[zknicker]

I find those discounts too, but it's annoying that I have to.

The prices pre- and post- pandemic are undeniably higher for staples. I used to pay $4.99/lb of ground beef at regular sticker prices at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, etc. back in 2019. Those same offerings are consistently $5.99+.

To some it's certainly a small increase, but I see similar impacts across other products as well, and it all adds up. For example, Kerrygold butter used to go for $5.99 and now regularly goes for $7.99. Almond Milk used to be $3.99 ($2.79 on sale), and now routinely goes for $5. Most Cold Brew products I purchase have gone from $5.99 to $6.99 or $7.99. And Cream Cheese is one of the worst - 2 bars of Philadelphia Cream Cheese used to be $6 and now regularly sell for $9 - $10.

It's everywhere. I'm in NYC / LA, so might be different elsewhere (I'm sure these prices look insane to most people outside of cities).

[2600guy]

Not sure where you are near NYC, But I regularly buy 10lbs of chicken breast or boneless thighs for 1.99lb. for chopmeat I buy in bulk and most of the time for 1.99 lb at 10 lbs a pop. If I run out of the beef, can still get for 2.99lb. During shoprite sales I get enough canned veggies, pasta, tuna and tomato sauce/pureed for a year for under 200, then really all for the year is some meat, fresh veggies and fruit. Take the time and effort and you can save hundreds or a thousands a year or two on your shopping costs. Trader joes, king kullen and some others are the most expensive places you can shop, and when dealing with meat I will go to grocery store or the local butcher when they have a sale and stock up for months. I am single dad feeding 3, so every dollar counts in the end.