Many everyday items have now become too expensive for the average American. Which items are these? You’ll find 17 of them in this article.
Gas
Gas prices have seen an early 2024 rebound, sparked by higher oil costs, says Forbes Advisor. Yes, the high price of gas has made filling up the tank an expensive luxury that many Americans are struggling to pay for. Getting in the car just to go for a drive is becoming a thing of the past.
Convenience Store Snacks
The high price of convenience snack food in the U.S. is making it a treat rather than something that people pick up every day. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, for staple food items commonly stocked in smaller food stores, prices are generally higher in smaller stores compared with supermarkets.
Medicine
Medicine is very expensive in the U.S. Even simple painkillers are pricey if you don’t have insurance. Drugs.com notes that the cost for an aspirin oral tablet, chewable 81 mg, is around $10 for a supply of 36 tablets. Some Americans are being forced to put up with their pain.
Cereal
Since the Russia-Ukraine War, the price of cereal, an everyday food item, has reached an all-time high. This common breakfast option has become too expensive for many Americans, and they’re having to choose alternative foods for morning meals such as yogurt, fresh fruit, and toast.
Impulse Purchases
Buying things on a whim is something that many Americans do each day without even noticing. Shoppers spent $314, on average, a month on impulse buys in 2022, according to CNBC. But for many Americans, impulse buying is becoming too expensive, and they’re only purchasing things when they need them.
Textbooks
The price of college textbooks is becoming unfathomable for many U.S. citizens. Hard copy books can cost as much as $400, with an average price between $100 and $150, says the Education Data Initiative. These high costs are forcing many to take out expensive loans or even rethink studying altogether.
Coffee to Go
Grabbing a cup of coffee to go used to be something that all Americans did on the way to work. But paying for hot beverages from a café is becoming an expensive luxury for the average citizen. Many have decided to get a good to-go cup and drink their homebrew while commuting.
Dog Food
Americans like to give their pets the best care possible. Many feed their dogs premium pet food, which, by The Dog Stop’s calculations, can cost anywhere from $150 to $300. But since this is becoming a hard pill to swallow, the average American is being forced to buy lower quality dog food that costs in the range of $30–$75.
Café Breakfast
Having breakfast on the go is a great way for many Americans to save time in the morning and ensure a good start to their day. But buying breakfast each day from a café is a luxury that most middle-class Americans can no longer afford.
Takeout
Most Americans eat out at least four times a week. But buying ready-made food is more expensive than preparing it at home. Many middle-class families with children are struggling to pay for takeout on a regular basis and are now opting for more home-cooked meals.
Bottled Water
Who would have thought that bottled water would become a luxury that many couldn’t afford? Instead of wasting money on overpriced bottled water, many Americans find themselves obligated to bring their own water bottles with them from home when out and about or traveling to work.
Stationery
Every month of the academic year is expensive for parents. And with the rising costs of simple school supplies like backpacks, pencil cases, and lunchboxes, some Americans are really feeling the squeeze. Instead of getting new stationery each fall, some kids are having to recycle their kit from last year.
Sandwiches
Grabbing a sandwich for lunch is a quick solution for many working Americans. But since the Russia-Ukraine War, the price of bakery goods has increased, turning a simple sandwich into a luxury. Many Americans are having to find alternatives for lunch or bring their own from home.
Fast Fashion
Buying inexpensive clothing, wearing it for a season, and throwing it away has become an expensive habit that many Americans are being forced to drop. Instead of gravitating toward fast fashion, many are now saving for clothes and buying good-quality items that they can wear year in and year out.
Subscription TV
It’s so easy to subscribe to a TV streaming service and not end up using it to the fullest. But paying for a subscription TV service that no one is using has become a luxury that many middle-class Americans are having to put a stop to.
Public Transportation
Jumping on the bus, getting in a cab, or riding the subway is something that many Americans do to get to work each day. However, with the ever-increasing cost of public transportation, many U.S. citizens are finding themselves cycling and walking to work where possible to save money.
Disposables
Disposable wipes, brushes, and gloves are all things that Americans use to clean their houses on a regular basis. But throwaway items have become too expensive for many, and they’re now swapping over to more hardwearing wipes, brushes, and gloves that they can wash, dry, and then use again.
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