As shoppers continue to look for ways to save at the grocery store amid rising food prices, USA TODAY reached out to experts for money-saving tips.
Cooking at home can give your budget the “biggest bang for your buck,” especially compared with food delivery or dining out, said Brian Vines, a marketplace reporter for Consumer Reports.
“But cooking at home in itself cannot save you money if you’re not doing the right things with your shopping,” Vines told USA TODAY.
Vines said his estimates suggest shoppers could save as much as $5,000 a year by shopping smart and applying those savings elsewhere in their budgets.
The cost of groceries and food away from home was 2.2% higher in August than a year earlier, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Some shoppers have had to borrow money from family members or charge groceries to credit cards without knowing how they’ll pay the bill the next month.
Eat Down the House
One of Vines’ first tips is for home, not the grocery store. He calls it “eating down the house.”
Before shopping, use foods you’ve been storing in your pantry, such as dried beans and canned vegetables. The approach can save money while helping you use food before it expires.
Plan Before You Shop
Vines avoids running to the store for one item or because of a craving. Instead, he plans the week’s meals around what he already has and what’s advertised in store circulars.
“Think about your weekly food spend or your monthly food spend and start early,” he said. Planning after you walk through the grocery-store doors means you’re already behind the eight ball.
Watch for Marketing Tactics
Grocery marketing can influence what you buy, said Ellen Van Loo, an associate professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University. She studies how labels, food policy and marketing shape consumer choices and spending.
For example, eggs may be labeled “hormone-free,” but U.S. law prohibits using hormones in egg production. Van Loo also recommends comparing package weights and serving sizes because large-looking packages can contain more air.
Use Shopping Tools Strategically
Online grocery pickup can help shoppers stick to a list and avoid impulse buys. In the store, look beyond eye-level shelves: Manufacturers may pay for premium placement, which does not necessarily mean a product is the cheapest or healthiest option.
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: “The Money-Saving Grocery Strategy Hiding in Your Pantry.”
Reporting by Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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