Yesterday as we stopped in Bridgewater to grab some groceries, I saw a friend with his wife just leaving and we commented that we are not the only couple that goes on grocery store “dates”. There are so many times I think about the cost of entertainment today. I still remember the common summer evening activity of driving around with no purpose. Movies were cheap and a meal at a restaurant was not a concerning cost. The cost of everything is up, it is scary to think of the changes, even over the past 10 years.
Gas is a big one that we are reminded of each week when the price adjusts, sometime numerous times throughout the week. The experts say what I have been assuming for awhile now. I said that once gas hit the $1.50 per litre mark we would never see it below that again. Actually I heard the same about the cost breaching the $1 per litre mark and those in the know agree. High gas prices are here to stay.

Higher oil and gas prices may be permanent

But the trickle down from higher fuel costs is more evident each week we walk though the food isles. Not sure what the best defense is against it. Today is “grab some nuts day” and I know that years ago nuts were just a treat due to cost and it seems that type of thing could become common again. I used to hear my grandparents talk about the old days and as a kid I could never understand when they talked about the hard times. It does seem that we are headed back to that direction. Choices are becoming an important part of the month’s planning more and more. Looking at the old pricing charts for living costs just makes me shake my head, even with the lower wages. Take a look at the changes through the years. I noticed that this year is not listed anywhere, haha. Too hard to nail down any numbers yet.

Comparison Of Prices Over 90 Years

I am open for suggestions when it comes to what should be done to stretch a dollar. The biggest advice offered up by those in the know, “Sweat the Small Stuff” and trim every little thing you can.

5 tips for making your hard-earned dollars last longer

There is a dim light at the end of the tunnel if you are looking at home ownership and unable to find anything in your price range. If what is happening in Australia is any indication of the future for Canada, housing prices could be dropping soon.