This is a way to hold off inflation, I think. The next step would be to increase prices.

Every time a product changes containers looks or gives us a new, improved whatever, check the size/quantity!

When we moved to our new house (almost 14 years ago now!), I bought a cute bird cage that I put in the 1/2 bath. In this, I put two rolls of toilet paper. This was only for show since I had other paper in there to change out when necessary (in plain sight I might add). But lo and behold, after my sister-in-law was here, one of my rolls was missing from the bird cage. Now, keep in mind that they had been in there for years at that point. When I put another roll in (after fuming under my breath) I was shocked at the difference in rolls!

And even since then, I've noticed the shrinking roll.
Let us not even talk about coffee!

It is everywhere. Gotta be SURE to check the size and quantity. I just bought yarn for a sweater I have made several times ... only to find that each new skein now has 13 yards less than before.

This reminds me of the sugar bag going from 5 lbs to 4 and the cereal boxes lasting a week that now last 3 days. It was funny and ironic to read this today! DH and I chuckled this past week when we went to the local large retailer to pick up TP and other bulk items. Didn't matter which one I picked up to look at in pricing or size, squeezing those rolls did not make them feel like they used to. (DH took the cart to another aisle, laughing histerically as it took me over 20 minutes to decide. I was merely trying to prove a point.) Couldn't have been a year or so ago our preferred brand was so much thicker and lasted longer than 2 days in our house. It costs the same for a package of TP that lasts a month as it does for a prescription medicine we can't do without. If we get down to our last dollars, it may be hard to choose.

As prices have gone up and sizes of products gone down, perhaps this is a way for the companies and stores to get the consumers shopping more often. We budget for the difference in price on a product we must have, but do we really go into the store for just a pkg of TP? Nope, usually pick up more. Who wins?

Yeah--remember when the standard measure was a pint, a quart, AND a 5# bag of sugar!

My husband checks everything and complains about the reduction in quantity, guess all this relates to their cost plus
so many things have been required of companies . IT's the OB plan to keep us from being fat:thumbdown:.

Yes I agree with all of you. on all things, paper toweling, TP candy bars, sugar, flour, I am wondering has anyone ever checked yarn that says 4 ply. Are the plys as thick as they used to be?
I bought copy paper at Staples as there was a rebate of $21. that made each ream only $1.00. So I expected a rebate check in the mail. I received a Staples Debit Visa card. Says a card acct maintenance fee of $3.00 Cancellation & Manual check issuance Fee $2.50 I can use this anyplace. don't have to be at staples. I intend to go to Staples- use up my $21. and tell them I DO NOT WANT THEIR CARD. I have 3 credit cards and none of them has a maintenance fee. I pay them before the due date.
Companies use all kinds of tricks. Some people pay no attention but there are those of us that do.
I use Miracle II soap, Moisturizing soap, Neutralizer, Skin Moisturizer, Use these products for shampoo, toothpaste, bathing, hand dish washing, Use a laundry ball, use butter, (margarine is one molecule away from plastic) coconut oil,
(yes it is saturated but it is very good for you) Himalayan Salt (this is good for you also - contains 84 minerals) I do not buy the salt at the grocery store anymore). I could go on and on but I think you get the point. You do not have to buy the stuff they put all the chemicals in that are not good for you.
I have a hard time finding clothes made in the USA. BUT SAS shoes are made in San Antonio, TX ! you cannot buy clothes without trying them on as a size in one brand is different from another brand. Try them on.

Same with restaurants... when your favorites announce a "new menu" coming out... watch for higher prices. The only reason for a new menu is to raise prices on the old stuff.

Any time a product says new and improved you can bet they have either removed something from it or made it smaller. It's too bad we don't just refuse to buy them. If there was just one that all refused they would have to go back to the original and then we could start something else. But trying to get people to do that is not workable anymore.

I won't buy the yogurt or other plastic containers that have a big well in the bottom of it. You think you are getting the full container but you aren't.