How are rising food costs affecting you?
When energy costs started to go up exponentially last year, economists warned that we'd soon be feeling the pain at the grocery store in addition to the gas pump. Sure enough, food costs are now rising faster than they have in twenty years--and that trend is expected to continue through the rest of the year.
I know I've definitely started to notice the difference in my grocery bill, and have started making some adustments in my buying and eating habits as a result. Are rising food costs having any effect on your choices?
For those who are buying or eating differently in response to rising food costs, what changes have you made?
Please share your ideas on saving on food costs by clicking on "post a comment" below. Tomorrow, I'll give you some tips on how to stretch your food dollar without sacrificing nutrition.
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Posted by: SCOTT SCHABLE | Jul 1, 2008 3:29:55 PM
I don't worry much about the cost of food. I'd rather skimp on energy for the car than energy for the body! The main thing for me is to use up what I buy. I hate finding rotten food the fridge.
Posted by: Chris Crowe | Jun 30, 2008 3:51:55 AM
to be honest I haven't even noticed a rise in costs at all. If anything i'd say the things that I buy are getting cheaper with the big supermarkets competing for custom. Having said that I am a student, so that may have some part in it (and no I don't just buy pot noodles and rice!!!)
Posted by: Meredith | Jun 25, 2008 11:34:15 PM
What hasn't been mentioned yet is coupons! I use coupons faithfully and with the help of another website (don't know if I can mention) that tells me which deals are the best, I haven't noticed much of a crunch.
In fact, I'm spending the same amount of money but have TONS more product in my house. Good stuff, too.
Posted by: Emily` | Jun 23, 2008 3:51:46 PM
I've found that buying meat in family packs or bulk and then dividing by portions and freezing them really helps. I also have started to garden more seriously and now have all the essential veggies and spices to cook with ready to go.
Posted by: Emily` | Jun 23, 2008 3:50:51 PM
I've found that buying meat in family packs or bulk and then dividing by portions and freezing them really helps. I also have started to garden more seriously and now have all the essential veggies and spices to cook with ready to go.
Posted by: Mary R. | Jun 20, 2008 5:25:52 PM
When perishable items are on sale, we prepare them in quantity and freeze containers for future meals. For example, eggplant was on special, it freezes well, so we made up a large batch of ratotuille and portioned it out as a topping for pasta and filling for wraps and omelets. We do the same for meat and seasonal veggies as well. The added bonus is a selection of dinners already to go into the microwave or oven.
Posted by: Marian Galpin | Jun 17, 2008 4:30:12 AM
I make everything from scratch, I don't buy prepared anything, and have dropped my grocery bill dramatically. I buy my veges from the farm gate and I watch everything carefully as prices rise on every fortnightly shop. You can't stick to a budget when things are going up on a weekly basis.
Posted by: Chrishia | Jun 16, 2008 5:50:54 PM
I've stopped taking my kids with me!
I'm making my own salad,salsa,and meals.
I'm making jello and pudding instead of buying pre-packaged.
I'm reading other people's tips!
Don't forget to use your own mesh shopping bags instead of paper or plastic.
Posted by: Rich | Jun 16, 2008 2:15:44 PM
lets see here... each day, i eat equivelant to 4-5 bunches of parsley, alot of cabbage, some turnip greens, and alot of carrots .. all for less than most people spend for the fully processed foods. then towards dinner, 4 - 8 oz's of wheatgerm, a huge serving of lentils/split peas/beans with whole wheat and olive oil.
i think at the very most i'm spending on average around $5 day eating some of the highest quality food and soon i'll have a bunch of cucumbers i grew equivalent to organic
it's taken many years of gradual adjustments to achieve eating whole real foods in their natural state
Posted by: angie | Jun 16, 2008 10:46:37 AM
I have been eating fresh fruit like a maniac! My "clean eating" is non-negotiable, too! I buy LOTS of whatever is on sale each week, or when I'm at a store that I find has a lower price on something I use often. I buy less of the expensive specialty items. I am using a lot more sunflower seeds instead of the more expensive nuts, etc. I don't think I'm spending any more than I was before - maybe less, actually :)
Posted by: Susan | Jun 4, 2008 5:28:22 PM
I always make a list before heading out to the grocery store. Keeps me on track!
To keep the grocery bill down I also forgo the junk and focus more on "cleaner" foods. Much better for me in the long run too. :)
Posted by: Vittoria | Jun 4, 2008 1:22:41 PM
I have celiac disease and eat gluten free, so rather than buy special ready made products like cookies, I either make them myself or I forgo those items all together. Buying local and organic is very important to me, and the quality of my food is non-negotiable, so we're cutting back on other things like eating out.
Posted by: Sam Hartman | Jun 4, 2008 12:20:01 PM
I luckily became employed at a health food store in December, which gives me a nice discount on all the specialty foods I want to buy. The prices continue to rise though as we get increases once a month at least. Everything from vegetables, to canned goods, to bulk foods, are rising. It's pretty crazy.
Posted by: MizFit | Jun 4, 2008 6:32:21 AM
I actually havent changed a thing.
Ive shifted money from other places (buying books, clothing etc) but my clean eating is a nonnegotiable in that I STILL cling to the "Ill have fewer health costs later in life"
let's hope that's true!
