Posted on 12/16/2021 9:47:02 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis.– It’s not just you: the price of everything from clothes and cars to gas and groceries is up. According to the Department of Labor, prices have increased 6.8% from 2020. That’s the highest rate of inflation in nearly 40 years.
Some of the most noticeable impacts are at the grocery store, where it’s getting harder to not only find some products but also reasonable prices. The average family is spending an extra $30 per month on groceries compared to November 2020.
RELATED: Two years ago, the average household paid $113/week for groceries. Today, they’re paying $144.
“The only way you’re going to see a grocery store rollback a price increase is if the suppliers and supply chain who gave them that product reduce their prices,” Brandon Scholz, the president of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said.
Those challenges have only worsened in the past year, and that’s why prices have gone up and continue to do so.
“You can check advertising and go online and do all that research,” Scholz added, “but no, there’s not a simple way to say, ‘Who’s got everything I want at the right prices?'”
Here are a few ways customers can shop smarter:
When products are on sale, buy extra. Most items go on sale every six to eight weeks. Avoid food that spoils quickly. Feeding America found the average family of four throws away $133 of produce each month. Shop in-season. Many Dane County Farmers’ Market producers offer their products online, even during the winter.
“A lot of people have this misconception that the only people who come to a food pantry are ones who are experiencing homelessness or are unemployed,” said Helen Osborn, the director of operations at The River Food Pantry Madison.
“That’s not true. Many of them do have housing, and they are employed. But with all the costs, all their bills, sometimes being employed isn’t enough,” she continued.
More than 3,500 new families registered to pick up curbside groceries at The River during the pandemic, and the Madison-based pantry continues to serve 1,000+ families per week.
“If you’re facing concerns about paying your bills and feeding your family, please reach out to us,” Osborn said.
The first thing every family can do as lean times approach is to stop waste. Even at home I’d say 10% of prepared food ends up being trashed. As expensive as going to the grocery is, it’s nothing like eating out. That’s another way to cut your cost. If you do that you’d probably make up what Joeflation has taken from you in this year’s food budget. As that rate triples this spring you’ll be left with the democrat option to deal with Joeflation, starve.
Lucky you. I didn’t get drawn for a deer tag this year (AZ), so no venison for me. Dove and quail are fun, but you don’t exactly fill the freezer, or at least I don’t.
I only occasionally get a pizza that will last me 2-3 days, but only if they’re running a special
Don’t do fast food, except for an occasional Arby’s, but stick with the 2 for $6 menu to get 2 meals
It helps that I only eat once a day, and it usually ain’t that much. A stomach virus wrecked my gut 5 years ago. 250# to 150#
Best advice? Learn how to actually cook and buy scratch commodities... Flour, sugar, salt, lard, dry beans and rice, Etc. Make “Depression cakes” that need no eggs or milk and are just as good... We are in a depression... Dig into history... Adapt and adjust lifestyle accordingly...
An weigh 350 pounds by next year!!
We only spend $300 a month on food for three adults and three dogs doing this and eat just fine.
Get off your butt and go for a walk or do some work after meals and you won’t.
There is not one thing on that list I can eat. I lost 80 pounds in the last 2 years.
The trick is portions. And exercise. We have been eating like this for years and years now with good lean meat tossed in as the main course and frozen veggies as another side. And we are all thin and healthy. Physical exercise is the absolute most important aspect.
One time I talked with someone who was complaining because after they left work and went out to have lunch, they were falling asleep a the desk. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator back to the office”.
Thanked me a couple months later for changing her life...
It is that easy... :)
Lol, the first direction of each recipe is to “ wash hands with soap and water”. That’s a first for recipes!
In Florida, I much prefer our Publix Supermarket over the Winn-dixie, but W D definitely has many good bargains including their house brand of canned goods and a lot else. I go there for cheaper and Public for meats and service and deli.
Prices are up on most everything tho.
Next point of the "Progessive Agenda:" "Anti-Hoarding" legislation.
Regards,
How old are you now?
Regards,
Now down to 260 lbs?
Hee-hee!
Seriously: Without further context, that statement - by itself - is not especially informative.
Regards,
Exactly!
The game in our area has been pretty thin pickings this last season. Bagged me only one Labrador Retriever and two Wire-Haired Terriers. Meat's pretty gamey - only good for making sausage.
Regards,
I cook all the time, and the basic staples are what you need to make anything. Supplement that with meat and veggies. An occasional goodie, like homemade cookies is always fun. I do get the Aldi’s take and bake pizzas and freeze them. They are awesome, and $5.99 gets a large 16” pizza. Rarely do I shop the inside aisles at the grocery store, except for the baking and spice aisle.
seriously, all the money and tax relief is going to the poor and illegals....there is none for us that have worked 40 yrs and more and paid in our taxes....
now for saving.....buy store brands, buy on sale, buy in bulk and split it up properly, eat fruit and veggies in season where you can, cut down on soda consumption, use coupons, compare prices by unit....grow veggies and freeze or can.
“Lol, the first direction of each recipe is to ‘wash hands with soap and water.’ That’s a first for recipes!”
Well, those recipes are aimed at the ‘unwashed masses’ and they’re called that for a reason. ;)
I had a friend who ended up on food stamps when her husband was laid off from his job. She was eligible for $400 a month for her family of three, and since she had all the skills necessary to cook from scratch and meal plan, etc. she stretched those dollars so far that they were still eating from her stockpile LONG after her husband was back to work.
My complaint with just handing out these benefits is that NO ONE is held accountable for how they are spent. I mean, they are to some extent; not supposed to buy soda and candy, cigs and booze, etc. BUT if you don’t have the skill set to even boil water, you (and the TAXPAYERS) are not getting their moneys worth.
And, yes. I know. DEPENDENCY on Mother Government is the reason for any government program. Grrrr!
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