Frugal Friends Podcast

Episode: "Why Everything Is Worse Quality Now (It’s Not Just You)"

Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

Jen and Jill take a deep dive into the mounting frustration many consumers feel: Why does everything seem lower quality—even as prices rise? Drawing from personal experience, listener stories, expert commentary, and historical research, this episode unpacks the real reasons behind declining product quality (it’s not just in your head!), offering both context and practical tips for frugal, empowered consumers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Not Just a Perception: Quality is Declining

• Listener Stories: A listener describes $90 lamps that broke during assembly and clothing that pilled after one wash.
  • “Now the $90 lamp that used to be $30 is now made of plastic instead of metal.” (Listener, 03:55)
• Hosts’ Experience: Jen and Jill stress that even with their focus on ‘quality over quantity,’ they’re constantly disappointed by new purchases.

2. The Phenomenon of 'Skimpflation' and 'Shrinkflation'

• Skimpflation: Keeping prices static but reducing quality (e.g., replacing metal with plastic parts).
• Shrinkflation: Selling less product for the same price.
• Example: Wishbone Italian salad dressing reduced oil content by over 22% and increased salt by over 30% (08:20).
• “We hear a lot about shrinkflation…but what this is is skimpflation—reducing quality to increase profits.” (Jen, 07:10)

3. Declining Quality Beyond Products

• Longer restaurant wait times, reduced hotel services, and more self-checkouts—all signs of corners being cut across the service industry (08:45–09:25).
• “If anything, [prices] are going up. So where’s all that savings going?” (Jill, 09:54)

4. Root Causes: A Historical and Economic Perspective

• Industrial Revolution: Mass production improved consistency but introduced challenges in updating failing designs.
• Planned Obsolescence: Created in the 1920s–30s by figures like Ernest Elmo Calkins (“consumer engineering”) and Edward Bernays (“the father of propaganda”).
• Aggressive Consumer Culture: Driven by decades of advertising, engineering a craving for new/fast products.
  • “He straight out told people…the masses as irrational and subject to herd instinct, which we are.” (Jen, 15:10)
• Current Factors: Supply chain issues, global instability, and fast fashion culture contribute to companies cutting corners.

5. The Modern Warranty Trap and Death of Service

• Listener recounts being pressured to buy protection plans for basic items (like furniture and electronics) that fail quickly, with little to no repair options available.
  • “They would rather me throw something out and buy a new one than pay a single service fee to fix it.” (Listener, 23:57)

6. Is it Working for Companies? For Consumers?

• Companies profit (for now) from skimpflation and planned obsolescence, but trust is eroding; a study found 62% of consumers will stop buying brands that cut quality or size (27:40).
• “Shrinkflation does not bother me as much as skimpflation…If you can keep the quality, but you have to reduce the size…fine. But I could see where shrinkflation could cause me to be like, 'okay, I’m paying more per ounce.'” (Jen, 28:36)

7. What Can Frugal Consumers Do?

• Buying Vintage/Used: Older goods are often far more durable. Tailoring and repair can make vintage items fit and function better for longer (32:38).
  • “If they don’t make it like they used to, let’s buy from the time period when they did!” (Jill, 32:25)
• Repair What You Own: Learn to sew, fix electronics, use resources like iFixit, and look for refurbished goods through sites like Back Market.
• Shop Small and Local: Support artisans and smaller businesses where quality and ethics may be more highly valued, even if at a higher price point.
  • “Buying a mug from somebody who handcrafted the pottery is going to last far longer. I’m going to even like it far longer than buying whatever trash is on the shelf as you’re in line at Marshalls.” (Jill, 36:36)
• Educate Yourself: Use resources like Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping Institute, iFixit, Wirecutter, and apps like ‘Good On You’ for ethical and quality-focused reviews (39:00+).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Corporations act like they are mad that they have to go through you to get your money. …That’s reflected in the quality of every single thing getting worse.” (Jill, 01:29)
• “Apparently 100% doesn’t mean anything. …It’s just an emoji now.” (Jill, 05:59)
• “We want to buy a lot of stuff, we want to buy it frequently, and we want to buy it so fast that companies cut corners…and I don’t think inherently that’s our nature…It’s 100 years of this being built into our culture.” (Jen, 16:35)
• “They would rather me throw something out and buy a new one than pay a single service fee to fix it.” (Listener, 23:57)
• “If it doesn’t work, Vitamix has got some really excellent customer service. And I love it.” (Jill, 47:56)
• “We have to be there for each other in this endeavor.” (Jen, 40:38)
• “Don’t think you’re doing something good by taking something to the thrift store. …You’re just throwing it in the trash with extra work.” (Jen, 35:43)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 01:29: Opening statement on corporations and declining quality
• 03:22: Listener story on lamps and fast fashion disappointment
• 05:59: “100% doesn’t mean anything”—labeling frustrations
• 07:10: Exploring ‘skimpflation' and key terms
• 08:17–09:25: Real-world examples of lower quality and service
• 10:14–11:46: Historical context—Industrial Revolution to planned obsolescence
• 12:53–17:33: Deep dive into how frugality and advertising built current consumer culture
• 23:57–26:36: Warranties and right-to-repair issues
• 28:36–29:17: Consumer reactions to skimpflation/shrinkflation and erosion of trust
• 32:25: The argument for vintage and repair
• 36:36: Shopping small/handmade as a quality strategy
• 39:00: Resources for quality-conscious consumers
• 46:15–50:13: “Lightning Round” on personal favorite high-quality products (Vitamix, Ninja Coffee Bar, etc.)

Practical Takeaways

• Be Skeptical About Quality Claims: Labels like “100% cotton” are increasingly unreliable—always double-check reviews and tags.
• Buy Used, Vintage, and Reparable: Older products often surpass new ones in durability; minor repairs and tailoring can maximize their value.
• Support Local/Small-Makers: Consider artisanal, local, and small business products—even if the price is a bit higher, the value and quality may surpass mass-market brands.
• Seek Real Reviews & Use Testing Sites: Rely on independent consumer resources, not just influencer recommendations.
• Fight the Throwaway Mindset: Revisit aversions to repairing and upcycling—often, it saves money and the planet.
• Share Quality Finds: The community’s recommendations are vital as traditional trusted brands slip.

Tone & Style

The hosts blend serious research and deep frustration with humor, practical insight, and solidarity. Their style is conversational and venting but also proactive: encouraging empowerment, skepticism, and mutual aid among fellow frugal friends. The episode is both an indictment of modern consumerism and a practical guide to surviving it.

For further info, resources, or to share your own quality product discoveries, check out FrugalFriendsPodcast.com or connect in the comments!