Stock prices may be falling as the economic crisis worsens, but the cost of everyday consumer goods is rising sharply. Robert Glavin of the Boston Globe reports ("Surging Costs of Groceries Hit Home," March 9, 2008) that milk prices has jumped 26%, and egg prices have risen 40%. Glavin points out that most consumers spend three times as much money on food as they do on gasoline. Food manufacturers are shrinking packaging and raising prices, and consumers are finding it more and more difficult to stick to a grocery budget. How can you save money on food costs? Here are a few simple tips:
Cook at home. When you're working overtime just to get by, it can be hard to find time to cook a meal from scratch. Stock your pantry with broth, seasonings, and basics like canned tomatoes, beans and pasta or rice so that you'll have easy ingredients at hand. Sites like All Recipes offer plenty of quick weeknight meal ideas for every taste. If you know that you've got the ingredients at home for a 15-minute meal, you'll be less tempted to order a pizza or stop for fast food.
Shop at the farmers' market. Most cities and towns have farmers' markets where you can buy fresh produce and locally made goods. Prices are often far lower than grocery-store prices, and the goods you buy will be fresh and tasty. You can also sign up for a share in a local farm (known as Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs). By paying a few hundred dollars up front, you will receive a box of produce and usually other goods like bread, pasta sauce, meats and seasonal items. You save money on food by paying less in the long run; if you're short on cash, you can also get some peace of mind knowing that you have a box of food each week you've already paid for.
Avoid the center aisles of the grocery store. Packaged foods are more expensive than fresh goods, because the costs of processing, packaging and distribution are incorporated into the price. A good rule of thumb is to buy things with only one or two ingredients. Eating fresh foods provides you with more nutrients, which makes you feel full and helps prevent you from spending on snacks and junk food. Nutritionist Marion Nestle, in her book What to Eat, calls this "shopping the perimeters" and recommends sticking to the produce, meat and dairy sections.
Cut down on meat. You don't have to go completely vegetarian to save money, but cutting back on meat consumption can stretch your grocery budget. Try eating meat a few times a week. It helps to think of meat as a condiment rather than the center of a meal. For example, instead of eating a bacon cheeseburger, try making a creamy potato leek soup topped with crumbled bacon. You'll feel satisfied and spend a fraction of the cost-- and you can freeze some of the soup for a weeknight meal.
It's hard to keep up with rising food prices, but with a little research and some work, you can save money on food costs without sacrificing taste. You might even find that you're eating better than even before. You don't have to be a gourmet cook to enjoy delicious meals on a low budget!
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