Amanda Aronchik

OK, so we looked this up and between 2019 and 2023, grocery prices did increase by 25 percent, as Jen said. And broadly, overall inflation was less. It increased by nearly 18 percent. Now, of course, inflation was a huge issue in this past election. And Trump has promised to bring down the cost of groceries. Right. So Greg Roselski, our newsletter writer, a little bit about Jen.

Jen watches grocery prices closely. She even made a spreadsheet where she tracked how much she was spending on things like eggs and ground turkey and milk, I think. Love spreadsheets. Love a spreadsheet. So what do you think is the answer to her question? Why are groceries still so expensive, even though inflation overall has slowed?

Jen watches grocery prices closely. She even made a spreadsheet where she tracked how much she was spending on things like eggs and ground turkey and milk, I think. Love spreadsheets. Love a spreadsheet. So what do you think is the answer to her question? Why are groceries still so expensive, even though inflation overall has slowed?

Jen watches grocery prices closely. She even made a spreadsheet where she tracked how much she was spending on things like eggs and ground turkey and milk, I think. Love spreadsheets. Love a spreadsheet. So what do you think is the answer to her question? Why are groceries still so expensive, even though inflation overall has slowed?

So first of all, I got to say, Jen, I feel you. Grocery prices do seem really high. But, you know, to answer this question, the first thing I want to do is just sort of like sort out this difference between the price level and inflation. So to clarify, the price level is like, you know, the general or average level of prices of goods and services in the economy. Inflation is different, though.

So first of all, I got to say, Jen, I feel you. Grocery prices do seem really high. But, you know, to answer this question, the first thing I want to do is just sort of like sort out this difference between the price level and inflation. So to clarify, the price level is like, you know, the general or average level of prices of goods and services in the economy. Inflation is different, though.

So first of all, I got to say, Jen, I feel you. Grocery prices do seem really high. But, you know, to answer this question, the first thing I want to do is just sort of like sort out this difference between the price level and inflation. So to clarify, the price level is like, you know, the general or average level of prices of goods and services in the economy. Inflation is different, though.

It's an increase in the price level. It's the change, not the level. So how about this? So think of an inflatable pool. An inflatable swimming pool, like one of those kiddie pools? Maybe a big one so I could get in and swim around. Okay. The height of the water is kind of like the price level. And now imagine there's a hose going into this pool. Okay, we're filling up the inflatable pool here.

It's an increase in the price level. It's the change, not the level. So how about this? So think of an inflatable pool. An inflatable swimming pool, like one of those kiddie pools? Maybe a big one so I could get in and swim around. Okay. The height of the water is kind of like the price level. And now imagine there's a hose going into this pool. Okay, we're filling up the inflatable pool here.

It's an increase in the price level. It's the change, not the level. So how about this? So think of an inflatable pool. An inflatable swimming pool, like one of those kiddie pools? Maybe a big one so I could get in and swim around. Okay. The height of the water is kind of like the price level. And now imagine there's a hose going into this pool. Okay, we're filling up the inflatable pool here.

You turn it on, you're filling it up. So the water going into the pool, that's inflation, right? So when the pool is filling quickly, the rate of inflation is high. But when you close the spigot a little bit, the water then slows to a trickle. And now the pool is filling up less quickly. That's the rate of inflation slowing down.

You turn it on, you're filling it up. So the water going into the pool, that's inflation, right? So when the pool is filling quickly, the rate of inflation is high. But when you close the spigot a little bit, the water then slows to a trickle. And now the pool is filling up less quickly. That's the rate of inflation slowing down.

You turn it on, you're filling it up. So the water going into the pool, that's inflation, right? So when the pool is filling quickly, the rate of inflation is high. But when you close the spigot a little bit, the water then slows to a trickle. And now the pool is filling up less quickly. That's the rate of inflation slowing down.

Okay, so that's pretty much the situation that we are in now, right? The inflation hose is slower than it was, but that does not mean that the water level or the price level is lower. Price of groceries is still really high.

Okay, so that's pretty much the situation that we are in now, right? The inflation hose is slower than it was, but that does not mean that the water level or the price level is lower. Price of groceries is still really high.

Okay, so that's pretty much the situation that we are in now, right? The inflation hose is slower than it was, but that does not mean that the water level or the price level is lower. Price of groceries is still really high.

Yeah, so as you said earlier, Amanda, grocery prices have actually outpaced overall inflation over the last five or so years. And mind you, groceries are something we buy all the time. So we've all really noticed these high prices, right? Like every time you go to the grocery store, you're like, dang it, these eggs are, I don't know, like a million dollars.

Yeah, so as you said earlier, Amanda, grocery prices have actually outpaced overall inflation over the last five or so years. And mind you, groceries are something we buy all the time. So we've all really noticed these high prices, right? Like every time you go to the grocery store, you're like, dang it, these eggs are, I don't know, like a million dollars.

Yeah, so as you said earlier, Amanda, grocery prices have actually outpaced overall inflation over the last five or so years. And mind you, groceries are something we buy all the time. So we've all really noticed these high prices, right? Like every time you go to the grocery store, you're like, dang it, these eggs are, I don't know, like a million dollars.

Like a billion dollars for eggs.