As food costs rise, retailers keep prices stable by shrinking package sizes, quantities

Household brands ranging from Ivory soap to Kraft cheese singles have seen their packages downsized up to 20% over the last few years - even though shoppers are paying just as much, according to a new study by Consumer Reports.

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2011/01/05/2011-01-05_as_food_costs_rise_retailers_keep_prices_stable_by_shrinking_package_sizes_quant.html

Forecasters’ prediction for oil prices in 2011: Up, up, up

Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., whose estimate last January was within 1 percent of 2010’s mean price of $79.60 a barrel, says crude will average $90 this year. Natixis Bleichroeder Inc., which tied with Bernstein, sees $100 a barrel, 26 percent higher than in 2010. Global oil use will increase 1.7 percent to a record 87.8 million barrels a day this year, and output will rise 0.9 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Department.

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/03/forecasters-prediction-for-oil-prices-in-2011-up-up-up/

29% Of Americans Say It's Difficult To Afford Food

Affording basic necessities remains a struggle.
51% say it is difficult to afford health care.
48% say the same about their home heating and electric bills.
29% say it is difficult to afford food.

http://www.declineoftheempire.com/2011/01/29-of-americans-say-its-difficult-to-afford-food.html

30 Reasons Why 2011 Is Going To Be Another Crappy Year For America’s Middle Class

Do you think that 2011 will be a good year for America’s middle class? Well, you might not be so optimistic after you read the 30 statistics posted below. The truth is that 2011 is going to be another crappy year for America’s middle class, and there is not a whole lot that you or I can do about it.

http://www.blacklistednews.com/index.php?news_id=12149

Barron's: US Will See Run on Treasurys, Hyperinflation

Investors in U.S. debt around the world are worryingly near a "psychological breaking point" that could force a "run on the bank" against Treasurys.

http://www.moneynews.com/StreetTalk/US-Run-Treasurys-Hyperinflation/2011/01/05/id/381925?s=al&promo_code=B684-1

World Food Prices Surge to Record

World food prices rose to a record in December on higher sugar, grain and oilseed costs, the United Nations said, exceeding levels reached in 2008 that sparked deadly riots from Haiti to Egypt.

An index of 55 food commodities tracked by the Food and Agriculture Organization gained for a sixth month to 214.7 points, above the previous all-time high of 213.5 in June 2008, the Rome-based UN agency said in a monthly report. The gauges for sugar and meat prices advanced to records.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-05/global-food-prices-climb-to-record-on-cereal-sugar-costs-un-agency-says.html

It's Not Your Imagination: Your Juice Has Been Downsized

According to research from Consumer Reports, many companies have been shrinking the size of the products you buy, while charging the same amount for the product.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40909380/

TARP deadbeats pose major problems

http://www.fiercefinance.com/story/tarp-deadbeats-pose-major-problems/2011-01-01?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

European nations begin seizing private pensions

The most striking example is Hungary, where last month the government made the citizens an offer they could not refuse. They could either remit their individual retirement savings to the state, or lose the right to the basic state pension (but still have an obligation to pay contributions for it). In this extortionate way, the government wants to gain control over $14bn of individual retirement savings.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Adam-Smith-Institute-Blog/2011/0102/European-nations-begin-seizing-private-pensions