Beating Inflation: Smart Strategies for Your Average Grocery Bill

Aug 23, 2023 | Blog, Shopping

In a world where food costs are changing and rising daily, managing your average grocery bill from month to month is hard. The news says that the cost of food is decreasing, but it doesn’t look that way in the grocery store.  Where I live, I can tell the difference in the price increase for things like butter, milk, and eggs because these are things that I purchase regularly.

With prices rising for gas, food, and housing, you must ensure you can still feed your family.  I’m here to help you with simple tips, cashback, and reward options that are scam-free and worth it.  Keep reading to find ways to save on rising food costs and put a meal on the table without breaking the bank.

What is Inflation?

Inflation is the steady increase in the cost of goods or services over some time. You can easily understand this concept by comparing the price of a hamburger in the nineties to a hamburger today. In 1990, your hamburger would have cost around 75 cents, while today’s average cost is $5.99.  That’s a significant increase!  Even though we are making more money now than we did then, it is still a shocking example of how inflation affects prices over time.  Understanding inflation is essential when managing your finances and preparing for the future.

A few years ago, inflation was making headlines across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  People were having difficulty working because so many places were shut down.  The cost of everything, including food, soared as available resources decreased.  Now that everyone is returning to work and their regular routines, the media is trying to make things seem like everything is “back to normal.”  Yet prices continue to rise in multiple industries, impacting every aspect of our daily lives.  Problems like increased demand, disruptions in imports, exports, and other supply chains, and changes in energy prices all contribute to this economic crisis.  As we struggle to provide for our families, we must do everything possible to save on food costs.

Take a Closer Look at Your Grocery Budget

You know those crumpled-up receipts that you stuff into your purse or glove compartment?  It’s time to take those out and review them. You may opt for paperless transactions and use email for receipts. Either way, you must look at them and analyze your spending habits.  I would also review any take-out receipts since you are still using that money to purchase food for yourself or your family.  Are you spending more on takeout or junk food than you thought?  Did that display aisle that caught your eye turn into a cart full of impulse purchases?  Were you hungry when you went inside of the store?

Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship. – Benjamin Franklin

Write out a list of what you must have for each department versus what you bought in each department.  Think of it as organizing the pantry in your kitchen, but instead, it is your pantry of spending. Grab a notebook or use a budgeting app on your phone to help with the visual picture.  Every time you use your card to purchase groceries or go out to eat, write it down.  If you are getting something to drink or a pack of water bottles, write that down, too.  Next, start categorizing those expenses into lists like “Meat, Snacks, Bakery, Frozen” and so on. For example, compare lists of dairy items you have to have, like milk and butter, versus things you don’t have to have, like ice cream and flavored creamer. Find ways to cut costs by either replacing the most expensive items with a cheaper alternative. What are you spending the most money on? Are you a cookie monster or a fruit fanatic?

As for me, I have a love affair with chocolate that may as well be the plot of a bad rom-com.  From 100% pure brooding dark chocolate to sweet, peanut butter-filled milk chocolate, I’m like the main star of a chocolatey soap opera.  It is not a weakness but a chocolate conspiracy in which I am the willing accomplice.

Savvy Grocery Shopping Tips

Great, now that we understand inflation and you have a better understanding of what you splurge on, you are ready to move forward with these tips:

• Make a List:  I cannot stress this enough.  When I make a list, I usually stick to what is on the list.  If I find myself tempted to purchase something else, I always tell myself to stick to what is on the list. I see many people walk through the store aimlessly without a list.  More than likely, you do know precisely what you need, but stores have strategically placed items and displays so that you can grab something extra on your way down the aisle. Resist the urge to grab these display items. Stick to your list.
• Review the Weekly Ads: If your local stores send out weekly ads to you in the mail, make sure you take advantage of these money-saving opportunities.  Also, do your research and compare the prices to other retailers in your area.  Thanks to the power of the internet, this is now easier to do from home rather than going from store to store. See who has the best deals on items that you usually purchase.  Take advantage of sales that are buy one get one free, only if the price is free and not the cost it would take to purchase two of them. Our local store has different deals every week, and if you have a grocery card with them (which is free), then you get the special prices they offer.
• Use coupons:  I am constantly looking for coupons for items that I routinely purchase. I don’t recommend going out of your way to use a coupon for an item that you wouldn’t usually purchase. This often leads to uneaten food in the cabinet because you will use something other than the item you bought.  If you are looking for coupons, visit sites like coupons.com or thekrazycouponlady.com.  Where we live, we are constrained to what options we have to purchase groceries.  If you live in an area like that, you may search your local store’s information to see if they have a website that lists sales or coupons.

By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens. – John Maynard Keynes

• Buy in Bulk: Purchase items that you use often in bulk.  For example, we consistently use pasta, diced tomatoes, Rotel, and rice here.  These are things that I would want to buy in bulk because I use them often.  Make sure to check the price and do the math to know that purchasing the item in bulk rather than every week or month is worth it.  For example, you can get one Chicken Pot Pie for $2.98 or 8 chicken pot pies for $14.98, making them only $1.87 each.  Doing your math on bulk items is essential to ensure you get the best price possible.
• Avoid Shopping Hungry:  We’ve all been shopping at the grocery store when hungry.  I make it a point to eat before I leave so I am not hungry when I arrive, but sometimes I don’t have the time.  Grabbing everything you see is much easier when you have a rumbly stomach, and all the food looks good.  It’s also easier to grab unhealthy junk food and display items when you are hungry and in a hurry to get home and eat. Try to make sure to eat before you go to the store, or you will end up with a cart full of food you never intended to purchase.
• Take Advantage of Cash Back and Points Programs: I know it is a pain to scan every receipt you get or use an app to shop with, but if you want to save money, I highly recommend using these reward programs. Some are offered by your local store independently, and others are more globally known.  I use FetchRewards and know other people who use Ibotta to save on groceries. I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase items you get cashback and higher points on. But, if you usually purchase something and get rewarded for that, take advantage of it. Use your points on yourself or to get more groceries.

Budget-Friendly Cooking

More families are dining out or eating fast food today than ever before.  Parents are super busy and overwhelmed with work, kids, and life in general.

What most people like about fast food or eating out is that it is convenient in more ways than one. You don’t have to cook or clean up dishes; you can choose what you want to eat.  However, eating out is now costing more than it used to.  In my area, you average about $10-$15 per person eating out unless you have a coupon or know a special.  It is often cheaper to eat at home using a few ingredients than it is to go out to eat.

Here are a few recipes from my blog that you should try out. They only require a few ingredients and can easily feed a family of 6.

• Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
• Fried Rice with Turkey Bacon
• Tuna Lettuce Wraps

In Conclusion

As the cost of food continues to climb, the cost of our grocery bills will keep rising.  By following these tips, you can help plan your budget accordingly.  Buy in bulk, use coupons and sales, and use those leftovers in your fridge.  These small changes can make a big difference when comparing your average grocery bill from three months ago.  Please feel free to share your tips and experiences in the comments section so that we can create a community of like-minded parents, each trying to make the most of their hard-earned dollars.