Food Prices Continue to Climb Upward

I typically do most of the grocery shopping for our bunker, err, OK – for our camper. Over the past week, I’ve made several trips to different stores and really paid attention to the prices of certain items. The prices are crazy and the increases are not over.

With fuel prices continuing upwards, continued high demand, and supply chain issues remaining, we have the perfect storm which will generate further increases in food products. With winter bearing down on us and energy prices also moving upwards the costs involved to heat stores and transport food will also increase. Wages are certainly not being adjusted to keep up with inflation thus the vast majority of us are losing purchasing power as time goes by. Those of us who must live on a tight budget must search for areas which to reduce expenses and purchase items at the lowest possible price.

Here are a few thoughts:

• Stocking up on food NOW is a good investment as it is almost a certainty that prices will continue to increase.
• Buying in bulk often reduces the cost per item.
• Utilizing coupons and sales can generate significant savings.
• Shopping deep discount stores such as Aldi’s and Lidl can make your dollars go a long way.
• Plan your trips to save fuel costs. Make a list of errands and things needed and make one trip per week rather than several.
• If you are still running air conditioning, take the setpoint up 2 degrees so it runs less.
• Running heat? Wear a sweatshirt around the house and keep the setpoint low.
• Cut out costs such as buying bottled water. Buy an inexpensive water filter and filter tap water.
• Have a friend who has Netflix? Maybe get them to share their login info and split the cost and cancel your own account.
• Visit your mobile carrier and see if there are changes that can be made to your plan to reduce costs.
• Speaking of mobile carriers – use apps on your phone to find lower prices on items including gasoline. Ibotta is a free app that many are using to save money and earn cash rewards.
• Eat out less and cook at home more.
• Have more than one vehicle? Drive the one that gets the best gas mileage as much as possible.
• Look at less expensive store brands of bought products. Frequently there is little if any quality drop when buying the non-mainstream brand.
• Consider cooking alternatives such as chicken thighs rather than chicken breasts.

A little money saved here and there will add up over time.

Take care all –

Rourke