13 Things

An introduction to the list.

13 Things started as a simple concept, to track the cost of commonly-purchased items over the course of a year. In addition to that monthly update, this blog will contain interviews with public officials and experts, about where those cost increases come from and what those costs could mean for your home or office budget.

The list of items came over about two months’ time of research, with careful consideration of items that are purchased in most households, items that saw increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and seasonal items that tend to be needed on the fly.

The backbone of this blog will be a monthly update of these costs. Links to where those costs are posted can be found below with that list of items, and those costs will be consistently drawn from those sources.

To keep the methods for pricing consistent, the originating company is listed whenever possible – Ford and Nike, specifically. Since this blogger is located in Fort Collins, Colo., stores and housing prices are based in that location, as is the search for average gas prices through AAA.

While the method for updating prices is set for now, there may be a time to revise and update sources, the list of Things, or other details. With instruction from reader feedback and observation of pricing trends, those changes will be made.

So, reach out by using the contact form, the goal here is to create a body of information that tracks pricing trends in the simplest way possible. This project can only be made more robust and informative with feedback from you.

13 Things

1. One gallon of mid-grade gas

2. One dozen eggs – Lucerne Farms cage-free jumbo eggs 12-count

3. One gallon of milk – Lucerne Milk Reduced-Fat 2% Milk

4. Median home price – Fort Collins, Colo. – Zillow

5. Levi’s 501 Jeans – 501 Original Fit Men’s Jeans

6. 2×4 board

7. Sheet of plywood – Home Depot 3/8 in. 4×8 ft Sheathing Plywood

8. Ford F-150 – starting price on Ford.com

9. 12-pack of Toilet Paper – Safeway, Cottonelle 12 mega pack Ultra Comfort

10. 6-pack of Bud Light – Safeway

11. Sudafed PE (18 tablets) – Walgreens

12. Nike Air Force 1 men’s sneakers – Nike.com

13. Water Heater (cost, no installation) – Home Depot, Rheem 40 gal. Water heater, 6-year warranty