Share Your Story: The Real Cost of Rising Prices

Grocery bills, health care costs, and energy prices have all risen over the past year. According to the Joint Economic Committee (Minority)’s September 2026 update, the average household has spent $4,200+ more on everyday goods and services over this period, including $310 more on groceries and $110 more on electricity since 2025, with tariffs on track to cost the average household roughly $700 more in 2026. At the same time, recent cuts to Medicaid and SNAP funding, along with the lapse of ACA tax credits, have pushed the average marketplace deductible up 37% this year.

Behind every one of these numbers is a family making hard choices about groceries, prescriptions, or keeping the lights on. We’re collecting real stories from people across the country to show how these rising costs are actually playing out in people’s lives.

Tell us your story. Whether it’s a tough grocery run, a medical bill that didn’t add up, or a utility bill that surprised you, your experience helps put a human face on the data. If we’d like to feature your story in our research, reporting, or public education work, we’ll reach out to you directly first to get your OK before using it anywhere.