A range of economic factors, including inflation and potential tariffs, have collided to create higher prices for a wide range of goods and services. As prices rise, everyone starts to feel the squeeze.
Many things that most Americans could once afford through careful budgeting seem to be heading out of reach, which can make it hard to get ahead financially.
Keep reading as we explore some of the many things the average American is about to be priced out of.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
A trip to Disney World
/images/2023/11/04/building_in_the_disney_park_in_paris.jpg)
A trip to the happiest place on Earth might be out of the question for many average American families.
At one estimate, it would cost around $7,000 for a family of four to spend five days at Disney World. And that's for a family trying to stick to a budget.
If you chose to spring for a deluxe hotel, that could easily double. Even just a single-day park ticket costs $119, which only includes entry without many extra perks.
With real household income sitting around $80,000, it's easy to see how many Americans couldn't afford to take this trip.
Taking the family to a movie
/images/2025/03/12/family-bonding-at-movie-theater-adobe.jpg)
Heading to the movies used to be an easy way to spend the evening. But on average, movie tickets cost $12.22. And, depending on where you live and the theater you choose to go to, the actual cost could be even higher.
For a family of four, spending around $50 on tickets alone is often just the beginning. From there, the unavoidable overpriced popcorn and candy could easily push costs over $100 for a family night at the movie.
Families trying to stick to a budget might opt to watch a movie at home instead.
Vacations
/images/2024/05/30/couple-traveler-relaxing-adobe.jpg)
Those priced out of a Disney vacation might reach for other vacation options. According to some estimates, it costs an average of $324 per day to fund a trip in the U.S. With that, even a domestic trip could easily cost over $1,000.
For families with other financial priorities, a vacation to anywhere might not be in the cards.
Borrow up to $50k to finally crush your debt
If you have thousands in debt and you’re barely making it paycheck to paycheck, you know how suffocating it is. Debt is always on your mind. It controls your life. And even if you make on-time payments, they’re so expensive that you have nothing left over.
A personal loan could help you get out of this situation and lift your monthly debt burden significantly. You could finally pay off all of your debt at once, get rid of the sky-high interest rates, and slash your debt load to one manageable monthly payment.
AmONE is a marketplace where you can find some of the best personal loans available. They match you with loans up to $50,000 with rates as low as 2.49%. That’s better than most credit cards. And easier than draining your bank account every month. Seeing what you qualify for doesn’t affect your credit score, and if you’re approved, you could get money the next day.
Buying a home
/images/2022/10/06/cheerful_couple_with_keys_to_their_new_home.jpg)
Based on a recent study, it would require an income of $119,461 to buy a median-priced home in the U.S. But the median household income is around $83,000, which means that many households cannot attain the dream of homeownership.
Retirement
/images/2022/08/31/hand_putting_coins_in_glass_jar_with_retro_alarm_clock.jpg)
A comfortable retirement involves building a nest egg over decades. With many Americans struggling to save anything, saving for retirement is often overlooked until it's too late.
The alternative to retirement is to continue working, which might be a painful reality for many.
Trending Stories
Childcare costs
/images/2023/02/20/preschool_teacher_with_children_playing.jpg)
Although childcare costs vary based on where you live, it's safe to say that childcare costs are high across the country. According to some estimates, parents spend an average of 22% of their household income on childcare, with many parents leaning on savings to cover the costs.
As childcare costs continue to rise and wages remain static, it's easy to see how many parents could be priced out of childcare in the near future.
New cars
/images/2024/05/07/young-woman-buying-new-car.jpg)
New car prices have skyrocketed in recent years. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car buyer spent an average of $49,740 in December 2024. With potential tariff impacts, it's likely that car prices will continue to rise.
On average, shoppers locked in a new car payment at $734 per month. Although used car buyers saw a lower average of $525, it's still difficult for many to fit these large payments into their budgets.
Eggs
/images/2022/07/13/fresh_eggs_for_sale_at_a_market.jpg)
If you've been anywhere near a grocery store recently, you might have been alarmed by the price of eggs. In recent months, egg prices have risen due to a combination of factors, including the fallout from avian flu.
In February 2025, egg prices peaked at $4.95 per dozen, with higher prices expected in the coming weeks and months. For anyone trying to make their grocery budget last, buying eggs might no longer be an option.
Home repairs
/images/2023/06/28/middle-aged-man-repairing-burst-pipe-intalled-inside-the-wall.jpeg)
Homeowners know that homes come with maintenance projects. Although repairs pop up here and there, dealing with the costs might become more of a challenge to many Americans. After all, simply replacing a broken appliance could leave you on the hook for hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.
For some, the higher costs mean putting off home maintenance for the long term, which could lead to more significant problems later on.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Upgraded smartphones
/images/2022/09/21/point_finger_on_screen_mobile_phone.jpg)
Although most of us carry a smartphone, these have gotten more expensive over time. With potential tariffs on the horizon, it seems like all tech, including our phones, may get more expensive.
With smartphones costing an average of $823, many might opt to hold onto older phones for as long as possible.
Health insurance
/images/2022/12/08/doctor_asking_senior_impaired_male_patient_in_wheelchair_to_sign_insur_cNlmElC.jpg)
Insurance premiums have been on the rise in recent years. Although this is true across most insurance products, it's especially worrisome for health insurance. After all, health insurance is an unavoidable expense.
But it could start to eat up way too much of an average American's budget.
For example, average annual health insurance premiums for a family were $25,572 in 2024. Although many see the bulk of this cost offset by their employer, rising insurance costs eventually impact everyone.
Gym membership
/images/2024/10/09/personal-trainer-signing-membership-for-female-client.jpeg)
On average, a gym membership costs between $40 to $70 per month, which adds up to between $480-840 per year. With other pressing costs — like health insurance, a mortgage, and grocery bills — some households might opt to cut out this ongoing expense.
Of course, a lack of gym access could end up hurting their health in the long run, which makes this cut a risky proposition for some.
Bottom line
/images/2024/10/04/overfilled-full_-piggy-bank.jpeg)
Although prices are rising, the only option is to try to keep up. Do your best to focus on what you can control to improve your financial situation little by little.
One way to boost your ability to afford things is to try and find ways to earn extra income.
Adding even a small amount of extra money to your bank account each month can help you feel a little more financially secure during a time when everything seems to be getting further and further out of reach.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.