Getting the Most for your Food Dollar (2807)

We've all felt the pinch of inflation this past year and may need to cut back in our spending. Where, you might ask? Start at the grocery store with the following strategies for shopping.

Grocery shopping starts before you ever get to the store. It begins with a menu plan and a shopping list.

A shopping list helps you decide what you need and how much to buy. A time saver, the list saves you energy and, in the long run, money. Avoid impulse shopping; it usually costs more than you planned to spend.

Keep a note pad handy in the kitchen to jot down items you need as food and supplies run low. Check your refrigerator, freezer, and shelves to determine what you have on hand and what you need. Check current market prices, especially specials in the newspaper.

Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Grocery stores usually offer them at a reasonable price. Plan your meals for the shopping period (preferably a week at a time). The more often you go to the store, the more you buy and the less you save! When you get your shopping list done, check it over again. Estimate the cost of the items you listed. Now that you have determined what you need to buy, you need to decide where to shop. Remember, prices vary from store to store. The corner grocery may be convenient, but does it have good prices? Consider price, food selection, quality of food, and service.

Now, the HOW of shopping - the most important part. Here are a few suggestions:

- Plan shopping trips to save time, energy and money!

- Think twice before using coupons. They save you money only if you need and use the item.

- Give up some brand loyalty, or switch occasionally when there's a coupon or special with good savings. Generic and house brands substituted for name brands often make little difference in a recipe when you mix them with other ingredients.

- Buy whole chickens and cut them up yourself. Buy cheese in large chunks and shred it yourself. (You pay to have them do the cutting and shredding!)

- Check the unit price on the shelf and buy the size that costs the least per unit. Bigger is not always better.

- Never shop on an empty stomach. When you're hungry, everything looks good, and you end up buying more.

- Compare costs of food in their various forms; fresh, frozen or canned. Select the form that best meets your needs.

- When possible, shop for fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. Prices are often lower.

- Watch carefully as the cashier scans or rings up purchases on the register to make sure you are not overcharged. Checkout errors zap your savings.

- Whenever you buy ready-to-eat items, either from the frozen food section or from the deli area, you pay extra to have someone make that for you.

Be a wise shopper, and it will pay off in better meals for your family at a lower cost to you.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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