How to survive inflation (Marketplace)

The cost of living is higher than it’s been in 40 years. As prices go up, consumers are often paying more for less — sometimes without even realizing it. In this episode we follow reporter Travis Dhanraj as he investigates the sneaky ways in which inflation could be affecting consumers, and delve into the different types of ‘flation’ — from shrinkflation and tipflation to greedflation and others.

CORRECTION: At 11:04 the unit price calculation is incorrect. It should be 38 cents/100g instead of 0.38 cents/100g and 66 cents/100g instead of 0.66 cents/100g.

#Inflation #Canada #CBCMarketplace

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[bdub]

I love how our leaders denied inflation at first, then it became transitory, then no chance of recession, then mild recession, then recession with soft landing… next depression

[string]

As a server who relies on tips, don't worry about not tipping (restaurants are a bit different but for kiosks, barista, etc. don't worry about tipping). We see so many people everyday within 5 minutes we've forgotten about you. Canadians are so polite it feels uncomfortable to not tip but you have to understand that our jobs are so fast paced we don't even think about it. Being a server has made it very easy for me to feel comfortable not tipping kiosk-type establishments because I've been on the other end. Even if they do bad-mouth you, why do you care about someone's opinion that whines about wanting a tip for handing you food in a drive thru?

[kurts]

Aquaflation and shrinkflation is not just in food products, it's in soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, candles and much more.

[constanzza]

Since I immigrated to Canada in 2004, the packages have shrunk dramatically, some by 50% and some prices have doubled. Which means that the prices for some food items have quadrupled in 18 years. A healthy and saving strategy would be to cook from scratch. Which means, do not buy canned pumkin filling, buy the real pumkin etc. Thus Big Food will not manipulate the content of your meals to water them down or sugar them up.

[qienna]

Some cafes in New Zealand have tip jars nowadays, but people don't generally put anything in them and your average worker would actually be highly offended if you tried to tip as it would suggest they can't afford to support themselves. It's the employer's responsibility to pay the employee's wages, not me.

[Rottimail]

We no longer have competition in Canada because industries get together and create associations of some kind where they agree on keeping their individual prices relatively the same so there literally is no cheaper place to shop. There is no competition and they set it up that way. They've turned it into a cartel and the government doesn't do anything about it. Take Galen Weston for example.

[peteyandjaydee]

I've worked in various restaurants for 5+ years. End tipping, add the tip to the menu price, pay your employees a living wage.

[nguyenphuongchang]

Yup this insane tipping thing in Canada. Almost everywhere now asks for tip, at least 15%. So tip+tax is around 30%+. Some restaurants just charge straight 20% tip without posting up front. Others don't even serve and still ask for tips. Another bad thing is, some shops without serving, their machines have the tip button. This makes the customers feel uneasy if they don't give. Shops and restaurants etc. Need to pay their workers enough money and not to lay this on the customers.

I now hardly go to restaurants, cut my own hair, brew my own coffee, bake my own food...as I can't afford to pay at least 30% on top of already increased high prices in everything...

I wish all countries with tipping follow Japan where there's no tip system and the servers would feel disrespectful if you give them tip. This is self respectful with the thinking that you work to earn.

[ecocentrichomestead]

I'm 47, I have always checked the unit price when deciding to buy a product. Meat, for instance, had to be less than $1 per 100g.
There's several condiments that are mostly water. One can buy the ingredients separately and easily make the product without water and less expensive.
The method of saving on groceries, that anyone can do, is to learn to cook from scratch and make one's own condiments.

[Jen-zkse]

Stopped at a corner store for a bottle of water and a pack of gum and there was a tip option and a jar on the counter. Wtf even..

[danv]

Brazil has it right. Often we see “New Look” or similar on packaging when it really is new size (for the same price).

[janiekcarney]

I hate being asked to tip. It’s my choice. When they tell me how much to tip, I tip zero.

[shell-jan]

Unify the price per unit!! Sometimes it’s price/1kg, sometimes price/10g, sometimes price/1lb. It’s totally not consumer-friendly! Europe has clear regulations about price per unit to help consumers make choices. I’m surprised that Canada doesn’t

[ChantalRussell]

That diner owner who eliminated tipping is my freaking hero!! I’d vote that dude into office.

[jiml]

What's often not discussed in inflation is cars. Cars are expensive machines. We pay thousands to government to maintain highways and avenues. We pay a record amount for gas, not to mention the crazy prices lately to buy a new car in the first place. The problem is our cities/suburbs are designed for cars. You can't live without one! If you want savings, then every Canadian should be looking right now into their local governments and telling them cities need to be overhauled. Better transit, more bike lanes and more pedestrian infrastructure is a big answer to our inflation. It's cheaper and saves our environment.

[yayaaa]

I am so annoyed with the ‘tip’ option now at every store. I feel bad not to tip, but in actuality there is no table services why should I even be putting in this position? I demand a regulation with the tipping option showing up in the machines for these shops without actual table service! Also the suggested amount is not cheap, they usually starts with a 15%. I am glad that I am not the only one finding this conduct not fair to customers. From now on I will not tip for takeouts, bakeries or coffee shops etc.

[hunterslaptop]

Now they want you to buy 3 or more to get a deal on the price. What the hell am I going to do with 36 buns? It hurts the most disadvantaged that may not have freezers, large pantries etc.

[thomasabraham]

CBC Market Place - you guys are doing a fantastic job.

[nielgibson]

Practical measures: Vote wisely (our leaders are the major players in all of these), Spend only on necessities, Pay attention to your health, Invest locally and internationally and while at it, always make correct inquiries so you don't throw your money in the wind or better still, get the services of an expert (that way, you give little room for error). Made and saved up quite a reasonable amount this way and I think can comfortably wait out this "phase". Good luck!

[rushabhgada]

Agree on the tipping piece! Pay the workers fair and regulate tipping at the legislature level to enforce these fair wages. Literally everywhere we go now, people are expecting a tip!