just got back from the grocery store and I'm in sticker shock.

On Monday I went to the store and filled up the cart. We were low on everything. I didn't buy any meat or poultry, only two packages of fish and some dairy items. The bill was $184.

Today I went back because we are throwing a little birthday breakfast for my mother-in-law. What I bought filled one paper bag full, plus three half-bags filled with heavier items. It included two bottles of the cheapest champagne I could find (crappy Andre @ $4.50, but she won't care). The bill: $86. I am reeling.

We are empty-nesters--two of us, plus our grown daughter staying with us temporarily. All of us have gone almost entirely vegetarian, with only one or two meals a week containing chicken or fish (and the daughter is entirely vegetarian). We do like fresh fruits and vegetables-- and they are going sky-high now. Seems every time I go shopping the bill is higher.

We raised our kids between 1974 and 2001. At one time I can remember buying four gallons of milk at a time. I can just imagine how bad it is for you who have growing kids now. How do you do it?

Back when I could drink, it's the one I chose. It's sweet and well-balanced.

And you're right, it's horrible. I just spent $135 for mostly pasta, spaghetti sauce, and beans.

It is amazing...we had our first $200+ grocery bill a few weeks ago...you don't even get much for $200. Our situation is similar to yours, although we eat a lot of chicken and some fish. I can't imagine what a family of four or five is spending to feed a couple hungry little ones.

But...inflation is minimal.

I am just about out of jars and the freezer is getting full. Just was thinking about running to buy a loaf of bread and wondering if it has gone up since last week.

to rise sharply every week. This is NOT your supermarket trying to gouge you folks! My husband works for one of the biggies in the SE. Fuel, bad weather, both too dry & too wet have contributed to this disaster, and I don't see it slowing down any time soon.

and I shop once a month .Stuff never lasts all month any more I canned and froze a lot of stuff this year to help make ends meet , but it is getting brutal out there

I am really glad that my kids are all grown . because I don't know what I would do if I had kids to feed

you can't increase the price of gas from $1.40 a gallon (clinton years) to over $4.00 now and not have it show up in inflation.

and it makes me even madder that food inflation is not even counted in the inflation rate - a year or so ago, when the boosh mantra was no or very low inflation, I knew they were lying to us, it was just so obvious.

...and they are distance runners. This household consists of three adult women and two teenagers. Nearly every night we also feed two other adults and a toddler. I just placed a Safeway order for home delivery. $267 with only a turkey as meat. Oh wait -- it includes one OTC med for $14. And cat food. But otherwise it includes $30 worth of peanut butter and just some sale items for the pantry.

We're not buying any more sliced meat for lunch sandwiches. There will be cheese-veggie or PBJ.

And I should note that I am grateful to be able to fill basic modest needs at this time. Who knows what tomorrow might bring?

And I swear I live at King Soopers. I do it by couponing and buying what's on sale. Check the discount bakery items for treats and match up coupons to the sale items. Unless it's something that we really need, if it's not on sale with an additional coupon on top of it, I don't buy it. And King Soopers doubles coupons up to .50 and anything over the .50 is rounded up to 1.00. It does add up, I always save at least 30% every trip. I use a small file to organize all of the coupons and cut them out while watching TV. I also buy up things if they are on a good special. It always gets eaten.

The $1.50 for the Sunday paper always pays for itself 100x's over.

it's quite pricey these days..

weird food=scratch waffles (amazingly cheap) for dinner sometimes...or fruit & cheese for dinner or cereal..

and I make a lot of ONE-pan dinners that are great for left overs..

and I really don't cook all that much these days..

My husband buys his lunch at work, and I don't eat breakfast or lunch..

I usually cook something on Monday nights... he has the leftovers on Tuesday ( I bowl on Tues night).. We both bowl on Wed so we grab a snack there and call it dinner.. We eat out every Thursday night & bring half home in a doggie bag..that's dinner Friday night.. Sat & Sun I usually make homemade pizza or throw something together..

My husband is perfectly happy with sandwiches for lunch on the weekend..

We could got 2 months between shopping except for the dairy stuff he likes..we don't drink milk but I routinely throw a lot of the small containers away that I do buy for cooking (and then never use)..

and goes down like real champagne. I've had worse.

However, you need to take a closer look at what you're buying. How much of it is processed, heat and eat stuff that you supplement with fruits and veg? How much is snack food?

I'm asking because those are generally the first places to cut expenses. Although it hurts to cut out little indulgences, it helps your health in the long run as you're cutting out salt, chemicals, and high fructose corn syrup.

I say this as someone who couldn't afford any of that stuff for a few years and had to make the adjustment. It isn't fun but it is doable.

As for parents, sneaky mothers know how to take a gallon of milk and an empty jug and do half and half instant milk to make up the difference. She also knows to buy the cereals in the bags and pour it into those brand name boxes. Trust me, the kids never catch on. I had a sneaky mother like that in the 50s and I never did.

I'm getting sticker shock, too, and I've found myself making up the difference for other people at the checkout stand now that I'm not poor. At least I still know how to do it if it comes to that again.

