'This is beyond struggling': TikTokers are venting their frustration over soaring inflation — and offering 'grocery store hacks' as a means of coping. Here are 3 top tips to slash your bill

“This is beyond struggling, this is beyond tough times and ‘suck it up — this is a matter of, for a lot of people, survival,” Brian says in the video.

Many commenters agreed, saying they’re choosing between eating and paying rent. And it’s true: food prices have increased 2.9% in the past year, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

But there is some good news waiting for you on TikTok: people on the platform are offering saving hacks to help you cut down on those grocery woes.

Buy off-brand

Some commenters pointed out that Brian buys pretty expensive laundry detergent. The video shows a close-up of his bill, which reads that he paid $15.99 for his average-sized Nine Elements laundry detergent bottle.

“Laundry detergent is even expensive at Walmart,” one commenter posted. They recommend buying it at Aldi or Dollar Tree.

But entrepreneur and popular TikToker Gary Bird shows his viewers how to cut their bill at any grocery store by over 30%: buy the generic brand.

In a recent video, Bird went through a grocery store comparing prices of name-brand and generic items. His bill dropped from $130 to $87 by switching to off-brand alternatives.

You may love your Coca-Cola, but your local store-brand cola is half the price. And that’s the real thing.

Take advantage of loyalty programs

One thing that Brian points out in his video is that you would have to work nearly a full eight hours (after taxes) to afford his $51.05 Target bill. Givem that he says the minimum wage in his state is $13.75 an hour,- he’s not too far off about that.

It’s true that Americans are feeling the pinch. Over 60% of Americans are struggling with putting food on the table, according to a 2023 report from research company Attest. And over 9% of people have “a lot of difficulty” affording food.