It’s no secret that our economy is in a bit of a slump.  Stocks are tanking and the cost of both gas and food are rising.  How can you beat the battle of high food prices?  There are many things you can do to save your self from high grocery bills.


  1. Never shop hungry.  You’ll lose your gut and your wallet.  Go to a store hungry and you are likely to pick up whatever looks good, regardless of the price and nutrition profile.
     
  2. Buy seasonal produce or buy frozen.  When you find a recipe that calls for blueberries and it is the middle of December, don’t go on a goose chase looking for fresh berries. Buy frozen or choose another dish and save that one for July.
  3. Choose unprocessed.  Yes, this means you may have to chop a thing or two and actually turn on your stovetop but, you’ll save a lot of money if you find quick cooking recipes that use fresh, frozen or canned minimally processed foods.
  4. Use coupons or try the store brand.  If you buy boxed goods, it may be worth it to invest $2 in the Sunday newspaper.  Many companies now offer online coupons that you can print out and use at your local retailer.  Coupons.com is a great resource for many coupons.
  5. Shop at warehouse stores but still check prices to make sure you are getting a bargain.  Let’s face it, you can stock up on canned green beans and not worry to much about them going bad.  But, think twice about buying bananas in bulk.
  6. Invest a few minutes in planning your meals.  By doing this you can avoid running out to the grocery store for forgotten ingredients and leftovers that go bad.
  7. Go through your cabinets and refrigerator before you shop.  It’s amazing when you find that you already have 2 bags of shredded mozzarella stuck under some tortillas and string cheese.
  8. And last but not least, don’t forget the nutritional supplements you need to ensure good health.  Saving a few dollars now and forgoing on your calcium + vitamin D supplement or deciding not to continue taking glucosamine and chondroitin for your joint health, will cost you a significantly greater amount of money in the future on healthcare costs and lost productivity. 

    Happy Shopping and Saving!