Is your grocery bill pushing the boundaries of your budget? If so, now’s the time to start saving money, as food prices may continue to rise through 2023.
According to the most recent USDA food price outlook report from November 2022, grocery prices that month were 12 percent higher than the previous year. Food prices overall are forecasted to increase another 3.5 to 4.5 percent in 2023.
As the cost of food continue to rise, it’s important to find ways to keep your budget in check, especially if you’re on a fixed income.
With some creativity and a little effort, you can ensure you’re getting the most out of your food dollar. Here are five ways to save on food costs right now.
1. Bulk Buy Fresh Produce in Season
One of the best ways to protect against rising prices is by purchasing fresh produce when it is in season and plentiful.
Plan and research the growing season for fruit and vegetables in your area. Buy a large quantity when the price is right, which may be towards the end of the season. Then plan a freezer cooking or storing weekend and fill your freezer with frozen peas, corn, carrots and more.
Or take the opportunity to learn a new skill: You can try canning, preserving or dehydrating some foods for later. Good contenders for these techniques include tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers and green beans.
You may also want to partner up with friends and family to place a large order through a local farm to save even more.
2. Stock up on Dried Goods
Focus on buying your shelf-stable pantry staples in bulk when they’re on sale.
Depending on the items, buying in bulk may be less expensive than buying smaller quantities. Before you stock up, make sure you’re getting a good deal by comparing the unit prices, or price per ounce, of items in small quantities compared to bulk quantities.
Keep in mind, buying in bulk takes some planning—especially if you feed only one or two people. A pantry full of food that expires before you can use it won’t save you money in the long run.
Look for items with a long shelf life, like pasta, rice, lentils, beans, legumes, dry baking ingredients, herbs, spices and oats. And don’t forget to compare the store-brand prices against name-brand dried goods; use coupons for even more savings.
3. Beat Meat Prices with Wallet-Friendly Proteins
How much do you spend on supermarket meat? If you’re willing to go vegetarian or reduce your meat consumption, you could take a bite out of your food bill.
Reducing your protein portion size is one simple way to lower your weekly meat expense: Instead of an 8-ounce steak, choose a 4-ounce serving.
You can also stretch your food dollar by saving all your leftover meats, vegetables and dried goods as ingredients for a soup or stew recipe. This also helps to avoid wasting food.
Alternatively, replace expensive cuts of meat with inexpensive dried beans and legumes, and introduce meatless Mondays into your meal plan. Experiment with wallet-friendly proteins such as beans, lentils, barley and chickpeas. Look for these in bulk stores or the ethnic food aisle of your favorite supermarket.
These inexpensive and nutritious options could help you save money on your food costs and add some pizzazz to your weekly menu.
4. Pretend You’re a Pioneer Homesteader
Trying your hand at backyard homesteading could help you save on your grocery bill. Even better: Producing your own food may help you stay in shape and enjoy time outdoors in retirement.
Depending on where you live, your yard size, your climate and your interests, homesteading can fill your pantry and shrink your food costs. You could even save on eggs, which saw a price increase of 49% in 2022—more than any other category in the Consumer Price Index.
Depending on how many eggs you need, it might be a good time to try raising a few backyard chickens. Before getting started, check your local by-laws and the rules of your homeowner’s association, if applicable, to confirm whether you can keep chickens in your yard. Some places don’t allow backyard flocks, while others may allow laying hens but no roosters (due to the potential daily “cock-a-doodle-doo” noise!).
If you’re more adventurous, you might consider raising a few meat chickens, turkeys, quail, meat rabbits, or even raising a couple of goats to produce goat milk and cheese.
5. Grow Your Own
Growing your own produce is another popular way to cut food costs.
Short on outdoor space? Try container gardening on your patio or get started gardening by growing vegetables in a kitchen vegetable garden if you live in an apartment or condo. Growing vegetables indoors can keep you stocked up on lettuce, peppers and herbs all year, even as prices rise at the supermarket. You can also use grow lights over potted plants and small indoor hydroponic growing systems.
