6 Inflation-Proof Products the Middle Class Should Always Buy
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Travis Woods
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A recent study revealed that fast food meals have risen in price, on average, by 60%. Industry leader McDonald’s is the biggest culprit with price hikes of 100% or more. But, fortunately for middle-class shoppers, you can still enjoy some of your favorite foods at prices that are mostly immune to inflation.
1. Arizona Ice Tea (99 cents)
You may remember grabbing a giant, 23-ounce can of Arizona ice tea for 99 cents. The company has, so far, managed to avoid raising the price, but the can has shrunk to 22 ounces. Consumers would consider this “shrinkflation,” where prices remain the same, but serving sizes change.
However, co-founder Don Vultaggio offered another reason besides cutting costs, “We changed the can lid in order to save some aluminum,” he told Yahoo Finance.
2. Costco Hot Dog and Soda Combo ($1.50)
Costco’s iconic hot dog and soda combo has remained the same size, and the same price, for decades. Although Costco execs have hinted at raising membership prices next year, it’s likely the hot dog and soda combo price will stay the same.
If you want to purchase a 20 oz. fountain soda by itself, however, you’ll pay an extra 10 cents compared to 2021 prices.
3. Costco Rotisserie Chicken ($4.99)
Likewise, if you’re looking for a dinner that’s a little bit healthier, you can still grab a juicy, delicious rotisserie chicken for under $5.
4. Sam’s Club Organic Grass Fed Ground Beef ($4.98 per pound)
If you’re up for cooking, stop by Sam’s Club and grab ground beef at the pre-pandemic price of $4.98 per pound. HeavenlyHomemakers.com said the price has stayed the same for years. The supermarket Lidl also offers grass-fed ground beef for $4.98 per pound.
5. Chicken Legs (98 cents per pound)
Costco and Sam’s Club also sell chicken legs, perfect for summer cookouts, for just 98 cents a pound, according to HeavenlyHomemakers.com. This price hasn’t gone up in recent history.
6. Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
Your daily coffee habby isn’t immune to inflation, but it isn’t costing you as much, adjusted for inflation, as it did 10 years. ago. A Starbucks Caramel Macchiato only costs 17% more today than it did 10 years ago, which means the price has risen slower than inflation.
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