Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Random Thoughts

I did another Costco trip. Generally speaking, price increases are still tame.

On the one hand, Costco's Ghiradelli brownie mix just saw a 10% price increase. It rose from $8.99 to $9.89. It has been years since the last increase though. Keep that in mind.

On the other hand, the toilet paper I use deflated slightly since my last purchase. Marathon brand is still trying to figure out how to compete with Kirkland brand it seems. First they tried 45 rolls (2812.5 square feet), then 40 rolls (also 2812.5 square feet), and now they are trying 48 rolls (2820 square feet, slightly more for the same price so slightly deflationary). I have yet to see anyone else buy that brand. Most seem to gravitate towards Kirkland brand. I guess they just assume it is cheaper since the price is lower. You get more paper with the Marathon brand though.

I could go through the receipt further, but those were the most interesting developments to me.

In other news, the ongoing Lenny Dykstra joke is really gathering momentum. It was my intent to heckle Cramer but it is getting a life of its own.

April 26, 2011
Charlie Sheen had 'nothing to do' with paying former New York Mets star Lenny Dykstra's bail: lawyer

"Charlie Sheen has absolutely nothing to do with posting the bond in the federal case," Dykstra's lawyer Mark Werksman told the News. "He's a friend and supportive of Lenny, but there's simply no truth to this rumor."

Charlie Sheen? Doesn't that just figure! Check out the one comment (so far) on that post.

As repayment, maybe Nails can give investment advice to charlie sheen's camp. Lenny knows his stuff--Jim Cramer said lenny is one of the best in the business at picking stocks. Go with lenny's favorite, deep in the money call options---a sure winner! - Asymetrist

See! I'm not the only one who finds the connection between Cramer and Dykstra funny, lol.

April 25, 2011
Dykstra Investigated Over Naked Massage Claim

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the LAPD is investigating Dykstra for lewd conduct ... stemming from allegations made by a 47-year-old woman who claims she answered a Craigslist ad to be Lenny's housekeeper earlier this month.

No mention of Cramer in that last link. I have no idea why I even bring it up. Yikes!

5 comments:

Mr Slippery said...

Dyktra, Cramer, and Sheen. The only way raise the median crazy would be to throw in Bussey and Meatloaf and even then, I'm not sure.

Stagflationary Mark said...

Mr Slippery!

You've outdone yourself, lol. :)

Stagflationary Mark said...

There is a Sheen/Busey connection here.

March 6, 2011
Gary Busey: I'm Praying for Charlie Sheen

You know you may be in serious trouble if Gary Busey starts worrying about you.

...

Speaking at Las Vegas's Surrender nightclub at the launch party for Celebrity Apprentice on Saturday, Busey says he's known the Two and a Half Men star for 30 years.

AllanF said...

I'm seeing non-trivial inflation at the grocery.

Store-brand eggs are now $2.19. They had been $2.00 until January. This week the non-store brand, although from the same hatchery -- I can tell it's the same because of the FDA stamp on the carton, and that the carton is the same, only the label is different, go figure that one -- were put on sale from $2.80 to $2.00. We bought 12 dozen. Not all at once, we spaced it over three days. Didn't want anyone to think we were weird.

I'm not sure if I should be happy we saved almost $10, amused we saved almost $2.50, or pissed we really saved nothing at all. At least, we have until June to eat them.

Milk we had been buying the extra fat whole milk, 3.8% instead of the usual 3.5%, all last year for $1.80 a 1/2 gal. Now it's up to $2.30. I've never seen it on sale. At least there's still no up-charge on it versus the 3.5%. I figure I should thank the skim drinkers at $2 a 1/2 for subsidizing my high-fat diet.

Ground beef, like the rest, is up in price 10% versus December/January.

Stagflationary Mark said...

AllanF,

I hear you.

I bought $300+ at Costco and then bought less than $4 at my local grocery store.

This is purely anecdotal and subjective I know, but I think I see more inflation at the grocery store than I see at Costco. I can't prove it because I don't buy much at my local grocery stores (except through sales). I only track what I actually buy.

If nothing else, there is little sticker shock at Costco but there is great sticker shock at my local grocery store.

The price of Coca Cola at my local grocery store was especially shocking this time. $5+ for a 12-pack of soda on sale was a LOUSY sale. I'm not even tempted unless it is under $3 these days (up from $2 when I first turned bearish, i.e. 5 for $10).