June 2011

Don't Let High Food Prices Eat Up Your Paycheck

Comparing Food Prices

The Department of Agriculture's Consumer Price Index predicts that food purchased at the grocery store will rise in price from 3.5 to 4.5 % this year. The agency also forecasts that restaurant prices will jump 3 to 4% but that doesn't mean that you have to pay more for food. Below are 20 tips on becoming a savvy supermarket shopper:

  1. Plan a weekly menu based upon what you already have and what is on sale.
  2. Shop from a list to avoid buying items you may already have and reduce impulse buying.
  3. Download free recipe ideas for food that will last more than one meal and turn leftovers into “planned-overs.”
  4. Local grocery store? Super center? Warehouse club? Drugstore? Corner store? Check the circulars and online specials and match the store to your list.
  5. Wake up to the high cost of poultry, meat and seafood and try breakfast for dinner featuring less expensive eggs and bacon.
  6. Buy meat and dairy products in bulk or large sizes and freeze extras.
  7. If you are too busy to look for or download coupons, consider using coupons as a math and budgeting lesson for children and letting them keep a portion of the money saved at the register.
  8. On items you use all the time, use coupons with the earliest expiration dates first and save the others for a later trip to the store.
  9. Savings begin to add up when you can use a coupon on an item that is already on sale.
  10. Eat before you shop. Going to the grocery store hungry can increase your food bill by up to 15%.
  11. Give store brands a chance. They are often made and packaged by the same company that produces the name brand.
  12. When there is a good sale such as Buy One Get One Free, it pays to stock up but only if you already know you like and will use the items.
  13. Bigger is not always cheaper. Check the unit price on different package sizes to compare the exact cost of the item.
  14. Don’t pay for convenience. Shredding your own cheese and chopping your own vegetables are less expensive than the pre-cut and shredded packages.
  15. Snack packs take a bite out of your budget. Buy snack foods in large containers and divide them into snack size servings using refillable containers or sandwich bags.
  16. Look for produce that is in season in your local area since transportation costs from the field to the store adds to the price.
  17. If a sale item is out of stock, ask for a rain check at customer service and use it the next time you visit the store.
  18. Items often scan at the wrong price. Keep your eyes on the register screen and keep the store circular handy to dispute errors.
  19. Purchase at the store the food you eat when away from home. You can save $15 a week by brewing your own coffee and $160 a month by packing lunch to eat at work four days a week.
  20. The sure-fire way to save is to spend less time in the grocery store. Go shopping as few times per week as possible and fill in produce and dairy products only when needed.