Mikayla Dalla of Raleigh said she typically shops at a higher-end grocery store, but was picking up items at a store known for deals on Wednesday.
"It's definitely expensive," she said about grocery prices.
Another Raleigh resident said he has already made cuts. "I don't know what more I can do to save money -- let's put it that way," said the shopper, identified only as Bill.
The survey found that 45% of respondents identified grocery costs as a major source of stress while 65% said they have started buying generic or store-brand items, and 62% reported cutting back on dining out to pay for necessities. Thirty-nine percent expressed concern about affording gas, 35% worried about electricity costs, and 28% said they were stressed about their mortgage or rent over the next few months.
An economist said the findings align with broader economic trends.
"We know this from the data -- people's wages are rising slower than inflation, and it's weighing on their purchasing power," said Dr. Gerald Cohen, Chief Economist at the Kenan Institute.
Cohen said he is watching for Friday's upcoming jobs report. He noted a slowdown in job growth during the winter, followed by improvement in the spring and "healthy numbers in April and May," before June came in "weaker than expected."
He added, "job creation is a key to the economy."
The survey also showed a slight improvement in one area, where 44% of respondents said health care costs were a major source of stress, down slightly from February.
The findings reflect ongoing financial pressure on households as they continue adjusting spending habits in response to rising costs.
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