoulds, things like debt, investing and saving. "If you are in debt," Zigmont added, "you may not have money left over for your coulds."
#19
Feels Like False Advertising. Fees And Taxes Are More Than The Room Rate. Airbnb
#20
How Are People Even Existing?
#21
I've Been Seeing A Lot Of Those "What $x Can Get You In 2022" Posts. Just Wanted To Remind Those Of You Who Have Access To Take Advantage Of The Produce Section. $68
"In a time where items cost more and budgets are stretched, the importance of being intentional with our purchases and comparing items or focusing on relative price to stay within your budget becomes even more important," Kendall Clayborne, a certified financial planner, added that practicing intentional spending will go a long way.
#22
$100 Worth Of Groceries
#23
That's A Bloody Outrage, It Is
#24
It Was $4.39. Now It’s $6.39. It’s Not Inflation, It’s Price Gouging
Of course, think about asking for a raise. "In today’s job market, employers are eager to retain employees, and keeping them happy is the best way to do that," Bert Bean, the CEO of national staffing company Insight Global, explained. And remember, with inflation reaching record heights, not getting a raise is nearly equivalent to receiving a pay cut. So if your employer is not willing to offer a pay bump, consider making a career switch or picking up a side hustle whenever you have the time.
#25
You Know Inflation Is Out Of Control When Chicken Wings Are "Market Price"
#26
Baby Milk Locked In Boxes With Prices Going Up Weekly. Very Depressing
Bonniebluebutler 2 years ago
Have a baby, they said. It'll be fun, they said. Give up all hope of ever owning a home, they didn't say.
#27
Quaker Oatmeal Advertises 35% Less Sugar, But In Reality, They're Just Selling 35% Smaller Portions But For The Same Price
Frank Miller 2 years ago
That would be illegal advertising. By law any claim like that has to be a per serving, not per package, statement.
#28
Worked Out To Be $46.90
jamesmcwhirty 2 years ago
When I emigrated to Oz I was told the snakes and spiders would kill me. They were wrong. It's the grocery bill. Always has been.
#29
This Free Air Costs $2.00
#30
I'm Ok With Living With Covid. I'm Not Too Sure About Living With Inflation And Scurvy
Manners are free 2 years ago
I have never found anything in costlco cheaper than the main two leading supermarkets. If I do pop in to Costco I always have the other totes app on my phone to double check.
#31
Just Charge What It Costs. You're Not Ticketmaster
#32
Is The Queen Of England In Town Or Something?
#33
Clever Example Of Inflation
#34
Find The Difference. Hint: They Were The Same Price But Purchased A Couple Of Weeks Apart
#35
Gillette Now Sells 4 Packs Of Blades Instead Of 5 Packs. Still The Same Price And Even The Same Packaging
#36
Netflix’s Annual Revenue In 2021 Was Almost $30 Billion. They Celebrate This By Raising Prices Yet Again
#37
The Fees, Taxes And Tip Is Almost Equal To The Cost Of The Food Ordered
Raymond Taylor 2 years ago
That's assuming everybody ordering on DoorDash is able bodied when that's simply not the case.
#38
No Chips Because Inflation. Sign At My Local Restaurant
#39
Honest Inflation
#40
I Got Charged A 3% “Living Wage” Fee So That Employees Earn A Living Wage Instead Of The Bar Paying Them
#41
Old Iranian 100 Rial Bill Now Worthless vs. 1 Million Rial Bill Now Worth About $3.33. Inflation Is Crazy
grey galah 2 years ago
LOVE collecting paper money from places i've visited. Would love a Balboa - the last currency of Panama before USD.There was a 5 Balboa note sold at auction in 2021 for $36,000 USD. That's not due to inflation though. The billion pound note i got in Zimbabwe, however, is.
#42
Time To Get Chickens? $14 For Eggs. Last Week There Was None Now The Inflation Hits
David de Fortier 2 years ago
Im a farmer and i only get $3,50 for that dozen of eggs. The greed is too savage from the retailers & agents. I think the days of supermarkets in malls are going to be over soon
#43
I Know Things Are Getting Smaller But Really?
#44
Guys Seriously What Is Going On
grey galah 2 years ago
it's misleading. the cost of petrol (gas) in Australia [this is a suburb in Sydney] is given in this odd format. Read $1.98 [really 97.9] for unleaded and apply the same rule down. That's for a litre. One US gallon = 3.78 litres. That's about $7.48 AUD a gallon or $US 5.18. YES, i'm a very bored panda today and bamboo tastes good.
#45
Fuel Prices In Finland
#46
Prices In Los Angeles. How Much Is Everybody Else Paying?
#47
How Do These Non-Alcoholic Drinks Justify Their Premium Price? This Was Taken At Woolies
#48
My Mate Showed Me The Menu Pricing For A Fancy Japanese Restaurant And The Footnote Says
Service charge of 5% on weekdays & Saturdays, 10% on Sundays, 15% on public holidays applies
Doesn’t this violates Consumer Affairs’ “single price requirement”? Since the price you see is not the price you pay?
Why wouldn’t the restaurant just increase the menu price by 5% overall and charge 5% Sunday and 10% on public holidays?
Molly Whuppie 2 years ago
That restaurant is in Melbourne Australia. I'm not sure of the legality, but Dominos does that in Aus too, adds a surcharge for public holidays. My guess is they get away with it as its a "Service Charge" and not part of the meal cost.
#49
Inflation In One Picture. Prices On All Food Have Been Going Parabolic. Half A Dozen Bagels Was 3.29 Now It's 5.49! Lower And Middle Class Americans Cannot Survive This
Stoopham McFernybabes 2 years ago
Parabolic? Doesn’t that mean the prices will come down just as fast? Do you mean exponentially? It’s been a while since I’ve done that kind of maths so I’m happy to be corrected
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What do you think ?
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 2 years ago
Isn't this remarkably similar to how things were in France just prior to the French Revolution? Idk but this surely does feel like how it must have been when watching Rome fall.
Sleepy_Child 2 years ago
I didn't cry, but I felt about the same. Our world is really messed up with money
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I'm old enough to remember the 1970s and the interest rates, etc. Everyone take a deep breath and calm down. And stop voting for corporatized politicians, if that's even possible anymore in t he US....
MorgothBauglir 2 years ago
Paul Volcker's interest rates are regarded as necessary to end the Stagflation caused when the Federal Reserve kept the money supply over economic growth (though, admittedly, they did cause a separate recession of their own).
Load More Replies... Mer☕️🧭☕️ 2 years ago
Isn't this remarkably similar to how things were in France just prior to the French Revolution? Idk but this surely does feel like how it must have been when watching Rome fall.
Sleepy_Child 2 years ago
I didn't cry, but I felt about the same. Our world is really messed up with money
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I'm old enough to remember the 1970s and the interest rates, etc. Everyone take a deep breath and calm down. And stop voting for corporatized politicians, if that's even possible anymore in t he US....
MorgothBauglir 2 years ago
Paul Volcker's interest rates are regarded as necessary to end the Stagflation caused when the Federal Reserve kept the money supply over economic growth (though, admittedly, they did cause a separate recession of their own).
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
