Skyrocketing inflation forces shoppers to work overtime and change diets as prices soar

Washington, D.C., shoppers say inflation is affecting them so much they are changing their diets, working overtime and going without essentials.

Shoppers in the nation's capital are working overtime, changing their diets and going without to afford groceries and other supplies, they told Fox News.

"I'm not vegan yet, I'm working on that," one shopper named Stacia said. "But I am a vegetarian now because of the price of meat. Can no longer afford it."

Robert, who lives and works in Washington, D.C., said he is seeing prices rise for staples such as eggs, orange juice, rice and milk.

"But, I mean, there's not much to do about it, except I try to work more overtime," he said.

INFLATION SURGES 9.1% IN JUNE, ACCELERATING MORE THAN EXPECTED TO NEW 40-YEAR HIGH

Michael, a Washington, D.C., resident, talks about how inflation is affecting him. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital / Fox News)

The Consumer Price Index, a key inflation measurement, surged 9.1% year-over-year in June, a more-than-expected increase that marked its highest level since November 1981, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report Wednesday. Prices jumped 1.3% in the one-month period from May.

"Joe Biden needs to step up to the plate for real," Michael, a lifelong district resident, told Fox News. "I'm a Democrat. Next year, I'm voting Republican because Republicans get more done than the Democrats."

ECONOMIST LAFFER SAYS RECESSION IMMINENT AS INFLATION HITS 40-YEAR-HIGH: 'WORST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS'

"I have to limit my groceries a little now, so I can't really get what I want all the time," Liz, who exited a grocery store with a single bag of chips, said.

Stacia said, "I just have a few items that cost me $65, and I was wondering, ‘What did I purchase?’ Inflation is just ridiculous. Someone, please come to our aid."

Shoppers enter the Harris Teeter in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. (Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital / Fox News)

AVERAGE AMERICAN WORKER HAS LOST $3,400 IN ANNUAL WAGES UNDER BIDEN THANKS TO INFLATION

The food index climbed 1% in June as consumers paid more for items like cereal, chicken, milk and fresh vegetables. The report shows that food prices have risen 10.4% in the past 12 months.

In December, when inflation was still at 6.8%, President Biden told reporters that "it’s the peak of the crisis" and "you’ll see it change sooner, quicker, more rapidly than people think."

Inflation is outpacing the growth of workers' salaries, according to Michael.

"The more you get on your paycheck, the more you got to spend in the grocery store, gas station, wherever. Joe Biden needs to do more," he said.

A man shops at a Safeway grocery store in Annapolis, Md., on May 16, 2022, as Americans brace for summer sticker shock and inflation continues to grow. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

SEVERE RECESSION NEEDED TO COOL INFLATION, BANK OF AMERICA ANALYSTS SAY

Chris, a Maryland resident, agreed that the government needs to do something about inflation.

"Until they actually realize what's going on out here, we're going to continue suffering like this," he said.

"At one time, you can get a good loaf of bread for, like, $1.50. Nowadays, you're paying, like, four bucks," Anthony, a D.C. resident who is homeless, said. "It's very expensive to shop nowadays."

Carolyn, a pregnant mother of two, told Fox News, "Luckily, my husband provides for us, and he works overtime to make ends meet, but it has been a very big jump."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

She said her family's weekly budget for groceries has gone up 20-30% due to rising food prices.

"So it's more sourcing through different grocery stores now, trying to look for sales. Whereas, before I just kind of would go in and come out," Carolyn said. "And, with a growing family, it's kind of difficult to be doing that all the time. But you do what you've got to do."