Higher prices are forcing many older Americans to cut spending, and for some, the cuts have reached the grocery cart.

New research from AARP found that 41% of adults 50 and older said they had cut back on groceries in the previous month. The findings are part of a broader look at how older adults are navigating current economic pressures and deciding where their money goes when the budget gets tight.

AARP surveyed 1,017 adults between the ages of 50 and 64 from July 16 through July 20. The research, published Sept. 11, found discretionary spending took the biggest hit.

Dining out topped the list, with 58% reporting scaling back, followed by entertainment at 52%, clothing at 47% and hobbies at 42%.

But the grocery numbers really stood out. Older adults reported cutting back on groceries at a higher rate than people 65 and older, 45% compared with 38%.

Housing and retirement economist Christopher Mayer said the numbers show households are making choices that can affect more than an occasional night out.

“Those are all meaningful expenses and are things I think many people wouldn’t really define as luxuries,” Mayer, CEO of Longbridge Financial, said.

He said the pressure can be especially difficult for older homeowners because food is only one expense competing for room in the household budget. Insurance, property taxes and the overall cost of maintaining a home have also increased.

“You have people who are trying to pay for homeowners insurance, and the cost of being a homeowner has gone up a lot,” Mayer said.

For some, he said, the choices have become more serious than canceling a subscription or eating out less.

“More people are not paying for homeowners insurance,” Mayer said. “And as we’re sitting here in the middle of hurricane season, if a hurricane comes and wipes out your home, that’s a pretty tough situation.”

The AARP research also suggests many older adults have limited room to absorb another financial hit. When respondents were asked what they would do if their monthly household income dropped by 5%, 61% said they would take money from savings. More than a third said they would use a credit card to cover the difference, while 45% said they would look for lower-cost alternatives.

For homeowners who have built significant equity in their home, Mayer said that equity may be one financial resource to consider as part of a larger retirement plan.

He said the broader goal is for older homeowners to look at all of the financial resources available to them and figure out how those assets can be used responsibly as everyday costs rise, including food.

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