Live: Supply Chain Struggles
Supply chain issues are inbound. I'm sure you haven't missed them, but they missed you, and they're coming to give you a big fat kiss.
Gif by foxhomeent on Giphy, Supply chains take the form of ginger children
With tariff shocks hitting many different sectors, products that were previously affordable can now simply not be sold for a profit, so they're no longer hitting shelves.
So what?
This will affect your wallet and shopping in two big ways:
Less supply + same demand = higher prices: I've mentioned it before, but the prices on a lot of the goods you consume will probably rise.
Less selection: With some goods no longer able to be sold at a reasonable price, they may just no longer be stocked. This would reduce selection of goods you regularly consume.
Price hikes may be obvious, such as your favorite guilty pleasure having a higher sticker (cool off on the carrot cake Carol!). But sometimes inflation is sneakier.
That family-size box of lucky charms? It may feed a family of one—cockroach. Your favorite protein bar? Less gains for you muscle momma.
Companies sometimes don't always raise prices, they shrink products!!!
Learn: Shrinkflation
Shrinkflation is inflation’s more sly (but just as ugly) younger sibling. You pay the same (or more) for an item, but you get less.
For example, your orange juice goes from 64 ounces to 60, nobody tells you (excuse me?!?), and it costs a dollar more.
Companies use shrinkflation to hide price increases while pretending everything's cool beans. It's not cool beans. Not at all.
Here’s how to catch it:
Compare package sizes over time. Don’t just look at price—look at per ounce or per unit. Knowing the amount you’re getting for your dollar is important.
Look for redesigns. A fresh label or new packaging often hides a smaller product.
Trust your instincts. If it feels like there are fewer Oreos in the sleeve... they probably did steal your cookies. Monsters!
Gif by sesamestreet on Giphy, Corporate America
The goal isn’t to spiral every time your pita chips lose half an inch (just me? my bad). It’s to become a conscious consumer who sees through the shrink-ray.
Leverage: Price Trackers
Price trackers allow you to do just that, but without much effort. They let you see how much something has cost over time, not just whatever companies are telling you it is in the moment.
They most often track Amazon prices, but there are some that track Walmart, Costco, and more.
I just signed up for CamelCamelCamel to track prices of some products I regularly get, but there are plenty of other options including Honey and Keepa that people use.
I think CamelCamelCamel will be great because:
The site tracks products for me so I am notified when something I regularly buy is cheaper.
I can review if something is abnormally high in cost and wait to purchase until it comes down (if it ever does).
The downsides I see are:
CamelCamelCamel is free, but their revenue model seems to be selling ads on their website. That said, I am uncertain how they use/if they sell my data somehow.
CamelCamelCamel is mainly meant for Amazon. There are other price trackers for Walmart/Costco/etc.
Quick reminder that I am not sponsored by any of the tools I note here. I wish I was! These are just the tools I use.
Launch!
This week, if you buy something at a store, check the quantity and the price.
Compare this price across other stores. Try to recall if you used to pay less, or got more for the same price. Or use a price tracker.
The point is: don’t shop passively. Be the kind of person who reads the label and the fine print. Shrinkflation might be sneaky, but you? You’re way too smart and sexy to be fooled.
Spend consciously, your financial wellbeing will follow ;).
Take care in these price-shaky times people.
Hey!
Thank you so much for being a part of this newsletter. I am grateful to write to you weekly and I hope this helps you feel more confident with your finances.
If you found this newsletter helpful, please share it with a friend and invite them to subscribe.
I have a goal of helping people learn personal finance. It works better when more people get my emails.
Thank you for helping me (and your friend) out!
—Ben Brosnahan
