Quick and Easy Ways to Save Money on Food
How to Beat the Rising Cost of Food from Shopping to Storage
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of food has gone up 8% and from all indications, as gas prices continue to effect every segment of the food industry, it can be expected that this will not change soon. However the wise consumer can reduce this by careful shopping and storage.
Using the Internet to Shop for Bargains
Many supermarkets now make their bargains available to shoppers by sending out weekly e-mails or having sites where their ads can be read on-line. For example, Safeway often offers “Buy one, get one free” items as well as coupons that can printed and taken to the store. If you have registered with some supermarket sites, a record of your previous purchases can be accessed.
How to Use Shopping Lists Effectively
Making a list of staples, items you buy every week, to look over prior to shopping and checking it against what you already have in your cupboard or refrigerator can help to keep you from duplication. Then begin thinking about the menus for the week and note the items that are needed. When you get to the store, stick to the list except for on-sale or two-for-one items that are staples you customarily use. Be aware of whether there are store brands available, which are usually cheaper, and substitute them for the heavily advertised brand-named products. Looks for products on the lower shelves where the less costly items are stocked. If you use enough of a product, such as canned soup, to warrant buying it in bulk, there is sometimes a 10% discount offered to customers who buy a whole carton at one time. Buy loose fruits and vegetables, instead of pre-packaged. Look for freshness and no signs of age and avoid those that are costly because of being out of season.
Storing Foods Properly to Avoid Waste
When shopping, check the “sell date” on each product, making sure it has enough shelf life left in the time you expect to use it. Put the ones with the shortest upcoming date in the front of the cupboard or refrigerator, rotating the newer ones to the back. If there are leftovers from a meal, these should be easy seen and not allowed to be pushed behind other food in the refrigerator. Don’t throw away fruit that may be getting a little soft. Instead use it for a pie, smoothie or a cooked dish. Vegetables that look a little tired can be put into a crock pot to make soup, especially if there is a bit of leftover meat to add to it for extra flavor and frozen for a nourishing dinner at a later date.
Alternative Sources for Food Purchases
If there are farmers markets in your area, plan to visit them when possible for in-season fruits and vegetables which are often fresher because they are not transported across the country. Some also have cheese and meat available that are locally produced.
With a little preparation and thought, consumers may reduce food bills as much as 25% while continuing to eat well on a budget.
Sources:
- Federal Bureau of Statistics
- Local Harvests
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Bibliography:
- Reitano, Raymond. The Elite Grocery Shopper: Principals to Save Your Hard Earned Money. Colorado, Outskirts Press, 2007
