Whose groceries are more Expensive?

[bèlla]

Three

You get the biggest bang from bulk. But you need to know how much you’re consuming to prioritize purchasing and base it on your ideal not modifications. In other words, what do you want to eat every week? How much meat, poultry, etc. I’m including a video that will help you calculate the numbers based on a year and you want to do that. The results will show you where to put your money and how to leverage purchases when you may have lump sums available like income tax or bonuses.

For example, if you like beef you buy a portion of a cow. You’ll never break even at the store and you pay one price for everything. The meat is wrapped and prepared for freezing in advance or already frozen. You can select the cuts and thickness. If you don’t want roasts you turn into ground and so on. The same holds true for pork, lamb, goat, etc. Poultry is a mixed bag and you might get lucky.

If you like rice and legumes the same applies. Instead of grabbing them in a store you get your favorites in 25 pound portions and throw the bag in the freezer for a few days (to kill weevil eggs) and put it in food grade buckets with gamma lids. The same holds true for grains including wheat. If you love bread make it yourself. It doesn’t have to be sourdough and bread machines are cheaper now. You can have a loaf in hours any day and wheat berries can be used in savory dishes or ground for familiar meals like cream of wheat.

You can store produce in a cool area. Such as white potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes and squash. Butternut squash lasts for months. You’ll apply a similar perspective to the things you enjoy and use often. Like sugar, salt, herbs and spices, chocolate and so on. I’ve saved canning for last but I’ll preface it with something else.

The garden is your friend. If you have some space its worth the effort. You don’t need a lot and seeds are cheap. The more you can grow the less you’ll have to buy. Some people focus on expensive items and purchase the cheaper ones instead. You can do a bit of both. If that isn’t an option the farmers market has bargains but they’re not advertised. Building connections with the vendors you use is a must. As is asking for deals. That includes first and seconds for produce and a discounted price for bulk.

For instance, when I want tomatoes I buy a box. It’s usually 20 to 25 pounds and I pay $25 to $35 depending on the day. That would be overwhelming for most. But you can put them in a cold area or room with air conditioning and close the door. You’ll have time to process them for the freezer or you can do what I did. Throw them in an electric roaster and put it on low and turn the box into marinara. I netted 18 quarts from the batch.

If you have a one year pantry plan on hand you’ll know how much pasta you’ll eat in advance and the volume isn’t a concern. Let’s do the math. We’ll say $35 to be fair for example’s sake. What does organic marinara cost in your area? I made mine with fresh ingredients and wine. The closest correlation is Rao’s which usually sells for $6.99 to $8.99 in stores. Even if you selected cheaper options you wouldn’t get 18 quarts for that price. I share that to illustrate the value of preserving if you’re willing.

You can go to a U-Pick and do the same with fruit or get creative and make your own beverages, desserts and more. I did the same with zucchini and turned it into kimchi. One box made 6 half gallon jars. I have a similar practice for meat and make my own bone broth and did the same with fish for tacos. I include that as a word of encouragement. Starting small can yield big results if you’re consistent.

I make most of my larder by choice because I don’t want to be limited by what’s available or subject to price increases. Which allows me to do other things. Like purchase my dairy from local farmers. Does it cost more? Of course. But I’m saving so much elsewhere it’s not an issue and you can do the same.

I’m sharing three resources today: The one year pantry plan. One year canning plan. And a monthly preparedness calendar. She posts monthly shopping deals you may want to explore. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

~bella

Calendar

 

[Tuur]

I think the grocery prices here are about the same as they have been all year. It might depend on what one buys. I don't buy beef or coffee, two of the items mentioned in the article. I'm lucky enough to have farms and farm markets near me, and local food won't be as affected by tariffs as international items. I've noticed restaurant prices climbing, but I think that's been going on for a couple of years, so not attributable to one president vs another.

I have a terrible thing to tell you: Price increases due to inflation only come down if there's deflation. You will have some price swings based on supply and demand, but inflation is something else entirely. So while eggs have gone down, that's due to increased supply compared to what it was a few months earlier. I do not look for food prices to return to what they were a few years ago.

In addition to food, restaurants have to pay for other items that are also more expensive due to inflation. Where states mandate a higher minimum wage, that has to be factored in as well.

 

[PloverWing]

I have a terrible thing to tell you

Yes, thanks, I've watched the course of inflation over the multiple decades of my life, and I know the upward course it takes over time. The OP didn't ask about inflation in general; the OP asked the much narrower question of how my current grocery costs compare to January 2025.

My state's minimum wage is higher than in many states, but I think it should be even higher, given the high cost of living in our state. The minimum wage for waitstaff should especially be higher than it is. I'm okay with paying more at a restaurant if it means that everyone involved is getting paid a solid living wage.

 

[Tuur]

Yes, thanks, I've watched the course of inflation over the multiple decades of my life, and I know the upward course it takes over time. The OP didn't ask about inflation in general; the OP asked the much narrower question of how my current grocery costs compare to January 2025.

My state's minimum wage is higher than in many states, but I think it should be even higher, given the high cost of living in our state. The minimum wage for waitstaff should especially be higher than it is. I'm okay with paying more at a restaurant if it means that everyone involved is getting paid a solid living wage.

Then I'm baffled by the purpose of the question in the OP. If a decrease in the cost of groceries is known to be unlikely, then why ask if it's dropped?

As to minimum wage, it's a simple observation that costs are passed along to the customer. Want it increased? Fine. Just be aware that the cost have to be made up somewhere.

 

[Fantine]

People adjust to higher food prices by changing their shopping habits if they can. They choose Wal-Mart instead of Kroger. They go to Costco and buy in bulk. They buy generics instead of brand names. They buy different cuts of meat and have some vegetarian meals.

And so they may succeed in keeping their food budget the same by sacrificing a little convenience and quality.

If they can.