Prices aren’t rising as fast as they were a couple of years ago, but the effects of inflation are still being felt in daily life.
Many folks have shifted their spending without even thinking about it.
Here are ten ways habits have changed, often in quiet but meaningful ways.
1. More Store Brands, Fewer Extras
People are buying more store-brand groceries these days. NIQ data shows that sales of private-label food and household goods keep climbing.
What started as a simple way to save a few bucks has stuck, many say they’re just as happy with the quality.
2. Dining Out Is Now a Treat, Not a Routine
Dining out used to be casual and frequent. Now it’s planned. McDonald’s reported that more customers are pulling back, even with deals.
Many people are sticking to one or two meals out a week and looking for coupons or deals.
3. Subscription Cleanups Are Ongoing
The days of stacking streaming services and other subscriptions are fading. Households are cutting back.
Antenna reports that cancellations outpaced new signups across major streaming services in early 2024. People often pause one service while trying another.
4. Smaller Treats Replace Big Splurges
People might skip a big trip or a new phone, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t treating themselves.
It’s just smaller stuff now, maybe a good coffee, a pastry, or a movie night at home.
Little things that feel good without adding stress.
5. Buying Secondhand Feels Smarter, Not Cheap
Buying secondhand has become mainstream. ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report says 60% of people think shopping used clothes gives them the best value.
And that attitude is spreading to furniture, tech, and more.
6. Credit Cards Are Used Carefully—But Often
Credit cards are getting more use, but people are watching how they use them.
Some are chasing rewards, while others are relying on them out of need.
Payments Dive reports that 7.04% of cardholders were 90+ days delinquent in early 2025.
7. Home Cooking With a Twist
More people are eating at home, but not cooking everything from scratch. Frozen meals, rotisserie chicken, and quick-prep kits are popular.
They offer convenience and cost savings without the time commitment.
8. Domestic Travel Over International
High flight prices and expensive hotels have pushed many travelers to look closer to home. Weekend road trips, cabins, and state parks are more appealing.
People still want a break, they’re just being more realistic.
9. DIY Culture Is Rising
Fixing things instead of replacing them is on the rise.
Whether it’s sewing, unclogging a sink, or patching a wall, more people are learning simple repairs.
Online videos and workshops have made it more accessible.
10. Slow and Steady Saving
Saving a little here and there has come back into focus.
Bankrate says 62% of Americans feel behind on emergency savings, but small steps, like auto-transfers and round-up apps, are helping people build habits.
Inflation May Be Slowing, But Habits Stick
Even though inflation has eased, it changed how people think about money.
Many new habits, choosing store brands, cutting subscriptions, and cooking at home, are likely to stick around.
People want to spend smarter and feel more in control.