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Notes -
I think it depends. Yes a lot of it is “high end” stuff going higher, but I think the general point is also valid that if I want my groceries to cost about what they did a year ago, im only going to get there by downgrading my purchases. And I don’t blame people for complaining that a budget that a year ago included fresh chicken and beef is now downgraded to frozen chicken and ground beef. Or that a budget that could include the occasional treat of bakery cookies is now downgrading to Oreos.
The general point is valid for most people is absolutely true — most people are being forced by inflation to downgrade their lifestyle. Travel is definitely taking a hit as well. People who a year or two ago were flying to Florida and maybe booking a cruise are now looking for cheap local things to do because they simply can’t afford that anymore. Restaurants are definitely feeling the pinch when people look at the cost of living and realize that they don’t have the same amount of discretionary money they did last year.
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