Americans are buying cheaper cuts of meat, slashing subscriptions, and using vacation days to save on gas amid soaring prices, according to a new report

Grocery shopping Washington DC inflation — Kelly Hayes looks at produce that is on sale as she shops at Whole Foods Market in Washington, DC.
Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Shoppers are cutting subscriptions and looking for deals amid soaring inflation.
The New York Times spoke with five shoppers who have found creative ways to cut down on bills.
Last month, inflation accelerated at its fastest pace in 41 years.

US shoppers are taking creative steps to stay afloat amid soaring inflation.

Five shoppers told The New York Times that they're doing everything from dodging expensive meats and watching their gas tank, to bargain hunting and canceling subscriptions.

Judd Stark, a film publicist based out of California, told The Times he recently took off a week of vacation days to save on gas which he said he has seen as high as $7 per gallon at nearby fuel stations. Earlier this month, CNET reported that gas prices in the state had hit as high as $9.60 at stations in Mendocino, California.

Similarly, another family told the paper they cut back their vacation plans and decided to camp locally to avoid the elevated fuel prices. Mai Fee, a mobile physical therapist, said she's begun scheduling appointments by location to slash miles, The Times reported.

Gas prices have eased slightly in recent weeks, but remain near a record-high national average of $4.85 per gallon, according to AAA. On Thursday, President Joe Biden said the US will face high fuel prices "as long as it takes" for Russia's invasion into Ukraine to be thwarted.

Outside of cutting back on fuel use, multiple shoppers told The Times they've halted subscriptions for entertainment services like Spotify and Audible, and altered the way they shop by making Walmart and Dollar Tree their top grocery destinations.

Lisa Napp, a retired public school administrator based out of North Carolina, told the publication she's taken to buying less meat or cheaper cuts of meat, as well as subsidizing grocery spending with her own vegetable garden.

Stark's husband, Jeremy Walker, told The Times the couple hunts for meat near its expiration date to help offset costs. The cost of meat has risen over 20% from last year, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's more, soaring prices are showing now signs of flagging. Last month, inflation accelerated at its fastest pace in 41 years. On Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned there's a "clock running" on efforts to halt inflation before it becomes permanent.

Read the full story from The New York Times.

Do you have any creative tips for cutting back? Reach out to the reporter at gkay@insider.com

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