How to Save Money at the Grocery Store When Food Costs a Fortune
In case you weren’t suffocated when you saw bacon prices recently, groceries are expensive right now. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that “Food prices rose 7.9% in the year ended February 2022, the largest 12-month increase since July 1981.” This is the highest consumer inflation in over 40 years, and luckily we can buy food during this historic event.
It doesn’t look like it will get better anytime soon. According to a recent USDA forecast , home food prices are expected to rise by 3% and 4% by the end of the year. Add to that rising gas prices, a shortage of workers, weather events and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and you have a recipe for many months (years?) of sticker shock and heartache in your wallet.
So what should the average consumer do? We all know the benefits of buying generics, using coupons and rewards programs, and buying in bulk. While we can’t change the price of milk or chicken, we can provide some tips to ease the burden on your wallet.
Grate yourself some cheese
Perhaps many of you are already doing this. But for convenience lovers who like being able to grab a bag of already grated cheddar for taco night, this is for you. According to Taste of Home , “An 8-ounce block of cheese produces more grated pieces than an 8-ounce bag of pre-shredded cheese, making it a much better choice for anyone on a budget.”
Shredded cheese bags also contain additives to prevent lumps in the package, additives that affect the melting and flavor of the cheese. (It doesn’t melt as smoothly as cheese without preservatives.) Bonus? The cheese grater is a mini version of hand day at the gym.
Replace paper towels with burlap towels.
Similar to kitchen towels but thicker and more absorbent, flour bag towels are great for drying hands, mopping up, cleaning up spills, and many other kitchen needs. And unlike paper towels that need to be replenished regularly, these durable 100% cotton substitutes can be washed and reused. This pack of 12 28×28 towels that can last for years is $15.99 on Amazon. (Compare to 12 rolls of paper towels , which will be gone in a couple of months for $18.74.)
Cut your own fruits and vegetables
It’s time to move on past the pre-cut carrots and the perfect servings of fruit salad. First, you will get more bang for your buck by purchasing a full-sized melon. For example, on Amazon Prime’s Whole Foods Market, a 3-pound whole organic pineapple costs $3.99, while regular pineapple chunks cost $4.99 per pound. In addition, health and science journalist Max Lugavere highlights the benefits of fresher taste, less risk of foodborne pathogens, and less chance of nutrient loss due to oxidation.
Shop in season
Resist the urge to buy fresh cabbage and Brussels sprouts in the middle of summer and blueberries in the dead of winter, as they will cost you a pretty penny. Products purchased in season will be plentiful, reducing their cost. When products are out of season, you pay for their storage and transportation from the places where they were grown. (Seasonal fruits and vegetables will also be tastier and more nutritious .)
Start a small home garden
We recently wrote about the cost savings of growing your own produce at home. While there are initial setup investments (soil, fertilizer, tools) and running costs (water, for example) to consider, growing your own tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, beans, herbs, berries, and squash can generate significant savings over time.
Rethink Dinner
If you prefer hot, homemade, balanced meals every night, that’s great. But perhaps it’s time to relax some of those standards. Every meal does not have to include all food groups. Set aside a few nights a week for “mini dinners” that require less effort and money to prepare. Instead of fajitas with all the toppings, how about an omelet, soup, salad or frozen dumplings with sour cream? If you happen to be taking the kids to various sports and music classes, a PB&J with an apple on its side would be perfect. And it’s a lot cheaper than chicken broccoli casserole, which, frankly, they don’t need anyway.