According to the most recent Consumer Price Index report, food prices have risen 11.4 percent from August 2021 to August 2022. In the same year, common food items have drastically increased including eggs, which went up by 39.8 percent, and butter, which rose by 24.6 percent.

As the cost of groceries continues to rise, we’ve added some additional tips to help you spend less and save more.

Check out 10 Easy Tips to Save Money on Groceries for additional tips to save money on groceries.

Know Which Foods Are the Least Affected by Inflation

If you’re an avocado fan, you might be excited to know the popular fruit is actually dropping in price – by as much 13% year-over-year — due to a significant oversupply. That couldn’t come at a better time.

What’s more, foods like tomatoes, cheese, onions, cucumbers and potatoes have also remained more stable, whereas foods like sausage, bacon, bread, beef, eggs, fats, oils and citrus fruits have seen the biggest increase in pricing – some by as much as 18%. By making thoughtful swaps, your wallet (and arteries) might be thankful.

Plan Your Meals for the Week Based on Sales

Meal planning is a great way to ensure you’re not overspending at the grocery store. To take it one step further, planning for your meals based on weekly sales will help limit food and money waste. When produce like bell peppers are on sale, it may be a benefit to pivot your dinner menu for the week. So, instead of breaking the bank, try getting creative with cheaper ingredients and pretend you’re in an episode of Food Network’s Chopped.

Some online services like MyGroceryDeals.com offer a thorough search feature to narrow down affordable grocery items in your area. Similar to using a gas finder app to scour the city for cheaper fuel, this website helps locate the best produce sales to help you save on groceries.

Comparison Shop using Weekly Ads

It’s easy to get comfortable shopping at your local Kings Soopers or Walmart but switching up your store based on sales will help your grocery budget go further. Rather than tossing those grocery ads in the trash, take a gander and compare prices before heading out. Most grocery stores also offer exclusive deals and digital coupons when you enroll in their free memberships online.

Steer Clear of Pre-Shredded or Pre-Cut Produce

While buying pre-shredded cheese or pre-cut vegetables may help save time when it comes to meal prepping, the price difference is notably different. When trying to pinch pennies, the extra money saved on shredded cheese can stretch to cover more expensive items like baby formula or feminine hygiene products.

Visit Drugstores for Sale Items

Some drugstores host weekly sales that offer more significant discounts than your typical grocery store. They also offer email newsletters or mobile apps to help keep track of when those grocery and non-grocery items go on sale.

Some of the most common items on sale at drugstores include:

• Cereal
• Eggs
• Milk
• Toothpaste
• Personal care items
• Store-brand diapers

Only Buy in Bulk When it Makes Sense

Warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club or Costco offer great deals on everyday items that deplete quickly. Shelf-stable products or household items like toilet paper are typically cheaper in bulk and keep you from making weekly store runs, saving you money.

Here’s a list of foods with long shelf lives when adequately stored:

• Honey
• Dried Beans
• Maple Syrup
• White Rice

 Avoid Shopping on an Empty Stomach

We’ve all been there: at the grocery store just before breakfast or dinner, and suddenly everything in the aisle looks good. Research has even shown that hungry shoppers spend 64% more money than their non-hungry counterparts. Point is, when you’re hungry, saving money becomes the last thing on your mind. So, if possible, try to grab a snack at home before you shop.

Use Order Pickup to Avoid Impulse Buys

Another hack to avoiding shopping beyond your means is leveraging order pickup features. Sticking to your grocery list online will help reduce the number of impulse buys or last-minute snacks at the checkout line.

It’s unclear when food prices will drop, but until then, these tips are here to help you save. To learn more about ways to manage your budget, visit efirstbankblog.com.

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