1 in 5 Americans Tap Savings for Groceries as Nearly 10% Use BNPL
Updated
Updated · Scripps News · Jul 27
1 in 5 Americans Tap Savings for Groceries as Nearly 10% Use BNPL
3 articles · Updated · Scripps News · Jul 27
Summary
One in five Americans are using savings to pay for groceries, with nearly 20% drawing on money not meant for daily expenses, according to an Urban Institute study.
Nearly 10% of adults are also using buy now, pay later for groceries, and one in three of those users missed a payment.
Credit remains another coping tool: about 35% of consumers bought groceries with a credit card in 2025 and paid the balance in full.
April grocery prices rose 2.9%, driven by higher fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict, weather impacts and trade policies, pushing shoppers toward cost-cutting tactics such as 'backwards shopping.'