As grocery prices rise, we wait and hope for this economic trend to reverse itself. However, in the meantime there are ways to shop wise and save money at the grocery store. It takes a little planning and bit of motivation, but you too can shop wisely without sacrificing the promise of a full pantry.
Your mother always told you not to shop with an empty stomach, and she knew what she was talking about. Spontaneous purchases happen when tummies are empty, so grab a snack before going to the store.
Most spontaneous purchases involve snack foods which are high in price. Stay away from the junk food aisles, and opt to check out through the candy-free aisle.
Taking the time to make a plan before heading to the store can save the most money. Create a list and stick to it; it'll eliminate spontaneous shopping and it will focus your spending on what you actually need. If, halfway through the week, you're missing a key ingredient for dinner, you're left with two choices: run to the nearest store and buy the needed ingredient, or skip the meal and eat out.
Reorganize your recipe box. Organize recipes by their ingredients, keeping dishes that require tomatoes together for example. When the fridge is overstocked with tomatoes at the end of the summer, pull the recipes that utilize this healthy red fruit.
Avoid out of season ingredients. It'll make the dishes more special when they're only offered during select times of the year, and it'll save money when you go shopping. Tomatoes are too expensive during the winter, but they're much more reasonable and available during the summer months.
Have a backup plan for leftover fruits and veggies. If lunches don't use the leftovers, try to create meals that do. Treat the family to a special dessert if berries are ready to go bad, or bake banana bread if a few brown friends are around. Freeze small portions of leftover vegetables in bags. When enough bags accumulate, cook a pot of vegetable stew with them.
If milk is nearing its expiration date, put pudding on the menu. Offer a night of soup and sandwiches, making a cream soup with the extra milk. Think creatively and use what's in the fridge. Make a resolution not to throw anything away, ever.
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Is it just me, or in the last few weeks, have grocery store flyers, weekly special ads featured less actual food, and more prepared food, mixes, and loads of non-food items like sprays, personal care items, pet non food items, vitamins, etc. I have noticed it here in 'burb of Denver at several stores and asked myself why. Well, there is generally more profit for the ordinary grocery store for non-food items.
I've just been puzzled. Comment?
PIKKA, it could be that fresh produce is harder to get at this time of year and I also think it's an effort by the grocery stores to make their stores more of a "one-stop shopping store" where you can get almost anything you need and won't have to go other places. Isn't that what Walmart has going for them? It's easier to stop at one store than to slip and slide all over town and get in and out of the cold. People are so busy (so they say) that they use more and more boxed foods instead of gooing from scratch. Stores push what sells.
Grocery food stores probably gain more per inch or foot by selling high dollar items. However, when no one can afford those foods, they lose money, and they lose employees.
This recipe is for being in a pinch, as it isn't totally heathy--a big can of pork and beans, and one pound of ground beef, cooked and drained, add the large can of your favorite pork and beans, stir, heat through, and enjoy. I know I have.
i am amazed at the number of recipes containing pre-mixed and ready-cooked convenience foods. It is much cheaper (and healthier) to cook from scratch and avoid all those added preservatives, imitation food essences, colours and other chemicals in canned and pre-mixed goods. For example, consider buying dried beans or chickpeas instead of the tinned variety. Soak these overnight, then boil the next day - pure, nutritious food at a fraction of the cost. I know it takes a bit of extra time to do this, but the savings are worth it!
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