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We all have first-hand knowledge of how expensive groceries have gotten. But if you’re trying to save money, is it still more budget-friendly to eat at home?

It’s an interesting question, given that grocery prices have actually gone up twice as fast as menu prices the past two months, according to the Consumer Price Index. That’s a flip on the usual script, since restaurant prices tend to rise faster than grocery prices, reflecting the labor costs that go into food preparation and service. At the moment, however, the impact of new tariffs on imports seems to be most visible in the supermarket data.

But, yes, preparing your own food is still the more affordable option — and can save you a lot.

The cost of an average meal for one adult male eating at home runs $3.40 to $5.19, according to the latest USDA food-cost tables. The average restaurant meal, on the other hand, probably costs at least twice that if you go the fast-food route, and could easily run you $30 to $50, depending on where you go and what you order.

Think of a family of four who eats out twice a week. If they’re spending $5 per person to eat at home, that’s $20 per meal. But if they’re spending $20 per person to eat out, that’s $80 a meal — a $60 difference. That means forgoing one dinner out a week could save about $260 a month, or over $3,100 a year.

So what? Food overall — at home and out — is Americans’ third largest expense, behind only housing and transportation. But in an economy where so many costs feel out of our control, where we eat can have a big impact on our bottom line.

At the end of the day, regardless of whether grocery inflation is outpacing restaurant inflation, there’s a big cost difference. (And it’s worth noting that taking a longer view, grocery prices rose 2.7% in the 12 months through September, less than the 3.7% increase in restaurant prices.)

Preparing your own meals remains one of the best ways to cut costs month in and month out. To help ease your burden at the supermarket, shop store brands, explore vegetarian options to avoid pricey meat (we’re looking at you, beef,) and look for new ways to stretch leftovers and reduce food waste.

Related Reading

Grocery Inflation Hacks: How to Fill Your Fridge for Less (SoFi)

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget: 17 Tips (NerdWallet)

26 Tips to Spend Less When You Dine Out at Restaurants (The Penny Hoarder)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

If your Italian getaway or summer road trip feels like years ago, your next big trip probably can’t come soon enough. But should you travel in this unpredictable economy, when you’re trying to save money?

Only you know what feels right for your budget, but there are cost-conscious travel options. Whether you’re considering a romantic getaway, a solo adventure, or a family vacation over the holidays, here are five ways to keep your expenses in check.

1. Be flexible with your schedule. Traveling when others aren’t can be a great way to lower your costs (and avoid crowds.)

•   Go abroad during Thanksgiving week: This year fares to Western Europe, Canada, and Western Asia are down 10% to 30%, according to Going, a subscription travel site for bargain hunters.

•   Fly on a holiday: Fares tend to be lower if you’re willing to fly on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day itself, according to Going.

•   Fly midweek: Flights on the weekend can sometimes cost more, though it’s not a hard-and-fast rule.

•   Explore the other shoulder season: Shoulder season is often just before or after the pricey summertime peak, when the weather is still nice but school is in session, so fewer people are taking trips. But if you ski or snowboard (or just want a cozy weekend away) some resorts may have a third shoulder season in January-February, when holiday travel is over but students and families aren’t yet thinking about spring break.

•   Go with the flow: Airlines often have low-fare calendars where they show you the cheapest dates to fly with them.

2. Tap into Travel Tuesday. Black Friday isn’t just about shopping deals. Pounce on any Thanksgiving-weekend travel sales, which in recent years have extended to not just Cyber Monday but Travel Tuesday. Just make sure you’ve researched the going rates on potential destinations so you can capitalize quickly when you see a discount.

3. Sleep cheaper. A classic Airbnb rental can easily be more expensive than a hotel, but it may be worth exploring the Airbnb “private room” route, where you’d get your own access to one area of someone else’s house or apartment. This option won’t give you the same run of the place, but according to research from Upgraded Points, the average private room Airbnb was cheaper than the average hotel in every U.S. city they analyzed. (And, it may still be worth exploring renting an entire home, depending on how much you’d save by cooking your own food.)

