7 Household Staples and Their Inflation-Friendly Swaps
- The all-food Consumer Price Index rose by 25% from 2019 to 2023.
- Many meat, dairy and poultry products have experienced sharp price increases since 2019, so swaps and substitutes in these categories will save the most money.
- Consider trading brand-name products for generic alternatives to save money without compromising quality.
- Opt for seasonal produce and frozen fruits or vegetables instead of fresh off-season items.
It's no secret that Americans have been grappling with the effects of rising prices for decades. However, due to a convergence of factors in the last three to four years, inflation has felt more pronounced than ever.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the inflation of common consumer expenses, reports the all-items CPI grew 19.2% from 2019 to 2023.
However, the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 25% during the same time, revealing that Americans are paying much more for essentials like food and related household items.
