Savvy Shopping: How to feed your family without breaking the bank

How can you feed your family without breaking the bank? In today’s economy, that’s a question many consumers are asking.

According to the latest consumer price index (CPI), grocery costs have surged in the past year. If you’re the shopper at your house, this is probably not shocking news. The CPI reports in the calendar year 2024, the cost of beef rose 5.5%; flour went up 22%, and the cost of eggs rose a staggering 53%.

Your family has to eat. So, what’s a shopper to do? Local consumer expert Brandi Silver says there are ways to up your game, so you come out a winner on that weekly trip to the grocery store. Her first tip? Never shop when you’re hungry — that’s a sure recipe for impulse buying.

According to Silver, planning is the key to saving money on groceries.

“Take 30 minutes each week to plan your meals and create a grocery list,” she advised. And she said smart shoppers know when to divide and conquer.

“I’m not sure who decided that one person should be responsible for making meal decisions for the entire family every day, of every month, of every year, but it’s clear that it’s not fun,” Silver stated. “It can be a heavy burden to carry. If you’re in a partnership, share that responsibility!”

While most of us struggle with busy schedules, Silver said carving out 30 minutes each week to plan your grocery list will pay off in both time and money.

“Most families have staple meals, so those ingredients can go straight on the list,” she noted. “Ask yourself questions like: How many dinners will we need to prepare this week? Who needs breakfast and lunch, and what are their preferences?”

Silver also said mixing things up now and then will keep you from falling off the meal-planning wagon.

“We like to try a new recipe at least once a week,” she stated. “While it does take an extra step to find a recipe, it helps prevent us from getting bored with the same old meals.”

Another tip? Take inventory of groceries you have on hand before going shopping. This step will prevent overpurchasing and will reduce waste.

Silver advises it may take a strong constitution to shop while strictly sticking to a list. That may mean a change in the family’s shopping duty.

“We have recently switched up the meal manager in our house and it is saving money on a weekly basis, because my husband is much better at purchasing what is on the list and nothing more,” Silver said. “If truth be known, he probably maps out the route before arriving!

“I know when we go to Lowe’s for a project, we go straight to the aisle and bay, pick up what we need and leave. Very methodical. No dilly dally-ing,” she added.

The “stick-to-the-list” method may be challenging, but it works well in the grocery store.

Silver also said the upcoming warm weather will provide a good opportunity to support local growers while saving money on your family’s food.

“The Farmers’ Markets will be opening in April, so be sure you carve out time to get connected to our local producers and continue supporting the people who provide our food, right here in Burke County,” she advised. “Some of them even have a delivery schedule if you can’t make market days.”

Here are a few additional tips that may help when you’re planning this week’s grocery run:

• Plan your menu for the week and buy only the ingredients you’ll need to prepare those meals.
• Try store brand products. Many are as good as name brands and most are significantly cheaper.
• Shop the perimeter of the market for the most healthy selections. Fresh produce, meats, and dairy tend to be located around the edges of the store.
• Look up and look down. There’s a reason the most expensive, popular, name-brand foods are often placed on shelves at eye level. Shoppers see them right away and make impulse buys. Many times, there are better bargains on upper shelves as well as those near the floor.
• Buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season for lower prices.
• If you use a product regularly, consider buying it in bulk, but be mindful of potential waste.
• Join your grocery store’s loyalty program. Watch for sales and be sure to access exclusive discounts and points.
• Stock up. If you have room in your freezer, buy sale-priced meats and freeze them for later. If the kids like frozen pizzas, buy a dozen when the price is reduced.
• Try couponing! Find discounts online, on grocery store apps, and even in Sunday newspapers.
• Most grocery stores have a special place for damaged boxed items, breads, and pastries that are just past their due dates, and “reduced for quick sale” meats. Check the bargain bin for discounted deals.