A recent survey reveals that nearly 30% of Americans are being forced to cut back on groceries. The prices of our favorite staples will only ever go one way, but it seems that some increases have gone beyond the point where our budgets can justify them.
One answer is to buy non-branded produce, but that’s not always possible. Some grocery staples are so expensive that they’re being cut from the family roster altogether, says the consumer spending survey by TD Bank.
As the cost of living continues to increase, certain items are now considered luxuries and are being removed from our shopping carts.
1. Bacon
Meat is always going to be one of the most expensive products on our shopping list. Certain cuts remain affordable for now, but the price of pork has increased considerably.
A number of factors are involved, but a reduced supply is the main reason for the price hikes. Bacon was once a regular treat, but may now be a rare luxury for the average American family.
2. Plant-Based Substitutes
There was a time when vegan substitutes, or “fake meat” if you prefer, were a cheaper option than the real thing. Regular carnivores could still get a fix of bacon or sausages at a lower cost.
In the present day, the production methods of vegan meat substitutes, which require additional flavor enhancers, are leading to increased prices. It’s another regular food product that is being left on the shelves.
3. Branded Cosmetics
One way to save money is by ditching recognized brands and opting for cheaper products. That’s the case with some cosmetics, most notably face cream, hand cream, and other moisturizers.
Significant savings can be had in the long term, but you may need to be patient. Work through some non-branded products before you find one with the quality to meet your demands.
4. Citrus Fruit
We shouldn’t eliminate fruit from our diet, but some products in this category have seen the biggest price rises in recent years.
The costs of citrus production and delivery are still high. There are cheaper brands and canned citrus is an option, but you generally get what you pay for with fruit, and the quality of those lower-priced products is often inferior.
5. Butter
From 2022 onwards, some everyday products in the UK became so expensive that they had to be armed with security tags. Among the items in question was butter which rose to the equivalent of around $8 a pack for premium brands.
Many shoppers had no option but to switch to non-branded butter. Vegetable oil spreads can add an extra saving, but the taste doesn’t compare favorably.
6. Olive Oil
Some products become so expensive that even non-branded versions are beyond regular budgets. That’s the case with olive oil which has become a luxury that many can’t afford.
Cheaper vegetable oils are the only possible answer here. They are OK as a replacement for cooking, but when a recipe calls for olive oil to be drizzled over for taste, there is no comparison.
7. Holiday Candy
Around August each year, tins of Christmas candy hit the stores, and they seem to get more expensive as the weeks drift by.
Should you purchase early or wait and take a chance on late offers? Unfortunately, rising costs have made these products a luxury, while the pack size has decreased in some cases. This is a phenomenon known as “shrinkflation,” and it’s another concerning issue for consumers.
8. Chips
While the concept of shrinkflation hasn’t been as widespread among bags of chips, some customers are unhappy. There are complaints that bags are “half full,” and the rising costs can’t be justified.
Cheap brands provide a salty fix, but chips are another product that demands quality. The premier producers hit the mark in terms of taste and texture, but they continue to put added pressure on our budgets.
9. Eggs
An increase in avian flu outbreaks has affected the price of eggs globally. In fact, this everyday household product may have seen the biggest price hikes of all, with reports of 200% increases in places.
The issue with eggs is that it’s hard to source alternatives. OK, so you can whisk chickpea water to replicate stiff egg whites, but most shoppers have to bear the higher prices.
10. Grapes
Grapes have always been expensive when compared to other fruits. Unlike other products, ripening stops when they are picked, so timing in regard to harvesting and transportation is critical.
Inflation has affected a naturally expensive product and with those transport costs increasing too, grapes have moved from an everyday snack into the luxury category.
11. Hot Dogs
There are claims that hot dogs may increase by around 400% on average over the next few months. Family hot dog night could be a thing of the past unless you have a branch of Costco nearby.
The retailer continues to sell a single hot dog for $1.50 and that figure is in line with 1985 prices. With the cost of meat continuing to rise, it will be fascinating to see if Costco can maintain those figures.
12. Pet Foods
Unfortunately, pets don’t understand that we have to tighten our budgets, and many expect us to return from the store with premium food. The prices of some of these products exceed many canned foods intended for human consumption and recent increases have been alarming.
If your cat or dog won’t eat cheaper products, it’s a false economy, which means that many of us simply have to cope with these increases if we possibly can.
13. Coffee
It’s sad to see coffee cross into the luxury category. Many of us struggle to function without regular cups throughout the day, but increases of up to 33% are hard to justify.
Switching to tea is an option, and if you are away overnight in a budget hotel, it might be an idea to cram a few sachets of coffee into your luggage before you check out.
14. Beef
It isn’t just pork products that are rising beyond the budget of 30% of Americans. Beef is also increasing, and steak night is becoming an unaffordable luxury.
Ground beef is an option for making burgers at home. It’s cheaper than steak and still delicious if you have time for home cooking. Cuts such as shin are also available: Shin of beef requires extended cooking time, but if you’re patient you will be rewarded with tender and delicious meat.
15. Fruit Juice
It’s tough to switch to cheaper juice brands. Those products that are made from concentrate tend to be watery and it’s another case where false economy is a factor.
Unfortunately, with orange juice rising to around $8 a carton, a compromise is necessary for many families. It’s another everyday product that is sadly rising above the regular American household budget.
16. Take-Out
Strictly speaking, it’s not a regular grocery item, but it’s worth mentioning the rising cost of take-out. For a couple, a modest outlay of around $30 has risen to $50 and beyond.
It’s easy to address the problem: You can simply cut out take-out meals altogether, but it’s a shame that the rising cost of living is depriving families of their weekly or monthly treat.
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