There are some items that we have to pay for every single day. But for the average American, these mundane things are becoming too expensive. In this article, we will show you 18 of these pricey day-to-day items.
Gas
The rising price of gasoline has made traveling very expensive for Americans. Filling up a tank of gas is something that many cannot afford to do anymore and they don’t travel as often as they used to. According to CNN, gas prices shot up 42% due to the Ukraine war.
Medicine
According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, the United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. American citizens need good, affordable healthcare plans but these seem to be a thing of the past. Many people now settle for plans that are affordable rather than good quality.
College Textbooks
Educational Data says that the average cost for postsecondary books and supplies was between $628 and $1,200 during the 2020–2021 academic year. Many Americans want to enroll in higher education but the cost of doing so is a concern, with each book averaging between $100 and $150.
School Supplies
College students aren’t the only ones tightening their belts, as the price of school supplies in the US is very high. According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school spending was expected to reach $41.5 billion in 2023. Simple school supplies are a necessity but they are becoming expensive for many households.
Coffee
Americans love grabbing a cup of coffee to go on their way to or from work. However, the price of a cup of coffee per day is becoming a luxury that many cannot afford. US News says that the average price for a cup is $2.70.
Dog Food
According to Forbes, American households with a dog will spend $339 per year on dog food. We love our dogs, but spending hundreds of dollars on food alone is an expense that is becoming unbearable for many US citizens. And that’s not all, as every dog owner must also pay for vet bills, grooming, toys, and other supplies.
Takeout
Most Americans eat fast food one to three times a week. But with the rising price of food to battle with and the often extortionate cost of delivery, many families are forced to make more home-cooked meals and only order takeout on very special occasions.
Groceries
No one can live without food, but many Americans are forced to be more selective when it comes to choosing food items at the grocery store. With the spikes in the prices of bread, sugar, flour, and margarine, US citizens are having to reconsider their meal plans.
Fast Fashion
Buying clothes for cheap that do not last is a habit that is becoming expensive for many Americans. Repairing used clothes and re-wearing clothes each season is a habit that more and more households will need to develop as the price of fast fashion continues to rise.
Sandwiches
Buying a sandwich as a quick lunch option when out and about is becoming an expensive convenience for many Americans. With the spiked price of bread since the war with Ukraine, many citizens have found themselves making their own sandwiches or choosing different options for more economic lunches.
Public Transport Tickets
Each year, the price of public transportation rises in the US, and some Americans are struggling to make ends meet. With public transport becoming an option many cannot afford to pay for, some Americans are finding alternative ways to get to work, such as cycling and walking.
Parking Tickets
In many cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, the price for a parking ticket is extremely high. Citizens who live in these cities are often forced to find alternatives to parking their cars in a paid parking lot, like cycling and walking to their destinations.
Water
The average family of four in the United States will spend $73 a month on their water bill. The price of water is always increasing, and many US citizens cannot keep up. Many find themselves going to such lengths as taking shorter showers to save money.
Smartphones
The average American changes their smartphone every 2.5 years. But for many, replacing their technology is an added expense that they cannot do without. Instead of keeping up with trends and changing their cell phones often, these Americans are having to make do with older devices.
Dishwasher
According to a 2017 survey, about 68% of American households have a dishwasher at home. But 1 in 5 of those households do not use their dishwasher because of the added expense that comes with it. Many Americans are going back to washing their dishes by hand to save money.
Cereal
70% of Americans eat cereal once a week for breakfast in the morning. But since the prices skyrocketed for wheat, barley, and, as a result, breakfast cereals, consuming cereal in the morning has become a treat rather than a regular breakfast choice for many households.
Subscription Services
It’s so easy to sign up for paid subscription services and forget to use them. Americans are paying monthly for music, movies, series, gaming, and other subscription services. But for many, these payments are becoming too much, and they are having to cancel these services and look for cheaper or free entertainment.
Books
Reading is a pastime that is becoming less and less common, and part of that is down to the cost of paper books. 54% of Americans will read one book a year, but with the variety of free pastimes available online, many Americans are leaving expensive book reading behind. CF
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