topic Re: Grocery bills in Community Chat

Grocery bills

Snoopp — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:44:28 GMT

I have spent A TON of money on groceries recently. I used Instacart a few times and the prices of items are higher apparently (for some items) when you use that service. At least that is what they are telling me. The fees for service and tip are high too but I buy quite a bit due to only ordering once in a while and getting extra items for my mom. I also ordered some large quantities of things like detergent so I won't be rebuying for a few months.

I like to price shop when it comes to groceries but I've had to let that go and pay up during the pandemic. I've paid a premium for delivery of items. I'm going to try to slow down the purchasing over the next month if possible.

Re: Grocery bills

wishmoon — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:53:26 GMT

Most ppl are in the same circumstances. We pay for the convenience of our groceries being delivered. If I understand correctly, even if you were able to go to your local grocery store, they don't encourage you to look around, they want you to get what you need and get out of the store. I think delivery is one of the things the stimulus checks are supposed to cover.

Re: Grocery bills

Snoopp — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:56:28 GMT

@wishmoon wrote:
Most ppl are in the same circumstances. We pay for the convenience of our groceries being delivered. If I understand correctly, even if you were able to go to your local grocery store, they don't encourage you to look around, they want you to get what you need and get out of the store. I think delivery is one of the things the stimulus checks are supposed to cover.

Did you get a stimulus check? I haven't received one yet.

Re: Grocery bills

tototwo — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:05:09 GMT

Our Kroger/Dillons stores have free pickup. And we can use coupons. They also still have their Wednesday sales flyers with reduced prices on certain items. Do you have any Kroger stores in your area? Or call your local grocery stores to ask if they have free pickup services.

Some grocery prices have gone up -- I expected that due to shortages and shipping problems. Also, our store has not been well stocked in canned good or paper products. So I don't receive every item I order. But I'm not paying delivery charges or tips. My grocery bill has stayed about the same.

Re: Grocery bills

Spurt — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:27:45 GMT

@Snoopp wrote:
I have spent A TON of money on groceries recently. I used Instacart a few times and the prices of items are higher apparently (for some items) when you use that service. At least that is what they are telling me. The fees for service and tip are high too but I buy quite a bit due to only ordering once in a while and getting extra items for my mom. I also ordered some large quantities of things like detergent so I won't be rebuying for a few months.

I like to price shop when it comes to groceries but I've had to let that go and pay up during the pandemic. I've paid a premium for delivery of items. I'm going to try to slow down the purchasing over the next month if possible.

@Snoopp

I have been using Instacart for 2 years now, I bought the yearly Express Subscription---it worked out to $9 a month, plus the $2 service fee, and I dont pay a delivery fee due to my subscription. It was worth it to me, especially for the heavy items....

I only buy what I need for the next 10 days....sometimes I get stuck with the larger products like the HUGE laundry soap or dishwashing liquid....but at least I wont need it for awhile....But actually with Instacart, even though some prices are higher, I've actually lowered my grocery bill even with tip because I don't impulse buy, put together menus and carefully shop and consider what I'm purchasing....I have used the Instacart coupons too....good deals like $3 off laundry soap. $2 off toothpaste...and other great coupons...

Now a friend of mine that also uses Instacart finds it too easy to shop from her chair and orders practically everything in sight....LOL!!! and yep her grocery bill is HUGE!!!

Re: Grocery bills

CelticCrafter — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:14:17 GMT

We do our own shopping and right now if we need something or will be needing something soon, we buy it if we see it in the store.

Normally we would wait for a sale but who knows if we will see or be able to buy it when we will need it.

Re: Grocery bills

Snoopp — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:09:07 GMT

@Spurt I felt like I bought essentials only, nothing but food items. It just adds up fast!

Oh well, I'm happy they offer the service. I was lucky to get a slot since they are usually booked solid.

The grocery bill just stings when you see it, especially coming on the heels of my HUGE property tax bill. Ugh.

Re: Grocery bills

peachesncream — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:11:17 GMT

We're spending more on groceries, for sure. And more on restaurant takeout (we want to support our favorite places).

But I'm spending a lot less on clothing, movies, and other entertainment.

I think it evens out. At least, I hope so.

Re: Grocery bills

Still Raining — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:14:28 GMT

Have not been inside a store for a while, but I can see the prices changes with pickup. Guess we are captive audience. Swear I check the milk level in the latte now. And then there is TP.....

Re: Grocery bills

queendiva — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:14:48 GMT

My food bills are up just slightly.

I still buy my own at the supermarket and Aldi, going every week-10 days, usually picking up just several basics. My supermarket is not printing a sale flyer and prices are up on most items, if you can find them on the shelves. Some items are on sale. I go during the last half hour of the day. Quick in & out last night.

Aldi seems to be stocked better. Good that it's a smaller store where I can get in & out quickly.

Re: Grocery bills

Spurt — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:38:14 GMT

@Snoopp wrote:
@Spurt I felt like I bought essentials only, nothing but food items. It just adds up fast!

Oh well, I'm happy they offer the service. I was lucky to get a slot since they are usually booked solid.

