Really, truly. Manufacturers and other businesses have been decreasing the size of grocery items while keeping the prices steady. Remember when ice cream was in a half gallon container? There are still a few manufacturers that sell half gallons, but most are smaller containers. I saw a half gallon container of ice cream at Trader Joe’s and was surprised at how  much larger the container seemed compared to what is being sold now. Instead of the 1.75 or 1.5 quart containers of ice cream, this was a full half gallon. When the package size decreases and the price stays the same, this is increasing the price per ounce. In the case of ice cream, this is over a ten percent price increase.

Even when an item is on sale, this doesn’t mean that the price is a good deal. Remember when notebook paper came in 200 sheet packages? The packages have decreased to 150 sheets. A dozen pencils, not anymore, more like 10 in a package.

To thwart this, wait until items are on sale or check the price or a larger or smaller sized package. Figure out the cost per piece or ounce. Even when items are on sale, the sale price may not be as great a deal as the regular price of a smaller or larger sized item. Think this isn’t true… next time you go to a fast food restaurant, check the price of a small medium and large soda. The price difference is generally negligible but the largest one is generally the best deal.