What’s the Surprising Biggest Stressor for Americans and New Jersey Residents?

What used to be a routine errand now sparks anxiety as food prices climb higher and higher, putting added strain on household budgets.

For many New Jerseyans, the weekly grocery run has turned into one of the most stressful parts of daily life.

A new nationwide poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research confirms what shoppers already feel: groceries are a major source of financial stress, from apnews.com. About half of U.S. adults say the rising cost of food is a “major” stress in their lives, according to apnews.com.

Why Grocery Prices Are Causing Stress

In New Jersey, residents rank grocery costs as one of their top financial worries. Many families say they’re cutting back, switching to store brands, or hunting for sales just to keep the fridge stocked. The sense of frustration is growing, with many pointing out that wages and household incomes aren’t keeping pace with the rising cost of basics like bread, eggs, milk, and produce.

HOPEFULLY THIS HELPS, Read: The Cheapest Grocery Stores in New Jersey

Economists note that inflation and supply chain challenges continue to affect food prices, but for New Jersey shoppers, the “why” matters less than the reality of what it means for their wallets.

Tips to Manage Grocery Expenses Without Sacrificing Nutrition

The grocery aisle has become a place where tough choices are made, deciding between fresh produce and frozen, skipping nonessential items, or even going without.

How New Jersey Residents Are Coping

The stress tied to food costs is more than just financial, it’s emotional, too. Grocery shopping has shifted from being a routine chore to a source of tension and worry. Until prices stabilize, it seems New Jerseyans, along with millions of Americans, will continue to feel the weight of grocery bills as one of life’s heaviest burdens.