The grocery bill just stings when you see it, especially coming on the heels of my HUGE property tax bill. Ugh.

@Snoopp

I understand what your saying...especially around property tax time...ARRRGGHHHH!!!!

Even before the pandemic, I think overall grocery prices had started to climb, even when I shopped in store ..... it seemed everytime I went the prices had gone up...For example, my 98 cent tuna went to $1.11 then to $1.24 (it all adds up)...meat, produce, frozen items etc etc....every week the prices were higher and higher!!!!

And in our city---our grocery store chain drove away major national grocery store chains and most of the competition so now we just have HEB and the smaller grocers---Trader Joes, Sprouts, Whole Foods, plus Walmart and Target....I wont pay for a Costco membership---but none of the stores offer real competition for the major chain, HEB, and thats the problem where I live...

Re: Grocery bills

CrazyDaisy — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:25:58 GMT

Most grocery stores, warehouse, transportation and delivery services are paying employees an increased hourly wage or bonuses to continue to work. That all get passed down to the consumer.

Re: Grocery bills

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:23:30 GMT

I'm going inside the store to shop because it's still impossible to get a pick-up time, Instacart only works in my area at Target and Aldi and because our store still doesn't have everything in stock, I don't want to get my groceries only to find out they don't have half of what I wanted.

My grocery bill has been higher because I'm trying to buy more than normal so I don't have to go weekly. Yesterday I spent over $220.00 for just the 2 of us because I was think that next weekend is the first of the month which is always a disaster at the stores. Add this pandemic on top of that and I don't want to go anywhere near that place.

Re: Grocery bills

Witchy Woman — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:28:14 GMT

@CelticCrafter

Yes, I am doing the same as you.

Trying to stay stocked up on essentials, and would normally shop the best price between my Food Lion and Walmart.

However, I don't want to visit multiple places now, so just pick things up when I see them at Food Lion which is 10 minutes from my house.

Find that I am spending a bit more, but I'm also keeping more things on hand.

Re: Grocery bills

kitty60 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:33:23 GMT

I found my bills climbed substantially the first couple of weeks and since then they have eased up. I too am a "sale" shopper. I purchase enough of a sale item to use until the next time it goes on sale. I find our stores, for the most part, are not having sales. My regular Aldi items I can still find and they've held their prices. Where I buy meat is pretty much hit or miss, although they at least have some. I have always purchased in bulk on sale there to hold me over and they have had no meat on sale.(The first few weeks I was also purchasing for my son and his family because by the time they got out of work there was Nothing left.) Guess I just try to help so cannot blame that increase on anyone but myself.

Re: Grocery bills

Bri369 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:37:46 GMT

We're spending a ton on groceries and cleaning/paper products. There's 4 of us at home now. I've been trying to go to the store only once a week or once every 10 days. We're still trying to order from a few of our favorite restaurants in between. I feel heartbroken for them.

I do notice the store is better stocked now than when this first happened.

My sister has not gone to the store at all. She's only been using delivery services.

Re: Grocery bills

millieshops — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:27:39 GMT

@SnooppI haven't used Instacart, but I know my Stop&Shop offers Peapod - they do not shop the in-store specials according to the policy statements.

But sometimes, there's a good reason to pay extra for some things and that includes services. I believe this is one of those times!

By the by, even though I haven't used a delivery service, I definitely spent more at the supermarket in late February and throughout March even without shopping as often as I usually do. But right now I'm 20 days into my credit card cycle and there are zero grocery dollars on it; I might want to make a quick produce trip before it turns over, but maybe not even that if I eat from the the pantry and freezer! It'll average out.

(Nothing to do with grocery bills, but it's the same with clothes - I shopped lots in Jan and February - zero in March and April.)

Re: Grocery bills

Snoopp — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:53:50 GMT

@kitty60Instacart just delivered a small rump roast (replaement item) that cost me 23.00! I needed meat so...I have it now. LOL

@millieshopsI have been trying to get Peapod for months now, all sold out every time. Good you got a slot.

I do miss being able to save money on groceries. That was one area that I could really get some savings.

Re: Grocery bills

Kachina624 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:54:45 GMT

I use Walmart's free pick up service. I live less than a mile from a Supercenter so I just drive up, pick up my order and am back home in 15 minutes, having had no contact with anyone. They also have delivery for a very small fee.

Re: Grocery bills

Gorgf — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 17:08:15 GMT

Our local supermarket chain is offering less on sale. The flyer does not have alot in it any more and no super savor deals to draw in people. I used to pick up meat that was a day old after the sell by date and in a freezer. I used to buy chicken drum sticks and breasts so cheap. Empty discount freezer now. With meat plants and Covid19 issues I wonder what is in store? Meat is costly for those who eat it and along with cleaning and paper products raise the tab.

The products that are scarce doubled. Over $4 For a half gal. of bleach hard to find and paper products $2 to $3 more a package. Eggs have doubled in price. Anything that is hard to come by is higher priced. $20 For an organic chicken if you want that.

Those who have local store shoppers pay up to a $1.00 more per item for the service as you get what is there ,not the one with the lowest price necessarily.. The service has to be be covered somehow if you can't or don't want to shop for yourself.