DES MOINES, IA / ACCESS Newswire / July 1, 2026 / For many families across the United States, keeping food on the table costs more than ever. For example, a reporter at Forbes found that a basic bag of groceries worth about $47 in 2020 would cost you nearly $75 in 2026. Unfortunately, prices don't seem to be going back down anytime soon. In fact, April 2026 saw the largest monthly increase in food costs since 2022 at 0.7%.

Households of all sizes have felt the pressure of rising grocery prices. Many are making difficult budget adjustments and changing the way they shop to keep their pantries stocked.

Cutting expenses

Families have had to cut costs wherever possible to make room in their budgets for higher supermarket spending. Typically, when essentials get more expensive, non-essential spending is the first to go: subscription services, meals at restaurants and vacations, for example. But some households have taken their cost-cutting further by removing pricier groceries, like coffee, from their diets or putting off buying new clothes for as long as possible.

Personal loans may help cover expenses that can't wait, such as back-to-school clothes or necessary family travel. However, some families opt for thriftier options, like altering clothes at home to make them last longer or opting to travel by bus or train instead of flying.

Changing the shopping list

While grocery prices have gone up across the board, inflation hasn't affected every supermarket aisle equally. For example, the cost of ground beef has risen by nearly 50% over the last five years, reaching a record high in May 2026. Meanwhile, pantry items haven't increased in price nearly as much.

Some shoppers have begun substituting expensive grocery items with more affordable alternatives. For instance, many families have swapped ground beef with plant-based proteins, like lentils, beans and tofu, saving expensive meat for special meals or occasional splurges. Cheaper alternatives may offer similar nutritional value and, with the right recipe, still make for delicious meals.

Depleting emergency savings

Cutting out extra expenses and making creative changes to your shopping list may not always be enough to make ends meet. Some households have had to dip into emergency savings to navigate rising grocery costs. Using your emergency savings to cover basic expenses may not be ideal, but it's an option to create a little breathing room in your budget.

A loan may help you handle unexpected expenses if you deplete your emergency savings. For example, you may apply for dental financing to cover an emergency root canal.

If possible, try gradually rebuilding your emergency savings by depositing a small portion of every check into your savings account.

Visiting food banks and pantries

Community resources like food banks and pantries help many families struggling with a tightening grocery budget. Offerings vary by organization, but food banks and pantries may provide fresh produce, canned goods, pasta, rice, bread, dairy and even supplies like diapers and hygiene products.

Using a community organization to fill the gaps in your grocery budget may free up funds for other necessities, like rent and childcare. Plus, knowing that you can access free food for your family when needed may provide you with some much-needed stress relief.

Budgeting beyond the checkout aisle

For many families, savvy shopping habits and creative coupon-clipping aren't a match for rising grocery costs. If you find yourself making significant changes in your daily life to keep food in your refrigerator, you're far from alone. Speaking with friends and family about your household budget challenges may open the door to new solutions.

Contact Information:

Name: Nagarameshwar J.
Email: nagarameshwar.j@iquanti.com
Job Title: Director

SOURCE: OneMain Financial