How Can You Afford Groceries at Such High Prices.

In this day and age of rising food prices, rising gas prices and you name it, and the cost has gone up, how are the average single parents making ends meet. According to the US Inflation Calculator, the average food price has gone up 4.9% in the last year (July 2022-2023). Cereal and baked goods have gone up 7 % and Fruits and Vegetables have gone up 2.9%. Gasoline prices for your car have gone up over the last year as well. I paid $4.05 a gallon last night to fill my rather small car and I couldn’t help but wonder, how can everyone afford the high prices these days?

I am no financial wizard, but I can only share how I make ends meet with my household grocery budget. First, I obtain the local grocery store flyer for the week. Secondly, I scan the flyer for any sales for the week. I also clip coupons for additional savings. My grocery store is Tops Friendly Market. It has digital coupons for addition savings. Thirdly, I make a meal plan based on the sale items for that week. I also purchase sale items in more of a quantity so I can add these items to my next few weeks meal plan. Lastly, I do not shop when I am hungry, because I tend to buy more food. I set a price limit of what I have budgeted for groceries for the week. I also tend to buy family packs for additional savings and freeze the excess food if I can. I always sign up for the store rewards card. My store gives points for a quarterly gas gift card.

I have found that periodically when my budget for groceries is very limited, I get creative and use the few staples that are relatively inexpensive like bread, milk, eggs, peanut butter and jelly. I make French toast which only requires eggs, milk and bread and pancakes which are really cheap compared to other items. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are not only nutritious, but tasty too. So, embrace this challenge to see how many groceries you can get for very little money. Good Luck !