Photographs Unsplash; Collage by Kaz Fantone/NPR
How do you save money on groceries?
Over the last year, grocery prices have increased by 1.1%. But that's on top of a 3.6% increase in the previous year and a whopping 13.1% the year before that, according to reporting from NPR’s Scott Horsley.
Mayonnaise prices, for example, have surged 43% over the past three years, according to global research firm NIQ, also known as NielsenIQ.
“What consumers are reacting [to] and feeling is the cumulative effect of inflation," said food economist David Ortega at Michigan State University.
Life Kit spoke to Beth Moncel, founder of Budget Bytes, a cooking blog that showcases inexpensive recipes, for tips on smart shopping.
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1. Look up coupons and sale flyersDownload the free application Flipp, which aggregates sale flyers from the stores in your area. "That can also help inform your decision of where to shop," Moncel says. It can also help you decide which recipes to pick for the week.
Compare the prices of different brands before you go shopping, Moncel suggests. "Just type each ingredient into the search bar on your grocery store's website," she says. “It will show you what they have available at that store, and you can price compare” at home instead of the overstimulating environment of the grocery store.
Planet Money How to fight shrinkflation? Pay attention to unit prices at grocery stores
3. Don't assume bulk deals are betterIs it always cheaper to buy in bulk? “Not all the time,” says Moncel. “Sometimes different packaging on the same grocery store shelf will have drastically different prices.”
A tip from our friends at Planet Money, who did an episode on shrinkflation: pay attention to unit prices. For example, if you are trying to decide whether to buy that “family size” box of Cocoa Puffs, the “giant size” box or just a regular box, look at the price per ounce. If the regular box has a lower price per ounce than the bulk pack, it's a better deal.
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4. Swap out pricey ingredientsMeats and cheeses will often cost more than vegetables or grains, says Moncel. But cutting back doesn't mean going without. For instance, if a chili recipe calls for a pound of ground beef, she says you could reduce the beef by half and then bulk up the recipe with less expensive ingredients like beans, lentils, or rice. That way, you'll still get the flavor of the beef without the cost.
Moncel adds bulk to her meal with cheaper produce. That includes potatoes, onions, carrots and broccoli, she says. She loves cooking with cabbage because “there are a lot of different ways you can prepare it. It’s versatile and it goes with many flavors.”
“Know what you’re going to cook, then write down the ingredients for those recipes,” says Moncel. A grocery list can help you avoid buying nonessential items and keep you focused at the store.
