Are you tired of rising costs? Inflation is something most people are familiar with, mainly because of the impact they feel on their wallets while shopping. Grocery items that used to cost a few dollars may now have you debating whether or not to take them home from the grocery store at all. Although grocery shopping is a personal experience, most of us can agree that some items have gotten out of hand.
From trendy green shakes to convenient snacks, here are a few items you may want to skip on your next trip out of the house.
1. Eggs
Eggs saw a price hike earlier this year due to the bird flu wiping out millions of chickens. The price hike in eggs may be for various reasons, but one thing’s for sure: You will feel it the next time you go grab a dozen eggs at your local grocery store. It’s hard to avoid eggs because they are a staple in many recipes, but buying them in bulk at your local wholesale club can be a smart move to save some money.
2. Coffee and Tea
There’s something special about the morning ritual of sipping a hot coffee as you start the morning. However, whether it’s higher freight costs or bad weather in Brazil, where much of the world’s coffee is produced, prices are creeping upward.
Buying coffee at your local Starbucks or café has never been a smart move because you’ll pay upwards of 10 times more for a single cup of coffee! With rising costs, paying $4–$10 for a single drink when you can opt for 30 cents a cup at home isn’t worth it.
3. Dairy Products
If you love cheese and milk, this one’s for you. The average price of a gallon of milk hovers around $3–$4 if you factor in taxes. If you have a large family, you may need to purchase a few gallons weekly. Despite milk’s many benefits, there are also many downsides.
Consider dropping milk and finding your vitamins and proteins in other foods. For non-dairy people, milk is a no-brainer to cut out in an attempt to save money—although non-dairy milk alternatives can be just as expensive.
4. Meat Products
It’s common to pay $10 for a pack of chicken tenders at your local store. For a single person, this may serve a few meals, but for a larger family, this will not be enough. This means families can spend $30–$50 for meat alone while shopping for groceries. Consider other protein sources such as beans, soy, nuts, and eggs, which may be cheaper.
5. Bread and Bakery Products
Bread prices have risen upward of 30% since 2021. The reality is most families waste some portion of their food, meaning you most likely won’t consume everything you purchased on your next trip to the grocery store.
Instead of stocking up with several loaves of bread, plan out your meals ahead of time. This way, you will be less likely to throw away bread or other bakery items. Too much bread is no longer worth the cost.
6. Cereal and Breakfast Foods
It’s possible to cut down on cereal costs by exploring alternatives like oats, but for some, cereal is a breakfast staple. With the average cereal box cost being $4–$5 after taxes, this popular breakfast food may not be worth it anymore.
Maybe there’s a nostalgia factor to why cereal is such a popular breakfast, but there are many cheaper and healthier alternatives. Do your homework and decide whether or not cereal will make it to your shopping cart on your next trip to the grocery store.
7. Fruits and Vegetables
On average, a pack of strawberries now costs upward of $5 after taxes—even more if you shop organic. Should you just stop shopping for fruits altogether? No, but you must be picky with what you grab at the store.
Online shopping for your grocery items may work for you if you’re an impulsive shopper. Many grocery stores are now making this feature available to shoppers either directly through the store or through various apps.
8. Sugar and Sweeteners
Sugar can add flavor to many of your favorite meals, and it’s a must-have for bakers. Still, with rising prices, you may want to think twice about the amount you purchase. Too much sugar is never a good idea, and it may be wise to consider healthy sugar alternatives. For example, mixing fruit into your recipes can be an easy way to satisfy your sweetness craving.
9. Canned Goods
If you’re one to purchase dozens of canned foods in case of an apocalypse, consider the amount you purchase today. A quick search will show you that prices for canned foods have been rising. However, canned beans or veggies are still a cost-effective option compared to other alternatives.
10. Frozen Foods
Rising prices also impact many frozen foods, from ice cream to waffles. But when done right, buying frozen foods can actually help you save money. For example, you can buy frozen fruit in bulk versus buying it fresh, and it will last longer. What may not be worth the cost anymore, though, is frozen burritos or junk foods that satisfy your late-night cravings.
11. Snacks and Confectioneries
It’s hard not to grab snacks while grocery shopping, but you must now be more selective. For example, opt for popcorn or fruits instead of protein-based snacks like cookies, which are often overpriced. Prices vary depending on your favorite snacks, but it’s not uncommon to pay more than $5 per snack in the US.
12. Carbonated Drinks
According to research, carbonated drinks have almost doubled in price. Popular soda brands aren’t healthy for you and—now more than ever—aren’t worth the cost. Still, not all carbonated drinks are bad.
Even with the recent price hikes, carbonated water, or seltzer, can be a great alternative for many to quench their soda cravings while saving money.
13. Pet Food
We all love our pets, but we have to be smart with how we shop. For example, some canned cat food costs upward of $2 per can. If one cat consumes two cans daily, this adds up to $14 per week or $56 per month!
Read the ingredients, do your homework, and shop for quality food that isn’t all hype. If you don’t do proper research, you may end up paying for great marketing more than you are paying for quality.
14. Baby Products
How can you cope with a 50% price increase on a product you need? If you’re a parent, you’ve most likely seen a price hike in diapers. On average, prices have risen from $25 to almost $50!
While you can’t stop buying diapers for your baby or toddler, you can avoid large, big-box brands. Do your research and find cost-effective alternatives, because popular brands may not be worth the cost anymore.
15. Pasta and Rice
Pasta and rice are staples for many home-cooked meals. With rising prices, you now have to think twice about the amount you put in your shopping cart. Paying more than $5 for a single box of pasta may not be worth it, but if done right, you can still snag bargains for today’s costs at your local grocery store.
16. Seafood
If you’re a seafood lover, price hikes for seafood won’t surprise you. Buying seafood weekly may no longer be worth the cost, but you can still purchase seafood as a treat. Limiting your seafood intake may be a good thing anyway because too much seafood can cause a build-up of mercury in your body.
17. Nuts and Seeds
Expect to pay $5 or more for a bag or jar of nuts at your local grocery store. Buying a smaller pack of nuts may no longer be worth the cost, but buying them in bulk can still be a great option. Snack on a pack of nuts during the day instead of less healthy alternatives, and you may save money while saving your health too!
Adapt to Survive Rising Prices
Some items on this list are hard to avoid, despite their price hikes. Although it may seem like a hopeless situation, choosing smaller or generic brands, limiting your intake, and researching quality brands instead of paying for great marketing will help you adapt to rising costs. Additionally, nailing down your budget and increasing your income are great steps to take to protect you and your family from future inflation.