You’ve probably noticed that everything seems a lot more expensive than it did just a few years ago. Things that we used to see as affordable essentials now feel more like luxuries, forcing families to make pretty tough and unfair choices. Let’s take a closer look at some of the many everyday products that are becoming too pricey for most people.
Meat
If you’re a big meat-lover, you’ll be sad to hear that things like beef and chicken have become significantly more expensive recently. Feed prices, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions are all making it harder to keep meat on the table without feeling like you’re overspending.
Fresh Produce
Health should never come with a hefty price tag, but unfortunately, fresh fruits and vegetables, an essential part of a healthy diet, have seen price hikes too. Extreme weather events, higher transportation costs, and labor shortages are making fresh produce like berries, avocados, and leafy greens less affordable. What’s great is that you can make a healthy diet less expensive by buying seasonal produce, choosing frozen options, or growing a small garden of your own.
Coffee
No matter whether you brew it yourself or grab a cup when you’re out and about, coffee is another everyday favorite that’s getting noticeably more expensive. Climate changes in coffee-growing regions, rising shipping costs, and increased demand are all playing a part.
Eggs
Eggs have always been considered a budget-friendly staple, but they’ve seen a dramatic price rise in recent years. There are many reasons for this, such as disease outbreaks in poultry flocks, rising feed costs, and supply chain issues. But sadly, whatever the cause, the end result is that many households are cutting back some of their favorite egg-based recipes or choosing plant-based substitutes to save money.
Butter
Of course, almost everyone still has a trusty supply of butter at hand, but you may have noticed that it’s becoming a lot more pricey these days. Things like higher production expenses in the dairy industry, including feed for cows and transportation costs, are big contributing factors. While margarine or plant-based spreads can be cheaper alternatives, many people still feel the pinch when stocking up for holiday baking or everyday meals.
Gasoline
We all deserve the freedom to get out and about in our cars. But sadly, it’s no secret that filling up your tank has become a major budget strain for many. Fuel prices have been driven up by things like global demand and limited refining capacity. For many, this has meant rethinking how they travel—whether that’s carpooling, using public transit, or even working from home more often to save on transport costs.
Cheese
It’s hard to resist the cheesy goodness of this iconic dairy product. So it’s sad to see so many Americans beginning to see cheese as more of a luxury than an everyday essential. Rising milk prices, labor shortages, and increased production costs are all to blame for this market shift.
Cereal
It may be hard to believe, but even breakfast staples like cereal have gotten pricier lately. Higher grain costs and increased packaging expenses are driving up prices on both name-brand and generic options. To combat this problem, many people are turning to homemade granola or oatmeal as a cheaper way to start the day.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oils like olive oil and vegetable oil really should be seen as an affordable everyday essential. And yet they too have seen sharp price increases in the past decade, meaning a lot of families are feeling more strain on their budgets. If you want to save money, it might be a good idea to buy in bulk or use alternatives like butter or coconut oil, depending on the recipe.
Toilet Paper
Surely toilet paper, a must-have for every household, should be immune to the wave of rising costs… right? Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Increased demand during the pandemic coupled with higher production and shipping expenses has made this essential more expensive than ever.
Thankfully, things have settled down a bit since the pandemic, but you may still want to consider bulk buying or switching to budget brands to cut back on costs.
Laundry Detergent
Yet another daily essential that’s becoming too costly for the likes of most people is laundry detergent. It should never cost a fortune simply to keep your clothes clean, but alas, higher raw material and packaging costs have driven prices up considerably. Some people are turning to DIY detergent recipes or buying in bulk to save money on this household necessity.
Pet Food
Caring for your furry friends has also gotten pricier, with pet food costs rising across the board. According to some estimates, dog food has become a staggering 40% more expensive than it used to be in 2020. Increased demand and higher ingredient costs are making it harder to find affordable options, but bulk buying or switching to store brands are still viable ways you can save while keeping your animals well-fed.
Baby Formula
No one should have to feel like feeding their baby has become a difficult expense to manage. And yet baby formula has faced shortages in addition to price increases, causing a whole lot of stress for many parents. A lot of families are now turning to store-brand formulas or seeking assistance programs to ensure their babies get the nutrition they need.
Paper Towels
Everybody loves the convenience of paper towels, but using them has become more and more difficult to justify as prices rise. Many people are switching to reusable options like cloth rags or microfiber towels. The good news is this can both save you a considerable amount of money and reduce your waste.
Snacks
Do your favorite snacks seem like they’re getting ridiculously expensive these days? You’re not alone there. Snacks like chips, crackers, and cookies are now pricier than ever, thanks to rising ingredient and packaging costs. This has also made homemade alternatives, like baked goods or air-popped popcorn, more popular as people look for ways to make their budgets go further.
Bottled Water
Tap water has always been a much cheaper option, but recently, bottled water prices have hiked up even more because of increased production and transportation costs. So if you’ve been waiting for a good reason to switch to reusable water bottles and filters, this could be it.
Frozen Meals
Who doesn’t love the convenience and quickness of a tasty frozen meal? Unfortunately though, that convenience now comes at a cost, as rising food production costs and demand continue to drive prices up. Instead of relying on pre-made meals, we’d recommend making larger batches of homemade meals and freezing leftovers to keep that sense of convenience without the extra cost.