If you have time to plan, you may also want to consider arranging an apartment or home swap through an outfit like Intervac. A stay might also include borrowing the homeowner’s vehicle or even exchanging pet-sitting duties.

4. Mix steals with splurges. If you go whole hog on tickets for musical theater or a famous amusement park, offset those expenses with free activities on other days of your vacation. Even some of the world’s spendiest cities have great no-cost options like walking tours, farmer’s markets, or museums. For example, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York welcomes visitors on “​​Pay-What-You-Wish Winter Weekdays,” and London has more than 25 museums with free admission.

5. Leverage loyalty. Using travel points and miles you’ve earned on your credit card may be a no-brainer, but members of hotel and airline loyalty programs often get other less-obvious perks too. Even if your points balance is looking meager, you may be able to get hotel freebies like late checkout, free parking, or room upgrades.

(If you’re a SoFi Plus member, you can earn rewards for booking through SoFi Travel, our Expedia-powered travel portal.)

SoFi Travel: Terms, and conditions apply. This SoFi member benefit is provided by Expedia, not by SoFi or its affiliates. SoFi may be compensated by the benefit provider. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions, please review the benefit provider’s terms: Travel Services Terms & Conditions.

SoFi Plus: SoFi Plus is a premium membership that gives members access to our best APY, discounts, rewards, and more when they set up Eligible Direct Deposit or pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. Benefits are subject to change and may not be available to everyone. All terms and conditions applicable to the use of SoFi Plus apply. To learn more about SoFi Plus and available benefits and terms, please see the SoFi Plus page.

SoFi Plus members can earn 5% cash back in rewards points on all bookings except air travel through SoFi Travel using any card (“Elevated Earn”). For complete SoFi Plus eligibility, please see the SoFi Plus terms.

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Which parts of your grocery list have gone up in price the most? These are the foods that had the biggest increases and decreases in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. (Toggle to compare 12-month and 1-month change.)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

If this were a normal week, we’d be talking about the Friday jobs report, the state of the economy, and the possibility that the Federal Reserve won’t lower interest rates again in December, especially in light of Chair Jerome Powell’s comments last week.

But it’s not a normal week. The government has officially been shut down for over a month now, leaving investors without much of the economic data they rely on.

Still, we’re not without any signposts.

First, the third-quarter earnings season continues. Though the peak of the mega-cap tech reports is behind us, 136 companies are still set to release their results this week, accounting for over 11% of the S&P 500’s market capitalization. These reports remain a crucial source of insights into corporate health and any burgeoning trends.

Second, with last week’s Fed meeting now in the rearview mirror, Fed officials are no longer in their blackout period. We can expect to hear from several policymakers this week, and any color they provide on what they are seeing in the economy will be a major focus for the market, especially in light of the two dissenting votes last week – one for a 50-basis-point cut and one for no cut at all.

In short, uncertainty is high, and until a resolution in Washington reopens the government, the market backdrop will likely continue to be defined more by what we don’t know than what we do know.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Note: This list includes all regularly scheduled reports, but most that involve government data will not be released while the shutdown is ongoing.

Monday

•  October ISM Manufacturing PMI: This index from the Institute for Supply Management tracks how purchasing managers across the manufacturing sector feel about the business environment.

•  September Construction Spending: Construction data is a leading indicator of business activity.

•  October Wards Total Vehicle Sales: Cars are a big ticket item for consumers, so underlying vehicle sales trends can help shine a light on demand for durable goods.

•  Fedspeak: San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly will take part in a moderated conversation at Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, followed by Q&A. Fed Governor Lisa Cook will discuss the economic outlook and monetary policy at a Brookings Institution event.

•  Earnings: Clorox (CLX), Coterra Energy Inc (CTRA), Eastman Chemical (EMN), Diamondback Energy (FANG), Hologic (HOLX), IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX), Loews (L), Realty Income (O), ON Semiconductor (ON), Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG), Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Pinnacle West Capital (PNW), SBA Communications (SBAC), Simon Property Group (SPG), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Williams Companies (WMB)

Tuesday

•  September Trade Balance: Trade, made up of exports and imports, is an important driver of economic activity.

