This is difficult to explain. I can’t figure out a rule of thumb for spending, the prices of things fluctuate so quickly it’s confusing. Here are some examples
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A house, prices are out of control, inventory is low, sellers are greedy. I’m feeling not only unable to afford it but finding lack of value in inflated prices
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Computer parts. Relatively cheap compared to pandemic but more expensive than before but also much cheaper than 90s/00s, but still could be cheaper
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TWS earbuds, completely different ball game from regular earbuds, disposable electronics.
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Food. Nights out with drinks now sometimes cost me more than 2 & 3, but seem like just keeping up with inflation
The prices range from 100,000s to 100s, but some are fleeting, some semi permanent, some last a long time. I also spend hours researching prices of parts and waiting for sales, but spending the same amount on social events in an instant
I think we’re seeing large scale price gouging.
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/03/1160849446/why-price-gouging-can-seem-obvious-to-consumers-but-hard-for-economists-to-ident
Their arguments assume businesses operate in good faith. We fundamentally know that it’s not true, from overseas child labor by fast fashion to coal mining to IT security. This economist of theirs can fuck off
The bigger the business, the more likely they make their money unethically.
Economists work for the economy, which works for shareholders.
Yeah, definitely business taking advantage of COVID era shortages that caused prices to spike, and continuing to carry those prices despite not having the same shortages anymore.