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Join today<\/a><\/p>\n \n Already a member? Empty stomachs are becoming more common as grocery<\/a> prices soar, a new study has found. <\/p>\n Half of Americans reported skipping meals now <\/a>because of rising food prices, according to a survey, conducted in August, by financial firm Self Financial. <\/p>\n Grocery prices<\/a> have risen<\/a> 28 percent from September 2020 to September 2026, federal data shows,<\/a> with items like ground beef rising 67 percent and coffee soaring 108 per cent. <\/p>\n \u201cThe rising cost of food is having an impact beyond what people put in their grocery carts,\u201d the research noted. Respondents said high grocery prices impacted their mental health and stress levels more than physical activity and fitness, diet and nutrition, and sleep and rest, according to the poll of around 1,000 people. <\/p>\n Americans\u2019 affordability struggles<\/a> are a bad sign for President Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of next week\u2019s midterm elections. Multiple polls reveal a country that\u2019s frustrated with the economy and prices for everyday things like groceries and gas. <\/p>\n Some 69 percent of voters disapprove of the cost of living under Trump, and another 73 percent of voters don\u2019t approve of Trump\u2019s handling of gas prices, a survey Wednesday<\/a> by the The New York Times and Siena University found. <\/p>\n That widespread disapproval has made voters think that Democrats will do a better job of improving the cost of living and in other key areas, said Siena Research Institute Executive Director Don Levy.<\/p>\n \u201cVoters are dissatisfied with both the Democratic and Republican parties but they see Democrats as more trusted to do a better job on the economy, the cost of living, gas prices, health care, corruption, foreign wars and AI by between eight and twenty points,\u201d Levy said. <\/p>\n In the meantime, Americans are enduring a tough financial reality that goes beyond grocery-store aisles. Average gas prices have hit $4 or higher<\/a> for more days in 2026 than any other previous year, according to price-tracking site GasBuddy.<\/p>\n New federal data revealed that the average cost of all grades of unleaded gas is higher in Trump\u2019s second term than under President Joe Biden\u2019s term. <\/p>\n
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The price of ground beef has risen by more than 65 percent over the past six years, putting more pressure on shoppers who are feeling a financial pinch (Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\u2018Some](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793201176_182_download...jpeg\")
\u2018Some 69 percent of voters disapprove of the cost of living under Trump, and another 73 percent of voters don\u2019t approve of Trump\u2019s handling of gas prices,\u2019 a recent survey found (AP)<\/p>\n