Weather 
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.
Today’s total came to an astonishing $504, although Dippel conceded the number was only a rough comparison, as some products couldn’t be purchased.
Still, the soaring price prompted a wave of 1990s nostalgia and anger about the current cost of living.
“$155 now is shampoo, conditioner, pads, frozen chicken nuggets, deodorant, spaghetti and some Oreos,” one wrote.
“A receipt that long nowadays would be minimum $400…. This is insane!!!” another fumed.
Others took an even more bleak view.
“America has fallen,” a TikTok viewer mournfully chimed in.
I”t makes me sick to my stomach to see how expensive groceries have become,” a second seethed.
