Everything is getting more expensive today. From gas to groceries, our dollars don’t seem to go quite as far as they used to. Rising gas prices often encourages us to ride a bicycle to work or take the bus instead of putting gas in our cars, which is wonderful for so many reasons. What is the solution for rising food prices?  We have to find ways to spend less on groceries while still getting the things that we need to nourish ourselves and our families. We also must recognize that increasing prices raises awareness and often creates positive changes for you, your family and your community. Here are eight money saving tips to try.

1. Consider a local farm market or CSA (community supported agriculture). Once you start you’ll never go back. The taste of your vegetables, the experience of buying from the farm and the money that you will save is worth the shift into the unknown. Further, you are increasing your children’s awareness of food and where it comes from as well as contributing to a healthier planet. I’m sold!
2. Plant a Garden. The benefit of this first step far exceeds the cost savings. See my article Plant Two Seeds and Call in the Morning. Save money, get exercise, have fun, eat healthy and reduce stress…what could be better!
3. Buy whole food NOT prepared foods. A common misconception is that it easier and cheaper to buy a frozen or boxed meal like macaroni and cheese, but is it more economical? A large box of macaroni and a block of cheese will make more servings for your family than one box of prepared macaroni and cheese. The next time you go shopping and pick up a box or bag of an already prepared item, ask yourself if you can make that at home for less. If you can, then put that item back. Start dreaming about how you could modify that dish to make it tastier and healthier by adding some vegetables. My kids have never had mac and  cheese without peas and carrots. Simple, satisfying, and cheap.
4. Shop the perimeter of the market. You will immediately save money and increase the health of your diet buy shopping for produce, protein, dairy, eggs. By eliminating the center aisles you remove processed foods, which is the first step to improving your health!
5. Buy in bulk. Consider the food items that you use most often. Grains, meats,  olive oil and vinegar, and paper and cleaning products can be bought in bulk usually at a lower price at food warehouses like Costco.  More and more we are seeing more earth conscious and health conscious products on the shelves. If you have a coupon, you’ll save even more money.
6. Don’t shop when you are hungry. This is a definite no-no. Shopping on an empty stomach means that you will pick up more things than you need. You are more likely to pick up that bag of chocolate chip cookies or that box of donuts when the growling gets underway.
7. Take a grocery list with you. This is another protection against picking up things that you do not need. Check your cabinets and the fridge to see what you have, plan a menu, and write a list. Remember, the goal is to stick to the list as much as possible.
8. Clip Coupons. The news paper is an old traditions that still offers great savigns. Have you checked out Internet coupons. Go on line and type in the product you want and coupon. Surprise!  The list of links is long. Have fun! People report an average of a $10 dollar savings. The reality is that products are marked up extremely high to ensure the enormous profit that most food companies are making.

Rising prices don’t have to mean a lean dinner table. There are ways to make your food dollar go further and if you take the time to implement the ideas listed above as well as others of your own, you’ll see savings each and every time you shop. Remember, it’s never to late to RESET!

Peace in Health!

Dr. Rose