Another trip to the grocery store [View all]

[moniss]

(the super mart, uh-huh) on Saturday and I'm noticing some more price reluctance as high priced meat sits longer and a greater amount of it sits in the case closer to the "sell/use" date than before. Cold meats in the deli are now fairly well all over $9.00 per pound and a good portion of them over $11.00. The deli counter was very quiet with only an occasional person walking up.

This was at the big chain place. The higher end place where I get good produce deals wasn't on my list this week but their "fresh" meat case has always been a tad higher but the clientele, with the exception of yours truly, has always been mostly upper middle class and above. Despite a higher price for things their meat department had always been very busy. Until now. I see noticeably fewer people buying or even approaching the counter.

Combined with a drastically reduced jobs report I am also seeing more vehicles sitting on front lawns with "For Sale" signs in the window. That's always been an indicator for me when I observe that things have "turned". Families reducing expenses and that "extra" vehicle and insurance cost is an important change to watch. Along with reducing vacations, meals out etc.

The pull back has been noticeable and it is wise for consumers. Many credit card companies have escalated interest rates to well over 20% and some with balances are seeing over 28%. Rough waters ahead and consumers would be wise to figure more on "making things last", stretching meals, cutting down on streaming/cable subscriptions, getting aggressive about reducing phone costs etc.