Once in a while a cake mix. I cook mostly from scratch to get healthier foods as well as to save money. All of those tips you see to save--I already do them. There are a few indulgences--soy milk instead of cow's milk for the vegan daughter and myself, but it's just for cereal and we drink water with meals.

What I see as the main problem is the cost of produce having shot up so high.

but at my worst, I was living on beans, rice, and root veggies day in and day out with no indulgences at all.

I don't recommend it. It was nutritious but it was boring.

But just a few years ago, two of us would cost between $60 and $80 a week. If you use the $80 figure, prices have gone up 50%, if I remember my math, from $40 to $60.

Buy rice, flour, corn meal, dry beans, peas, etc., in bulk at wholesale restaurant supply house. Grow my own veggies, fruits and berries. Shop every other month or so, stay away from the stores between those carefully planned trips.

Johnny 'Guitar' Watson

Ain't That a Bitch

Eew, Lord have mercy, I can't get ahead, no way I try
Everything is out of pocket, somebody do somethin'
The brother's situation is abstract, listen, mm

Listen
I'm workin' 40 hours, six long days
And I'm highly embarrassed ev'rytime I get my pay
And they're workin' everybody
Lord, they're workin' poor folks to death
And when you pay your rent and your car
Note, you ain't got a damn thing left

Ain't that a bitch - yes it is
Somebody doin' somethin' slick -
It's got me wonderin', which is which
Might as well go uptown and dig a ditch
Ain't that a bitch - yes it is - now ain't that a bitch

But let me tell you about my qualifications
I program computers
I know accounting and psychology
I took a coarse in business
And I can speak a little Japanese -
Got to work two years to get one week off with pay
And when I'm on my job, I better watch every word I say

Ain't that a bitch - ha ha, boy
Somebody doin' somethin' slick - downtown
It's got me wonderin', which is which
Might as well go uptown and dig a ditch
Ain't that a bitch - it's way too cold - ain't that a bitch
Make me wanna holler

Ah Lord, Lord, Lord, have mercy to see
Won't somebody please help me to see now, Lord
I wanna play the guitar, come here guitar
Aw, somebody doin' somethin' slick

Now listen at this
Stopped at the supermarket to get myself somethin' to eat
And when I looked at the prices, it knocked me off of my feet
I was in the baloney section, and I had to take myself a close look
Now Kareem Abdul Jabar couldn't have touched these prices
even with a sky hook

Ain't that a bitch - he he, yes it is
Somebody doin' somethin' slick -
It's got me wonderin', which is which
Might as well go uptown and dig a ditch
Ain't that a bitch - hm - so ain't that a bitch

Oh, ain't that a -------- bitch
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Ain't that a -------- bitch
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, somebody sure is slick

Ain't that a -------- bitch
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, sure is somethin' slick
Ain't that a -------- bitch
Sure is somethin' slick goin' on, somebody sure is slick ...

about two years ago and we also got a small freezer. I only cherry pick sales and have five grocery stores near my house. I plan a run about once a week, trying to match sales with coupons. I usually shave about 40 percent off the regular price doing this.

Our menus are planned around what's been on sale, but since I've been doing this awhile, there's quite a bit from which to chose. I don't eat meat and my husband eats very little. We hardly get any convenience-type foods and I make most baked goods and meals from scratch, making bigger batches and freezing as I go along so we always have something quick to eat in a pinch.

I also started hitting Big Lots. Surprisingly, I've found quite a bit of organic products there for discount prices.

We also had a decent-sized organic garden and I hit the farmer's market once a week. I've canned and frozen quite a bit.

I can't imagine trying to feed a family.

and at nearly $4 a gallon that's a lot of cash. I am rabid about making the kids empty their glasses. We have two 15 year olds.

comparison, you're not doing all that bad - milk-wise.

There was a time mine went through 7 gallons of milk a week, with the rule that at least a cup be left at all times in case I needed to bake something.
I sure would hate to have had to cut back on their milk which helps grow strong bones and teeth.
Even with just two of us now, I shop several times a week to pick up stuff that goes on sale because many times a sale item is limited to 1 purchase, that way I can stock up especially on coffee.

I went to the grocery store a couple of days ago and came home so angry I could barely breathe. The prices of just about everything have skyrocketed. And the items that haven't changed price have changed in size -- they're smaller. There's almost no difference between shopping at Safeway and shopping at Whole Foods. What I have been doing is making more casseroles, which require less meat, and I've been cutting back on things for myself. I got upset with myself the other day when my son asked for more to eat and it crossed my mind to tell him no to save on food. To make matters worse, I'm self-employed and because of the economy, I'm getting less work in. So, I'm making less money, paying more for groceries, but getting less. Am I bitter? Doggone skippy. And if I had a gun I'd cling to it.

price-matching at the WalMart.
Did you know that if you gather up the sales circulars from the other grocers in your vicinity, and take them to Wally, they'll give you the same price on the item?

It can save a bundle; and it saves gas, because you aren't driving around to each store for the deals.

