Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and Your Budget
Squeezed by rising food prices?
Small changes in your shopping habits can mean saving money at the grocery store.
Changing habits is hard. Try one or two each week. Soon you’ll see some relief in your grocery bills.
- When comparing brands, look at the cost of food per serving. If you will use all of it, the economy size is often (but not always) a better price per serving. Bring a calculator to compare unit prices. Sales tags often do not recompute unit prices.
- Where you shop may cost you money. Bulk food stores may not always be a good choice. You may be tempted to buy foods you don’t need and can’t store properly.
- Stock up on non-perishable foods when they are on sale.
- You pay more for convenience foods such as a ready-to-cook chicken breast. If you prepare it yourself, you have control over what goes in the food, such as less fat and salt.
- Looking for the best value? Foods high in fat and sugar — like cookies, chips, doughnuts and soft drinks — have fewer nutrients than nutritious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk and lean meats. Remember, the fiber in fruits and vegetables fills you up and keeps hunger away.
- Buy non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items from discount stores. You pay more for these at the grocery store.
- Shop the outer aisles where you find fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. The inside aisles are where you find higher-priced processed foods and snacks.
- Look high, look low. Bargains are usually on the top or bottom shelves - not at eye level.
- Track your store's loss-leader items. Loss-leader items are low-priced items to get you into the store so you buy other higher priced items. Different sections of the store are featured each week. Stock up on each week's loss-leader items, especially things like cereals and juice.
- Store food properly. Food that gets thrown out is money lost.
- Serve smaller portions. Most of us eat larger portions than we need. Serving food on smaller plates and drinks in taller, thinner glasses can help us eat or drink less.
- Repackage large containers of food into smaller bags and containers. If you must have snacks on hand like cookies, smaller portions help you avoid overindulging.
- Cook once, eat twice. Buy enough ingredients to cook more than one meal and freeze meal-sized portions. Now there’s no need to buy frozen dinners.
Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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