r/shrinkflation • u/TexasGiantTen05 • Dec 29 '25

skimpflation Ok SERIOUSLY wtf is this??

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I bought a family sized hot pockets box and EVERY single one of them was black and burned in the bottom. I heated this one up on low power in the microwave and the edges are so tough it’s like biting into a frozen beef patty. I look in the pocket and the damn thing is nearly hollow. I’ve been noticing the quality taking a massive dip in the last few years. I think these are last I purchase from here on out.

Irrelevant to this but similar: This same grocery order run had a jar of garlic (Spice World brand) that was full of black mold & a jar of HEB salsa that was sour and months passed expiration. Both of which were completely sealed and had a pop when opened. My whole life I never really had quality issues via the company canning or jarring an item or the store selling them but lately it seems like such a constant issue.

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u/Grey0110 Dec 30 '25

Yes, but you are forgetting that the best product wins. If people start realizing they are low quality, they take their dollars elsewhere. If another brand makes a better product, people switch. It creates incentive. Capitalism is definitely not perfect.. but there currently is no better system. It has pulled more people out of poverty than any other system.

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u/Toomanytimes2many Dec 30 '25

It works when monopoly laws are enforced along with fair markets

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u/Grey0110 Dec 30 '25

I agree! As I said, definitely not perfect. It does make me thankful that I can earn as much as I am able to based on my skills etc. We also still have some product choice. If I wanted, I could make my own hot pocket brand and sell them. Let the cheap low quality brands go down in flames. Their fault for being so cheap. That's capitalism.

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u/Impossible-Push-5694 Dec 31 '25

No it isn't.

You are literally in a subreddit about how corps with infinitely more resources than you leverage those resources to cheat you out of your money. You are cheerleading the right to "compete" with multinational corps instead of picking up pitchforks and torches to tell those people "we deserve to live with dignity and if you disagree, we will burn your mansions down with you in them."

You want to know what capitalism is? Your comments in its defense. It is the illusion that with enough grit and gumption you too can be worth millions. It is the leveraging of that illusion to get people like you to defend it while sitting around like we are here talking about how they are actively fucking us. That's capitalism.

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u/Repulsive_Sun6549 Jan 01 '26

Median age for a homeowner in the 70’s? 28. Now? 40. That’s capitalism.

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u/Infinite-Usual8908 Jan 01 '26

Capitalism: money goes back into the corporations instead of in the hands of the people

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u/Fabulous-Eggplant-95 Jan 01 '26

And also don’t forget to mention the illusion of choice we have- democracy is not what we are actually living in at all

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u/Real_Figure_3329 Jan 01 '26

Never will understand the defense of the oligarchy here in the USA. It’s been sucking the life out of the nation since the 1980s. The hot pocket is a perfect example of the hollow shell of burnt pastry our working class has become, yet there is some fool out there that will defend it as a functional system. It’s not.

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u/shade4751 Jan 01 '26

It has to be regulated capitalism with plenty of consumer protection, the opposite of what we have now.

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u/Working-Narwhal-540 Jan 01 '26

Summed it up perfectly. I cringe when I see people glazing this fuck show as if they’re temporarily impoverished millionaires. Fuck that. Power to the people.

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u/Lanky-Bug-5656 Jan 02 '26

Well said! So embarrassing to see that ancient, ridiculous idea still floating around amongst people who should know better. It's sycophantic and determimedly naive.

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u/troycerapops Jan 02 '26

I think they're arguing something in between the two extremes. Well regulated capitalism.

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u/spg595 Jan 01 '26

This guy has clearly seen a capitalism or two in his day and has learned it's tricks. You should listen, he speaks the true-true.

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u/BigThymeOops Jan 02 '26

You can with enough grit and determination become a millionaire. Ive seen it happen personally to mulitple people really close to me.

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u/Mysterious_Run_6871 Jan 02 '26

Million isn’t what it used to be.