I used to be averse to shopping at the WalMart, but when the price of milk and bread and eggs shot through the roof, I had to re-think things. I have two boys to feed and it really does make a huge difference in my grocery bills.

on a fixed income. Have gotten really good info on the gardening, frugal living, and rural groups here on DU. Also, if you Google: sustainable living, CSA(community sponsored agriculture) you'll get great sites, tips, ways to save etc. Good luck! :hi:

It was a combination of dry weather, being too busy to watch it (daughter's wedding) and not putting in enough compost. I've gotten some veggies at the Farmer's Market to make up for it. I think we'll be expanding the garden's size next year and freezing more stuff for winter. It's getting to be more than just wanting fresh organic vegetables.

Frustrating, isn't it? :hi:

I'm trying to decide what to use to kill it-small thermonuclear device or flamethrower, but I'm leaning toward the flamethrower. I don't want to say it's gotten out of hand, but I'm missing a cat (not) and the dogs are afraid to go out there!:rofl:

Just my husband, myself, and our 22 month old daughter.

Granted, all was "organic." As the budget continues to shrink, it is going to be very hard to go back to "conventionally grown" produce. After the mortgage, food heads the expense list in priority. We haven't been out to a movie in at least a year. Our big take-out dinner is Italian deli sandwiches when I am working too many hours to make dinner: $10.

My 82-year old mom is coming to visit on Sunday. She's taking us out for lunch. Say yes to sushi!

I've been on crutches or a cane for over five weeks. Just took the bike out to go shopping for the first time since my foot injury. Lucky to live in a small, flat city ideal for biking. Looking forward to only fueling up the car every two months.

Beans, rice, pasta, tomato sauce: anything with an extended shelf-life. I'm guessing that the current wave of food-inflation is just the beginning, and that there's likely to be severe inflation and even panic buying over the next year or so. No way to prepare for total chaos, of course, but there's no harm in overstocking the pantry a bit, just in case. My wife has stopped looking at me like I'm a complete looney, now that the much-predicted banking crisis appears to be coming to pass.

because right now we have something like 15% real inflation
( we all know the gov't figures are fudged heavily)
and as the economy tanks , the dollar sinks, loses purchasing power.
So the recommendation was, if you can afford it, to buy staples, canned stuff,
pick up extra on sale stuff, in short, fill the pantry and freezer and don't forget the toilet paper.
And stock up on stuff for non-power days.

What you don't use, you can barter.

what I do is plan a menu for 3 meals a day for the next week, only buy the ingredients for those 3 meals, then plan for 2 snacks for each a day, milk, bread..then go to the store and only buy those things. My bill is usually around 120.00 a week, but I buy fresh fruits for my snacks. It sucks, I remember when the kids were small we bought 100.00 a week in groceries, but it was a heaping cart full, ribeye steaks, name brand soft drinks, nothing generic brand, I didn't price shop at all during those days. Steaks? They are but a distant memory.

Now I often spend $180. A bag of just 3 or 4 pears is $4, a 1/2 gallon of organic milk is $4, a chunk of cheese is $5, a loaf of decent whole wheat bread is $3.99, or $2.99 for a small one. I will buy the occasional frozen pizza and frozen bagels, ice cream rarely. We're mostly vegetarian and like to eat wholesomely. I have two kids. I do NOT buy prepared or convenience food as other posters have suggested is the problem. It's the basics, and fresh and organic food that is so pricey.

We can still afford it, hence the organic stuff. But it REALLY has gone up.

when I can.
I have a fixed income too. I spend 100 bucks on food.

It is the last week of the month and the cupboards are nearly bare again.I got some frozen veggies left and a bit of pasta and two cans of tuna.Costco was selling the veggies at a do-able price.Seems like the bags are smaller than they used to be tho.
I hope I can make it food wise until October,
I hope I can get money out of my bank in October too.

husband abandoned her and the three children she has been on food stamps. I buy her diapers and other stuff stamps will not buy. Sixteen years and he decided he didn't want to be married anymore. Thank heavens she can get food stamps. I nearly faint when I get through at the checkout line.

let the ex leave, he doesn't know how good he had it. God Bless you and I don't use that term lightly. Jeez, I wonder how my son does it as a single father with two kids, 8 and 13.

for dinner at least two times a week.

I make my own pizza at least once a week--which only takes flour, yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil, some canned sauce and some shredded mozzarella. And a mushroom or veggie or two if we have some around.

Easy pizza recipe: take one cup flour (bread flour or otherwise), a tsp. dry yeast (I buy it by the jar) , half cup lukewarm water (105 degrees), a T. of olive oil, a tsp. sugar (to feed the yeast) and a little salt. Mix it all up with a wooden spoon, and leave in the bowl to rise for at least ten minutes. (You really don't have to knead pizza dough.) Then spread it out on an oiled pizza pan with your fingers. Top with about 1/2 to 2/3 cup pizza sauce, and about two cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Add toppings like mushrooms or tomatoes or garlic or whatever you like. Bake in a hot oven, 425 degrees for 15 min. or so, until browned and bubbly.

Optional toppings: garlic, onion, tomato, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, pineapple, etc.

This makes one thin-crust pizza in a 12-inch pan. If you want a thick crust, double the dough recipe and extend the baking time accordingly.

n/t

:rofl: :spray: