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Friday, October 26, 2007

Prices

Last night I made a run up to Sam's Club to pick up a few items we were running low on.

When I got to the Pet Food Isle I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. Dog Food rose 25% almost overnight!

Look, this is just getting crazy! I love my animals and I'll pay whatever it costs to keep them happy as well. However, a 25% increase is just ridiculous out of nowhere. The last time I believe I said something it was about how they made the cat food bags smaller and the price of it went up a good 25%, if not more.

I just wonder when Americans are going to freak out, yes, even over something so stupid? There has to come a time when everyone says enough is enough. Just look what we're paying for a gallon of milk or a pound of meat. These are tangible items too.

Oh well, if you can't afford it any more, more than likely crime will go way up and people will simply start stealing it. No, I don't mean 50 pound bags of Dog Food. I mean like the Mob stealing the entire truck load.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are facing record inflation for the 2nd year in a row. Prices are going to continue to rise... it is not the manufacturers getting greeding and trying to get one over on us... their prices for raw ingredients are sky rocketing. Just as an example, dairy prices are up almost 95% over last year, soy bean oil market is out of control, corn market too... Guess what we use corn for?! ALMOST EVERYTHING.. making plastics, feeding cattle, feeding chickens, making tortillas, I could go on all day..

Government's great idea was to start using corn to make bio diesel fuel.. well guess what, now that you have taken an item that is a part of almost everything we manufacture and create a much higher demand for it.. BINGO- HIGHER PRICES.

This is just the start I fear..
Not to mention the price of fuel to get raw ingredients across the country to the plants that make this stuff either....

joe albero said...

Trust me, I know. I used to be one of the largest buyers of Polycarbonate in the Country for many years running. The cost of plastic is just unbelievable right now and manufacturers are dying out there.

Fortunately in my line of business it's a specialty market place and we can demand a much higher price and our end users can afford it.

My point is however, American's can only borrow so much to survive. I personally think people are beyond their limits already and the crash is going to be much bigger than anyone knows and or realizes. Time will tell!

Anonymous said...

It's funny to hear people that say they have money, complain about the cost of goods. What's another couple of bucks for a bag of dog food?

The most expensive bag at Sams is "Purina One With Yogurt" and it's $29.88 for a 44lb bag. Its actually $26.99 at petsmart.

joe albero said...

This Blog isn't just about Joe Albero. It's about representing all of you and not forgetting where I came from.

Criticize me all you like, you ultimately will look like the fool in the end.

Let me add, you are part of the problem in unsuccessful Americans.

You see, money is no object to many of you. Let me say this to you as an educational piece and listen good.

It's VERY simple to go out and make millions of dollars. It's FAR more difficult to keep it and manage it! Ask ANY good financial advisor that question and they'll agree.

90% of the people who win the Lottery go Bankrupt. That's a fact.

I happen to be tighter than a ducks ass and that's water proof! I live far below my means. Why, because I now own everything and the Banks don't own me.

When you get in that position, come back and we'll talk again. Till then, when I say the price of dog food just went through the roof, along with many other products, listen, pay attention and try doing something about it because the picture I'm drawing is far bigger than your brain is obviously willing to understand, respectfully.

Anonymous said...

Ha, and you know I don't have access to millions how?

I prefer to invest and live off interest.

Anonymous said...

Live off of interest? You better have multi-millions to do that.

Tim Chaney said...

Most likely the contaminated animal feed from China has had some impact on that market.

joe albero said...

Without coming off to arrogant, I can and do live off my interest, (4% tax free) VERY comfortably.

I am no longer, (nor will I ever be) invested in the Stock Market ever again.

Why people are so stupid to do so falls nothing short of gambling, IMO. Tell me ONE person that hasn't lost money on the Stock Market? Then tell me one person that has lost money in Real Estate? Buy Real Estate, they're not making it any more. LOL

Anonymous said...

I've made more money in both real estate and the stock market, than lost. It's still profitable if you are smart enough to know what to invest in and when to pull it out.

joe albero said...

