I was standing in line at a grocery store the other day, watching the man ahead of me quietly put a couple of items back on the shelf—things I used to grab without a second thought: name-brand cereal, a family-size bag of chips, and a pack of dryer sheets. It hit me right then how much inflation is reshaping what we consider everyday essentials.
We’re not just trimming the fat anymore. We’re slicing into the meat of how we live, what we eat, and even how we clean our homes. From fast food to major appliances, Americans are giving up on more products than you might think—and not because they want to. Because they have to.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices were up 3.3% in May 2025 compared to a year ago. But when you zoom in on categories like food, housing, and transportation, the story gets even more personal.
Let me walk you through 15 products we’ve quietly said goodbye to, and the bigger truths they reveal about life in 2025.
Fast Food
Fast food used to be the fallback plan—the backup dinner, the road trip treat, the lunchtime reward after a long morning. But now? That combo meal can cost nearly as much as a sit-down restaurant.
In some regions, prices for popular menu items have jumped over 100% since 2019. A Big Mac meal in parts of California now hovers near $14. Families who used to stop at the drive-thru once or twice a week are turning back to home-cooked meals, where the dollar stretches further.
Even industry insiders admit the damage. “Price sensitivity has become a dominant driver in consumer behavior,” says restaurant consultant Darren Tristano. “Fast food is no longer the value play it once was.”
Brand Name Groceries
I’ve watched more and more people stand in the cereal aisle doing side-by-side label comparisons. Brand loyalty is dying—price is king. Name-brand groceries, from Heinz ketchup to Kraft mac and cheese, are being swapped for store brands that cost up to 40% less.
A 2023 study by FMI – The Food Industry Association found that nearly 60% of consumers now buy more private-label products than they did two years ago. And you know what? Most can’t tell the difference in taste, but their wallets certainly can.
Dryer Sheets
You wouldn’t think dryer sheets would be a casualty of inflation, but here we are. At $6 to $8 a box, many households are questioning if the static-free scent is really worth it. Reusable dryer balls or good ol’ fashioned line drying have become go-to alternatives.
And it’s not just about money—some people are raising health concerns too. According to environmental health researcher Dr. Anne Steinemann, “Dryer sheets can emit more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including some classified as hazardous.” That combo—cost and caution—is enough to push them off the list.
Processed Snack Foods
Chips, cookies, crackers—all those colorful snack aisle temptations are losing their grip. Prices have jumped more than 22% compared to five years ago, with some popular brands seeing even higher spikes.
Parents are scaling back, kids are packing fewer snacks, and people are rediscovering things like air-popped popcorn and homemade granola bars. It’s not that we don’t want the convenience—we just can’t justify $5 for a tiny bag of cheese puffs.
Major Appliances
Buying a new fridge or washer used to be a mark of upgrading, a little home improvement project. But with prices for major appliances climbing 4–10% in just the past year, most Americans are holding off.
The Data Insights Market reports a growing trend of appliance repairs over replacements. That’s become the new rule of thumb.
New Cars
Here’s a brutal truth: the average monthly payment for a new car topped $741 in 2025, according to Edmunds. Combine that with rising interest rates, and buying new wheels feels downright reckless to many.
Roughly 8% of Americans have delayed or scrapped plans to buy a new vehicle altogether. Instead, we’re squeezing a few more years out of old sedans and shopping for used models—if we can even find them.
Home Purchases
High mortgage rates and record home prices have made ownership feel like a vanishing dream. According to Redfin, the median home price hit $438,466 this spring, and more than 22% of Americans say they’ve postponed or abandoned buying a home.
Some are staying with family, others are renewing leases they hoped to escape. But the optimism of homeownership? It’s fading fast.
Subscription Services
Once upon a time, we all had a streaming service or two—and maybe a meal kit on the side. Now, with rising prices and budget fatigue, Americans are slashing subscriptions left and right.
A survey by C+R Research found that 42% of consumers canceled at least one subscription in the past 6 months. Many are returning to free content, cooking at home, or simply doing without.
Clothing and Accessories
Impulse buys are dead. Over 40% of shoppers report cutting back on clothes, especially non-essentials like trendy items, seasonal gear, or accessories.
We’re buying fewer outfits, rewearing more, and turning to secondhand options. Thrift stores and resale apps like Poshmark are thriving—not just for the fashion-forward, but for the financially cautious.
Personal Care and Beauty Products
High-end moisturizers, designer perfumes, fancy shampoos—these used to be small indulgences. Today, they’re hard sells.
The price tags are higher, and inflation-weary shoppers are turning to drugstore basics or skipping the extras altogether. As beauty industry analyst Larissa Jensen notes, “Even prestige beauty buyers are becoming more selective about what they splurge on.”
Processed Meats and Premium Cuts
Filet mignon? Ribeye? Bacon? These are now occasional treats, not staples. Since 2020, meat prices have jumped over 50%, and even higher-income shoppers are trading down.
More households are stretching meals with beans or tofu, turning to ground meats, or exploring cheaper protein sources like canned fish and eggs.
Travel and Entertainment
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a quiet one. No wonder: travel prices are up 16% year-over-year, and amusement park tickets have crossed the $100 mark at some popular destinations.
According to Deloitte, families say they’ll spend less on vacations, concerts, and events this summer. Staycations, local festivals, and backyard barbecues are the new summer plan.
Home Improvement and Gardening Supplies
Lumber, paint, fertilizer—it’s all gotten expensive. Over 60% of consumers have reduced spending on home projects, according to a survey by the Home Improvement Research Institute.
People are choosing to patch things up instead of ripping them out. Those Pinterest-inspired backyard makeovers? They’re on hold for now.
Convenience Foods and Takeout
With the price of prepared meals climbing steadily, takeout is no longer the guilt-free splurge it once was. A single meal for two can cost north of $30, and delivery fees only pile on.
Home cooking has made a comeback—not out of passion, but out of necessity. Americans are meal prepping, batch cooking, and yes, even using coupons again.
Electronics Upgrades
There was a time when we upgraded our phones every two years like clockwork. Not anymore. With new devices costing over $1,000 and features feeling incremental, many of us are sticking with what we have.
Refurbished tech is booming. And unless something breaks, we’re not replacing it. “Consumers are becoming more value-conscious about upgrades,” says tech analyst Patrick Moorhead. “They’re asking, ‘Do I really need this right now?’”
Key Takeaways
Inflation is more than just numbers—it’s reshaping habits, priorities, and the way we think about everyday spending. We’re not just giving up luxuries; we’re saying goodbye to things that used to be routine.
Three out of four Americans now prioritize value over brand. Over one-third have canceled or postponed big-ticket purchases. And from groceries to gadgets, the message is clear: essentials first, everything else… maybe later.
The silver lining? We’re becoming more intentional. More creative. And maybe, just maybe, a little more resilient too.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How to Save on International Money Transfers: What Banks Don’t Tell You
How to Save on International Money Transfers
Normally, I’d question the secret fees that are hidden in my bank’s international money transfer services. While banks sometimes advertise low transfer fees, they usually do not mention the substantial exchange rate margins that quietly siphon money out of your funds. It shouldn’t be expensive to send money overseas.
I’ve discovered seven practical strategies anyone can use to save on international money transfers. Whether you’re sending a hundred dollars to a family member or paying for a service in a foreign country, these tactics will help you hold onto more of your hard-earned cash.
