Why $100 Feels Like $20 Now

Описание: America’s $100 bill doesn’t hit like it used to—and this video proves it.

We’re taking a hard look at how far the dollar has fallen from 1980 (and even 1990) to 2026, using real-world grocery math, “shrinkflation” tricks, and the uncomfortable gap between official inflation headlines and what your receipt says. We’ll break down the “1980 Shopping Cart” vs. the “2026 Sad Basket,” talk about why prices feel permanently higher, and explain the CPI concepts people argue about (like substitution and hedonic adjustments) in plain English.

If you’ve ever walked out of the store with two bags and a receipt the length of your arm, this one’s for you.

Sources used:
Purchasing power / inflation
BLS CPI Inflation Calculator: https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_ca...
BLS CPI (main): https://www.bls.gov/cpi/
BLS CPI databases/data: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/data.htm
FRED CPI-U (CPIAUCSL): https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CP...

Grocery prices (item-level)
BLS Average Price Data: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/factsheets/av...
FRED: Ground beef average price (APU0000703112): https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/AP...
FRED: Eggs average price: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/AP...

Income context
U.S. Census (1980 income report P60-132): https://www.census.gov/library/public...

Social Security COLA
SSA COLA info: https://www.ssa.gov/cola/
SSA OACT CPI-W page: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/cpiw.html
SSA 2026 COLA press release (2.8%): https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/rel...

Shrinkflation
FTC paper (product downsizing evidence) PDF: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_...
“Shrinkflation Prevention Act of 2024” (bill text): https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-c...

Profits / “greedflation” debate
BEA Corporate Profits: https://www.bea.gov/data/income-savin...
Fed FEDS Notes (corporate profits after COVID): https://www.federalreserve.gov/econre...
St. Louis Fed explainer on profit surge: https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-eco...

Hidden fees
FTC deceptive/unfair fees rule press release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/...

Drop a comment:
What grocery item shocked you the most recently—coffee, cereal, eggs, olive oil, bacon… or something else?

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and historical purposes only. It is not financial advice. History rhymes, but markets are unpredictable. Please consult a professional before making investment decisions.