As inflations stretch budgets ever thinner, people must make tough choices. Many shoppers stopped buying items they once considered staples, and cut out a lot of discretionary spending.
Here are the top items people can no longer afford due to inflation.
Cereal
The breakfast staple costs too much for most families. Parents who used to feed their kids cereal for two bucks a week now pay over $7 a box, and with shrinkflation, it doesn’t even last the week.
A House
Many potential homeowners decided they can’t afford to buy a house. Rising interest rates didn’t do much to curtail the outrageous cost of housing in most areas, and only pushed the American Dream further out of reach for many young families.
Concert Tickets
Long gone are the days when you could see a favorite band for fifty bucks. Now, tickets retail for over $100, but after the outrageous fees and cost of parking, people pay upwards of $200 for one night out. And that doesn’t even account for when scammers buy up all the tickets first.
The high cost puts concerts out of reach for many Americans.
Chips
Salty snacks used to be cheap treats. Now, name-brand chips cost over five dollars at convenience stores, making shoppers think twice before indulging.
On the plus side, it’s probably better for our health if we don’t eat them.
A Car
People are keeping their cars longer and finding alternative means of transportation due to the rising costs. The average car payment climbed over $700 for the first time in history, but people don’t save much money buying used. Long gone are the days when you could find a reliable car for under $5000.
Mani/Pedis
When prices rise, people stop buying luxury items and services. While many love feeling pampered with a mani/pedi, it’s one of the first things to go.
Meat
People are replacing beef and chicken with alternative proteins like lentils and beans. Even cheaper cuts traditionally used for soups and stews are too expensive for average families.
Meals
Some are stretched so thin that they’ve cut out essential meals. Some skip breakfast, while others skip lunch to save money on food. About 36% of families have skipped meals for economic reasons due to rising food costs.
Dental Work
Anything associated with health care has always been overpriced, but dental work is getting so expensive that people opt to live with excruciating mouth pain rather than pay for care.
Many don’t have a choice, as they simply can’t afford to get the care they need.
Home Improvements
Inflation is driving the price of home repairs through the roof. Those considering a big remodeling project may want to wait until prices decrease.
Dining Out
When you can barely afford to eat, you cut out on non-essential food like dining at restaurants. People who can afford restaurants even opt out because the price is too high for what you get.
Why spend $100 for subpar food when you can make something that tastes better at home for half the cost?
Travel
People can barely afford to live, so they’re cutting non-essential travel. Rising costs for airfare and hotel stays make it less attractive for even those who can afford it.
Kids
Inflation makes every aspect of childrearing more expensive, pushing an already costly endeavor out of reach for many would-be families.
Delivery
Many pizza places used to offer free delivery with their low cost pizzas. You’d tip your driver a five spot and enjoy a delicious pizza for less than twenty dollars.
Now, most companies charge outrageous delivery fees that don’t even go to the driver, and anyone who does delivery expects a 20-25% tip. Many consumers realize they’re better off making the trip themselves.
Fast Food
Fast food used to be the staple of cheap and easy meals. Unfortunately, as more and more companies do away with dollar menus and charge outrageous prices for a small fry, it’s no longer a cheap option.
A trip to McDonald’s for two can cost upwards of thirty bucks, and the food absolutely did not improve to match the hefty price tag.
Pop
Brand name carbonated beverages cost too much for their value. They’re a fun treat but not essential to a healthy diet.
No one wants to pay nearly ten bucks for a 12-pack of sugary soda.
Video Games
Even the quintessential stay-at-home hobby is too expensive. People can no longer afford a $70 game and instead play hand-me-downs from family or buy used games online.
Medical Care
The outrageous cost of healthcare has always been problematic, but the price keeps going up. People forego health insurance and preventative care because they can’t afford it, making society as a whole sicker.
Everything
Inflation is affecting everything. Far too many Americans are cutting all non-essential spending because they can’t afford to live. They’re skipping meals and bargain-hunting on essentials like groceries and housing.
The situation is untenable.
Frugal Hacks from the Experts That Still Work
Frugal experts are always coming up with innovative ways to save money. These frugal hacks still work despite massive inflation.
Source: Reddit