Grocery store receipt from 1997 reveals just how cheap American life used to be: ‘Makes me sick to my stomach’

NY Post ^ | 1/10/26 | Andrew Court

[Libloather]

A grocery store receipt from 1997 shows just how much prices of everyday items have skyrocketed in less than three decades.

TikTok user Zoe Dippel shared the shockingly low costs in a viral video after a family member found the proof of purchase in a box of mementos.

“$155 for all of this!” one of Dippel’s relatives remarked after holding up the lengthy receipt from Texas chain H-E-B dated June 20, 1997.

“That’s a lot of stuff,” Dipple declared, as she started to sort through the 122 items and read the prices out loud.

The receipt revealed that Little Debbie brownies cost $1.09, Dannon yogurt was just 50 cents, and a loaf of bread was rung up for $1.26.

Meanwhile, Gerber baby food jars were 55 cents each, while a jumbo pack of Pampers diapers cost $12.99.

Today, a jar of the same baby food is $1.57, while Pampers diapers are $29.97.

The receipt additionally shows that a one-pound carton of strawberries was $1.89. Today at H-E-B, they cost $3.97.

According to the official US Census website, the median household income in 1997 was $37,005. In 2024, that number had risen to $83,730 — a little over double.

In comparison, the cost of many grocery store items has more than tripled, showing that incomes aren’t keeping pace with prices.

Dippel’s video quickly clocked up more than 2 million views, before she shared a second clip in which she tried to purchase the same 122 items online from H-E-B.

[1Old Pro]

Yep, Bidenflation screwed us royally.

[Elsie]

My youngest is now learning how to do her own home maintenance from her father to continue to save money.

BINGO!!!

[Elsie]

so true!

[CodeToad]

Two.

[Elsie]

...people scream for childcare freebies or subsidies.

And GET it!

Just last night Gov. Braun (R - IN) said businesses need to do more to make CC 'available'.

[Elsie]

My hat’s off to you!

[Elsie]

Like a dog chasing it’s tail.

[Elsie]

three, card, monte

[central_va]

Ending worker visas, ie corporate welfare, especially the h-1b visa would be the best thing to happen to workers and wages. It would be amazing. That and massive deportation of illegals. Never happen because corps and Democrats own the deep state.

[Elsie]

The bosses eventually told us to scrape the label stacks off, so it did not look so ridiculous.

Dang!!

How old was THAT food??

[central_va]

Man, do you put it on crackers or eat it out of the can?

[Elsie]

The pendulum swings.

There will ALWAYS be enough for SOME kind of food and SOME kind of housing.

(Unless you’re in Venezuela)

[Elsie]

You’ve nailed it.

[central_va]

Stairway! I’m peaking!!!!

[Elsie]

Heck, I submit you can’t manage what you CAN measure!!

[dfwgator]

[Elsie]

My daughter did the golf ball thing, and I sure remember all my pot holder time as well!

[Elsie]

I was a rainbow there - tail end of 1959.

[Elsie]

Pearl Milling has tossed out it’s spokeswoman.

[Elsie]

Ya better have some eggs or chickens to ‘trade’.