Thomasville Scene Spring 2023 | Page 46

| column |

| column |

Saving Money at the Grocery Store

by Olivia Tumlin | Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with UGA Extension Thomas County

Have you noticed your grocery bill climbing in the last few months ? As food prices increase at the grocery store , household budgets are suffering . Even when buying the basics , food costs are impacting families in a big way . The U . S . Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates that the Consumer Price Index for food increased 10.6 percent during 2022 . Even basic staples like eggs , bread , and milk are pricier . As our grocery store bill begins to pull money from other areas of the budget , there can be a domino effect on our finances . In order to combat rising prices , here are five tips on how to save when grocery shopping :

Tip No . 1 : Plan Before you Shop !
Have you ever walked into the grocery store without a plan and having skipped lunch ? It is easy to go over budget and buy unnecessary items when shopping without a plan . Picking out a handful of breakfasts , lunches and dinners for the week means you can coordinate coupons , sales , and shared ingredients . Use resources like MyPlate . gov ( and their app !) to find cheap , healthy recipes based on your budget , dietary needs and cooking equipment ! Make sure to “ shop ” your refrigerator and pantry first to avoid buying things you already have .
Photo by Maria Lin Kim on Unsplash
Tip No . 2 : Make a Shopping List
Even if you have a great memory , it is easy to forget what you went to the grocery store for ! After choosing what recipes you are shopping for , make sure you write down exactly what you need . Try not to shop while hungry because eye-catching snacks ( sometimes unhealthy !) often end up in the cart , throwing off your grocery budget . Keeping a list , whether digital or on paper , also ensures you don ’ t forget items . Going to the grocery store multiple times a week can mean spending extra money on unnecessary items .
Tip No . 3 : Take Time to Compare
While grocery shopping can be stressful , taking a moment to compare and contrast items can shave dollars off the final bill . When deciding between two brands , sizes , or varieties , make sure to check the “ Unit Price ” located by the price on the shelf . The generic brand is usually cheaper , but make sure to check other prices before buying .
Tip No . 4 : Buy in Bulk
When checking the unit price , you may notice that larger quantities often have a cheaper “ price per unit .” For example , the one-pound bag of frozen broccoli may cost $ 1.25 , but the three-pound bag costs $ 2.48 . While you are technically spending more money , the price per unit is lower in the three-pound bag and will last longer . Family packs of items are often cheaper than buying the individual portions . Items like meat , poultry , and frozen fruits and vegetables are great options for buying in bulk . When doing this , make sure you freeze extra portions in time so that the food doesn ’ t go to waste !
46 Spring 2023 | Thomasville Scene