No inflation and price still the same would be true. But no more inflation doesn’t cancel out previous inflation, it just means its not getting any worse. Your quality of life has fallen, it will now remain this bad for a little while before dropping again shortly.

I can’t eat stock so that is useless.

inflation also increased wages substantailly. if you didn’t get an increase you should have changed jobs to get one. 5 years ago things were cheaper sure, but mc donlands wasn’t paying 15-20/hr 6 years ago either, it was more like 10.

Of course not everyone got that raise, plenty of places are still paying those low wages but working people still have to eat inflation. And if you’re on a fixed income from a pension or social security you’re hosed.