Grocery bills hitting hard lately? You're not alone. A recent survey of over 1,700 American households earning under $100,000 annually paints a stark picture—price inflation at the supermarket is real, and it's hurting household budgets across the board. Food costs keep climbing, squeezing families in the lower to middle-income bracket especially tight. This widespread economic pressure isn't just anecdotal; the data backs it up. When basic necessities like groceries drain purchasing power, it ripples through the entire economy. For those tracking macro trends and asset allocation strategies, this serves as a reminder: inflation remains a persistent force reshaping consumer behavior and financial planning. Understanding these real-world economic headwinds matters when evaluating long-term wealth preservation strategies.