Wherever you start your garden, keep it simple at first and try planting a few packages of vegetable seeds. Once those seeds produce vegetables, try replanting your celery, garlic, lettuce, and onions to produce more fresh veggies and save even more. You might find you can grow your store-bought celery, green onions and lettuce by planting the bottom pieces, or try planting small, store-bought potatoes that sprout in a paper bag.
Get Creative to Save on Food
There are plenty of ways to combat today’s rising food prices. By adjusting your menus and shopping habits and finding ways to produce some of your own food, you’ll be better able to handle rising prices today and in the future.
What’s your best tip for saving money on food? Let us know in the comments!
Only buy meat when it’s on sale and buy in bulk, divide up and freeze. Use coupons or the stores app to save, save, save. BOGO (buy one get one). Love the tip on consuming less meat. For coffee, go to the Dollar Tree and get the bag for $1.25 it makes 40 cups of coffee. Have a day for leftovers so they don’t go to waste.
Most prepared soups, sauces, salad dressings and casseroles have at least twice as much salt and flavorings as are needed. It is easy and very cost-effective to cut them down with water, vegetable oil, coconut milk, added diced vegetables, broth, or whatever you like. THen the serving is twice as large, less expensive, healthier, and you can save half and refrigerate or freeze it.
Hope this helps!
To cut down on several cost, ( gas, electricity, money), I buy whole, already roasted chickens, ( especially on sale @publix or Sam’s). I quarter them, then chill, date, and vacuum seal for later.
Cost as much to grow as to buy the vegetables
When I get an abundance of produce I often use my dehydrator to make fruit snacks or dry vegetables for soups and casseroles.
Check your local food bank for Senior Commodities which provides once a month produce, dry goods, canned goods and meat at no cost. Some places will deliver
Your articles are very helpful. I have learned a lot from them. Thank you.
Shop farmers and public markets
Go with a friend and split costs on a basket of fruit or vegetables
Numbers 4 & 5 won’t save you money, but will likely help you to eat healthier. #3 is a bit of a stretch. The first 2 should save some.
After working on the grocery industry many years I know that everything goes on sale on a rotating basis. Buy when on sale. If larger can is cheaper divide and freeze remainder such as baked beans.
Write a weekly menu. Then shop according to the menu. That way you have everything in the house for the dinners during the week and it avoids running back-and-forth which takes time and gas.
Buy dry bulk dry goods and dry can them, last forever .
Like to see a cheap diy way to grow vegetables hydroponicly
Grown Your Own Vegetables / Bulk Shopping / Use Coupons Much As Possible / Look Boogie Deals Buy One Get One Deal
Thank You
Mary Ann Thank you for the great advice, Im sure were all feeling the high prices for groceries!
I am praying that we are able to grow a garden this year also,I prefer vegetables over meat any day so if I stay like this my garden will help me
My supermarket has a subcontractor named Flashfood. They discount food about to expire or overstocked to 50% of the retail price. This tends to be perishable foods, but not always. If I manage my menus carefully to buy and use Flashfoods immediately, my family can eat good quality meals at almost half the previous cost. It also tempts me to try foods I haven’t eaten previously, which has usually been successful.
I only buy when a sale is excellent. I have memorized all the prices for the items I use. I can and dehydrate. I have a garden every spring and fall. Everything I prepare is from scratch and healthy. I even make my own tortillas. I grow some of my own spices. Some spices i have to purchase.. My children hunt during hunting season. And what used to cost me less than
100 a month to get through the month..(some dairy, (I make my own cheeses when I can buy milk or a rancher gives me goat milk) chicken, salmon, trout, etc).now costs 300. So I do without. I have a well so I bought drinking water . Drinking water has gone up by 3 dollars a case recently . I used to buy 70 dollars worth a month.. So I bought a filter system and I boil my water. No processed foods. I have done everything I can do to cut costs. Its difficult. Its no longer enjoyment. Its about survival. So do the math. What I spent 170 dollars a month on in 2022…now runs almost 600 a month. I heard in large cities its worse.
Great tips 👍🏼👍🏼 especially on consuming less meat. Not only will it save money at the grocery store but it will also save at the doctor’s office.
