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Monthly payments. Not just entertainment subscription devices but all kinds of stuff. Almost every product online now has a monthly cost option, a buy now pay later scheme. Another one I see a lot at the grocery store is organic/non GMO foods. They are always way more expensive but are usually the same food, and if they aren't organic will contain more pesticides without the "natural" immunity/resistance of GMOs. They aren't healthier, they don't taste any better, are worse for the environment and are much more expensive.
Second is expensive and humane meat. Most metrics these meats/eggs are graded by are so loose that they are still extremely inhumane. Unless they are from a local farm, that you can confirm are humane/free roam, just buy the cheapest meat and best marbling.
Computers. I'm a tech guy and the vast majority of people are still buying computers far more powerful than they need. Unless it's cad, programming or gaming you can use almost any computer. If you want it to be really fast install, or ask your local shit to install an SSD. Plus most reputable refurbishers will install SSDs on all laptops for sale. I recommend PC server and parts, good quality refurbishment and customer support. There may be a few dings/scratches but never severe or noticeable.
Premade/processed food. Either it's frozen meals or fast food these get expensive fast. Depending on where you live quality home cooked meals can be had for 1-3$ (based on the US). Ditch even storebought pasta sauce, it's not hard to make at home.
Wifi. Most ISPs will try to upsell you on everything but for most people an families the most you would ever need is 150-300 MBps. Also the max speed can only be reached with a hardwired Ethernet connection, WiFi speed is barely affected. If you have slow wifi use an old phone or laptop as a wifi amplifier, storebought solutions are criminally expensive.
That's enough for now but if you have more questions feel free to ask.
Seen some people harp about not forgetting frozen vegetables can be cheaper than fresh depending on the season and close in nutrition and cooking results. That’s one thing about getting good deals, in groceries and in other things is you’re going to have to swap ease of buying for better deals at times and need to keep yourself aware of when that trade off stops being beneficial. My grandfather used to go to three or four stores depending on what the sales were. That sometimes meant riproaring savings from cherry-picked loss leaders, but I think most of the time it was something to do during the day with his grandson
In your experience, would you say premade/processed food has gone up in price faster than staples or at roughly the same rate?
In Canada, milk is one of the few things that have stayed the same-ish level due to supply-management setting the price. Everything else went up in price and I'm having a hard time keeping track.
How do people handle having to pay off things over 6 months to 2 years? (Or is the answer they don't?) I don't enjoy having that over my head for that long, I'd rather just take the hit, which is why BNPL hasn't worked on me...