# The cheap cuts are already gone

> August prices rose again, and the households with the least room to move have nothing easy left to trim.
- Title: The cheap cuts are already gone · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: August prices rose again, and the households with the least room to move have nothing easy left to trim. For strapped households, another month of rising…
- Keywords: inflation, consumer spending, cpi, paycheck to paycheck, retail, business, finance, cheap, cuts, already, gone, Pymnts
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/economy/2026/higher-housing-gas-costs-squeeze-whats-left-shopping
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-11T16:34:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: inflation, consumer spending, cpi, paycheck to paycheck, retail, business, finance
## Prices picked up again
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in August and 3.4% over the year. Energy jumped 2.1% after falling in July, with gasoline alone up 3.9%.
## Rent and groceries keep climbing
Shelter rose 0.3% for the month and 3% over the year. Food and beverages edged up 0.1%, but restaurant meals are 3.4% pricier than last August.
## The bills that come first
Housing, groceries and gas get paid before anyone decides on a restaurant meal, a trip or a new couch. When those rise, the leftover pot shrinks.
## Half have already cut
PYMNTS found 53% of paycheck-to-paycheck consumers struggling with bills had cut dining, entertainment and travel over the past year. Only 23% spent more.
## A split down the middle
Among those not living paycheck to paycheck, 30% increased nonessential spending against 27% who cut. They were the only group where spending up beat spending down.
## Cheaper sofas, no buyers
Furniture and bedding prices fell 0.9% in August and apparel was flat. But PYMNTS' buying climate subindex stayed below 50, so shoppers still see a bad time for big purchases.
## Why people got stuck
In a survey of 2,881 consumers, 41% of paycheck-to-paycheck households blamed everyday spending, 31% a short-term shock, and 28% long-term choices like housing, school or debt.
## What's left to cut hurts
The easy trims, lunches out and subscriptions, are done. Next up are travel, childcare and student loans, while housing, insurance and cars are the hardest to touch at all.

> The next thing on the list to cut has consequences the whole household can feel.
## Key takeaway

For strapped households, another month of rising rent and gas costs no longer means skipping dinner out. It means cutting something that hurts.