If grocery shopping is starting to feel like more of a splurge than an essential trip, you’re not alone. Prices are continuing to rise on many everyday essentials, so some things that were once must-haves are now considered too pricey to justify for a lot of households. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common grocery store items that are getting crossed off our shopping lists thanks to their high costs.
Organic Eggs
Eggs have always been seen as a go-to for affordable protein, but sadly, recent price spikes have made them seem far less appealing. A lot of shoppers have been shocked by how much a carton costs nowadays, especially when it comes to organic or free-range varieties. This has caused some households to turn to egg alternatives like flaxseed or aquafaba for baking.
Real Butter
Everyone knows what an essential ingredient butter is, which is why it’s even more annoying that it’s become noticeably more expensive. The rising cost of dairy production, coupled with supply chain issues, has pushed prices to an all-time high. Some are reluctantly switching to margarine or plant-based spreads to save money, even if they prefer the taste of real butter.
Fresh Berries
For the health-conscious among us, fresh berries have always made the perfect sweet treat, even if they’re a tad on the pricey side. But sadly, recent price hikes have pushed them out of reach for many shoppers.
However, the good news is that frozen berries remain a more budget-friendly option, offering the same nutrition without the high price point.
Specialty Cheeses
If you like to enjoy a sense of luxury dining every now and then, gourmet cheeses make the perfect treat, especially for special occasions. But now, even basic blocks of cheddar and mozzarella are stretching the budgets of many people. Higher dairy production costs have made cheese an expensive item for many families.
Orange Juice
For many, a tall glass of OJ makes the perfect addition to an energizing breakfast. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel as refreshing when you see the price tag that comes with it. Citrus production has been hit hard by weather-related issues and plant diseases, leading to higher costs on store shelves.
Bacon
It’s hard to resist the delicious smell of sizzling bacon, but sadly a lot more people are having to fight that urge these days. Bacon has become a luxury for many households, as higher feed costs and production challenges in the pork industry have driven prices up. This has left many shoppers to rethink their breakfast choices and turn to options like turkey bacon instead.
Beef
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you may have heard that meat, and especially beef, has gotten a lot more expensive recently. Even ground beef isn’t as affordable as it used to be, leaving families on a budget with some hard decisions to make.
Some shoppers are turning to chicken, pork, or plant-based proteins like beans and lentils to keep meals hearty without the hefty price tag.
Cereal
Yet another breakfast that’s taken a hit is cereal. Our favorite brands have been forced to raise their prices because of rising grain prices and packaging costs. Some households are switching to homemade granola or oatmeal to save money while still enjoying a quick breakfast.
Coffee
You’re not alone if you see coffee as more of a necessity than a nice-to-have. A lot of people rely on a nice hot cuppa to get them going in the morning. But you may have noticed that the cost of your morning cup has gone up significantly over time. Supply chain disruptions and climate challenges in coffee-growing regions are making beans more expensive.
Fresh Salmon
Salmon has always been a pricier protein, but many people think it’s worth it for the protein and omega-3 it offers. However, the price of those health benefits has risen significantly lately due to higher demand and transportation expenses. This has led some to opt for canned salmon or other types of fish that are more affordable, even if they’re not quite as satisfying or healthy.
Packaged Snacks
It’s not just meal essentials that are taking a hit, but our favorite snacks too. Chips, crackers, and other pre-packaged snacks are all feeling the effects of higher ingredient and packaging costs. While these items are just as tasty and convenient as they’ve always been, their prices are making shoppers think twice.
Milk
Unfortunately, even a basic grocery item like milk isn’t as affordable as it once was. Rising feed prices and transportation costs are contributing to higher dairy prices across the board. Many American families are switching to store-brand milk or exploring plant-based options like almond or soy milk instead.
Nuts
One of the best things you can snack on if you’re health-conscious is nuts. But if you’re nuts for almonds, cashews, and walnuts, you’ll be sad to hear that they’ve become a pricey addition to grocery carts.
Between droughts affecting production and higher transportation costs, the price per pound is making a lot of shoppers rethink their snack options.
Olive Oil
Cooking with olive oil has become more expensive, as rising production and shipping costs have led to significant price increases. For those who use it in many of their meals, the higher cost can add up quickly. This has driven a lot of shoppers to switch to vegetable or canola oil as a more budget-friendly alternative.
Frozen Dinners
One of the best things about frozen dinners is their convenience. However, while they’re easy to pop in the oven or microwave, their rising cost has many people opting to cook from scratch instead. The silver lining is that while bulk cooking and freezing your own meals is more effort, it’s also a healthier and more cost-effective alternative.
Buttered Popcorn
Movie nights just aren’t the same now that the cost of microwave popcorn feels like a splurge. The rising price of butter and other ingredients has pushed this once-affordable snack into the “treat” category for many. Air-popped popcorn with your own seasonings has become a go-to substitute for budget-conscious shoppers.
Fresh Herbs
If you like to think of yourself as a bit of a chef, herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley are a must-have addition to meals, but as you may have noticed, their price tags can be hard to swallow. Since they’re perishable and often sold in larger bundles than most people use, fresh herbs can feel wasteful and expensive.
Ice Cream
Even the humble pint of ice cream has seen a noticeable price jump recently, turning it into an occasional treat instead of a regular purchase for many American households. Rising dairy and production costs are to blame, leaving families to explore store-brand options or even make their own ice cream at home.