CNN asked parents how they feel about the general economy.
“sad, disappointed”
“always changing”
“nervous”
Grocery bills shape how American consumers view the economy — and parents are particularly attuned to food prices as they decide what to feed their kids each week.
Here’s what 10 parents are spending at the grocery store
How people are keeping their families fed on a budget during the affordability crisis
Published November 21, 2025
For many parents, grocery shopping can feel like an endless balancing act.
Shifting sales and coupons. Unexpected home expenses. Birthday cakes and special occasions. The list goes on.
And this year has brought even more challenges. The Trump administration’s unprecedented tariffs, the immigration crackdown and global natural disasters have rattled the food supply chain. Grocery prices rose in August at their fastest pace in three years and increased again in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is coming on the heels of the highest inflation in decades. More than half of Americans are stressed about food costs, The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reported in an August poll. Fifty-three percent of respondents said grocery costs were a “major” stress, while 33% said they were a “minor” stress.
CNN spoke to 10 parents across the US about what they’re spending on groceries and how they're trying to save. The interviews took place in September and October.
On a scale of 1-10, how much of a stressor are groceries?
“The most stress I might find is discussing what we should get with my family members, which we do every week.”
Sarah
Central Texas
“Right now, I don’t think it’s a stress at all because I’ve been consistent with the planning. … but it’s been a stress for me in the past.”
Grace Waterman
Kansas City
“It definitely makes meal planning harder.”
Lauren Myers
Windsor, Colorado
“I have a really good system in place with meal planning and shopping. And I feel that that part of my life is very, very controlled and stress-free.”
Alli Powell
San Diego
“I think there’s just other things that we have to spend money on, like daycare, that is a much bigger stressor for us.”
Marisa Olson
Naperville, Illinois
“It’s not a major stress point for us.”
Ben
Tampa, Florida
“Towards the end of the month, that’s when things do become a little stressful ... like, ‘Okay, we got to get this. We got to get that. It’s no more this.’ I get overwhelmed a little bit.”
Chyna
Philadelphia
“I’m an even-steven kind of person. ... what are you going to do, you know?”
Jae Beck
Huntersville, North Carolina
“We have the kind of budget where every dollar has a place to go, but my life would definitely be a lot easier if things were cheaper.”
Tori Lightcap
Pueblo, Colorado
“We definitely have had our struggles, but I, at least, am blessed to have a good job and can afford to feed my family. A lot of people can’t.”
Shannon Gladden
Virginia
“It’s quite expensive now compared to before Covid. Before Covid, everything was still okay, but ... the prices never have gone down. Everything has stayed inflated.”
Ben Tampa, Florida
What’s your monthly grocery budget and family size?
For consistency, weekly or biweekly budgets have been adjusted to reflect monthly spending.
Higher stress ranking (6-10)
Chyna
Philadelphia
$800
One parent and two kids (ages 9 and 14)
Jae Beck
Huntersville, North Carolina
$2,100
Two parents and three kids (ages 11, 14 and 17)
Tori Lightcap
Pueblo, Colorado
$1,000
Two parents and two kids (ages 7 and 12)
Shannon Gladden
Virginia
$800
Two parents and two kids (ages 4 and 9 plus a college student who occasionally eats at home)
What’s your monthly grocery budget and family size?
For consistency, weekly or biweekly budgets have been adjusted to reflect monthly spending.
Lower stress ranking (1-5)
Sarah
Central Texas
$1,350
Two parents and two sons (both age 13, plus three cats)
Grace Waterman
Kansas City
$400
Two parents and two kids (ages 2 and 5)
Lauren Myers
Windsor, Colorado
$600
Two adults and a toddler (age 2.5)
Alli Powell
San Diego
$600
Two parents and two kids (ages 12 and 14)
Marisa Olson
Naperville, Illinois
$800
Two parents and two kids (ages 1.5 and nearly 4)
Ben
Tampa, Florida
$700
Two parents and three kids (ages 11, 15 and 21)
“It seems like as soon as we start to figure something out, something big changes.”
Alli Powell San Diego
Meats and fresh fruit were overwhelmingly the biggest expense for the parents interviewed.
What’s your biggest splurge?
Prices were taken from interviews and grocery receipts provided to CNN.
Vegetables and fruit
Bananas: $1.49
Ben
Sparkling water
Sparkling water: $4.29
Alli Powell
Meat and fresh fruit
Hamburger meat: $11
Tori Lightcap
Spices, pet expenses and meat
Chinese chili oil: $4.91
Sarah
Soft drinks and premade smoothies
Smoothie drink: $3.37
Jae Beck
Snacks like cookies and ice cream popsicles
Shortbread cookies: $1.99
Shannon Gladden
When it comes to the economy, “I just feel like no matter what, we’re defeated.”
Tori Lightcap Pueblo, Colorado
Eight of the 10 parents said they currently talk to their kids about finances or plan to in the future.
What are your biggest tips for saving at the grocery store?
Order online and plan around sales
Tori Lightcap
Take stock of your pantry before shopping
Grace Waterman
Buy store brands instead of name brands
Lauren Myers
Have a grocery list and stick to simple meals
Marisa Olson
Coupon and look for deals
Chyna
Keep track when certain groceries run low
Ben
“I feel like everybody is on the same page with things when it comes to the economy, like it’s rough right now.”
Chyna Philadelphia
All 10 parents who spoke to CNN noted the uncertainty in the American economy. This year, while a handful of grocery products got cheaper, dozens more spiked in price from January to September. For families that are strapped for cash, it all could mean buying smaller sizes, using coupons and eating more meals at home. It's part of the strategy for people who are straining to get the bare necessities.
As Chyna, the mom based in Philadelphia, told CNN: “Everybody is, in a sense, struggling, trying to make ends meet.”