Supermarket Sticker Shock

It's it just me, or has the price of food suddenly gone through the roof?  I went shopping at my neighborhood Safeway the other day and went into shock.  A box of brownie mix was over $4.00.  WOW!

I've been reading news articles lately about wheat shortages.  I even posted an article about it on this blog a few weeks ago.  Sometimes I really hate it when I'm right.  And since the economy isn't going to be getting any better any time soon, and since eating is a necessity, not an option, we need to start shopping smarter.  Here is my list of suggestions.


The Dollar Store.  The other day I went to the dollar store with a friend, and I was quite surprised at the selection.  The dollar store is a great place to stock up on staples like flour and sugar, canned goods, and other products like shampoo and soap.  This particular store also had milk, eggs and butter, and even some produce.  They also had a good supply of seasonings and olive oil.  The only downside was the selection on some items was limited, and others were only available in the smallest size.  No problem on the latter.  At $1 per item you can buy two or three and probably still come out ahead of buying the larger sizes at a regular supermarket.  And if you don't mind the off brands, instead of the nationally known brands, you can do well buying your canned food and staples at the dollar store.

Forget Brand Loyalty.  One of the things my mother taught me at a young age was to take your time and compare the prices.  She said that name brand items, even when they're on sale, oftentimes cost more than the generic or the store brands, and those generic brands are usually just as good.  My mother was right, and her advice is just as true today as it was years ago.  Think about it.  Advertising, particularly advertising on television, costs big bucks, and the food manufactures have no qualms whatsoever about passing that cost on to you, the consumer.  So forget brand loyalty.  They're not exactly being that loyal to you.

Coupons May Not be the Bargain That You Think.  Back when I was first starting out I took the Sunday paper, cut out all the grocery coupons, and lived under the illusion that I was saving money.  But when I looked closer I began to realize that coupons really weren't as quite good of a bargain as they appeared to be.  Sure, you can save some money, but go back an take a closer look at the store brand.  Chances are, even with a coupon, you'll still get a better deal buying the store brand instead of the name brand.

Watch for Sales.  I watch for sales in the fresh meat and produce isles.  Most meat freezes well, so don't be afraid to stock up when something goes on sale.  And if you do your own canning you can save money stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Grow Your Own.  Seeds are cheap, and if you have a yard, or even a small patio, try planting tomatoes or squash instead of daisies.  Every little bit helps.


GM