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Shrinkflation Is Robbing You Blind | Episode 590
About this Episode
shrinkflation Shrinkflation Is Robbing You Blind | Episode 590 Good morning. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 46 degrees. I’m cold. I don’t like being cold. But that’s not what we’re talking about today. Today we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us every single week. Shrinkflation. And how companies are quietly screwing you over while pretending nothing changed. Listen now. What Shrinkflation Actually Is Shrinkflation is simple. The bag looks the same.
The box looks the same.
The price looks the same. But you’re getting less. Your “pound” bag of chips? Not a pound anymore.
16 ounces becomes 14.5 ounces.
Same packaging. Same shelf space. Same mental price anchor. They don’t raise the price because people notice price increases. They shrink the product because most people never check the weight. That’s the game. Why It Works on Your Brain Everyone has internal price anchors. You know what Coke “should” cost.
You know what ground beef “should” cost.
You know what eggs “should” cost. When the price jumps too far past that mental number, you hesitate. You buy less. You switch brands. So instead of raising prices aggressively, companies keep the sticker steady and shave ounces off the back end. That’s less likely to trigger your brain. And it works. The Worst Offenders Right Now Chips.
Soda.
Single-serve snacks. The further you get from bulk, the worse the value gets. A 12-pack of Coke creeping toward $9.97? That’s insane. Run the unit math. If it’s buy 2 get 3 free at Kroger, do the math.
Total cost divided by total units. If it comes out to $4 a case? That’s closer to reality. Unit price is king. Always. Same with meat. Ground beef has exploded. But sometimes a 50/50 beef-pork blend at Walmart hits that sweet spot. Closer to ingredients = better value.
Closer to convenience = you’re getting wrecked. Ingredients Beat Snacks Every Time Plain oats? Still solid.
Rice? Still dependable.
Flour? Still cheap. Bulk ingredients have padding built in. They absorb inflation better. Single-serve cookies? Astronomical. Two cookies can cost almost as much as a full bag. And if you run the math on making them from scratch, the ROI is ridiculous. The closer you move toward bulk, the better your survival position gets. That’s not theory. That’s math. Group Buys Might Be the Secret Weapon This might be its own episode. But think about this. Shipping kills value. Whether it’s supplements, bulk meat, or specialty items. Split that shipping with friends? Now the math changes. Split a primal cut of beef.
Split bulk orders.
Split shipping costs. Suddenly your unit price drops dramatically. We talk prepping all the time. But cost discipline is prep too. Final Thoughts Shrinkflation is real. They’re not just raising prices. They’re reducing value. Your defense is simple: Check weight.
Check unit price.
Buy bulk.
Run the math.
Split costs when you can. Stop shopping emotionally.
Start shopping strategically. That’s survival in 2026. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. DIY to survive. Amazon Item OF The Day Food Scale, 11lb Digital Kitchen Scale with 6 Units LCD Display and Tare Function,Compact Design for Baking,Healthy Cooking,Meal Prep, 304 Stainless Steel Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joiningThe Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts! Don’t forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube
Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment. Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk’s The post Shrinkflation Is Robbing You Blind | Episode 590 appeared first on Survivalpunk.
The box looks the same.
The price looks the same. But you’re getting less. Your “pound” bag of chips? Not a pound anymore.
16 ounces becomes 14.5 ounces.
Same packaging. Same shelf space. Same mental price anchor. They don’t raise the price because people notice price increases. They shrink the product because most people never check the weight. That’s the game. Why It Works on Your Brain Everyone has internal price anchors. You know what Coke “should” cost.
You know what ground beef “should” cost.
You know what eggs “should” cost. When the price jumps too far past that mental number, you hesitate. You buy less. You switch brands. So instead of raising prices aggressively, companies keep the sticker steady and shave ounces off the back end. That’s less likely to trigger your brain. And it works. The Worst Offenders Right Now Chips.
Soda.
Single-serve snacks. The further you get from bulk, the worse the value gets. A 12-pack of Coke creeping toward $9.97? That’s insane. Run the unit math. If it’s buy 2 get 3 free at Kroger, do the math.
Total cost divided by total units. If it comes out to $4 a case? That’s closer to reality. Unit price is king. Always. Same with meat. Ground beef has exploded. But sometimes a 50/50 beef-pork blend at Walmart hits that sweet spot. Closer to ingredients = better value.
Closer to convenience = you’re getting wrecked. Ingredients Beat Snacks Every Time Plain oats? Still solid.
Rice? Still dependable.
Flour? Still cheap. Bulk ingredients have padding built in. They absorb inflation better. Single-serve cookies? Astronomical. Two cookies can cost almost as much as a full bag. And if you run the math on making them from scratch, the ROI is ridiculous. The closer you move toward bulk, the better your survival position gets. That’s not theory. That’s math. Group Buys Might Be the Secret Weapon This might be its own episode. But think about this. Shipping kills value. Whether it’s supplements, bulk meat, or specialty items. Split that shipping with friends? Now the math changes. Split a primal cut of beef.
Split bulk orders.
Split shipping costs. Suddenly your unit price drops dramatically. We talk prepping all the time. But cost discipline is prep too. Final Thoughts Shrinkflation is real. They’re not just raising prices. They’re reducing value. Your defense is simple: Check weight.
Check unit price.
Buy bulk.
Run the math.
Split costs when you can. Stop shopping emotionally.
Start shopping strategically. That’s survival in 2026. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. DIY to survive. Amazon Item OF The Day Food Scale, 11lb Digital Kitchen Scale with 6 Units LCD Display and Tare Function,Compact Design for Baking,Healthy Cooking,Meal Prep, 304 Stainless Steel Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joiningThe Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts! Don’t forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube
Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment. Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk’s The post Shrinkflation Is Robbing You Blind | Episode 590 appeared first on Survivalpunk.
Hosts & Guests
No transcript available for this episode.
