After a Power Outage, Most Homeowners Forget This Hidden Cost—and It’s the Highest It’s Ever Been

A power outage can be frustrating and disrupt your everyday routine.It can also be expensive, especially if it lasts for days and you have a fridge full of groceries, as was the case for many residents in Hawaii after Tropical Storm Lala.With grocery prices rising 2.7% year over year in July 2026 and prices for staple foods like beef and veal expected to jump by over 9.8% this year alone, throwing out spoiled food from an outage can really take a toll on your household budget.“Many families buy meat in bulk, stock up at warehouse clubs, or keep a second refrigerator or freezer in the garage. Suddenly, an extended outage isn’t threatening $100 or $200 worth of groceries. A household could have hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of food at risk,” explains Ken Goodrich, founder, chairman, and CEO of Generator Partners in Dallas.By thinking ahead and knowing what to do when a power outage strikes your home, you can reduce food waste and keep your finances in check.Loading...Hurricane Ian last year found many outside of their homes, cooking food on grills, in an effort to use up their stockpiles before they spoiled. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesBe proactive before the power goes outT...