January 13, 2011

The Incredible Shrinking Tins


Like most people, I try to shop wisely and keep my eyes open for good deals. I look for bargains on everything from modern bedding to food, clothing and crafts. I do this out of necessity. Unfortunately, manufacturers and retailers have grown increasingly savvy too. To counteract cost-conscious consumers, they have implemented more subtle ways to increase prices, such as shrinking product sizes while maintaining or increasing current prices.

Case in point. Each year after Christmas, I purchase a few gourmet treats. In 2009, I got hooked on Crate and Barrel's chocolate covered graham crackers, so this past season, I picked up a few containers at half off. Imagine my surprise when I returned home and discovered that their 2010 tins were one third smaller than the 2009 tins! I don’t know how the prices compared, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that they did not reduce their price accordingly!


Now, if I had purchased that product strictly for the crackers, I would have been highly disappointed. But, here are a few things I do – and you can too – to help stretch your dollar further:
  • Look for products in multi-purpose packaging. As much as I enjoy the graham crackers, I buy this product because it also comes in a pretty tin that I use for craft storage!
  • Look for product packaging that you can recycle. For instance, that pretty green ribbon is perfect for incorporating into a card, a scrapbook page, or a gift!

Do you have any similar shopping experiences to share? How about suggestions for what to store in these incredible shrinking tins? As always, I welcome your feedback!

Have a fabulous weekend dear friends! For more on this topic, read USA Today's Shoppers Beware article.

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25 comments:

  1. Lynn StevensJanuary 13, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Something I've noticed is in our laundy soap they supply a measuring cup and the new ones are about 1/3 larger than the old, just to get you to use more soap, We toss out the new ones LOL

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  2. Amanda January 13, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Good points. I love to use tins to hold loose leaf teas and other items in the kitchen, too. Check me out at Ninth Street Notions sometime if you like.

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  3. Stacy UncorkedJanuary 14, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    It is amazing how packaging has become smaller but the prices don't follow suit. I do the same thing you do - buy stuff that comes in containers I can use for something else after the contained product is finished. :)

    Aloha Friday Follow: Detention

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  4. pamJanuary 14, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    We saw it with the chocolate covered cherries my husband gets for Christmas. Same size box, but when you open it, the packaging has changed. Instead of about 20, it now holds about 8!!

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Stopping by from the Green Blog Hop. Have a great day!

    Your Green Helper
    http://yourgreenhelper.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. GwenJanuary 14, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    I love colorful tin cans. :)

    I am already a follower, just visiting your blog again. Happy friday!

    ~Gwen
    http://green-bellpepper.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. DeniJanuary 14, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Hmmm, is it bad that I just do not pay attention? I will say that it annoys me when I buy chips and like 3/4 of the bag is air.

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  8. Auntie EJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Wow, I tend to look for the special things. I love the tins.
    My Friday post-Got Plans? Hope you visit me and answer my question.

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  9. fairyrocksJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Terrific tips!!
    I love containters too, Tin Quality is also declining..KWIM

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  10. UnknownJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    I found you via Fun Follow Friday and I'm your newest follower Rae T. from There's a Contest for That.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mrs. TashaJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Loving your blog! New follower from a blog hop. Come follow back at

    mrstashalynn.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJanuary 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Very creative! I am from Fridays' Blog Hop. I am a new follower and hope that you can follow me back. I glad I found your blog I NEED RECIPES!! Thank you for sharing.

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  13. My Recent Favorite BooksJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Im a return visitor, love your blog!
    Following you from Feed me Friday blog hop.
    I agree product containers do seem to be getting smaller!
    http://readingnks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. MicheleJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    http://musings-by-michele.blogspot.com/

    Newest follower I hope you can come by & check us out! thanks

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ashley EJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Good Morning Chicky! Wonderful stuff as always. Please come and show it off. I'm hosting a Hop over the weekends with random makings! You'll fit right in :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jan at Jewelry4ChangeJanuary 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Love your blog! I signed up to follow. :) Happy Surfin' Saturday! Jan http://www.jewelry4change.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jan at Jewelry4ChangeJanuary 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    The quote on your sidebar really speaks to me...
    creativity is a natural expression of the fact that we are created in the image of God, who is the Creator."
    Absolutely!

    In my blog bio I tell how I LOVE to create... just about anything... this is why. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pip444January 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Hello. I am your newest follower. Please follow back. Thx so much Lilac

    http:3elf.blogspot.com

    See you there.

    ReplyDelete
  19. HeatherJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    My local news station did a whole expose on shrinking packaging/portions and rising costs. It's sad really. At least be honest about it you know!

    Although "Now 1/3 smaller!" doesn't really sound so great from a marketing point of view, LOL

    ReplyDelete
  20. saraHJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Hi, your newest GFC follower from surfin saturday! great blog!

    http://jaynsarah.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Golden Woofs! SUGARJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Woof! Woof! I'm Sugar visiting you from SPBH. LOVE creative things ... especially my mom. I'm a new follower n looking forward reading your creativity that brings you joy. (So True!)
    Happy BLOG HOP Weekend. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  22. Life In A Pink FibroJanuary 16, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Great post - and so true about the shrinking size with non-shrinking prices. I love a tin and will seek them out too - but they're usually a once a year, festive season purchase for me. Thanks for popping by the Fibro. :-)

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  23. UnknownJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    I am your newest follower from Surfin Saturdays! Would love it if you could check out my site :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ruth Cox aka abitosunshineJanuary 19, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    I've been a tin collector for years! I store everything in them, as they're pretty and hide the clutter, ha! I have many large tins that hold cards and letters from friends and family, each member with their own tin.

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  25. MarieJanuary 21, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    I've been noticing this more lately also -- a lot of things seem smaller -- like cereal boxes -- and yet still cost as much if not more. Drives me slightly batty when I sit there and think about it :-)

    ReplyDelete

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