18 Grocery Items That Are Getting Ridiculously Expensive For Most People
Groceries are a necessity. You cannot just drop them from your monthly expenses because you need them to live.
Groceries allow you to purchase food, ingredients, and cleaning supplies that make your house a home. However, with today’s inflation, grocery prices are skyrocketing, making it expensive for most people to even put a meal on the table.
It’s frustrating to see how much you can purchase with $100 five years ago compared to what you can buy today. To go into this a little deeper, we’ve gathered a list of grocery items that are getting expensive a nd most people can’t afford anymore.
1. Baked Goods
The supermarket is the perfect place to buy baked goods like cookies, muffins, and doughnuts. However, the cost of a dozen cookies pre-pandemic is now the cost of a half-dozen cookies today.
Avoid baked goods at the grocery and stick to your usual loaf. Unless you have a special occasion, try to make the baked goods yourself or purchase ready-mix boxes. If you make them yourself, all you have to do is pre-heat your oven, find a recipe you like, purchase the ingredients, and whip them up in your kitchen.
2. Fresh Meat
Expect to pay much more when you buy fresh meat at the grocery store. Although this can depend on the cut and type of meat, the price is still ridiculously high.
A great way to save money when buying meat is to purchase frozen. Groceries tend to sell frozen meats for a lower price. Don’t worry, as the meat is packed during its peak of freshness, so you don’t lose any of its quality.
3. Fresh Fish
Don’t assume that grocery store fish is always fresh. In some cases, it arrives frozen and is thawed for display.
Buy frozen fish instead, which can be just as fresh but is typically cheaper. Frozen fish retains its quality well since it’s only thawed when you’re ready to use it.
4. Cereals
Cereals are a pantry staple for quick breakfasts, often picked up and used daily. To save on grocery costs, consider buying the store’s own brand.
If you prefer branded cereals like Kellogg’s, shop at discount stores or check Amazon for sales. Always check prices before adding items to your cart to stay within your budget.
5. Fruits
Fruits and other natural produce had a high price markup in the last couple of years. One pound of oranges (2 oranges) now cost around $1.60. Now imagine how much it’ll cost your family to eat oranges daily.
A great alternative is to buy fruits from a local market instead of your regular grocery store. Another option is to grow fruits in your backyard, although this requires more time and effort.
6. Organic Items
Unfortunately, healthier choices often come with higher costs. Organic food at the grocery store is now more expensive and limited, so it seems like a luxury product.
Consider shopping at stores that specialize in organic goods. These stores usually offer a wider selection and more affordable options for organic items.
7. Prepared Foods
Premade foods at the grocery store look convenient and appetizing. Who doesn’t like to go home and eat delicious food without the hassle of preparing it? However, this convenience can cost a lot.
When you prepare food yourself, you can save money by buying only the ingredients and doing the preparing yourself. The price of a single premade meal can often provide enough ingredients for you to make multiple servings at home.
8. Precut Produce
Expect to pay more for grocery items that involve labor. Precut produce, for example, is more expensive now than it was before the pandemic. The convenience might not be worth the extra cost.
Buy whole fruits and vegetables and cut them yourself at home. It takes more effort, but it will save you money. Plus, you can be sure that your produce is fresh and free of preservatives.
9. Bottled Water
Bottled water at a grocery store used to be very affordable. I used to purchase a bottle and drink it as I shopped. However, with today’s prices, bottled water is overpriced.
The best way to save money on buying bottled water is to have a water filter at home. You can have an unlimited supply of water at a fraction of the cost. You only have to purchase replacement filters, which cost less than bottles of water and is more friendly for the environment.
10. Carbonated or Flavored Drinks
Gone are the days when a can of soda was extremely affordable. With today’s inflated prices, a can of soda now costs much more.
Carbonated and flavored drinks have skyrocketed in price, making a pack of cans feel like a luxury. To save costs, try buying soda in gallons or in bulk. Alternatively, check out discount stores for sales on your favorite drinks.
11. Shampoo
Shampoo is a necessity to keep hair clean. Sadly, shampoo is getting so ridiculously expensive that you’ll wonder if the price markup is even real.
If possible, switch to a cheaper brand of shampoo. You can also check out shampoo bars; they tend to last longer and offer the same benefits as regular shampoo.
12. Ice Cream
A tub of ice cream after a rough day is a great treat, but prices have gone up. Since the pandemic, a single tub of ice cream has increased from $4.75 to $6.02 per gallon.
You can look for cheaper alternatives for ice cream, or you can create ice cream yourself. With DIY ice cream, you can create a healthier and cheaper sweet treat. I like to make ice cream from frozen bananas, and mix some cacao powder in. Use really ripe bananas if you like the ice cream to be sweeter.
13. Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a grocery staple that you cannot skip. Depending on your household, you’ll have to wash regularly. However, laundry detergent and pods are getting more expensive, and you’ll feel your pockets burning with every wash.
The best way to save with laundry detergent is to buy them in bulk. You can also switch to in-store brands as they’re cheaper. Alternatively, you can create your laundry detergent yourself and mix in dish soap, baking soda, borax, or other ingredients.
14. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is a necessity. Unfortunately, since the pandemic hit, the price of toilet paper has increased and hasn’t lowered since. Between 2019 and 2023, the price has increased by 35%. Of that, more than 10% came from shrinkflation, which means that packaging contains less content.
Buying in bulk and waiting for discounts can save on toilet paper costs. You can also buy a little more now and use it up over time, as it’ll take years or decades before it expires.
15. Pet Food
The grocery is a convenient place to purchase pet foods, but it’s often more expensive because you have more limited choices.
For more affordable options and a better selection, shop for pet food at a pet store. You’ll also have the option to buy in bulk, which can save you money in the long run.
16. Cooking Tools
The grocery store offers more than just food and detergent; it also stocks cooking tools for those trying out new things or needing to replace something from the kitchen. However, these tools are often more expensive than those found in kitchen shops.
To save money, buy your cooking tools at kitchen shops or look for sales to snag discounts. I often check Amazon for cheaper alternatives and read customer reviews to evaluate their quality.
17. Conditioner
Conditioner gives your hair a smooth feeling that’ll make it healthy and soft. However, using conditioner now is considered a luxury as the price has increased in the last couple of years.
If you can, ditch the conditioner from your hair care routine. If you really want to use it, look for 2-in-1 shampoos that include conditioner. That way, you can buy one product for the benefit of two.
18. Special Cheese
Creating a charcuterie board on a Saturday night can feel really fun, but high-quality cheeses aren’t as affordable as they used to be.
When buying cheese, you’re free to purchase any brand you prefer. The FDA strictly monitors the types of cheese that are sold in the market, so you can prioritize price over brand without sacrificing taste.
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