While the prices of just about everything in the world rise — especially when it comes to groceries — there are still some indulgences left mostly unharmed. Some popular grocery items haven’t raised prices in years (looking at you, Costco hot dogs), while others have only raised prices slightly. Want to grab something for nearly the same price you’ve been paying for years? Here are seven inflation-proof groceries that have thankfully stayed relatively affordable while many other grocery prices have skyrocketed.
Costco Hot Dogs
Costco has been slinging its $1.50 dog-and-drink combo since 1985. For 40 beautiful years, Costco has preserved what some people call “the best deal on Earth.” If the price of Costco’s hot dog combo had increased with inflation, it would cost $4.62 today.
It’s a great all-beef hot dog, and the drink is fountain fresh. Best deal on Earth indeed.
Maruchan Ramen
You can snag a 12-pack of Maruchan for $4 at Walmart, which means it is still about 33 cents per meal. When I was in high school in the 2000s, I was grabbing those guys for about 25 cents. Not too bad of a change.
Trader Joe’s Bananas
While Trader Joe’s only recently raised the prices of the 19-cent bananas the grocery chain had become known for, bananas are still only 23 cents a piece. This may be cheaper or more expensive than your local grocery store at this point (some Walmarts sell for 21 cents), but that still makes bananas one of the least inflation-prone foods you can eat.
SpaghettiOs
SpaghettiOs are hardly the best spaghetti you can eat, but according to a 2010 press release from Campbell’s, they only cost between $1.05 and $1.40 at the time.
Today, you can find cans at Walmart and Target for about $1.40, making 15 years of inflation irrelevant.
Trader Joe’s Pasta
Trader Joe’s has offered 99-cent boxes of pasta for years, and at eight servings per box, that’s a gorgeous deal. Admittedly, some pasta has risen to $1.29, but a few 99-centers still remain, like orzo and penne.
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Costco Rotisserie Chicken
Though Costco’s rotisserie chicken briefly sold for $6 during the 2008 financial crisis, it’s been $5 for over 20 years. The chain knows it’s a loss leader, but just like Vegas, Costco expects to make its money back.
AriZona Iced Tea
22 ounces for 99 cents, people! This has been the case since the company was founded in 1992, and founder Don Vultaggio intends to keep it that way — despite initial concerns that aluminum tariffs might force the company to raise prices. They print the suggested price right there on the can, too. AriZona is everything we at Cheapism believe in.
More Grocery News From Cheapism
- Beef, Coffee Prices Soar in Latest Inflation Data, But Some Groceries Are Getting Cheaper — While some grocery prices have managed to weather the storm, others are increasing.
- 10 Grocery Staples That Will Cost More Because of Tariffs — While some tariffs have been put on hold, some grocery items may still see a cost increase.
- 15 Costco Hot Dog Facts That Define a Food-Court Classic — Want to learn more about the legendary Costco hot dog combo? We’ve got you covered.
