If sticker shock is following you around the grocery store these days then you’re not alone.
There are reasons why grocery prices go up-and-down year to year. In the past 2 years, the impact of a global pandemic is largely to blame for prices going up and then up again. Across the board, food prices went up about 6% in 2020 and we can expect prices to go up another 2-3% in 2021. So, yes, sticker shock is very real and it’s smart to learn some ways around it.
5 Ways to Get In-and-Out of the Grocery Store and Spend Less Money
- Have a budget – weekly or monthly – and stick to it.
- Plan your meals with the help of weekly, on sale grocery items.
- Write a detailed shopping list that supports your meal plan and use it.
- Slow down as you walk through the store and pay special attention to prices.
- Buy more store brand products in every aisle of the store: food and non-foods.
5 Ways to Get In-and-Out of the Grocery Store and Bring Home Better Nutrition for Less Money
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables for 3 days and buy frozen or canned as back-up.
- Buy dry or canned lentils (or beans) and make them into a salad or soup for lunches.
- Pay close attention to sales on eggs and nuts and buy them when prices are lower.
- Choose a whole chicken instead of boneless, skinless breasts.
- Buy a gallon of drinking water instead of soft drinks.
Getting Smarter with Grocery Shopping is Definitely Worth It
Grocery shopping is a fact of life whether you prefer hands-on or order-ahead. So, it’s time to master some money savers and nutrition boosters for a healthier life. All the above tips are valuable and yet, the one I mention most often is to slow down and pay attention. Grocery shopping, or ordering, is not something that can be done well on auto-pilot and if you’ve ever gotten home with purchases you really didn’t want or need then you hear me. For better nutrition at a price you can afford, try my free Mediterranean Menus and Recipes. Homemade meals will taste great when you use them.