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Filling your grocery carts in 2026 is a challenge, especially as prices continue to rise. Even if you stick to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “thrifty food plan” when budgeting, the USDA still estimates the average four-person household will spend about $1,013.20 per month on food.
By comparison, food prices weren’t as high in the 1980s. In 1981, Morris County Library records indicate you could buy a 5-pound bag of Pillsbury flour for around $0.89. By comparison, the Federal Reserve bank of St. Louis (FRED), finds that, as of April 2026, flour costs roughly $0.54 per pound. Of course, multiple factors determine the cost, and shoppers have a lot to keep track of as some grocery stores can trick them into overspending. In the ’80s, overspending wasn’t as much of a concern considering how much further your dollar went…