The grocery store is hitting wallets hard this year. According to our recent poll[1], 68% of consumers selected food and grocery as a factor creating financial pressure. The pace of food price increases has slowed from 13.5% to 5.8% compared to last August, yet the “dry goods” category of the grocery store is still seeing significant increases, to the tune of 12%.
While some of the produce and dairy costs are finally starting to come down, the inner aisles are still making a dent in your budget. Take a look at a few ways you can reduce your grocery bill this week.
Get Creative with Snacks
With packaged foods reporting some of the highest price growth, it’s time to get a little creative with snacks. It is a great time to add more fruits and veggies to the snack menu or even make your own quick bites. Instead of opting for the typical box of granola bars, try making protein balls. A simple oat, peanut butter and chocolate chip recipe creates more than two times the amount of granola bars found in one box – and you can freeze them to last. Trying new snacks is just one way to reduce grocery bills.
Order Online
If your local grocery store has an online option available to customers, now is the time to use it. You can take extra time crafting your grocery cart to meet your needs. Not only can you see the cart total before checkout, you can easily find alternatives for the best price possible. In-store shopping can leave you with a surprise at checkout since you can’t see the running total. Online shopping gives you a leg up in the budget department.
Check for Discounts
There is more than one way to save at the grocery store these days whether it is coupons, a weekly mailer, rebate programs and more. Some grocery stores have a “clip online coupon” option while others participate in cash-back rebate programs. Get familiar with your options and try a few that you don’t normally use to save a little extra.
Try New Stores to Find the Best Price
It can be easy to stick to the same grocery store, but switching it up could save you at checkout. Consider shopping at a different grocery store that is known for better pricing and snag some pantry staples to last you through this “dry goods” price surge.
Switch to Off-Brand
Good ‘ole off-brand. This one may be the oldest trick in the book, but now is a better time than ever to transition some pantry staples to a knock-off version. Experiment with switching your name brand cereal, canned goods, pretzels and crackers to another option.
Be a Master Planner
While grocery prices are elevated, try carving out a little extra time to strategically plan your meals and snacks. Could you use one item for multiple meals or snacks? Maybe the carrots you are buying for your dinner salad could double as a snack for the kiddos. Once your list is created, do your best to stick to it to alleviate any risk of surprises at checkout. Taking control of your plan is a great way to reduce grocery bills quickly.
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[1] Q1 2023 CNO Customer Advisory Board Survey: Helping Consumer Navigate Economic Uncertainty, 2023
