The bad news: They’ll be back on the upswing come 2017.
The USDA forecasts that the average price of many food basics will climb by roughly 2% in the coming year, reports Kristin Wong at Two Cents. Below are several of the projected changes from the USDA’s Food Price Outlook, 2016-17:
- Beef and veal (up 2.0% to 3.0% in 2017)
- Pork (up 0.0% to 1.0%)
- Poultry (up 1.5% to 2.5%)
- Eggs (up 1.0% to 2.0%)
- Dairy products (up 1.5% to 2.5%)
- Fresh fruits (1.0% to 2.0%)
- Fresh vegetables (-0.5% to 0.5%)
- Cereals and bakery products (up 1.5% to 2.5%)
- Fats and oils (1.5% to 2.5%)
- Nonalcoholic beverages (up 0.0% to 1.0%)
Luckily, there are numerous strategies to trim your grocery bill even as prices rise. Here are 10 of our top picks:
1. Use Coupons
Couponing doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With the internet, there are plenty of resources that show how to leverage those little savings slips.
Follow coupon blogs like The Krazy Coupon Lady and I Heart the Mart to stay up to date on deals and tactics for getting the most out of them. You can find all the coupons you might need at this collection of 100+ places to get free coupons.
Keep your paper coupons orderly by using an easy binder system for organization.
2. Make the Most of Cash-Back Apps and Sites
Your phone can be a major savings tool when loaded with the right apps. Here are a dozen favorites, such as Ibotta, which is very user-friendly and can knock several dollars off your total.
Cash-back platforms like Ebates also put money back in your pocket. For tips on layering these approaches, see our guide to stacking deals.
3. Avoid Sneaky Retailer Tricks
Grocery stores operate like any retailer: their aim is to encourage you to buy more. Once you recognize their tactics, you can dodge them.
Read about three pricing tricks grounded in behavioral economics and three more subtle tactics, and you’ll soon notice when stores try to nudge you into spending extra.
You can also gain practical intel by learning which days stores roll out new sales and reading store-specific money-saving hints such as these Target savings tips.
4. Plan Ahead
Stretch your grocery purchases by getting into the habit of planning meals in advance.
Meal prepping not only reduces your food costs but saves valuable time (and stress) by cutting out last-minute scavenging through the pantry when you’re trying to decide what to cook.
Pressed for time? Make a large batch on the weekend so you have quick freezer meals to reheat on busy weeknights.
5. Cut Back on Waste
You might be wasting hundreds annually by tossing food before it’s eaten.
Apply these five tactics to reduce food waste and you’ll immediately save money.
6. Change Your Habits
Altering how you shop can lead to notable savings.
Purchase from local farmers’ markets and don’t dismiss imperfect produce. Buy in larger quantities to reduce your cost per unit.
Explore ethnic grocery stores nearby. Consider joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share.
7. Skip the Circulars
Don’t bother spending time comparing all the print ads that arrive with your Sunday paper.
Instead, use apps like Retale and websites such as Pirc for quick, current price comparisons across local stores for items you need.
8. Use Rewards Credit Cards
Turn your grocery spending into rewards by paying with a card that gives cash back or points for travel.
Just be careful not to fall into the trap of charging more than you would if paying with cash.
Only charge what you’ve budgeted and clear your balance each month. No reward is worth paying interest on a credit card!
9. Use Discounted Gift Cards
While you may not control certain price hikes, you can alter how much you pay. Purchase discounted gift cards from reputable sites and you’ll begin with a built-in saving.
(And buy those discounted gift cards with your rewards credit card!)
10. Grow Food at Home
Avoid trips to the store by growing or raising some of your staples at home.
Plant a backyard garden or regrow certain vegetables for ongoing produce.
If you’re open to animal care, look into keeping hens for eggs. Some people even raise rabbits for meat.
Your turn: What are your best strategies for reducing grocery spending?
Disclosure: A tip of the hat to the affiliate links in this post. May we all end up a bit richer today.