Less meat = less fat and cholesterol
Meat rabbits!!! Grrrrrr. I have a better idea. Give meat up altogether.
If you are middle aged or younger, plant fruit and/or nut trees. I have peach trees that produced within just a couple years of my planting them. Since I let them be all natural my peaches are on the small side, but I get a lot of them . But who cares? Eat two if you want or just a little snack. Canning jam is also pretty easy. I also have pecan trees and collect nuts every year. Blueberry bushes are pretty easy if you are in the right climate.
Plan your menu and buy only items on sale this week. Watch for store brand items even cheaper than brands on sale. Watch unit pricing on large vs. small packaging – sometimes large costs more than small packages, especially when small is on sale. Watch for better brand pricing cheaper than store brands, especially eggs. Be wary of shrinkflation – reduced product amounts in standard packages. Former pound of coffee can be as little as 11 ounces, 1/2 gallon ice cream is now 1-1/2 quarts. Save a fortune by making your own coffee by the pot instead of single cup pods. Forget barista coffees!
Never, I repeat NEVER shop when you are hungry..!
You’re so right!
Shops while hungry has me buy too much and it’s some of the worst stuff for me
Shop your pantry! Use what you have on hand to come up with a meal plan and buy what you need to supplement. Also when you see things on sale stock up for later, it can make a huge difference in the long run for your budget.
I live alone so have had to adjust down from being a family. But this works too. I watch for special sales of meat or fish, even mark downs. Then I check for vegetable isles to see what they have along with what I have at home. Eventho I am using smaller amounts, I cook my protein in a slow cooker, cool, refrigerate. Plan on several different meals (Mexican, Chinese, Greek, etc.) each day is different and I use 3 times more vegetables than meat/fish. If I have left over fish or meat I make tacos, burritos or topping for a salad. Often add some of my canned goods like beans, corn or even fruit. What is left over I make a pizza with left over protein and veggies. And I balance all this to cover the 3 diets I have to follow, Cardiac (1500 mg sodium); Gluten Free and Diabetic (eventho I’m not a diabetic). Also use a lot of fresh and dried herbs. I have always loved to cook, and have cared for family members who were sick and on strict diets. So I was determined to do the same for myself. I also have a small air fryer and rice cooker that I make just about anything you can think of using them. I have delicious and cost effective meals. Also use coupons when I can.
I use coupons as much as possible and match them up to items on sale. I use left over meat to make tacos, casseroles and soup.
Good list and good suggestions. I think these types of articles can remind people of what they consume already and can serve more often, good job. I would have also suggested more soups as you have but in making meat soups adding barley to a beef soup, for example, any grain or bean to another type of meat soup or making any soup with those substantial and filling ingredients, even a small, almost unnoticeable amount. I would also advise people find new hearty side dishes to serve with meat entree meals or serve old favorites with the same filling ingredients like rice and remembering that the additions of canned cream soup and green beans makes it a special treat almost more appealing than the meat entree, for example and with very little effort and expense.
Thank you for your article at a much needed time with grocery expenses so high.
Another significant way we’ve learned to save on groceries is to check our receipt before leaving the store! This is true at our local Fred Meyer (Kroger) and Safeway and I’m pretty sure it’s an industry practice, and a profitable one not likely to change. Almost EVERY time we go shopping, there will be several items that had been marked down (Online coupons, store-card holders only, or just on sale in general) where the full price was charged and no discount applied. When we go to the customer service desk, the “error” is acknowledged, often with a facial expression that implies, “Yeah, it happens all the time,” and our refund is applied. Sometimes the C.S person will say things like, “that’s been going on all day on those items,” and we’d bet that this is no error. How many times does the average shopper distrust the store enough to check whether or not they actually got the discounts they came here for? So it only usually comes to a few dollars each time, and it’s sometimes more of a hassle that the few dollars are worth, but its the principle of the thing. When we do the whole online coupon thing at home, we expect that those discounts will be applies “automatically,” as they tell us, at checkout. Heads-up!
For my mom and I, we use Every Plate. 5 meals for 2 people is $62.89 a week (includes $9.98 delivery) it is just enough for us and sometimes left overs but they send exactly what you need per meal so there is no waste.
