Take a bite out of your grocery bill
by Nicki Bourlioufas
First, pain at the pump. Now, pain at the checkout. The sharp rise in food prices means we’re now paying close to $5 for a loaf of bread or a litre of yoghurt – it seems that even shopping for basics is a sore point. So what’s to be done about it?
Over the year to June quarter 2008, food prices rose by an average 3.9%. But the prices of some staple goods jumped by a lot more. For example, milk (up 12.1%), cheese (up 14.2%), poultry (up 11%), and bread (up 6.8%).
The following tips can help to keep your grocery bill down.
1. Shop with the seasons. Eat only fruits and vegetables that are in season. You’ll save – and enjoy the freshest produce available rather than something that has been sitting in cold storage for weeks or flown thousands of miles across the world (or both). Whether it’s a summer mango or winter broccoli, you’ll be better off all round.
If you don’t believe us, check the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data for that same June quarter. While food prices were up overall, fruit and vegetable prices fell sharply, down by 7.4% and 6.5% respectively. Apples, bananas, pears and oranges fell in price due to plentiful supply. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and pumpkin prices also fell as those foods came into season.
2. Cut waste. Before you head to the checkout, ask if you’re likely to eat everything in your trolley. If in doubt, put it back. A UK study released in May this year found the average UK household (without children) throws away £420 worth of food each year (equal to almost $AU1000 ) – or roughly a third of all food it buys. Australian households throw away a similar amount. Cut waste and you can cut food costs.
3. Create a grocery list and stick to it. Before you go shopping, plan what you need. Put down all the items that you really need on a shopping list and stick to it. If you steer away from the list, you risk buying food that will simply sit at the back of your fridge until you throw it away.
4. Eat in. The average US family spends 42% of its annual food budget on meals outside the home, and Aussie families are similar. Instead of going out, why not stay at home, make dinner – and save. Raid the cupboards, your fridge and your imagination to come up with tasty, healthy meals. Cutting out $40 on takeaway each week, you’ll save more than $160 a month.
5. Pack your lunch. Instead of spending $6 or more a day on weekday lunches, brown-bag it. Take sandwiches and fruit or leftovers. With monthly savings approaching $120, what greater incentive do you need (other than tastier, healthier home-made lunches to look forward to)?
6. Choose goods at the lowest price per unit. Some stores display the price per unit of products or you can work it out yourself (e.g. by calculating the price per 100g or 100mL). For raw products like sugar, flour, butter, milk, pasta or salt, generic brands can provide great savings. With such foods, you don’t lose in quality but can gain substantially in savings. Otherwise, buy goods on sale – but only if you’d use them anyway.
7. Shop late in the day. Prices of produce and other perishables (such as bakery goods, hot chickens and other pre-prepared foods) are often slashed at the end of the day at fresh food markets and even supermarket and other grocery outlets as the vendors try to sell goods that are perfectly fine – but may be difficult to sell the next day. So tote your trolley just before closing time and save.
8. Hunt mark-downs and specials. Meat that’s heading for its use-by date is often marked down – and it’s perfectly safe for quick use or freezing. The same can be said of other fresh produce and baked goods, so keep an eye out and buy up. Similarly, check the ads and catalogues for specials and add these (if they’re essentials) to your list. Then buy in bulk, save – and avoid shopping later.
9. Move out of your comfort zone. Shop in areas favoured by a variety of different ethnic groups and you’ll be amazed by just how much cheaper groceries are. Whether its local fruit and vegetable shops or butchers, you’ll likely find much cheaper prices, a whole variety of foods to explore – and often fresher goods because of higher turnover.
10. Eat raw goods and fresh foods. Remember that while packaged and prepared or processed foods may seem cheaper and easier, they’re often both more expensive and less healthy than some simple, honest alternatives. Focus on healthy staples like beans, lentils and pasta. Lentil soup in winter or pasta with tomato and basil in summer make for great eating and good health.
Where to find out more
Visit these websites devoted to helping to cut food costs: the wikihow site at Save Money on Food and www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
This is article is courtesy of Super Living. Live and invest with attitude