Even with the passage of Inflation Reduction Lawconsumer prices continue to rise at almost the fastest rate in 40 years.
Perhaps nowhere is the impact of scorching inflation being felt more than in the grocery store aisle, where the cost of staples like eggs, milk, flour and chicken are weighing on household budgets. Food at home, or meals prepared from grocery purchases, rose 1.3% last month, with all major grocery store categories. seeing price jumpsreported the Department of Labor In the past week. Egg prices are up 38% from a year earlier, while other items that saw double-digit increases include flour (+23%), butter (+22%) and coffee (+20%), data shows. government data.
Americans are spending more money on groceries than they did last year, according to LendingTree. Households spent an average of $408 a week on food last month, up from $318 in May 2021. Residents of Delaware, Montana and Vermont saw the biggest increases in their grocery bills, the lending market found.
As Americans look for ways to hedge against inflation, here are three tips to make sure your next trip to the grocery store doesn’t break the bank.
Make a list
It may sound obvious, but the value of a shopping list should not be underestimated.
“Make a list before you go to the grocery store,” advised Roy Paul, executive director of Cents Ability, a nonprofit group that advises young people on personal finance. A shopping list can not only prevent you from wasting fuel on a second trip to the market, but it can also prevent you from buying an item you don’t need.
Paul said, “How many times have you bought something, only to come home and find you already had it?”
And with all the temptations and cleverly placed supermarket displays meant to stimulate an impulse buy, a shopping list can keep you focused on getting what you need without spending a dime more.
Look for store brands
“There are a lot of people who get very ‘bougie’ when they walk into a grocery store,” Paul said, encouraging people to ditch expensive brands in favor of more affordable store brands.
Store brands, whether for staples or premium foods, are generally cheaper than name brands because there’s no advertising to drive up the cost, CBS Minnesota recently reported.
Once considered of lower quality, the perception of store brands has changed over the years, Todd Maute, a partner at retail research firm CBX, told CBS Minnesota. He points to the success of Trader Joe’s, where 95% of what they sell is private label.
Check expiration date
Another way consumers can save money is by reducing food waste. Properly store perishable foods in quality airtight containers, freeze fruits that will not be eaten right away, and preserve them your refrigerator organized It can go a long way in reducing waste.
Paul also recommends checking expiration dates, particularly in smaller markets. “If you’re at a corner store or a grocery store, they’re more susceptible to having expired items,” he said.
keep that in mind Expiry dates they do not necessarily mean that a food or drink is spoiled, but rather serve as a general guide to quality. Regardless of the date printed on a package, check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
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Source: www.cbsnews.com