As a single, elderly female, I’ve begun sharing common foods that are less expensive in larger amounts, with others who also use them, and we divide the cost among ourselves~Eggs, meats, cheeses, salad mixes, some bagged veggies, (even some supplements)in amounts just too large for one, as it’s important to maintain our health as we age..! We tend to eat smaller meals/portions, and with less exercise it’s helpful to keep our weight in check too, so sharing has become not only $-wise, but some good social-contact which can ‘nurture’ us in positive ways…checking-in on one another, encouraging good habits/self-care, as many of us suffered during Covid, and still experiencing ‘pandemic hangover’~! ‘Health’ has so many aspects, and our mental/emotional care seems to still have such a ‘stigma’ that we don’t realize the need to seek nurture for this as we elderly try to face the challenges of a drastically changed world than we grew up in… It’s so helpful to have articles like this to encourage us~! Thank you~
You can dehydrate everything from meat, vegetables, fruits, and even eggs. You don’t even have to buy a dehydrator. I started by making jerkey in my oven. A dehydrator is more efficient though because it uses less energy. Try using your oven first to determine whether or not you will use a dehydrator enough to justify the cost. They start around $99 and go up from there. I have one that cost around $150 last year and it is really effective. There are some really good You tube videos on how to dehydrate and store the food after.
xxx
Lots of those suggestions are just not possible for many. Joining the grocery store “club” is free and has special pricing for those who belong. Worth it!
Please notify me
I try to grow my own veggies and herbs, coupons are great also, but other suggestions that I have read, are very valuable to my consumption and I’ll put it in practice too. Keep it coming and thank you for sharing and caring 💝
Try shopping for some items at a store like Aldi. You will be surprised at how good some of the items are…..and you’ll save money.
Buy in bigger quantities like chicken/porkchops and divide into smaller quantities and freeze them for later use.
Never go when hungry
At the courtesy counter get the loyalty card. Ask about digital Coupons
Do they have shopping points used for discount gasoline
Sign up for their email
Ask about senior discounts Veteran discounts disability discount aarp etc.
Get a rain check for sale items not in stock
Cut Coupons
From flyers, call or email for product Coupons use a reward type credit card and get cash back
Freeze Your Food
By in bulk and repackage at home
Plan a Weekly Menu Ahead of Time
Shop from the list
Bring Lunches to Work
Buy lunch as a special treat
Buy Store Brands
Even if just one at a time to try
Always check unit pricing
Remember some prices are found above and below eye level
Shop at a More Affordable Store
Traveling an extra 5 miles can add up to 40 miles a month, keep it in mind.
Whole Foods/Whole paycheck
You can bake your own cookies, oreo recipes are on line.
I can make 2 pounds of fudge for the price of 1/4 pound retail
Purchase paper, plastic and cleaning supplies at a place like Walmart.
Thank you for all the great tips!
Buy bulk quantity and split with a friend.
Probably the best way to save money on food is with machines.
Two machines you absolutely want are the Nurxiovo mixer/blender/meat grinder machine & the IP-LUX Instapot. Of course there is an initial outlay to purchase these but since you have to eat everyday these machines pay for themselves in a couple of months. Here’s an example: Say you want to buy ground turkey to make meatloaf. Right now ground turkey is $3.99 to 4.99 a pound. Instead you can buy a whole turkey for $1.29 a pound and pass it through your Nurxiovo meat grinder. The quality is about 50% better than the “old Buzzard” meat they used for ground turkey in the store too.
You save around $3 a pound.
For the Instapot those things work like magic. If you buy low cost chuck roast for example, you quickly find out why it was so cheap – the stuff is tough as shoe leather. BUT, you can cook that delicious tough chuck roast in the Instapot & it comes out tender, delicious, & fit for a king. You will certainly want the Instapot recipes book: ISBN: 978-1-64030-547-2 from Amazon. Enjoy it all, try not to over-indulge!
Dried goods and even canned goods don’t expire. That date on the package is the date it will taste the most fresh.
You forgot the most important way to save on groceries –make a list and stick to it.
