Your Money & Business
Don’t Break a Sweat or Your Budget!
Tips for Saving at the Grocery Store
July 2020
Staff
Do you find that you’re often gobsmacked when the grocery clerk announces your total? Are you confused by sales that don’t seem to be sales at all? You’re not alone. During this pandemic, many of us have had to revisit our weekly budget for groceries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The food index increased 4.0 percent over the last 12 months, with the index for food at home rising 4.8 percent.” And the monthly increases were highest in April and May of 2020. But it’s not just a U.S. problem. Food costs have soared throughout the globe.
Yet, we have not been confronted with a global food shortage. So what is going on?
There are varied reasons for this sudden uptick during the pandemic. These include: higher demand due to more people cooking meals at home; factories, farms, and processing plants are struggling to keep up or to shift large delivery orders; panic import purchasing; shortage of factory workers due to illness; costly disinfecting and food safety requirements, etc.
But there is a way out of the abyss and that proverbial hole in your pocket. You just need to get creative and find your ingenuity.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The food index increased 4.0 percent over the last 12 months, with the index for food at home rising 4.8 percent.” And the monthly increases were highest in April and May of 2020. But it’s not just a U.S. problem. Food costs have soared throughout the globe.
Yet, we have not been confronted with a global food shortage. So what is going on?
There are varied reasons for this sudden uptick during the pandemic. These include: higher demand due to more people cooking meals at home; factories, farms, and processing plants are struggling to keep up or to shift large delivery orders; panic import purchasing; shortage of factory workers due to illness; costly disinfecting and food safety requirements, etc.
But there is a way out of the abyss and that proverbial hole in your pocket. You just need to get creative and find your ingenuity.
TIPS and ADVICE from the SANCTUARY TEAM:
Seasonal Sales and Menus:
“Scan the sales fliers before going to the store. Then, make your weekly menu based on the items on sale, which will often be what’s in season. Better yet, use any available coupons for those same items, and you’ve gotten a double discount. Also…stick to your weekly budget!” ~ Myrna Haskell, managing editor
Apples-to-Apples Pricing:
“I always check the unit price - which is different than the price you’re paying but is located on the same sticker on the grocery shelf. You have to look for it…but it provides an apples-to-apples comparison with similar items. This is a quick way to be sure you’re getting the best deal.” ~ Nancy Burger, editor-at-large
Be Creative and Use What you Have:
“My son gave us herb clippings from his garden. I washed and chopped with some garlic and olive oil and - Voilà - a pasta sauce! I would suggest a thin pasta and add some grated cheese. The message is: Use what you have.” ~ Mare Leonard, section editor
Safe Delivery and Bulk Shopping:
“During the pandemic, shopping online and ensuring safe and timely delivery is a real priority. We live on the top floor of a walk-up apartment in Manhattan, and for several years have found that Fresh Direct has provided us with excellent online service for many products, with friendly service right to our front door. We commit to a specified time slot for weekly delivery. If an item is not available, the company is prompt to credit our account. Since the onset of the pandemic, our best option for delivery of bulk items has been Costco. Costco has been indispensable and definitely cheaper for certain items, such as paper goods, coffee (Newman’s Own K-cups for our Keurig dispenser), roast chicken, sirloin steaks, clams, and household goods (shampoo, detergents, and various vitamin supplements).” ~ Sandra Bertrand, columnist
Quick-Easy-Healthy:
“Keep your pantry full of quick-cooking healthy grains and legumes (lentils, split peas, whole wheat couscous, fregola, and so on) as well as a healthy amount of condiments (chili paste, mustards, lemon grass paste, garlic paste, hot sauces, curry paste, etc.) and flavorings in your fridge. This will help you make a quick meal with the proteins/vegetables you have on hand.” ~ Laura Pensiero, columnist
