Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
The kids are out of school and parents everywhere are dreading the summer grocery bill. Summer, in general, usually means more food needed in the house, more snacks, and rapidly growing children who never stop eating. This year the burden is extra heavy as the price of food has increased exponentially with the rate of inflation. While we wait for the pendulum to swing the opposite way, here are a few ideas to help combat the rising cost of food as we head into summer.
Planning is key
During times of rising food costs, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead. Create a plan for the week that involves multiple uses for the same item such as chicken, beans, rice, and pasta. For example, buying a whole chicken rather than just the breast is a cheaper alternative and provides protein for multiple meals. Planning ahead with the intention to repurpose leftovers is a great way to get more bang for your buck. Begin with what you already have in your pantry then build meals for the week off of those items.
Shop off-brand
Now is the time to start considering those off-brand items that you might otherwise pass by. Many store-brand products are significantly cheaper than the traditional big-name brand but offer nearly the same flavor and ingredients. This is especially true for dry goods such as cereals, beans, rice, etc. Decide which grocery list items you’re willing to be flexible with and which ones you aren’t, then give a few new products a try. You may be pleasantly surprised and save a few dollars in the process.
Shop local markets
Farmers’ markets are the perfect way to save money while also keeping your dollars in the local community. Everyone wins when we support local farmers and businesses. Check out our list of local markets in this edition of Shore Local. There are markets all around the area with varying hours of operation to accommodate your shopping needs.
Clip Coupons
If you’ve never been into couponing, now is probably the time to start. You don’t have to go all-in right away unless that’s your speed. Couponing can be as simple as checking the weekly circular for available deals and sales. We all have a friend who is a master couponer. Ask them about upcoming opportunities to lower your weekly grocery budget. Check out the beginner’s guide at thekrazycouponlady.com for couponing tips and tricks.
Shop discount stores
If you haven’t started shopping at stores like Aldi and even The Dollar Tree for certain items, give it a shot. Discount stores offer great price drops on regularly used items. Of course, you have to be okay with the off-brand items but it’s worth it when it comes down to the bottom line. While you might not get everything you need from a discount store, saving some money on dry goods and produce week after week adds up! You’d be surprised at how fresh and delicious the foods from these stores can be.
Wishing you a beautiful, well-fed, healthy start to Summer 2022, Shore Local moms!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
