Why everything costs more

01/13/26 - Tuesday

January 13, 2026

 

Hey friends đź‘‹

If your grocery bill feels wildly higher and you’re wondering why it’s harder than ever to stop impulse shopping, our latest episodes were made for you.

Because here’s the thing most people miss 👇

Higher prices and nonstop shopping urges are not separate problems. They are happening at the same time, on purpose.

Episode 1: Why Groceries Are So Expensive Now đź›’

We break down:

  • Why grocery prices are still high even when inflation headlines cool off

  • How shrinkflation and “premium creep” quietly raise your total

  • The specific grocery strategies that actually work in 2026

This episode is not “buy rice and beans forever” energy. It’s about understanding the system so you can shop smarter inside it.

Episode 2: Why You Can’t Stop Shopping 🧠

If you have ever said, “I don’t even know why I bought that,” this episode connects the dots.

We talk about:

  • How brands are engineered to bypass logic and hit emotion

  • Why willpower fails and systems win

  • How shopping has been redesigned to feel like stress relief

Spoiler: You are not broken. You are being marketed to very aggressively.

When essentials cost more and shopping is designed to feel comforting, it creates the perfect storm:

  • Less margin

  • More impulse spending

  • More guilt

Understanding both sides is how you stop blaming yourself and start changing outcomes.

Big news: The Spending Planner Spreadsheet is updated for 2026! 🎉

We are officially rolling out the 2026 Spending Planner update, and it is our favorite version yet.

What’s new:

  • Simplified: Fewer tabs, less noise

  • Unified: One clean place to see spending clearly

  • Streamlined: Faster to update, easier to maintain

This planner is perfect if:

  • You hate budget apps 📵

  • Pen and paper never sticks ✍️

  • You want clarity without micromanaging every dollar

It is designed to support real life, not turn it into a finance homework assignment. And we’re giving you 30% off through Thursday. Use code FRIENDS30 at checkout.

P.S. If you bought the 2025 Spending planner or a bundle that included it, check your inbox! Instructions to access this year’s redesign weren’t sent to you yesterday!

One smart place to park savings đź’°

If these episodes motivate you to tighten up grocery spending or curb impulse buys, having a place for those savings matters.

We like CIT Bank’s high-yield savings account because it offers:

  • A competitive APY

  • No monthly fees

  • Easy transfers so your savings stay accessible

It’s a simple way to make saved money work a little harder once you stop leaking it elsewhere. **

Your takeaway this week đź’›

You are navigating higher costs and psychological pressure at the same time.

Learning how both work gives you power back.

Give the episodes a listen.
Check out the updated planner.
And remember, clarity beats restriction every time.

We’ve got you,
Jen and Jill

P.S. If grocery shopping or impulse spending is your biggest stress point right now, start with awareness, not rules. That’s where real change begins 🌱

**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.