Shop Local Farms:
“Buy your produce outside the grocery store. CSA boxes from local farms are a fantastic way to get produce that is almost always fresher and less expensive than what you can find at supermarkets. (Boxes can be filled with just about anything: fresh produce, healthy grains and delicious eggs and dairy products.) They're also a great way to explore new flavors and items you wouldn't otherwise have known about or tried!” ~ Amy Beth Acker, regular contributor
Grow Your Own:
“I've become much less wasteful. I've regenerated romaine lettuce and leeks from formerly discarded bits. I haven't grown enough lettuce for a salad, but definitely enough to put on a sandwich. And I made leek-top pesto. It's a satisfying feeling (although, my friends now laugh and call this city girl Farmer Gray).” ~ Carol Lippert Gray, regular contributor
Shop Less and Shop Local
“Shopping once a week and buying local as much as possible has helped me cut down on my family’s grocery bill. It began with the Covid-19 stay-at-home order, which made me second-guess going to the store unless I really had to. That made me realize that I usually have plenty to cook with if I just give it a little thought. (Borscht salad, anyone?) Not only has this saved us money, it has cut down our food waste - a lot! I also rely more on local purveyors for everything from vegetables, fruit and olive oil to fresh fish, honey and bread. (I admitted an embarrassing defeat to the sourdough starter gods and now happily buy bread from a local baker.) Local items might cost more sometimes, but they seem to last longer, taste better and they’re kinder to the environment. They are well worth a few more pennies, which makes the most economic sense of all.” ~ Emily Dodi, contributor
Go Generic:
“Buy generic brands. They sometimes taste just as good or even better – so try some to see what you like!” ~ Jillian Crocetta, summer intern
Avoid Frequent Impulse Shopping:
“I try to go LESS often to the grocery store! I find that when I do go frequently - just to “stop to get milk” - I usually come out with more than I planned to spend.” ~ Ariana Dingman, social media assistant
Self-Scanner Savings:
“When grocery shopping, I use the self-scanner. Not only does it let you scan as you shop so you can pack things and save time, but coupons also pop up periodically that could save you money unexpectedly!” ~ Dana Jones, social media intern
Longer Shelf Life, Less Waste:
“I love the option of frozen vegetables. They are quick to prepare and keep so much longer for less waste.” ~ Rachel Morrison, masthead photographer
Stick to Your List:
“I organize my list by aisle, so that I don’t wander aimlessly around the store. With specific traffic patterns enforced due to the pandemic, it certainly helps to map out your list by aisle. I find that I stick to my list more as I am looking for the exact items, versus just picking up things I don’t need. In the end, I think I save money because I’ve eliminated impulse buying.” ~ Lisa Roman, marketing advisor
Store Brand Equivalents and In-Season Produce:
“I personally try to save by selecting the store brand equivalent whenever possible. For produce…it’s best to buy things in season.” ~ Emily Wadsworth, exercise & wellness advisor
Seasonal Sales and Menus:
“Scan the sales fliers before going to the store. Then, make your weekly menu based on the items on sale, which will often be what’s in season. Better yet, use any available coupons for those same items, and you’ve gotten a double discount. Also…stick to your weekly budget!” ~ Myrna Haskell, managing editor
Apples-to-Apples Pricing:
“I always check the unit price - which is different than the price you’re paying but is located on the same sticker on the grocery shelf. You have to look for it…but it provides an apples-to-apples comparison with similar items. This is a quick way to be sure you’re getting the best deal.” ~ Nancy Burger, editor-at-large
Be Creative and Use What you Have:
“My son gave us herb clippings from his garden. I washed and chopped with some garlic and olive oil and - Voilà - a pasta sauce! I would suggest a thin pasta and add some grated cheese. The message is: Use what you have.” ~ Mare Leonard, section editor
Safe Delivery and Bulk Shopping:
