Why Do Prices Change When You're Not Looking?

Prices change because of what people want and how much stuff there is. If everyone wants a toy, but not enough are made, the price goes up, like when you're the only one left in a candy store at lunchtime.

Imagine your favorite ice cream flavor costs $2 today, but if it becomes super popular, maybe it will cost $3 next week because there's not enough to go around. But if people stop liking it as much, the price might come back down, like when you find out a new flavor is even better.

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Examples

  1. If your favorite candy goes out of stock, it costs more next time you buy it.
  2. A video game becomes super popular, so its price increases for a while until more are made.
  3. Your lunch gets cheaper if the cafeteria adds two more sandwiches to the menu.

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