For a snapshot of what groceries cost in the 1930s, here the ad for A&P stores that appeared 90 years ago today, August 3, 1931 in the Washington Evening Star.  (You can click on the image to see the full size version.)  The prices look like bargains, but there has been a lot of inflation in 90 years. According to this inflation calculator, one dollar in 1931 is the equivalent of $17.87 in 2021 dollars.

So the one pound loaf of bread for a nickel is the equivalent of 89 cents today, which is about what one would expect to pay. But if you want to butter your bread, it’s two pounds for 59 cents, which works out to about $5.28 per pound. And eggs start at 29 cents a dozen, but that’s over $5 in today’s money.

Frankfurters are 30 cents a pound, but that is over $5 today. Depending on the brand, coffee ranged from 19 cents to 29 cents per pound. That’s relatively inexpensive, since it’s the equivalent of $3.33 to $5.09.

What item do you think is the best bargain? Feel free to leave a comment below.