You’re not imagining it — grocery shopping has gotten brutal. And it’s not just struggling families feeling the pain: even Americans pulling in six-figure salaries are rethinking every dollar they spend at the supermarket.
A new LendingTree survey shows a whopping 88% of shoppers have changed their grocery habits thanks to inflation. That includes 85% of households earning over $100,000 a year — proof that no one’s immune from the squeeze.
Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst said “People are loyal to their favorite brands and stores, but when prices spike, you’re forced to make tough choices.”
The survey, which polled over 2,000 Americans in January, found that 61% are stressed about how they’ll afford their next grocery haul. And 59% say they’re eating out less just to keep food on the table at home.
Bye-Bye, Impulse Buys
The days of tossing random treats into your cart are over for many. According to the survey:
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44% are now buying cheaper store brands.
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38% are ditching impulse buys.
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59% are skipping restaurant meals altogether.
Even tipping habits are changing. Nearly half of Americans say inflation has made them rethink how much extra they leave after a meal — with nearly 30% admitting they’re tipping less.
Meanwhile, debit cards are king at checkout (44% of shoppers use them), followed by credit cards (25%), cash (16%), and EBT cards (14%).
How Shoppers Are Fighting Back
To beat rising costs, savvy shoppers are going bulk — hitting warehouse giants like Costco and Sam’s Club, where bigger packs mean bigger savings. Buying staples like paper towels in bulk can shave about 27% off the bill, according to LendingTree research.
Others are using apps like Flashfood, Misfits Market, and TooGoodToGo to score deals on groceries that might not look perfect but still taste great — or meals from restaurants that would otherwise go to waste.
Want more savings without switching stores? Experts recommend setting a strict budget, hunting for in-store deals (like cheaper uncut meats), and shopping seasonally at farmers markets.
For those feeling especially squeezed, a side hustle or negotiating a raise at work might help patch the gap, experts say.
“Everyone’s looking for ways to survive inflation — and the grocery cart tells the story,” Schulz said.