Grocery Bills Rising

Grocery bill chomps away at budget

NEW YORK (7/9/07)--Gas prices aren't the only consumer expenditures that have gotten out of control. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates that food inflation is running at a 6.7% adjusted annual rate through the first quarter of 2007. That's more than three times last year's 2.1% increase (MarketWatch June 13).

Prices for many items including meat, milk, eggs, butter, soda and fresh fruit all rose this spring. Consumers are facing rising food prices not only at the grocery store, but at restaurants. The cost of dining out has risen 3.3% in the past year (USAToday June 18).

Here's what you can do to keep your grocery bill from taking a bigger bite:

• Change how and where you shop. Consider shopping at a warehouse-type grocery store for most of your items. Buying in bulk can save a family of four $200 or more a month. Try to shop at your small-town grocer or organic grocery store only for those "must-have" specialty items you can't find at the bigger chains.
• Use coupons. It might not be how you want to spend your Sunday morning, but clipping coupons can help you save money. Use them on those "double coupon" days and save even more. But watch out--if you use coupons to buy high-priced items that you normally wouldn't purchase, you're not saving money.
• Stick to a list and don't shop hungry. Take the time to make a grocery list and don't let yourself purchase items that aren't written down. Avoid going to the store right before mealtime or you'll be tempted to buy much more than you need.
• Try generic. For some items, name brands are the only way to go. But generic or store-brand foods can be just as good for many items.
• Eat less. Cut back on the amount of snack food and junk food items you're buying and you might find yourself shedding a few unwanted pounds.
• Grow your own. Planting a garden is fun and saves a lot of money. You'll get a lot of tomatoes from that $2 tomato plant.
• Try new recipes. Look at what you're putting in the meals you make--perhaps there's a less expensive way to cook. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shows how you can make meals for less at recipefinder.nal.usda.gov.

For more information, use "Calculator: Budget Blueprint" in Home & Family Finance Resource Center.

courtesy of cuna.org