Bobby Superb, an awkwardly laden with loose groceries, left the Carrs Safeway in Midtown Anchorage last Wednesday. He had a jug, pastries, and a bag of Tamales.
“Just a few things. Because they charge me for bags, I avoid them. He said, “Just, you know, odds & ends, the last bit of my money.”
Superb stated that he is a retired merchant mariner, and a school teacher on a fixed-income. Superb said he is eligible for food benefits but has not received them due to the state’s long processing backlog.
He laughed and said, “That was wonderful during the holidays, but to be left without,”
You have probably noticed a lot of price increases in the past year, especially for groceries. Different analysts offer differing opinions about what is to come. However, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food prices were higher than last year.
Superb claimed that it has made him eat less.
He said, “Meat products, fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive because they’re costly, you know.” I purchase two bananas instead of six. I buy two bananas instead of one whole. This makes them last longer and allows me to eat more.
He said he has lost a lot of weight. His dog Jersey has stopped eating.
“Now, he only eats plain dog food.” Superb stated that he used to eat hamburgers with his food. “I don’t have the money to buy his extras.”
Many of our spending habits have changed over the past few years.
Ryan Greene said, “I’m cheaper now,” after he bought a gallon at the Carrs last Wednesday.
Greene also said that he has reduced the amount of meat he purchases, which was once a week to one or two per month. He now buys fewer groceries and more fast food.
Greene stated, “I go to Costco often, too, where, the Costco food court — it’s that cheap.” “That’s what gets me through.”
He also said that he fasts from time to time.
Greene stated, “It’s great that gas has been going down. That helps.”
Neal Fried, an economist for Alaska Department of Labor, is a veteran. He stated that he has never witnessed an economy as strong, with pandemic restrictions, large federal relief efforts, and recovery now.
Fried stated, “I’m glad that I’m still an economics during this period ’cause it was one of the greatest things to happen and watch & measure that I have ever had happen in all the years I’ve been doing these,”
Fried stated that inflation has been around 1.5% for about a decade. He predicted that it would be about 8% in 2022.
“Most dramatic events and recessions are unexpected.” Fried stated that it was a quick, unexpected surprise and something we have never had to deal.
Of course, inflation affects pay, too. Are Alaska’s wages increasing at the same rate as Alaska’s price rises?
Fried said, “It all depends.” Fried said, “It depends.”
