Snackflation: Nearly Half of Americans Spend More on Snacks Than Streaming

Snacking has become second nature for Americans, with some people skipping meals entirely in favor of these quick and easy bites. But with economic uncertainty and grocery prices on the rise, snacks are beginning to feel more like a drain on wallets than a convenience. 

As consumers move toward a more budget-conscious trajectory, some are realizing that snacks are a major, unexpected blind spot in their finances.

BadCredit.org commissioned a survey of 1,500 adults in the U.S. to learn just how much Americans underestimate snack spending, the hidden costs involved, and the effects of impulse buying. 

Though snacking has become a commonplace in American culture, its spending isn’t always factored into the typical budget. In fact, when managing finances, people tend to create a budget line item for food but often don’t recognize snacks in their expenses. 

Our survey found that 53% of respondents include snacks in their general grocery or dining budget, but only 11% allocate a dedicated budget for snacks.

On the other hand, 20% of respondents admitted to purchasing snacks without budgeting for them, while 10% reported not budgeting for food at all. An additional 6% said they budget only for meals, not snacks.

The study reveals that snack spending is an afterthought for many Americans, which could spell trouble for their wallets if these expenses continue to accumulate over time. 

Snacks are incredibly convenient, which is why they’re so appealing. Because of their portability, people can eat them on the go and fit snack breaks anywhere in their schedules. 

However, this same convenience can also lead to impulse buying. Let’s put this into perspective: Our study found that more than 61% of Americans buy snacks or grab-and-go items regularly, at least a few times per month.

However, there is a blind spot in all this convenience. When checking their bank statements, one in five people (21%) say they’re regularly caught off guard by how much they spend on snacks and grab-and-go food.

Yet, in the bowl of monthly expenses, many people recognize that their snack spending isn’t as insignificant as they thought:

• 44% say they spend as much or more on snacks as on a streaming subscription.
• 19% say they spend as much as a gym membership.
• 16% compare their snack spending to credit card interest payments.
• 9% say they spend as much on a car payment. 

Furthermore, our study found that 38% of respondents have no insight into how much they spend on snacks, revealing a lack of expense tracking for snack purchases. This means consumers could be unknowingly racking up extra charges on their credit cards — the first choice for impulse buying — without realizing the long-term impact. 

“I strongly recommend people take a deep dive into how much they really spend on non-necessities,” says Erica Sandberg, consumer finance expert at BadCredit.org. “It can be pretty shocking. If you do find that snacking is costing you more than a few bucks a week, make a decision. Do you want to eliminate it or build it into your budget?”. 

A little treat here and there may be harmless, but impulse snack purchases can pile up if you’re not careful. For those looking to improve their financial health, snacks might be an easy place to start trimming expenses. 

According to our study, 61% of respondents said they would cut back on snacks to eliminate debt faster. However, for some people, snacking is a way of life they prefer not to part with. As it happens, 12% of respondents admitted they’d rather stay in debt than adjust their snacking habits.

According to consumer finance expert Erica Sandberg, snacks don’t have to be off-limits for consumers to make responsible financial decisions. She advised approaching your snack budget with mindful spending, and implementing some of these tips: 

1. Track your spending. First, review your bank statements to see just how much you’re spending on snacks each month. The figure might surprise you.
2. Set a monthly snack budget. You can prevent overspending by setting a monthly budget, which may involve withdrawing a small amount of cash each week for snacks.
3. Plan ahead. To avoid expensive impulse purchases, buy snacks in bulk or at discounted rates at the grocery store instead of taking a trip to your nearby coffee shop or the office vending machine. 

While it may seem as small as the protein bar you have while at work, snack spending can pile up over time and cause a long-term impact on your finances. The good news is, though, making small adjustments to your snacking habits can free up extra cash for savings, debt repayment, or other financial goals. 

At BadCredit.org, we’re committed to helping consumers make smarter financial decisions — one snack at a time.

This survey was conducted among 1,500 American adults to examine snack spending habits and their impact on personal finances. Respondents were asked about their budgeting approaches, frequency of grab-and-go snack purchases, and awareness of their snack-related expenses.

The data was weighted to ensure representation across key demographics. Findings provide insight into how snack spending compares to other common expenses and its potential role in contributing to financial strain or debt.

The survey included 1,000 respondents from the general population and an oversample of 500 Gen Z adults. The margin of error for proportions ranges from ±0.8% to ±2.6%, depending on the individual response. All results reflect a 95% confidence level.