No matter how frugal you are, there are some expenses in life that you just can't avoid.
One of those is food. We all need to feed ourselves and our families a balanced diet that keeps us safe and feeling nourished inside and out. Yet that's harder to do each year as prices continually rise.
The US Inflation Calculator keeps track of how much people across the country are paying for some of the most popular kitchen staples on average at select grocery stores. Here is how the prices on 19 common items have changed since March 2020.
1.Bananas are a staple in plenty of kitchens across the country. In 2020, bananas cost $0.58 per pound. Today they cost $0.64 per pound.
2.Oranges went from $1.17 per pound in March 2020 to $1.51 per pound in March 2023.
3.Field-grown tomatoes, on the other hand, have decreased in price, going from $2.20 per pound to $2.11 per pound.
4.Sliced bacon has gone WAY up, retailing for $5.26 per pound in March 2020, when today it costs $6.81 per pound.
5.Fresh, whole chicken was going for $1.40 per pound in March 2020 and is up to $1.86 per pound today.
6.Boneless chicken breast was at $2.90 per pound in March 2020. Today it's at $4.32 per pound.
7.One hundred percent ground beef cost $3.88 per pound in March 2020. It's now $4.79 per pound.
8.One hundred percent beef ground chuck was $4.11 per pound in March 2020. It's gone up to $4.64 per pound.
9.Boneless USDA-choice sirloin steak was retailing at $8.27 per pound in March 2020, which sounds pretty high until you learn it's currently $10.31 per pound.
10.Fortified fresh whole milk cost $3.25 per gallon in March 2020. Now milk is $4.20 per gallon.
11.Natural cheddar cheese was going for $5.33 per pound three years ago. Now it's $5.95 per pound.
12.One dozen large grade A eggs have seen the biggest jump of all, going from $1.53 in March 2020 to $4.82 in the present day.
13.White bread cost $1.41 per pound in March 2020. Today it's $1.89 per pound.
14.All-purpose white flour was going for $0.44 per pound in March 2020. Now it's $0.54 per pound.
15.Long-grain white rice was $0.73 per pound back in March 2020. Now it's $0.97 per pound.
16.One hundred percent ground roast coffee cost $4.33 per pound in March 2020. Today it costs $6.36 per pound.
17.A 16-ounce bag of potato chips was going for $4.63 in March 2020. Now that same bag goes for $6.24.
18.In March 2020, ice cream was going for $4.92 per half gallon. That half gallon now costs $5.81.
19.Chocolate chip cookies cost $3.81 per pound back in March 2020. Today you'll pay $5.06 per pound.
What else have you noticed price jumps in? Notice anything go down (besides tomatoes)? Let's talk about it in the comments!
