Penny Pinching: Groceries

Foreclosures, repossessions, and bankruptcies are climbing at an increasingly alarming rate. The cost of living is increasing with record gas and energy prices. The strain is impacting everybody's pockets. How can you make ends meet? What can be done to alleviate the financial stress the majority of the country is facing?

It's time once again to do what was done before. Penny pinch. Over the years we have gotten lax, and it shows. That loan that was taken out a few years ago, while affordable at the time, is getting hard to pay. The vacation you want to go on is looking impossible. Where can you cut cost and save money?

For starters, let's look at the problem first. The rising cost of gas. Farmers need gas to plow, maintain and harvest their crops. They pay more at the pump to buy gas, causing them to increase their sell price to stay above water. Then they transport their goods to sell, once more incurring gas. Companies like grocery stores then face a higher price to purchase the farmers goods, and in addition to that, the higher gas it cost to deliver the goods to their warehouse and retail outlets. So they add more on top to maintain a profit. Then the consumer goes to the store, themselves paying higher gas to get there, and then paying once again for gas in the cost of the goods.

In addition to this, from the drought last year, to the flooding this year, crops have died, or been unable to get in the ground, so there is a shortage of some fruits and grains. The economy could survive this, if it didn't have the above mentioned higher gas cost added to everything.

So, with all this in mind, it becomes apparent the problem will take a long time to fix. Even if gas dropped to $2/gal tomorrow, it would still take a long time for the economy to correct itself. At this moment, its up to the consumer to conserve money best they can.

Groceries are one of the best places to cut cost. The majority of people go to the store after work, or to pick stuff up a few items at a time. When we do this, not only do we waste gas going to the store more, but we are liable to forget items we need, and purchase those we don't. Make shopping almost like a job. Make a complete list of everything you need, even plan your dinners out. Also make sure to account for lunches and breakfast. If you buy your breakfast and lunch everyday, that's nearly $200 a month you spend.

Go through the paper and cut out coupons for what you need. Also look for who has the best prices on meat, chicken, vegetables, etc for that week. Make sure you have a "card" for the store you are shopping at. The grocery chains specialty value cards can save a lot of money. Pick one day of the week to shop and do it all that day. If you can get cleaning supplies cheaper at one place, do that, then move to the grocery store and finish up. Use coupons; buy one get one free, store brands, whatever you can to save pennies.

Once you have done you have done your shopping, do not go back for an item, unless it is an absolute necessity. Cookies do not qualify as a necessity. It can wait another week. Keep a running list on the refrigerator and add items to this list. Your first bill may be a little high, especially if you are used to supplement runs, but over the month, you will notice a nice change. Do not; however, buy these groceries, then turn around and let them spoil while you eat out with your friends. It will take will power and a lifestyle change, but the money you will save in the long run, will allow you some rewards.