Research shows American families are going into debt just to cover groceries

It’s no secret that inflation is leaving everyone struggling financially, and it’s affecting our lives in more ways than one. Not only are extracurriculars more expensive (as evidenced by this mom’s parody about dance recital inflation), but one of our basic needs is becoming unaffordable even for the middle class and upper-middle class—being able to eat. Buying food from the grocery store and cooking your own meals is supposed to be less expensive than eating out all the time, but the rising inflation costs of groceries are making cooking at home almost as expensive as going out. And people are going into debt in order to feed themselves and their families at home.

According to an article from BBC, on average, Americans spent more than 11% of their income on food—including restaurant meals—which is a higher proportion than anytime since 1991. And 94% of Americans are “at least somewhat concerned” about rising food and consumer goods prices, the BBC reported from a PEW survey from earlier this year. 

For those families and individuals who have cut going out to eat from their budgets, they’re still struggling with how expensive it is to shop at the grocery store for meals. 

BBC interviewed a 26-year-old security guard from Brooklyn, who said he has never had to pay so much for groceries as he does now. The article noted that Garcia buys ramen noodles and frozen vegetables instead of the fresh food and brand-name items he used to enjoy because he can’t afford more. Garcia also only eats twice a day now.

Garcia told the publication he routinely has to use the “buy now, pay later” schemes so he can be billed for his groceries in installments. 

He told BBC, “I’m stuck in a loop. It’s become an insecurity to pull up my phone at the register and have to use these programs. When they see me, it’s embarrassing.”

Many parents are also taking to social media to share their experiences of “doing everything right” but still barely able to get by. According to a report from the United States Census Bureau, almost 40% of American adults were struggling to make ends meet with finances in April. 

Earlier this year, one mom shared a tearful video about how she feels like she and her husband are doing everything right—both have good jobs. She’s a registered nurse working full time, and he works full time. The mom, Mackenzie, shared that they just got paid that past Friday, so they paid the mortgage, bought some groceries, and put gas in the car. 

“And guys, it is Tuesday, and we have like $200 to $300 to last us until next Friday,” she said.

She added, “We were told to go to college, get a degree, work to support your family…and here we are. Did that—and now what?”

She continued, “Somebody has to do something to change this because I make good money. He makes good money. We don’t live above our means. I don’t know what’s less than paycheck to paycheck…is that poverty? As a registered nurse? With a husband with a second income?”

A recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states Americans are dipping into their savings accounts and racking up credit card debt to get by as spending habits haven’t changed despite the radical increase of the cost of living. Because while the average annual food-at-home prices were 5% higher in 2023 than in 2022, we all still need to feed our families.

The 2023 State of Motherhood survey shows that 55% of survey respondents claim they never receive financial support from their extended families, and while that number decreased to 48% this year, that’s still a substantial amount of families who are all on their own when it comes to money.

With so many families in the same financial boat, shaming them for spending not only doesn’t work—it’s a cruel thing to do. While it may seem logical to simply “reduce spending,” real life doesn’t work that way for people who aren’t making enough money to live—let alone save.