I buy 10 packs of an off brand of blades from my machine dealer - who is conveniently located across the street from my fabric dealer (and he also has thread at great prices - no fabric though). I want to say the last time I bought a 10 pack it was in the $20 range ... perhaps 25? I've had NO problems with them.
I have noticed books going up in price, and luckily the last ruler I bought was on sale at Eleanor Burns store when I went to Paducah ($13 for a 12" square).
Thread too has skyrocketed (cotton prices) and previously I had been collecting thread from different manufacturers when it was on sale and I needed *that* color. Just recently I decided what threads I like and I'm sticking to them. Just found Aurifil on sale at sewezdesigns.com for $7.00 for a large 1300m spool - so I bought 20 spools!!