Costco Wholesale Members: In-Warehouse Hot Buys Offer/Deals: See Thread for Pricing (valid through 3/6/22)

Safeway and similar stores are good if you can optimize your purchases according to their sales and stack with manufacturer's coupons. I used to do that maaany years ago and shocked the cashiers typically with how much I saved on every purchase. I do not have the time/patience for that anymore though. So yes, Aldi is a good option usually.

I like that they just throw random items that aren't on sale in these flyers: "hey guys, don't forget we sell dog food and mixed nuts too"

That. They're insanely quick in raising prices. Pecans went from from $10 to $13 in the last quarter. Pecorino Romano from $7 to $10. Produce inventory has been slimmed. Gas prices are within 1-3 cents compared to QT.

Some of their hidden inflation is also Walmart-style shady, reminds me of the sneaky switch from tellicherry to regular black while preserving exactly the same packaging.

I'm finding myself shopping at Aldi for regular grocery staples …

You're entitled to an opinion. I don't agree.

Costco saves me about $100/yr. on a prescription (best discount I could find anywhere). That, and the fact that their gas prices are the lowest around in my area makes the membership worth it. But I do agree, the 'sale' items aren't what they used to be.

That's really not an opinion, the chicken that are breed for their meat grow so fast with their under-developed bones.
Their body cannot support that much meat and actually crash their legs. Have you seen those 3-400lb human? That's what this breed is like.

The free range/pasture raised chicken are not regulated, so the farm could still be marked as such.
It's just a fact and easy to verify, If you ever pick up one of those rotisserie chicken, check out how tiny their bones are.

The post you replied to discussed EGGS. I then mentioned organic EGGS in another reply to you. I also mentioned it was necessary for people to do research, and use sources other than organic certification.
I'm through with discussing this with you. You don't read very carefully.

You seem to just want to argue. And you seem to think you are right. You're entitled to an opinion.. I'll be blocking you.

That. They're insanely quick in raising prices. Pecans went from from $10 to $13 in the last quarter. Pecorino Romano from $7 to $10. Produce inventory has been slimmed. Gas prices are within 1-3 cents compared to QT.

Some of their hidden inflation is also Walmart-style shady, reminds me of the sneaky switch from tellicherry to regular black while preserving exactly the same packaging.

I'm finding myself shopping at Aldi for regular grocery staples …

News reporting 7% inflation is so deceitful. Anyone whose been tracking prices on common items know it's 30% or more. Costco ham, eggs, gas, or pecans.

Don't agree. Eggs have been all weird around here. Like the one poster, I've seen within the last 3 months up and down between 89 cents to $1.69 for a dozen eggs, with a coupon leader at Kroger for 99 cents for 18 eggs. Milk as climbed up at our one Walmart from $0.69 to $0.99, but they were trying to screw with a new Aldi and were loss-leading eggs and milk. Most stores have gone up about 10 cents I believe.

Now I've got to admit ham prices suck compared to the last two years, I'm used to stocking up as we see pre-Xmas and pre-Easter sales. Nothing for ham pre-Xmas. But yet pork sausage links haven't changed at all (breakfast for very slim tween male who's grown 3 jean lengths in 2 years), but excellent turkey prices this year at Meijer for Thanksgiving. 99 cent whole chickens are still routinely available, instead of at all the stores just one or two chains but I haven't paid over that in years.

We also have a Mexican grocery that has had some phenomenal seasonal pricing, so between that, Meijer, and Aldi I've only seen light pressure on vegetables. The biggest consistent increase has been I see fewer $1 greens and typically end up paying $1.09, but you cannot "stock up" on greens. Onions have had very limited sales, same for potatoes.

I'm in a medium city/transport hub/lower cost red state that had a Democrat who kept us from having crippling medical inflation due to uncontrolled Covid costs (one of the higher red state vaccination rates). We have had some hard upward rental pressure, my daughter and her boyfriend had to find one this summer. The "fees", including very high non-refundable "background" as well as credit checks have become abusive. Housing is high as very little stock is coming on the market here. 7% seems about right when you factor in what has NOT gone up too much.

As for gasoline, look at pre-COVID pricing, and then factor in Ukraine. Lack of economic activity hurt petrol use for two years, so pricing is going to increase but look at the price shocks during various Mideast surprises. Until the Russia-Ukraine conflict sorts itself out, fossil fuel prices are an apples to chicken comparison.

Plastic totes have had few and far between sales for the last two or so years. They've been up 30-50%, COVID is not anybodies friend. Versus antibodies.

The Cauliflower pizza is a staple at my house. 2 pizzas for $13. On sale now for $10. I'd say good deal on this.

I see a few things I want. I'd say they are deals. The beets, the vented umbrella, the paper ream.

looks like the price is wrong on the ream of paper

In NYC area prices have unfortunately gone up substantially. Pre-inflation I could get dozen jumbo to extra large eggs for .99 Now I have to get them from Dollar tree medium for $1 but that went south since everything is $1.25 Yesterday they introduced half dozen eggs for $1.25 so bye bye Dollar Tree. Aldi has dozen large for $1.53 for this week, dunno if that price will last.

Milk was first to go up from $3.13 gallon to over $4 now. I go to Aldi & pay $3.53 gallon. In the lower income areas of Long Island NY the staple food prices will be lower but the gas I would pay getting there would offset the discount. I ride my bike locally to spare myself the gas price sticker shock.