“During the pandemic, shopping online and ensuring safe and timely delivery is a real priority. We live on the top floor of a walk-up apartment in Manhattan, and for several years have found that Fresh Direct has provided us with excellent online service for many products, with friendly service right to our front door. We commit to a specified time slot for weekly delivery. If an item is not available, the company is prompt to credit our account. Since the onset of the pandemic, our best option for delivery of bulk items has been Costco. Costco has been indispensable and definitely cheaper for certain items, such as paper goods, coffee (Newman’s Own K-cups for our Keurig dispenser), roast chicken, sirloin steaks, clams, and household goods (shampoo, detergents, and various vitamin supplements).” ~ Sandra Bertrand, columnist
Quick-Easy-Healthy:
“Keep your pantry full of quick-cooking healthy grains and legumes (lentils, split peas, whole wheat couscous, fregola, and so on) as well as a healthy amount of condiments (chili paste, mustards, lemon grass paste, garlic paste, hot sauces, curry paste, etc.) and flavorings in your fridge. This will help you make a quick meal with the proteins/vegetables you have on hand.” ~ Laura Pensiero, columnist
Shop Local Farms:
“Buy your produce outside the grocery store. CSA boxes from local farms are a fantastic way to get produce that is almost always fresher and less expensive than what you can find at supermarkets. (Boxes can be filled with just about anything: fresh produce, healthy grains and delicious eggs and dairy products.) They're also a great way to explore new flavors and items you wouldn't otherwise have known about or tried!” ~ Amy Beth Acker, regular contributor
Grow Your Own:
“I've become much less wasteful. I've regenerated romaine lettuce and leeks from formerly discarded bits. I haven't grown enough lettuce for a salad, but definitely enough to put on a sandwich. And I made leek-top pesto. It's a satisfying feeling (although, my friends now laugh and call this city girl Farmer Gray).” ~ Carol Lippert Gray, regular contributor
Shop Less and Shop Local
“Shopping once a week and buying local as much as possible has helped me cut down on my family’s grocery bill. It began with the Covid-19 stay-at-home order, which made me second-guess going to the store unless I really had to. That made me realize that I usually have plenty to cook with if I just give it a little thought. (Borscht salad, anyone?) Not only has this saved us money, it has cut down our food waste - a lot! I also rely more on local purveyors for everything from vegetables, fruit and olive oil to fresh fish, honey and bread. (I admitted an embarrassing defeat to the sourdough starter gods and now happily buy bread from a local baker.) Local items might cost more sometimes, but they seem to last longer, taste better and they’re kinder to the environment. They are well worth a few more pennies, which makes the most economic sense of all.” ~ Emily Dodi, contributor
Go Generic:
“Buy generic brands. They sometimes taste just as good or even better – so try some to see what you like!” ~ Jillian Crocetta, summer intern
Avoid Frequent Impulse Shopping:
“I try to go LESS often to the grocery store! I find that when I do go frequently - just to “stop to get milk” - I usually come out with more than I planned to spend.” ~ Ariana Dingman, social media assistant
Self-Scanner Savings:
“When grocery shopping, I use the self-scanner. Not only does it let you scan as you shop so you can pack things and save time, but coupons also pop up periodically that could save you money unexpectedly!” ~ Dana Jones, social media intern
Longer Shelf Life, Less Waste:
“I love the option of frozen vegetables. They are quick to prepare and keep so much longer for less waste.” ~ Rachel Morrison, masthead photographer
Stick to Your List:
“I organize my list by aisle, so that I don’t wander aimlessly around the store. With specific traffic patterns enforced due to the pandemic, it certainly helps to map out your list by aisle. I find that I stick to my list more as I am looking for the exact items, versus just picking up things I don’t need. In the end, I think I save money because I’ve eliminated impulse buying.” ~ Lisa Roman, marketing advisor
Store Brand Equivalents and In-Season Produce:
“I personally try to save by selecting the store brand equivalent whenever possible. For produce…it’s best to buy things in season.” ~ Emily Wadsworth, exercise & wellness advisor
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