CNN One Thing Can Americans Afford This Holiday Season?
Nov 26, 2025
Tori Lightcap, a parent featured in a CNN report, shares her eye-opening experiences with soaring grocery bills, explaining how her family's budget has taken a hitting. She reveals the emotional toll of rising costs as holiday shopping approaches. Vanessa Yurkevich discusses the broader implications of affordability in politics, highlighting how consumer confidence is waning. Together, they explore how major retailers are adapting to economic pressures, with Macy's focusing on in-store experiences and Walmart racing to enhance its e-commerce speed.
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Family Grocery Budget Doubled
- Tori Lightcap described her grocery budget doubling from about $600 to roughly $1,200–$1,300 per month.
- She cut entertainment and watched local food banks get more demand even though her family avoided using them.
Perception Drives Affordability Fears
- Consumer prices rose nearly 25% on average since 2021, shaping how people perceive affordability.
- That perception matters more than absolute levels because people feel prices will keep rising.
Producer Prices Hint At Future Cost Pass-Through
- Producer prices rose 0.3% in September, signaling costs for businesses are warming up.
- Analysts expect some of those costs might pass to consumers, possibly more next year than this year.