Taming Grocery Prices - Online Resources

Are Food Prices Really Increasing?

Recently, I read an online Reuters article entitled "Tips For Taming Rising Grocery Prices". The article gave a brief history of the cost of food. The author observed that food prices in the US have been relatively low in the past few years. We are now faced with steep increases in food costs that combined with high gasoline, home heating and health care costs are placing a tremendous financial strain on our pocket books. A coworker observed that he had been accustomed to budgeting a fixed amount from his paycheck for weekly expenses. Until recently, he had been able to meet his weekly costs with this amount. He said that he knows costs are increasing since even though his spending habits have not changed he has had to increase this weekly expense budget leaving less money for savings and discretionary spending.

Tips for Reducing Food Costs

Now more than ever, time spent on discovering ways to save money are paying off. I found the Reuters article to be an excellent source of tips and resources designed to initiate a saving strategy for our challenging economic environment.

We all know that coupon clipping provides hundreds of dollars of savings for those who have the patience and discipline to make this a weekly ritual. Newspapers and magazines are the traditional source of these coupons but many savvy shoppers are accessing them online. Reuters mentioned Hot Coupon World which provides numerous links to coupons that can be printed and used in any store.

Many of us have favorite cereals, grains, pastas etc. which we purchase on a regular basis. Some large grocery stores and our own North Country Food Coop sell these products and more in bulk. Purchasing reusable containers to buy items available in bulk is an often overlooked way to save. Another saving strategy mentioned in the article is buying frozen instead of fresh fish. Reuters observes that,

Almost all of the "fresh" fish you buy has been frozen and thawed. Fish from the freezer section has often been frozen on the boat, so its equally fresh and cheaper.

More Overlooked Tips

Most businesses have websites today and large grocery stores are no different. All of the large grocery stores in Clinton County have an online presence and some provide their own internal strategies for making economical, healthy purchases. Price Chopper's website seemed to have the most to offer. This site has their most recent circular as well as a special coupon link for additional savings. Their site also made it easy to search for savings by department. Although logging in was not necessary to access this information, logging in allows users to use special features like creating a personalized online shopping list.

Aldi's website includes their weekly features as well as a meal planner and recipe section. It is clear from Hannaford's website that they have made information on nutrition a corporate goal. Their "Guiding Stars" program which provides instant product nutritional information is prominently featured. In addition to their online circulars, Hannaford has a link to a series of videos demonstrating preparation processes like making a pie and carving a turkey.

The information available on these sites supports my belief that access to the internet is becoming more a necessity than a luxury. Those who have this information are given the opportunity to implement saving strategies which are vital in today's economy.

Comments

[Mark Vautour]

Great Post Ginny! In talking with friends of mine, I noticed that a lot of people, myself included until I read the fine print, are confused when it comes to the 10 for $10 promotion that most grocery stores offer. YOU DON"T HAVE TO BUY 10 ITEMS to get the $1 price per item. It will ring up as $1.00 per item even if you have less than 10. Often times consumers are under the impression that they need to buy 10 of one item, or mix and match 10 items to get the special price. Just thought I would share that little tidbit.

[Ginny Brady]

Hi Mark, your terrific tip is a reminder that we all have shopping secrets that we use to save money. I hope other readers of the Boardcast will post their suggestions