Texas mother of 3 says $100 is 'no longer enough for meat' as grocery costs climb

For one Texas mother, a $100 grocery trip is no longer enough to bring home meat, underscoring the financial pressure facing hundreds of North Texans.

Here's what to know

A nonscientific affordability survey with 1,083 responses found that nearly six in 10 respondents were barely managing financially, having trouble covering expenses, or not always able to pay for essentials, NBC 5 reported.

In the station's audience survey, 33.2% selected "just getting by," while 21.5% reported "struggling to make ends meet." Another 4.4% said they were "unable to consistently afford basic needs."

Groceries topped the list of financial burdens, with 27.3% of respondents identifying food shopping as their biggest budget strain. Utilities followed at 19.2%, ahead of housing at 17.2%.

Covering everyday expenses has become a challenge for Graciela Montoya, who lives in Frisco and has three children.

"Now with $100 it's no longer enough for meat, just the vegetables and fruit and buying a little," Montoya said.

More background

While groceries were the leading concern overall, housing stood out as the biggest financial burden among survey participants in the 25–34 and 35–44 age groups.

Census figures show that median gross rent in Frisco rose from $1,222 a month in 2014 to $2,200 in 2024.

That's an extra $978 each month, roughly an 80% increase over those 10 years. Adjusted for inflation, rents grew roughly 36.5%, adding pressure to households already facing food and utility bills.

Another 27.4% of survey respondents described their finances as mostly comfortable, while 13.6% reported being financially comfortable.

What's being done?

Frisco Family Services offered a free lunch program for families under financial strain, with Preston Trail Community Church volunteers distributing food. The station met Montoya while she attended the program.

The birth of her youngest child prompted Montoya to leave her previous job. With her husband working, she hopes to boost the family's income by returning to work.

Avoiding an additional childcare bill is part of that plan: working during school hours would let her earn money without that expense.

"I want to start looking for a job to see if I can accommodate from 9 to 12 and a half so I can have time to drop the kids off at school and pick them up. So I hope that God will give me something to accommodate," Montoya said.

Runay Hollis, a volunteer distributing food at the lunch program, said, "We need it right now, and especially the way the world is. The high gas prices and things and stuff, people need help."

Where can I learn more?

Food costs are straining budgets for families like Montoya's and businesses across Texas.

• Texas ranchers say drought is driving ground beef prices higher, with imports unable to resolve shortages.

• Texas families are skipping meals and taking on debt as food prices outpace income.

• A Texas food pantry distributes 15,000 pounds of food monthly as families report grocery bills exceeding $500.

• A top-ranked Texas barbecue restaurant dropped brisket from its daily menu after costs reached 70%.

• Rising grocery prices are adding holiday hosting stress for Americans, though many resist cutting back.

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