(The Economic Collapse Blog)—If you are really struggling with the high cost of living, I want you to know that you aren’t alone. In recent months, I have been hearing from so many people that feel like they are drowning financially. Have you experienced a palpable sense of panic when you compare your rising bills to the level of income that you are currently bringing in? So many people out there are stressed out of their minds because it has become such a struggle to pay the bills each month. As I discussed a few days ago, a typical U.S. household must now spend $1,069 more a month just to buy the exact same goods and services that it did three years ago. Over the course of an entire year, that is almost an extra $13,000 dollars. Month after month, prices just keep going higher, but those that are running things continue to insist that everything is just fine.
No, everything is not just fine.
Last week, a TikTok video about rising grocery prices at Walmart quickly garnered more than a million views. The person that made the video found a grocery order that he had placed two years ago, and he decided to hit the “Reorder All” button to see what that same order would cost today…
A recent TikTok video has gone viral, showing a user’s surprising experience with Walmart’s grocery prices. The user explained in his video that he tried to use the “Reorder All” button for an order he placed two years ago, which originally cost $126.67. To his shock, the same order would now cost $414.39.
I was quite stunned by this video.
Many of the things that I regularly purchase at the grocery store have doubled or more than doubled in price, but in this case the total cost of the grocery order had more than tripled…
The TikTok (@sewerlidd) explained that the original $126.16 purchase was for a month’s worth of groceries, which included 53 items.
“A whole month of groceries just for me,” he said in the video.
The total was updated to $414.39, almost quadrupling.
“I feel like I’m going to be sick,” he said.
Needless to say, this video has generated a ton of discussion online.
When Walmart was asked about this, they responded by saying that the primary reason there was such a difference is because the person that made the video was attempting to order “discontinued items”…
Walmart representatives have responded, stating that the claims in the video are not accurate. According to them, the discrepancies in prices are due to discontinued items rather than actual inflation.
But this explanation certainly did not satisfy everyone.
Another person hit the “Reorder All” button on an old order, and that order went from $180 back then to $430 today…
Viewers expressed both shock and frustration in the comments.
“Now I feel a little less gaslit about grocery prices because it has gone crazy, and it’s not just me!” wrote one person.
“Walmart, can you explain yourself, please,” added another.
A fellow shopper said they used to spend $180 for two weeks’ worth of groceries and are now spending over $430 for the same amount.
If you think that the price of groceries is not a problem, I have a challenge for you.
Fill up a grocery cart all the way to the very top with items that you typically eat, and try to keep the final bill under 300 dollars.
If you are smart, you can do it, but it won’t be easy.
In the old days, you could buy a used vehicle for 300 dollars. Now, many people burn through more than 300 dollars in just one trip to the grocery store.
This is just one of the reasons why inflation has become such a huge political issue.
According to Gallup, inflation was not really considered to be an important issue at all prior to 2022…
For the third year in a row, the percentage of Americans naming inflation or the high cost of living as the most important financial problem facing their family has reached a new high. The 41% naming the issue this year is up slightly from 35% a year ago and 32% in 2022. Before 2022, the highest percentage mentioning inflation was 18% in 2008. Inflation has been named by less than 10% in most other readings since the question was first asked in 2005.
The last three years have been an inflationary nightmare, and no matter how much our leaders try to deny it, a lot more inflation is on the way.
Things are particularly bad in our major cities. In fact, it is being reported that Manhattan is the most expensive place to live in the United States by a wide margin…
The New York borough of Manhattan is the most expensive place to live in the U.S. — and the cost of living in the No. 2 place isn’t even close.
The cost of living in Manhattan is more than twice the national average. The second- and third-most expensive places are Honolulu and San Jose, California, but in comparison, they are much more affordable. Manhattan is 24% more expensive than Honolulu and 30% more expensive than San Jose.
It isn’t a big mystery why this is the case.
When our leaders pumped trillions upon trillions of dollars into the system, the financial markets benefitted greatly.
So Manhattan is swimming in cash, and prices there have gone into the stratosphere.
Many of us relentlessly warned about what would happen when our leaders flooded the system with cash, and now we are facing economic distortions that are extremely painful.
For most Americans, prices have been rising much faster than their paychecks.
As a result, our national standard of living has been steadily declining.
And now we have entered a time when it appears that economic conditions are really slowing down.
For example, it is being reported that Ford is preparing for yet another round of layoffs…
Ford Motor is preparing for a new round of layoffs for its salaried workers in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The company in March last year announced plans to reduce structural costs of up to $3 billion at its gas-powered vehicle unit. In August, Ford said it would cut a total of 3,000 salaried and contract jobs, mostly in North America and India.
Over the past several years, our politicians in Washington have borrowed and spent trillions upon trillions of dollars, and the “experts” at the Federal Reserve have pumped trillions upon trillions of dollars into the financial system.
All that did was buy us a little more time.
All that did was delay the inevitable.
Now we are facing a crisis of absolutely epic proportions, and the economic suffering that we are currently experiencing is nothing compared to the economic suffering that is ahead of us.
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
Not only the higher costs of EVERYTHING, but in my grocery stores we have less inventory. That NEVER happened until Biden and the lying thieving democrat Marxists “won” the 2020 election. I don’t know how Americans can afford to feed and clothe their children. To think that imbecile Biden supporters dead and living voted for their destruction, and will again. I never thought I would see that day in America, but I was mistaken. Trump 2024! America First! ULTRAMAGA!
I’m sorry, after hearing how we won’t be able to afford food anymore and the “massive food inflation” we did a in house cost analysis for the last two years grocery bills. My wife does all the shopping and shops sales the same way she did when we were poor. Old habits die hard. And in the last two years we have NOT seen any appreciable difference in our grocery bills. I’m sorry, we just haven’t. I suspected this and that’s why we did the study. Considering I’ve been lied to about everything I’ve ever learned, this huge food inflation sounded exactly the same. I don’t know what all of you are buying, but we’re buying the same things and paying the same prices, using the same stores. Having the same local produce flooding the stores this time of year. At pretty much the exact same prices as last year, and the year before. Sorry to rain on any parades. But we’re GOOD. We’re both retired and not at all concerned any longer. All of it is like everything else today, a total lie. Fast food it another matter however. It is going up. But we’re not big into fast food. I’m happy to say for once. I almost died from a McDonald’s Cheeseburger back when I was 16, so never was big with fast food after that.
Well, I do all the shopping for my family, you’re wrong. Flat out. We are a single income family so that I can be home with our child. I also shop sales, use coupons; whatever I can do to keep prices down and in many cases prices have doubled and tripled. I have kept store receipts for the last 3 years for my own little scrapbook project. It’s bad. *Maybe* it’s location dependent, but I doubt it.
I am very frugal with food. I’m retired on SS and am lucky enough to live in a rent controlled seniors apartment but I cook everything from scratch, no snacks, only fresh fruits and veggies. I eat a salad and a pork chop or chicken for dinner, or switch out the salad for a fresh cooked veggie. I don’t buy anything processed and I drink seltzer. No calories or sodium. And my food bills are still expensive. And here’s another rising expense. Internet. My spectrum internet bill is $91/month. I don’t have a tv and I only use internet for my iPad and iPhone. I can remember when cable tv cost that much.
More concerning should be the toxins in our food!
The beatings and half rations will continue until morale improves.