(NEXSTAR) – For the vast majority of Americans who don’t grow what they eat, it’s not feasible to avoid eye-watering prices at the grocery store. However, a recent study found that most shoppers are getting creative to save money.
A LendingTree survey of 2,000 people found that 88% of shoppers said they’re approaching grocery aisles differently as prices continued to grow from Dec. 2024 to Jan. 2025, jumping up .7%. January’s food prices were 2.5% higher than the same month in 2024.
“When something as fundamental to your budget as groceries gets more expensive, it can be really scary. It’s not like you can just cancel your grocery bill like a streaming subscription,” Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, told Nexstar in a statement. “However, the good news is that some simple moves such as shopping around, considering generic brands, leveraging credit card rewards, making a budget and sticking to a shopping list can make a real difference.”
As for what people are doing to ease the impact of creeping prices, 44% told LendingTree they are embracing generic brands, followed by 38% who say they are only buying what’s on their shopping list.
For many, cooking at home has become a regular part of their weekly routine.
The vast majority of those surveyed (85%) said inflation has impacted their restaurant habits, with nearly two thirds of respondents (59%) cutting down on eating out, according to LendingTree.
The majority of those who continue to eat out (55%) – and 72% of Gen Zers – admit that inflation has impacted how they tip, with 20% saying they don’t tip at all on takeout or delivery.
The rising cost of groceries is also exacting an emotional toll, roughly three out of five people surveyed told LendingTree. For those making less than $30,000 a year, 74% said the cost of groceries was making them feel anxious.
U.S. inflation accelerated in January as the cost of groceries, gasoline and rents rose, a disappointment for families and businesses struggling with higher costs and likely underscoring the Federal Reserve’s resolve to delay further interest rate cuts.
The mid-February data shows that inflation has remained stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target for roughly the past six months after it fell steadily for about a year and a half. Elevated prices turned into a major political hurdle for former President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump pledged to reduce prices on “Day 1″ if elected, though most economists worry that his many proposed tariffs could at least temporarily increase costs.
The unexpected boost in inflation could dampen some of the business enthusiasm that arose after Trump’s election on promises to reduce regulation and cut taxes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.