Spending LESS $$ - Food

 

Personally, I feel the rate of inflation has been grossly understated.  All I have to do is compare the prices of what I typically buy at the store to know that food prices are out of hand.  Food, along with water and heat, is one of our basic fundamental needs and what we are being charged right now to try and feed ourselves is alarming.  In the past year a lot of the items I typically purchase have increased in price at least 50% and some have even doubled.  For example a head of lettuce used to be 99¢ and now it is over $2.  I used to get a five pound bag of potatoes for $1.49 and now they are $3.89.  Boneless skinless chicken breast was typically $1.99 a pound and is now $2.79 or higher while bone in thighs that used to be 89¢ a pound are now selling for $1.69 a pound.  Don't even get me started on the price of eggs, or milk, or bread.  Now, more than ever, we have to get really creative in order to afford groceries and keep ourselves and our families fed.  Knowing how tight my budget was early on in my life I worry about how young families are able to cope.

 

I am fortunate in that I prepared myself for "what if".  When the pandemic started in 2020 I could see the writing on the walls, so to speak, and I began to prepare.  Even still, I am finding the need to make adjustments and shift the importance of what I buy in new directions in order to stay on budget.  I am shopping my shelves and figuring out ways to stretch my existing stock as far as I can.  Instead of purchasing bread at $4 to $6 a loaf I now buy flour and make my own.  I buy more frozen fruits and vegetables and only buy fresh items that are on sale.

 

I pretty much decided if there is anything I can make myself that is what I should do instead of purchasing things.  I make my own broth, soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza, biscuits, cookies and desserts,etc.  Not only is it less expensive, but it saves me a lot of money and I find I shop a lot less often.

 

I routinely take inventory of what I have, plan my meals based on that and then carefully craft a list of items I may need or feel I am running low on.  Then I wait and watch for sales or shop places where I know I can find the best prices.  If the price isn't low enough I do without and figure out something else instead.

 

Instead of using full cream in my coffee I now make my own half & half and use that now.  I eat more basic and simple meals, smaller portions of meat and more vegetables and I eat up my leftovers before I make new meals.  Minimizing food waste and making sure I use up everything I can has always been a top priority, but now, even more so.  I always thought I was really good at cooking from scratch, but I know I can always improve those skills and do more.  I just try to be mindful and intentional with my cooking, baking, meal planning and my shopping and do everything I can to save money.