Another rule is never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
I guarantee that following the rules above will save you money!
Everything you said is common sense stuff
We’re on a fixed income so we buy meat and chicken in bulk quantities and divide and seal in Food Saver bags. They then go in our 7.2 cu ft chest freezer. I also buy rotisserie chicken and remove the chicken, separate in small amounts for use in casseroles or soup. The bones are pressure cooked and I freeze the broth for use later for chicken and noodles. We shop once a month at Costco and then shop for milk, etc when needed at neighborhood stores. Depending on what I cook, there’s leftovers so we eat those until gone. I grew up in a family of 7 kids so I know how to be frugal. No fancy foods but we were never hungry and it’s the same now.
These practices are my habits. It has been published that as much as a quarter of food purchased is wasted. Learn nutritional values. Backyard gardeners should learn which varieties do well in their soil and the ones that taste best–not necessarily the ones in a store’s plant tray. Buy what will be eaten and what is bought. Know the neighborhood varmints and plan accordingly for rabbits, raccoons, and squirrels. Know how to prepare your crop–washing, soaking in salt water (to get bugs from broccoli). And which vegetables make good second crops in your location’s weather.
Remember, gardening is work and exercise. Calories are burnt before they are eaten.
When a community garden program began in my city’s inner core over 40 years ago, I drove by a house where the owner had created a vegetable garden next to her front porch. Pole beans were growing on strings attached to the porch ceiling’s facia, Tomatoes, peas, onions, and lettuces were planted in artistic patterns in front–edible attractiveness. Nothing new: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson did it. Jefferson knew his property and plants so well that fresh lettuce was available year-round with no greenhouse. (Jefferson was one of the first Americans to eat raw food in an era when “love apples” (tomatoes) were believed to be poisonous.
For quite a lot of us seniors there is much in here that is concerning. I may not be able to think of all the reasons but here are a few. With a power loss there will be no way to cook foods that need cooking. Also no way to use a freezer in that situation. I am oane of many who have diverticulosis which easily, with the wrong diet, becomes diverticulosis which is a huge issue and very painful. We have to avoic dairy, tiny veggies like peas, corn kernels, small beans as meat replacement etc as the food is easily trapped in the divertiuclum and is very painful. If we live alone managing to can foods as a new undertaking would be daunting for me and no place to store things. I am one who has balance issues while walking and attempting to plant food in my extremely uneven ground on my lot would be a possible even if I beat the crritters to the veggies.
These come immediately to mind but likely there are many more. I am 85 and I have baeen able to accumulate small collections of frozen items – freezer not large enough for this, small collections of dehydrated foods, and an only slightly larger colleciton of canned food and pasta, rice, etc. My budget is beyond extremele tight. I do have one pitcher and spare one, both of which have filters easily changeable after lasting , the flter that is, about eighy months for me and the dog and have already used that for several years for both of us. Hugely efficient and worthy filters.
Be careful about your own animals even chickens=they can become pets easily.
Great tips I can use
I go shopping two or three times a week, to get my daily steps in, walking the aisles. I always go with a short list and look for bargains (bogos, post holiday sales, etc). We have a freezer in the garage, so I stock up when the prices are good.
Coupons
Looking forward to future information.
Thank You for that great information
Very informative
When I fix a meal, I freeze the leftovers and warm them in the oven another time. It doesn’t seem you are eating leftovers. Before I started doing this, I found we were putting it in the refrigerator, and then not using it. It would go in the trash can 5 days later. This has been a real cost cutter for us!
I remember Grandma didn’t refrigerate eggs
👍 right… Grandma’s eggs were used expeditiously & everyday
You don’t need to refrigerate eggs
“Per Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The Family Immunity Cookbook, in the U.S., eggs need to be refrigerated. “Eggs that have just been laid by hens should be refrigerated immediately. In addition, Salmonella is a concern, and this bacteria does like to multiply at room temperature.” Plus, USDA-graded eggs are washed and sanitized according to FDA regulations, which removes the eggs’ outer coating and exposes the shell’s pores, leaving the egg susceptible to contamination.” – Food Network.