9 Costs for Families That Have Gotten More Expensive, According to Rachel Cruze
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Consumers have felt significant price hikes in the past five years, but exactly how much have prices increased? Financial expert Rachel Cruze recently posted a carousel on her Instagram comparing prices from 2020 to present day. Below is a look at exactly how much costs for families have gone up for everything from fast food to gas.
Also here’s how to stockpile for inflation without wasting money.
Chick-fil-A Orders
Picking up a few sandwiches from Chick-fil-A used to be a cheap way to feed a family. Cruze said an average Chick-fil-A run in 2020 cost $23.49. Now in 2025, that same order costs $36.03 — that’s a 53.4% increase.
In the caption of the same post, Cruze recommended making a budget and sticking to it to wade through these expensive times. “Tell your money where to go. A written budget gives you clarity and control,” she wrote.
Movie Theater Nights
Taking the family to the movies? Better be prepared to drop $60. In 2020, Cruze posted that a night at the movies would cost $45.80. Now, the cost has risen to $61.10.
For that amount, it might be cheaper to wait to stream a movie at home for the family. Cruze said assessing what’s essential is key to staying on budget. “Cut out what doesn’t matter. If it’s not a need or a goal, let it go,” she wrote.
Weekly Grocery Runs
Consumers are definitely feeling the pain from more expensive grocery bills. In 2020, a family’s grocery bill was around $160.35 according to Cruze. Now, it’s increased 96.5% to $315.22.
Though it might be tempting to put these costs on a credit card, Cruze wrote that debt is not a sound way to navigate rising prices. “Don’t borrow your way through inflation. Debt is not the answer — it’s the enemy of wealth-building,” she explained.
Eggs
Yes, groceries have gotten more expensive on the whole but nothing has gotten more attention than the rapidly rising price of eggs — and for good reason. Eggs have gone up from $1.34 a carton in 2020 to $4.95 a carton in 2025 — a 234% increase.
Spring Break Trips to Disney
The cost of taking the family to meet the Mouse has gone up 26% since 2020. The average price now is $19,080 compared to $15,050 in 2020, according to Cruze.
Birthday Parties at Chuck E. Cheese
What used to be an easy and economical way to celebrate a kid’s birthday has now become pretty costly. In 2020, Cruze posted that a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese cost $150. Now that price is closer to $200 — a 33% price hike.
Trips to the Zoo
In 2020, taking the family to see exotic animals up close cost $51.39. Five years later, that price has gone up 16% to $59.56, according to Cruze.
Tooth Fairy Rates
Even kids expect more money these days. Compensation for lost teeth has gone up from $3 a tooth in 2020 to $5 a tooth in 2025, Cruze posted. That’s a 67% price increase.
Gas for a Minivan or SUV
The family car definitely costs more to run these days than it did in 2020. Five years ago, gas cost $2.25 a gallon on average, while now it’s closer to $3.90, Cruze posted. That’s a 73% price jump, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Though these high prices might feel discouraging, Cruze wrote that it’s important not to lose sight of your goals.
“Keep working your plan,” she wrote. “Pay off debt, save for emergencies and stay focused on your goals. You can’t control the economy, but you can control how you respond to it!”
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