$100 used to go a lot farther. A full cart of groceries, a tank of gas and enough change to pick up fast food on the way home. Now, for many Ferris students, $100 is gone before they reach the checkout line.
Inflation drives up the prices of everyday goods and Ferris students continue to feel the squeeze. Prices of everyday goods continue to rise, which has made many Ferris students rethink spending habits and make tough financial decisions when doing something as simple as buying groceries. This article will examine the prices of groceries at local stores to determine how far $100 really goes in Big Rapids.
The prices of everyday necessities continue to rise due to a multitude of factors, like inflation, supply chain shortages, tariffs and trade policies. Most Ferris students notice this rise when checking out the most basic goods at the grocery store. Staples like milk, eggs and bread have all seen price increases.
Television digital media production sophomore Bryce Dysard has taken these price fluctuations into consideration. The rise in prices has changed how goes about preparing meals throughout the week.
“With prices going up, the less I buy,” Dysard said. “Recent price increases have been shaping my shopping habits to be on the lighter side. It’s almost better to go out to eat for my fiancé and I then to get meals for a week and make them at home.”
When asked about his weekly total, Dysard described how little his budget actually gets him, even with frugal shopping practices.
“I’m usually spending around $200–$250. You would think that gets a lot, but honestly, it doesn’t.”
With prices going up students are forced to make difficult choices about how they finically adapt to these new prices
So what does $100 really buy you in Big Rapids? Let’s compare some grocery staples at a few different stores from around the community: Aldi, Meijer and Walmart.
| Item | Meijer ($) | Aldi ($) | Walmart ($) | ||
| Milk (1Gal) | $ 3.06 | $ 3.25 | $ 2.62 | ||
| Eggs (dozen) | $ 1.99 | $ 2.19 | $ 1.97 | ||
| Bread (loaf) | $ 1.99 | $ 1.55 | $ 1.48 | ||
| Rice (5 lb) | $ 3.69 | $ 7.05 | $ 3.27 | ||
| Chicken breast (lb) | $ 5.29 | $ 5.79 | $ 2.57 | ||
| Ground beef (lb) | $ 6.99 | $ 5.29 | $ 6.93 | ||
| Butter (16 oz) | $ 3.69 | $ 3.29 | $ 3.67 | ||
| Banana (per lb) | $ 0.56 | $ 0.49 | $ 0.50 | ||
These prices add up fast. A simple week’s worth of food, milk, eggs, bread and some protein already adds up to around $30-$40, depending on where you shop and that’s before fruits and vegetables. If you add in things like cereal and pantry goods, your total quickly can pass $100.
These price booms are shaping people’s grocery orders and habits. Most people may find themselves switching away from name brands or even taking more advantage of sales. No matter the case, inflation is affecting most Ferris students’ shopping habits.
These high costs of groceries in Big Rapids mirrors the statewide trend of price increases. Comparatively, at each location, these brands’ prices are similar at all Michigan locations.
State and even nationwide inflation continues to surge and many students feel the struggle to keep up with climbing prices. While the cause can be traced back to various factors, one thing is for certain: Budgeting and financial decision making are skills that are now more important than ever. When in the grocery aisle, it’s important to focus on your needs before your wants, which sounds simple but can help you save money where it matters.
Construction management sophomore William Somsel talked about how prices have altered how many times he is actually going out and shopping in order to save money.
“Higher prices has definitely affected my shopping, I try and limit going to the store no more than once a week,” Somsel said.
Cutting back on shopping isn’t the only strategy that Ferris students have to combat rising store prices. Students have multiple resources to help them save money.
Students could choose to shop at budget-friendly stores like Dollar General. Or, they can visit the campus food pantry, which is available for all students located on the first floor of the DEC. Buying in bulk is also a simple way to save money as well as substituting brands for cheaper alternatives, a little research can go a long way to save a buck.
For Ferris students, $100 just doesn’t go as far as it used to. Rising grocery prices have made budgeting more difficult and have forced students to make hard choices. While strategies like shopping smarter and utilizing local and campus resources can help lift the burden of inflation, $100 dollars simply doesn’t buy what it used to.