•  September Job Openings: A key measure of business demand for labor is the number of job openings, since reducing openings is easier and preferable to layoffs.

•  September Factory and Durable Goods Orders: These metrics give insight into underlying trends for leading cyclical indicators.

•  Earnings: Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), AES (AES), Aflac (AFL), American International Group (AIG), Assurant (AIZ), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Amgen (AMGN), Arista Networks (ANET), Apollo Global Management, Inc (APO), Axon Enterprise (AXON), Ball (BALL), Broadridge Financial Solutions (BR), CDW (CDW), Corteva (CTVA), Eversource Energy (ES), Eaton Corp (ETN), Exelon (EXC), Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD), Global Payments (GPN), Henry Schein (HSIC), International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Gartner (IT), Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY), Leidos Holdings (LDOS), Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Marriott International (MAR), Martin Marietta Materials (MLM), Mosaic (MOS), Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Match Group (MTCH), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), Pfizer (PFE), Super Micro Computer (SMCI), Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), Skyworks Solutions (SWKS), Molson Coors Brewing (TAP), Uber (UBER), Waters (WAT), YUM! Brands (YUM), Zoetis (ZTS)

Wednesday

•  October ADP Employment Report: This survey, usually released a day or two before the official government jobs report, offers insight into private sector employment trends.

•  October S&P Global US PMIs: These indexes track how purchasing managers across different industries feel about the business environment.

•  October ISM Services PMI: This index from the Institute for Supply Management tracks how purchasing managers across different services industries feel about the business environment.

•  Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

•  Earnings: Ameren (AEE), Albemarle (ALB), Allstate (ALL), Amcor PLC (AMCR), APA Corp (APA), AppLovin (APP), Atmos Energy (ATO), Bunge Global S.A. (BG), CF Industries Holdings (CF), AmerisourceBergen (COR), Corpay (CPAY), Charles River Laboratories International (CRL), DoorDash (DASH), Devon Energy (DVN), Emerson Electric Co (EMR), Fair Isaac (FICO), Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), Fortinet (FTNT), Robinhood (HOOD), Host Hotels & Resorts (HST), Humana (HUM), Iron Mountain (IRM), Johnson Controls International (JCI), McDonald’s (MCD), McKesson (MCK), MetLife (MET), Paycom Software (PAYC), PPL (PPL), PTC (PTC), Qualcomm (QCOM), Sempra Energy (SRE), STERIS (STE), Bio-Techne (TECH), TKO Group Holdings Inc (TKO), Texas Pacific Land Corp (TPL), Targa Resources (TRGP), Trimble (TRMB), Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH)

Thursday

•  October Challenger Job Cuts: The firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas tracks the number of layoff announcements each month by sector.

•  3Q Productivity and Unit Labor Costs: These measures provide a breakdown of how productive workers were per hour of work and at what cost.

•  September Wholesale Inventories and Sales: Wholesalers often operate as an intermediary between manufacturers and retailers, serving as a key part of the goods supply chain.

•  Weekly Jobless Claims: This high frequency labor market data gives insight into filings for unemployment benefits.

•  Fedspeak: New York Fed President John Williams will give a lecture at the Goethe University Institute for Monetary and FInancial Stability in Germany, followed by Q&A. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack will speak at the Economic Club of New York. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson will speak at the 2025 New Perspectives on Consumer Behavior in Credit and Payments Markets Conference. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem will take part in a fireside chat on the economy and monetary policy.