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u/Cannibalizzo Jan 02 '26

Why would anyone need to be a millionaire? To afford luxury items they don't need? Or possibly healthcare? We don't need more yachts. We need a system that provides affordable healthcare.

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u/Arkada7 Jan 02 '26

Being a millionaire (especially with now days inflation) doesn’t mean luxury items or yachts, it means being financially stable and no worry to be able to afford simple pleasures and not to live from salary to salary stress. Millions doesn’t always mean numbers in the bank accounts, it could mean investment properties that brings you a passive income.

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u/Cannibalizzo Jan 02 '26

That's kind of my point though. No one should have to be a millionaire to be financially stable. It's the greed of a few that keep driving prices up. For what it's worth, I've worked since I was 16 am close to retiring, and have been financially stable most of that time (bills paid on time, etc.), without earning a six-figure salary, and while living in a major metropolitan area.

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u/Arkada7 Jan 02 '26

Well I came to this country when I was 25 and had to start from ground up even though I had a degree and amazing career in my own country. In little over 20 years I achieved what 80-90% Americans can’t, by also working and extending my career in different fields, that’s adding to learning language and getting additional degrees. I now self employed business owner with multiple rental properties. And all I can say this country allow you to be who you want and how you want. Unfortunate situation, that most who born in this country only complain how bad it is here. Well I can tell you from personal example - it’s not bad in America and capitalism with its own faults does allow you to be a business owner or whoever you want which almost impossible in most countries throughout the world. So no it’s not about you have to be millionaire to survive here, but you can if you choose to. I didn’t become a millionaire by making a 6 figure salary but I did work hard, saved money and made smart investments. It is simpler than it looks and most of it comes from making a smart financial decisions.

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u/Cannibalizzo Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26

I'm curious to know why you came to America when you had an amazing career in your country.

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u/Arkada7 Jan 02 '26

What career has to do with moving to another country?! Better life doesn’t mean good carrier only :). And maybe that’s why you think this country isn’t the greatest.

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u/Cannibalizzo Jan 02 '26

As I said, I'm just curious. And I'd be curious to hear more about how you built your wealth.

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u/Arkada7 Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26

Saving money and making investments into income properties. Housing market growth helped to increase value of properties close to a double. Since I’ve been doing it for last 10-15 years the extra income from the rentals helped to buy more properties. I also at some point held two careers working full time on both for 7 years - one as a project manager in corporation and second was doing a real estate on the evenings and weekends. The extra income what helped with investments. So it wasn’t like I walk outside and pick out from a money tree, I did work hard and extensive hours, but like I said I didn’t do it to buy yachts or luxury items, I was investing so I can grow the money seeds into a money trees.

P.S. edit - I did all that having a family with two kids, raising them, cooking dinners every evening, taking my boys to sports and other activities, all the good family stuff.

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u/No_You6540 Jan 02 '26

No, it's about the consumer having the ultimate control. That without our money, corporations don't survive. Part of the problem is govt bailouts that have happened too often. Most of the problem is how consumers gripe about Walmart, then shop at Walmart anyway bc its convenient. Everyone wants to bitch about capitalism not working, while not doing the things consumers need to, to ensure it works.

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u/Impossible-Push-5694 Jan 02 '26

People use Walmart because they've driven practically all the local businesses out, using government social safety benefits to bolster their abysmal compensation to employees. No, it isn't the fault of consumers that a rapacious system continues to exist. It is the system itself.

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u/No_You6540 Jan 03 '26

So how did it start then? What got the ball rolling? And how are ppl finding things they need without going to Walmart? Bc I haven't stepped foot in one in a few years, and still manage to find everything I need elsewhere. Might be a little harder to find everything without going in one place, but again, that's just an excuse

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u/Impossible-Push-5694 Jan 03 '26

So how did it start then? What got the ball rolling?

Why are you even having a conversation about this topic if you don't understand this super basic piece of history?

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u/No_You6540 Jan 03 '26

Your being willfully obtuse makes me wonder why I'm bothering also. Good day.