As food prices continue to rise, how do you, dear reader, manage and maintain a reasonable grocery budget? This morning I clicked here to read an on-line article regarding the steady increases we've all experienced at the grocer. The article points out that although our government reports that national inflation is low, grocery and utility pricing is not factored into government inflation statistics. Thus, significantly higher food and utility costs coupled with stagnant wages are the primary culprits as to why the American worker knows our federal government has grossly skewed inflation figures.
Over the years I've shared numerous suggestions on how to reduce, manage and maintain a reasonable grocery budget. Since we all know what works for me, today, I'd love to hear from you. How do you manage and stay within your grocery budget? Have you tried any of my past suggestions or ideas? Do you have any tips or suggestions that may be helpful to others?
I am very exited to hear from you!
Stay within budget?! I wish. Since we've only had our new kids for 14 1/2 months.....we still haven't really established a good grocery shopping routine. What I have found that really helps has been freezer meals. This past week we put up 33 freezer meals. On the menu includes things like tacos, pizza, cold cereal (yes, on occasion LOL), and other things that aren't crock pot type meals. On our menu is about 6 weeks worth of meals. So, other than perishables, we should be good for grocery shopping for the next 6-8 weeks. OK, maybe for breakfasts and lunches too. Dinners are taken care of.
ReplyDeleteI'm open to other shopping ideas.
Shopping budget?! I wish. Since we've only had our newest kids for 14 1/2 months, we are still trying to establish a good grocery shopping regime. What has worked a couple of times this past year though has been freezer meals for the crock pot (I use an 18 qt roaster. Crock pot high is 300*, low is 200*). This past week we put 33 bags in the freezer. I have a calendar white board on the dining room wall. By adding things like tacos, breakfast for dinner, pizza, cold cereal (yes, on occasion)....we have 45-50 days worth of dinner meals on the board. Other than perishables, I shouldn't have to major grocery shop for 6-8 weeks. I'm for any kind of budget shopping ideas you've got to share.
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie,
ReplyDeleteI love the white board idea for keeping track of your meal plans/ideas and freezers meals. Your freezer meals remind me of "Once-A-Month" cooking by Mimi Wilson and Marybeth Lagerborg. I recently heard of a cookbook, "A Taste of Dutch" written by a mother of 10, Jan Kent. Although your family is twice as large as hers, she may have some economical recipes for large families.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
It has been hard for us, only a 1% wage increase this year, and prices raising every time we go shopping, we are spending about 100 dollars more this year than last, that is some raise...
ReplyDeleteIt is so very difficult to stick to a budget with the prices constantly rising. Menu planning is what works for me. Just making sure I have what is in my meals helps to keep me within budget. I have swapped some of my meals to real cheap and simple ones that use what I have on hand in my pantry. Plus we are eating more vegetarian meals per week.
ReplyDeletexTania
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Yes, getting by has become more difficult ... our federal government tells us the economy is improving however, median household wages in 2009 were just a little over $53,000(USD) & 2014 saw a decline in median household wages to less than $49,000 (USD). With utility and food prices constantly going up a 1% pay increase feels like an insult.
Mr.B's company REDUCED salaries 20% this year. It is sad to realize that pay cuts and 1% raises make the average working guy feel lucky just to have a job.
We are so blessed to live in a area where we have enough room to raise and harvest a significant portion of our foods. Because of last year's garden and livestock harvesting our $425/month grocery budget is currently down to less than $125/month. I wish everyone were as bless as my family and had the resources (land, knowledge, health, etc.) to cut their food costs as much as we have.
Blessings to you and yours,
Mrs.B
Hi Tania,
ReplyDeleteI also thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Like you, menu planning and consuming 2-3 meatless meals per week are tactics I've also incorporated for many years to maintain control of our grocery budget.
2014's garden & livestock production coupled with wild harvesting was so profitable for us that our current grocery bill has been reduced by 71%.
Speaking of gardening, I enjoy the photos and post of your gardening adventures.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
Mrs. B,
ReplyDeleteI have recently tried to go the "clean eating" route, which anyone who has tried eating healthy knows that the good stuff is incredibly more expensive than the Junk. So growing your own is a great way to cut those cost IF you have the space to grow and store up for the year.
For now...I would rather pay for the higher cost of good healthy food than to pay for the doctor visit. LOL
Lord willing I will have the space I need to grow and store soon.
Grateful for today, Looking forward to tomorrow!!
-Mrs. A
Dearest Mrs.A,
ReplyDeleteMy heart was so warmed when I logged-in to my blog and saw comments from you! I love comments, especially yours.
As I've mentioned in previous comments, our family is abundantly blessed to be able to grow and wild harvest such a large portion of our foods. Not only is the food healthier (non-processed, fresh, chemical free) but saves us an abundance of money. Our grocery bill is currently down by 71% !!
I realize that most families, do not have the space to grow a 5,700 sq. ft. garden like me. But I know you personally discovered "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew which has provided you with knowledge to grow more produce in your limited space than you ever imagined. I'd also like to mention "Edible Landscaping" by Rosalind Creasy, another excellent resource for gardening in city and suburban areas.
Again, thanks for stopping by and bringing a smile to my face with your lovely comments.
Love you,
Mrs.B
Mrs.A,
ReplyDeleteOpps! For the benefit of other readers I also intended to mention UrbanHomestead.org. in my reply comment. Urban Homestead is a terrific site chronicling the adventures and extreme success of an urban California family who produces, through gardening and small animal livestock, an unbelievable amount of food. I think they are an inspiration to anyone seeking alternatives to high grocery prices.
Blessings,
Mrs.B