topic Re: Paying More For Groceries? in Kitchen

Paying More For Groceries?

chessylady — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:26:37 GMT

I have noticed that I am paying more for groceries. What strategies do you use to save money? I shop at Costco about every six weeks and buy certain things ( peanut butter, coffee) in bulk. I also shop local Farmer's Market to get fresh produce that supplements my organic garden.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

lgfan — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:53:00 GMT

@chessylady wrote:
I have noticed that I am paying more for groceries. What strategies do you use to save money? I shop at Costco about every six weeks and buy certain things ( peanut butter, coffee) in bulk. I also shop local Farmer's Market to get fresh produce that suplements my organic garden.

I have been paying more for groceries since the pandemic. Organic products are more expensive. I rarely buy organic items.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

kitcat51 — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:56:01 GMT

I'm not paying more, the groceries I buy are the same price or less & I take advantage of online coupons... I shop 3 stores, order online, pickup & I also get cash back for online orders with my cc so it's a win-win.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

vegan4ever — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:08:02 GMT

My lifestyle omad = one meal day I've eliminated unnecessary foods basically buy freah vegetables and fruits with staying away from ultra processed foods not only saves me money health benefits continue paying huge impacts with my health. Keeps me living well. That's why chose omad more than financial reasons though saving money nice bonus.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

SilleeMee — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:15:21 GMT

Buy in bulk, cook in batches and then freeze portions. Saves money, time and electric bill.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

cusegirl — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:17:24 GMT

I am definitely paying more for groceries than I was. I still buy the same things but prices have gone up. I've noticed that some items are $1.00 or $2.00 more than they used to be. I buy paper products in bulk, and some fruits and vegetables at the farmers market.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

PinkyPetunia — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:21:03 GMT

I use more store brands now and they are not bad at all. For meat I stick to ground beef, pork chops and chicken, occasionaly fish. I try to eliminate impulse purchases and junk food. I try to buy small amounts of fresh fruits as I live alone and it spoils if I buy too much.

I make my own iced tea from tea bags. So much cheaper and I dont have to lug home heavy jugs of drinks.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

TheMemphisVette — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:23:43 GMT

yes grocery expense is a challenge. meat, chicken, fish and fresh veggies are my staples.

3 yrs ago i bought a small chest freezer and i keep it full taking advantage of deep discount sales. mostly on meat, chicken and fish.

i use store brands whenever possible. i like many better than the national brands.

i price shop walmart, amazon and local grocery. amazon is better for trash bags, freezer bags, baby wipes, some laundry products. the local grocery is better for fresh meat and fish.

i do not throw away food. left overs not eaten in a day or two go into the freezer. i can always make a delish soup with the meat and veggies. or in the case of fruit...smoothies or ice cream in my creami.

i use the card that gets the most cash back. that can vary so i keep a watch on it.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

AuntG — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:46:14 GMT

My grocery bill has stabilized, although it definitely increased around the time eggs went up. I buy most my fruits and vegetables from Aldi.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

Xivambala — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:55:20 GMT

Eat and buy less. I rarely purchase brand name products anymore.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

KailaS — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:56:17 GMT

I so agree that costs are rising; certain items are not currently available on the shelves. At my local market, everything also is rising in price.

I even have been having trouble getting cat food for my one cat, who is allergic to chicken, turkey, and duck. Almost every flavor of cat food has chicken or chicken broth. I have been told that the cat food issue is related to " supply chain issues."

Strategies to reduce costs? I live in rent, and cannot bring in a freezer, so I have limited freezer space. However,I try to stretch what I make by using rice, pastina, or fine noodles in a " dish." I add generic veggies too. I also use less chicken or beef in favorite dishes. And, if reasonable, I try to make everything from scratch.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

tansy — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:59:58 GMT

Prices are definitely up and it's challenging. The price of Costco's coffee is certainly higher.

I look for specials, only buy a small amount of produce to avoid waste and rarely eat out. Meals are simple, without multiple ingredients.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

rockygems123 — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:03:32 GMT

@chessylady

Weekly ads from Safeway and King Soopers (Kroger) are a help.

I have Costco & Sam's memberships and have to watch that I don't overbuy in food.

Walmart+ has been a surprising subcription. Prices are good, quantities lower than big box store and they deliver. Example, 3 large romaine heads are around $3, was buying 6 heads for $7 at Sam's and was throwing out at least 2.

Saves gas and time too.

Really low cost for several meals is I'll buy a Purdue range free chicken from Walmart+ once a week or every 2 weeks. It gets roasted with veg, then cubed and used for other meals. Chicken enchiladas, street tacos and thanks to @wagirl suggesting curry chicken salad made after the main meal using mostly the breast meat.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

KittySoftPaws — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:17:46 GMT

Food prices have been high for several years now, this is not a new thing. That being said, I have seen many things come down that were steady high for a long time.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

tansy — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:21:54 GMT

@KittySoftPaws wrote:
Food prices have been high for several years now, this is not a new thing. That being said, I have seen many things come down that were steady high for a long time.

So many promises...😏

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

Mz iMac — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:39:12 GMT

Must depend on which part of the country, State, County, City you live in.

In my neck of the woods, food pantries will start making house calls starting in Sept. Just last week, management sent out a letter asking if we wanted a food pantry tractor-trailer dropping by 2x's a month. First week will be frozen food. 3rd week will be vegatables, produce & pantry stuff, all FREE! Thanks to our governor.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

Trinity11 — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:08:57 GMT

Yes, I am paying a lot more for groceries. Fish has gone up exponentially. We have found Bell and Evans chicken went up about 25% in the past few months. Organic food 30% or so. It was to be expected, though. Broken promises, no real surprise.🙄

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

shoesnbags — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:17:36 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:

Must depend on which part of the country, State, County, City you live in.

In my neck of the woods, food pantries will start making house calls starting in Sept. Just last week, management sent out a letter asking if we wanted a food pantry tractor-trailer dropping by 2x's a month. First week will be frozen food. 3rd week will be vegatables, produce & pantry stuff, all FREE! Thanks to our governor.

@Mz iMac Do you live in some kind of govt subsidized senior housing? I'm trying to understand your post because I can't picture any privately owned apartment management giving away food.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

Mz iMac — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:33:01 GMT

@shoesnbags I live in a 55+ community. Not subsidized.

Management is NOT giving away FREE food. The State is to all senior complexes, senior clubs, senior centers etc. I gather any place w/the words "senior" & "55+." You must show ID.

Re: Paying More For Groceries?

wagirl — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:41:00 GMT

Believe it or not, I find I am paying less for groceries, when I use Amazon Fresh. I get my groceries delivered as I don't have a car anymore and live on the 2nd floor-- I can't hike up and down a flight of stairs and carry bags of groceries. So today, I spent $75 on food for me and my DD. That included meat, fresh fruit/vegs, paper products, drinks, a few snacks, and pantry items. Now with tax--$1.35 and tip $7.00--it totaled $83.35. That is for 1 weeks meals for us. Granted, I didn't need much this week. As I have food in the freezer to use. We try very hard to keep to a limit of $125 a week and there are times we pick up an item or 2 when we are out and about. But I also buy good quality items, no boxed junk--most everything I cook, is from scratch. I bought 18 ct large brown eggs, for $5.49, as opposed to 12 ct for maybe more. I find AMZ prices are alot less than the other grocery stores here----QFC, Haggen, Safeway, Fred Meyer. I do use AMZ brands instead of name brands,.I do shop some at our local farms but not alot. I don't shop at Costco--no card---and no room for in bulk items. Have to say--it's going to much worse, I fear, as the chaos deepens.