7 Ways To Cut The Cost Of Food

by Hugh Dessereau

A sure-fire way to cut the cost of food you buy is to have a plan. The 7 tips below may give you the insight to create a plan that fits your current situation and style as well as your pallet. The paragraphs below plots a path through your wants, needs, domicile and more.

There are a few ideas that act as an outline when it comes to reducing the cost of food. The short list below give us a quick overview of these ideas:

1. Cooking begins at the supermarket.
2. Never go to the supermarket hungry.
3. Different grocers do not employ the same discount strategy.
4. Coupons significantly cut the cost of food.
5. Save money through bulk buying.
6. Extend the life of food by freezing them.
7. Gas costs money; it is the hidden cost of food.

1) Cooking Begins At The Supermarket.

Old Time Supermarket

The smart shopper must plan for the trip to the supermarket. For example, if you like to shop once a week for your food, decide in advance what meals you will cook, the snacks you will serve, what the drinks are, and what deserts you will grace the table.

Then study that week’s menu and decide what you need to buy in order to cook your delicious dishes. This rule encourages you to buy what you need and not buy what you already have on hand. This is a great way to save the money that would otherwise be wasted.  Even Rachael Ray said on TV that she often buys poultry seasoning she doesn’t need because she can’t remember if she has any at home or not.

This rule also reduces the urge buy spontaneously. Grocers are not stupid. They will put items in your path and line their shelves in a way that encourages the average shopper to buy more than they need.

Now that the menu is planned, and you know what you need, have, and don’t have; you can go to the supermarket with confidence. Buy only what is on your list. If it is not on the list, don’t buy it no matter how tempting it is. It takes commitment, discipline, and the desire to shop smart. Big money savings here, try it.

2) Never Go To The Supermarket Hungry.

Producers, marketers, packagers, and grocery store analysts spend (and make) millions on advertising, packaging, shopping environment, and product placement all of which is aimed at separating you from your your money. When you go to supermarket hungry, many of your natural barriers to the visual barrage that you will face are down, or at least weakened. It makes rule #1 very tough if not impossible to follow.

3) Different grocers do not employ the same discount strategy.

Many supermarkets have loss leaders (sales where they make little or no profit) to lure buyers into their stores. Typically, shoppers do not buy just one item. Grocers know that whatever little they made or lost on the advertised special, they will be recovred with the sale of additional items. If this strategy didn’t work, the grocers wouldn’t do it.

The savvy shopper takes advantage of this and buys the special (only if it is on the list) and walk out. Then they go to the next store and do the same. Our savvy shopper finishes their shopping at the local discount store. Almost every community has one. Where I live, that would be Aldie’s™.

4) Coupons significantly cut the cost of food.

One Way To Organize Coupons

Coupons, like sales, can drastically reduce the cost of food. In this case the wise shopper trades time for savings. This is a great method if you have the time. There are two considerations to be aware of. First, use coupons only for those items you need. Second, use coupons only for those items you will actually use. A lot of books and tools are available that help organize and make couponing easier.

I frequently see sales and coupons for Apex* dish detergent, however, I am really like to use Dawn™. I tend to go through Apex twice as fast as Dawn™. In addition, Apex* doesn’t do as good a job for me, either. I don’t use it anymore. Even with the coupon, Apex* is not a bargain. (*Name has been changed.)

5) Save money through bulk buying.

Membership stores like  Sam’s Club and Cosco have been selling in bulk for years. Now, local supermarkets are doing the same. As an example, the difference in cost per pound between a package of chicken with 4 or 5 pieces in it vs. the family pack can be quite large thus, lowering the cost per meal.

6) Extend the life of food by freezing them.

Antique Refrigerator

Freezing food is the partner to bulk buying. For the one or two person household, there are a couple of things to consider – freezer space and freezer burn. As for freezer space, if you need more, consider buying a new or used freezer if you have the living space to accomodate it. Regarding freezer burn, a good vacuum sealing system like Food Saver™ will eliminate freezer burn and greatly extend the shelf life of freezable foods.

“Yeah, but I live alone” or “I live in a dorm and don’t have a refrigerator.”

If you live in a dorm-like atmosphere and are allowed to cook, bulk shopping will not be the answer. However, cooking is still cheaper and healthier than eating out. Here are a few ideas to help you save even more:

• Use powdered milk (not for drinking, but for cooking).
• Build up a small pantry of staples – spice blends, pasta, rice, soups, etc.
• Share the expense of perishables, and maybe the cooking, with friends.
• Volunteer to cook if your friends buy the food.

7) Gas costs money; it is the hidden cost of food.

All money spent to get get groceries goes into the cost per meal. Plan your grocery shopping rout. Don’t zigzag all over town; that just eats up gas. If the bargain, supermarket, or shopping club is 20 miles or more from home, it may be more cost effective to purchase locally and pay a slightly higher price. Just do the math when considering the round-trip time and cost. Obviously, if what you drive gets 35 mpg, you’ll do a lot better than if you drive a truck that gets 14 mpg.

***