•  Earnings: Airbnb (ABNB), Akamai Technologies (AKAM), Air Products and Chemicals (APD), Becton Dickinson and Company (BDX), Cummins (CMI), ConocoPhillips (COP), Camden Property Trust (CPT), DuPont de Nemours (DD), Datadog (DDOG), Consolidated Edison (ED), EOG Resources (EOG), EPAM Systems (EPAM), Evergy (EVRG), Expedia Group (EXPE), NortonLifeLock (GEN), Kenvue Inc. (KVUE), Alliant Energy (LNT), Microchip Technology (MCHP), Moderna (MRNA), Mettler-Toledo International (MTD), NRG Energy (NRG), News (NWS), News (NWSA), Parker-Hannifin (PH), Insulet (PODD), Ralph Lauren (RL), Rockwell Automation (ROK), Solventum (SOLV), Tapestry (TPR), Trade Desk (TTD), Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO), Vistra Energy (VST), Viatris (VTRS), Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc (WBD), Wynn Resorts (WYNN), Block, Inc. (XYZ)

Friday

•  October Employment Situation Summary: This monthly blockbuster release from the Labor Department gives a comprehensive look at employment, wages, and hours worked in the previous month.

•  November University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on inflation and its trajectory.

•  October New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations: This is a measure of peoples’ expectations for inflation, jobs prospects, earnings growth, and more.

•  September Consumer Credit: Borrowing activity gives insight into broader economic activity.

•  Fedspeak: Williams will deliver a keynote speech at the 2025 European Central Bank Conference on Money Markets.

•  Earnings: Franklin Resources (BEN), Constellation Energy Co (CEG), Duke Energy (DUK), KKR & Co (KKR), Monster Beverage (MNST), TransDigm Group (TDG)

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

Halloween is a low-effort, high-reward holiday. We don’t have to cook a feast, buy gifts, or sit through a potentially tense dinner with relatives. Instead, we get to just have fun: shriek through haunted houses with friends, gorge ourselves on bite-size candy, and find meme-worthy costumes at Spirit Halloween.

But the holiday may have even more significance this year, when high prices and worries about the economy have Americans looking for ways to cut back. According to a recent PwC survey, many people are viewing Halloween as a time for calculated indulgence — a rare chance to treat themselves (within reason.)

“Halloween is emerging as one of the year’s sanctioned extravagances, like a cultural permission slip to go bigger, louder, more elaborate,” PwC analysts Ali Furman and Kelly Pedersen wrote when they released the survey results this month.

“It’s fun and social — both IRL and on screens. And for many consumers, especially Gen Z and millennials, it now occupies the same mental category as a concert ticket or a long weekend away. It’s a fleeting experience that justifies the splurge because it promises connection and memories.”

Among over 2,000 U.S. adults PwC surveyed in September, Millennials and Gen Z were leading the spending charge this Halloween. Between costumes, candy, decorations, and events, Millennials were expecting to spend $447, on average, and Gen Z’ers were poised to shell out $328. Both generations were twice as likely as Baby Boomers to anticipate a bigger expense this year than last.

Overall, U.S. spending on Halloween has surged over the past five years, even if it’s still a fraction of what Americans spend on winter holiday hauls.

More than material splurges, Halloween has become about investing in memorable fun: Forty-five percent of people surveyed by Empower last month said they’d rather spend on experiences than decorations. Many are opting for pumpkin patches, parties, and haunted houses over 12-foot skeletons and pricey costumes.

And despite rising costs (cocoa prices are more than double what they were two years ago), over half of people surveyed say Halloween is one of their favorite holidays and the memories they make with loved ones are priceless. Some even started shopping for Halloween in July and August (#Summerween,) surveys show.

So what? The occasional treat can be crucial for staying disciplined and motivated when you’re in hunker-down mode. And that’s proving to be the mindset, as many Americans still make room in their budgets for non-essentials despite feeling financially squeezed and less secure about their jobs, according to data from Deloitte.

Halloween may even be serving as a “lipstick index“ of sorts, reflecting our desire to keep small forms of indulgence when we don’t feel we have the luxury to truly splurge.

Related Reading

Why Halloween Candy Is Getting More Expensive and Less Chocolate-y (CNN)

U.S. Shoppers Are Expected to Spend More Than Ever on Halloween This Year (NPR)

How President Trump’s China Tariffs Are Taxing the Price of Cherished Halloween Pumpkin Pastime (CNBC)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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