It used to be that when you went out shopping for a
new vehicle, you just might get a case of "sticker
shock". We all have experienced that first attack
but then the shiny exterior, and that aroma of "new
car" convinced us that while we may have to struggle
to pay for this vehicle, it was well worth it - we may
not really have needed just this one - but we bought
it anyway.
Enter the year 2008 and an economy that is about as
stable as a bowl of Jello. Speaking of jello, there is a
new shock in the lifestyle of the working class, and that
is "sticker shock" at the grocery store. It has not happened
overnight; in reality, it crept in slowly, along the dairy
aisle, then into the fresh fruits and vegetables, and even
down the bread/cake aisle. It is a slippery demon and it
has no mercy and no heart. The difference between the
sticker shock with a new car and one with food is that you
need the food, there is no resale value, and it won't last you
years. If you have children, it might make it from the car to
the house, as cellophane is ripped open, banana peels are
peeled back, and those chips are crunched and munched all the
way into the house.
Some savvy shoppers come armed with coupons, cents off, and
rebates for UPC symbols. If you are like most people, you stand
at the register and the fear of "how much is left in that checking
account" and do I really need eggs, bread, milk and laundry soap.
You put back the laundry soap and swear you will keep the kids
in cellophane so that no dirt gets where dirt can hurt. Good idea
but when three square meals a day for growing families comes into
play, then the ritual of rationing, cutting back, and even eliminating
is the battle plan. There is no whipped cream on the pudding, and
there are potatoes with every meal. You also slice the meat before
it gets to the table, and there is no more "family style" meals. They
are plated and they are weighed so that while everyone gets their
fair share, the bags of food you hauled home will last longer - you
hope.
The cost of feed is to blame with the triple increase in wheat. All
animals need feed so right there you are racking up double digit prices
on every meat package you pick up. Cereal at above $4.00 a box would
make even Jerry Seinfeld stop with all those cereal boxes on display on
his TV show - oh, that's right, those are reruns so he bought them when
prices were "sane." You then reach for that loaf of bread which the
experts are saying will reach well over $3.00 sometime this year. That
brings to mind a Bible verse that said, "a day's pay for a loaf of bread."
While we may not be quite there yet, cruising down the grocery aisles
now means sneaking up on all those free samples and making sure that
every child gets his share. Of course, mom and dad have to sample too
and make sure that the product is worth their consideration. Nice try,
but those sample ladies are probably being trained to spot those double
dippers - you just might be surprised to have your hand slapped as you
reach for just one more nibble - a preview of things to come -
Something to think about
©Arleen M. Kaptur
March, 2008
Arleen M. Kaptur has written many books and articles on everyday living and finding peace and joy in all we do.
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