Spoken like a true BS Artist Gambler, never losing, only winning. This is why they have Classes for such problems.

Anonymous said...

I never said I didn't loose with investing. But I won more than I lost.

Chimera said...

vq"This Blog isn't just about Joe Albero. It's about representing all of you and not forgetting where I came from."

Thank you,Joe.I have been saying for months now that there is an impending economic crash looming in the not so distant future,and unfortunately,you are a minority-most people in your position have no f*cking clue about the "real" world and how tough it has become.Most high-income people dont notice the way prices are skyrocketing because they arent concerned with sticking to a budget.
I hate to say it,but I think we are not only going to see more foreclosures and bankruptcies,but probably even some suicides,just like back in 1929.The "regular" people are used to hardships and have a good chance of persevering but for some who have never known financial adversity,its gonna be one big kick in the ass.Thanks again for "keeping it real' when most people in your position wouldnt care.

Anonymous said...

Also, another point to look at: How many Americans are now living pay check to pay check? So, that 25% jump is a huge amount!

Anonymous said...

Yes, bad times are a coming, I guess. But you can still make money on the market as long as you diversify your holdings and a good way to do that is through Mutual Funds for the average guy. I got in some mutuals back in the mid- 80's and receive a nice income each year from my holdings. Talk it over with your broker, he can put you in risky or secure funds, so you can rest easy in a time downturn. So, the market busts, its no big deal unless that is your only income in retirement. Joe, I wouldn't feel too smug about being heavy in real estate right now. It is down and will drop much further, I believe.
A. Goetz

joe albero said...

I beg to differ with you Art.

You of all people should know that any and all real estate I have ever purchased has always proven to be a major home run.

Think about it Art. What did I pay for the lots in Pittsville? What did I pay for the 2 acre lot and home on Herring Creek a few yhears ago? What did I pay for the Pittsville commercial properties and what did I sell one of them for? The Willards farm? Shall I continue? I doubt VERY seriously I could EVER lose a single penny on anything I bought, even in a major depression!

Anonymous said...

You couldn't sell your downtown Salisbury property for a profit now, without putting money into it to renovate it.

Anonymous said...

Doug Church spends all day reading Joe's blog. That's awesome!

Bob said...

It's funny the way everyone talks about landlords. Landlords have been around forever. I agree with Joe. Hawaii is one of the only places in the world making more real estate. The real estate here is one of the best investments you can make - if you buy it right. Maybe you can't flip it right away due to the condition of the market but as a long term investment.... you can't beat it. Also if the property is improved with a residence you can rent it until you decide to sell it. Regardless of the economy, people will always need a place to live.

Tim Chaney said...

I have always told people that invest in the stock market all they have is a piece of paper until they sell.

saponariae said...

It's like antiques...You may have a lot of them & supposedly valuable ones, but they aren't worth the space they take up if you don't sell them.

Also, I too went to Sam's, bought coffee. Their store brand, 100% arabice...$2.00 more, for 9 ounces less.(48 down to 39) Didn't realize it till I got home.
I WON'T buy it again. Little burns me up more!

Anonymous said...

Its a good thing people are building bigger homes, it won't be long before the family returns home to roost. I don't know how or why anyone would go out and buy these enormous homes knowing they couldn't afford them when the payment came do on their interest only mortgages.

People had better learn to live within their means or they'll learn what it is to do without, the hard way. I just had this conversation with a few farmer friends, they won't feel it as bad because they can and do grow their own and do for themselves for the most part. What about all of those in these developments with their neighborhood association contracts that say you can't grow anything but grass on your own property? They'll tell you like the US Army told the Dakota Indians..."Let them eat grass". People had better wake up and wake up soon, its not going to get easier for some time to come.

Donna

Chimera said...

Donna you are SOOOO right.There are people who will literally flip out when they go broke because they have never had to live without new cars every year,the finest clothes and the latest electronic gadgets.Being broke is nothing new to me and others like me so we will persevere.Its those people who have never known hard times who wont make it