Have you been skipping your favorite impulse treat at the grocery store recently? You’re in good company, as new research reveals that a lot of people are tweaking their grocery runs to help save more money. According to a new study from LendingTree, 88% of Americans have recently changed their food shopping habits over rising inflation.
LendingTree polled 2-thousand adults across the country and found:
- Overall, 61% of Americans admit they’re stressed about affording groceries because of inflation.
- While most people are brand-loyal when it comes to groceries, 44% are now buying generic or store brands to save more.
- More than a third (38%) are avoiding impulse purchases that weren’t on their shopping list.
- Even high earners are watching their spending, with 85% of households earning more than $100-thousand reporting they’re changing their grocery habits.
- People also have less left in their budgets for dining out these days, as 59% say they’re going to restaurants less often now.
- Nearly a quarter (22%) say they haven’t dined out in the past month, while 87% say they do it once a week or less.
- When they do splurge on a restaurant meal, close to 30% report tipping less than usual.
- Buying in bulk, like at Costco or Sam’s Club, is one way to help save on food costs, as a previous LendingTree study found that shoppers save an average of 27% when buying larger quantities.
- Experts also suggest creating a grocery budget and sticking to it and shopping at the farmer’s market for produce that’s currently in season.
Source: Food and Wine