15 Foods That are Becoming Hard to Afford
A high portion of the population split their paychecks between rent, food, and necessities, leaving little to spare for indulgences of the past, like self-care or vacation time. Those luxuries now sit in the distance, too far for most of us to grasp. We struggle to pay our grocery bills on top of our rent to keep ourselves housed. We’ve waved goodbye to beloved food items, opting for the affordable alternative. We’ve noted those items that used to fill our grocery carts but remain on the shelves today due to inflation.
1. Mango
During a grocery trip a few weeks ago, I picked up a ripe mango, determining its freshness. The delectable fruit emitted a pleasant fragrance and settled between firm and soft, the perfect place for a purchasable mango. I tossed it in the cart, refusing to think about it until the payment for the fruit rolled around. That mango cost $2. That’s $2 that could go to a fulfilling meal, another box of fruit, or water. Flabbergasted, I decided to pay for the mango that once, but I would hold off on future purchases.
2. Eggs
Eggs used to be a go-to meal for college students with little money. One of my best friends admitted he purchased five cartons of eggs once, frying them up for each meal when he needed to cram his studies in before finals. This financial decision seemed feasible when eggs cost around $1 per carton. Today, a carton ranges between $2 and $7 for the higher-end shelled food.
3. Crab
Crab legs are one of the most expensive foods on the market. A Google search asking the price of crab legs yields results from $19 to $141 for crabs with intact shells. Local seafood joints serve crab legs at the shifting market price, yet the value continues to increase.
4. Nuts
Pistachios are my favorite tree nut, although they’ve become a semi-annual treat due to pricing. The black and green brand everyone associates with pistachios (Wonderful) asks for $10 for a shelled and seasoned bag of 12 ounces of kernels, while the alternative shelled and seasoned 24-ounce bag begs for shy of $10, according to my local Walmart. Compared to other tree nuts, a 24-ounce bag of chopped walnuts runs for $9.30 at the same Walmart.
5. Candy Bars
Any Wawa fans here? I sometimes pop my head into Wawa for a late-night snack or refreshment during late-night drives. This night, I thought an eight-pack of Sweet Tart Ropes would satiate my sweet tooth. I was right, but the bag cost $3.39 for one pack of candy. I remember years ago, I’d purchase the same candy for $1. Often I’d purchase a few bags at a time for the bargain price.
6. Fast Food
Remember the good old days when $5 translated to a filling fast food meal? When could $20 feed a family of four at virtually any chain fast food location? These days, value menus make any customer laugh at their measly portions. I paid $15 at Burger King for a medium fry, an Impossible Whopper, and a small orange juice. With that $15, I could’ve purchased ingredients to cook a few nutritious meals.
7. Coffee/ Tea
You know the meme about the homemade coffee and the $7 coffee made by a bisexual? The line for the coffee made elsewhere pours out behind the window, reiterating that society favors other people making their food instead of creating their meals and beverages. At my ideal local coffee shop, a serving of chai tea mixed with non-dairy milk and sweetened with vanilla costs me $6.56. The same drink, sub out tea for coffee, a total of around $7.32. If I’m feeling generous toward myself, I’ll make the splurge. When feeling frugal, I forget about the lack of caffeine flowing through my veins, operating on sheer willpower for the day’s remainder.
8. Avocado
The problem with avocados is their slim window between ripe and rotten. The chances of a stony avocado morphing into baby mash before the owner notices exceed the chances of the owner using the fruit in an edible dish. Avocados’ uncertain shelf life, paired with their expense, make them a purchase from the past.
9. Seafood
I mentioned this in another article, but I’ll draw attention to it again. My friend Jake and I dined at Red Lobster the other day. He ordered scallop pasta, expecting to receive creamy noodles topped with hefty scallops what he got resembled a microwave dinner with minuscule scallops dotting the plate. He forked over $28 for that meal.
10. Ice Cream
Name the last time you purchased a carton of ice cream. How much did it cost you? Location varies the price of the dairy treat, like everything else, so I shouldn’t have expressed shock upon seeing a $7 gallon of ice cream at the gas station. No, this $7 carton didn’t showcase any legendary flavor. It didn’t even claim the gods themselves crafted the sugar. The expensive carton asked $7 for rudimentary vanilla bean ice cream.
11. Soda
At that same gas station, I peeked at the price of soda. I do not consume soda myself, but I live with my father, who drinks around ten cans of Diet Coke each day. About the artificially sweetened caffeine drink, his pockets reap no benefits. He’s spent $5 on a bottle at outings and $7 on a carton.
12. Cereal
How can a person eat cereal for dinner when a cereal box costs more than a take-home meal? Again, depending on the Location, cereal costs between $3 and $14 if luck lands in your cart with a discount. Many people who purchase(d) cereal admit they’ve discontinued giving money to corporate greed, switching out the sugary flakes for oatmeal or fruit.
13. Chips
No matter how much a bag of chips costs, the air sold to a customer will always stun the customer. The other side of the chip debacle that stuns customers is the price. On Amazon, a bag of classic Lay’s chips in the party size, which is 15.8 ounces, costs $14.17. Despite the refined classic taste and the crispy crunch of the potato concoction, who wants to pay $15 for a bag of chips a few kids will devour in an hour?
14. Lunchables
Callback to the days when ten Lunchables came out to ten dollars. You’d throw in your favorite flavors, hoping your parent wouldn’t exchange them for a “healthier” option at checkout. Today, the prepackaged sandwich makers come out to almost double.
15. Frozen Food
Throwing a frozen meal or a TV dinner into the microwave before bed while a prime-time television show aired used to represent happiness within the middle class. An illusion of making it big in the world. Or, at least, making enough money to treat yourself to dinner in front of the television. The healthier the meal, the pricier its cost. You can buy a microwavable fettuccine for $1, but do you crave that tasteless dinner, or do you want $6 worth of mouth-watering lemon caper chicken garnished with sides of broccoli and potatoes?
16 Overpriced Restaurants That Shouldn’t Have So Much Popularity
The days of gorging out at cheap, tasty fast food or chain restaurants receded with the cost of affordable housing. What used to garner a hefty-portioned meal at a staple drive-thru might grant us one or two sides of food. As restaurants continue increasing prices, they underdeliver their promise of appeasing the appetite. Here are our top 16 choices for chain restaurants that overprice and underserve.
16 Overpriced Restaurants That Shouldn’t Have So Much Popularity
12 Fast Food Restaurants That Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck
Looking to satisfy your fast food cravings without breaking the bank – you’ve come to the right place! We’ve done the legwork and found 12 fast food joints that deliver on value. Whether you’re after a juicy burger, crispy fries, or a fresh salad, these restaurants have covered you. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to discover some fantastic deals that will leave your tummy and wallet full.
12 Fast Food Restaurants That Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck
Foodie Paradise Found: 15 European Destinations That Won’t Disappoint Your Tastebuds
Europe, a continent steeped in history, has always been a melting pot of culinary traditions. From the sophisticated flavors of French cuisine to the hearty staples of German fare, its diverse palate has been a gastronome’s paradise. But recently, a new wave of culinary destinations has emerged, catching the attention of food enthusiasts worldwide.
Foodie Paradise Found: 15 European Destinations That Won’t Disappoint Your Tastebuds
