How to recession-proof your grocery budget: do’s and don’ts

Grocery bills are straining wallets across the country and it s no wonder Food costs are predicted to rise in according to the U S Department of Agriculture Related Articles New apartments at edge of Lakewood s Belmar Park win planning OK after long-running dispute Analysis says time that average Xcel Resource customer lost power doubled in Average rate on a US -year mortgage holds steady at not far from highest levels this year Denver coffee roasters brace for higher costs as tariffs take effect Trump agrees to cut tariffs on UK autos steel and aluminum in a planned contract deal with Britain If you re concerned you re not alone Tariffs and rising prices were among the concerns referenced in the Conference Board s latest Consumer Confidence Index account which aims to measure how U S consumers feel about the commercial sector The index fell points in April to the lowest it s been since the onset of the pandemic Separately the Conference Board a nonprofit economic research group noted that the number of consumers expecting a recession in the next months has hit a two-year high You can t control the market but you can control how much you spend on groceries A sparse changes can help you ride out price fluctuations and keep meals thought-provoking and healthy Do Be deliberate when you buy in bulk You might be tempted to start stocking up but buying in bulk can backfire if you end up with more than you need The best way to save money is not to waste food says Phil Lempert a food marketing expert and the face behind Supermarketguru com Lempert recommends taking inventory and making a list Look at what s in your cupboards in your freezer and your refrigerator he says Don t overbuy If you want to make the the bulk of your membership to a store that sells in bulk purchase things that won t expire such as cleaning products and personal care items As for food shelf-stable items can also be a good bet Rice beans pasta oats and flour are filling and the foundation for plenty of meals Consider how you store food too Reusing glass jars from pasta sauce or jam and investing in a vacuum sealer can help you keep food longer Don t Skip farmers markets and farm stands Where you live how a large number of people are in your home and your dietary restrictions can shape your grocery bill This is where local farmers markets and farm stands can be helpful It might be tempting to write them off as too expensive or artisanal but that s not invariably the affair Buying local produce at farmers markets and farm stands offers the chance to eat seasonally which will be key in the coming months Lempert predicts grocery chains might start carrying a smaller assortment of products in response to tariffs but he doesn t see that as a bad thing We re just going to be buying things that are in season he says They re going to be tastier they re going to be less expensive and they re going to have more nutrients Those foods are also likely to last longer than what you would buy at the grocery store At the farmers region there s no middleman and the transportation time from the farm to your table is shorter If buying organic is key to you farmers markets may help make those purchases more affordable says Kamila Elliott an Atlanta-based certified financial planner Tapping into your group can lead to personal relationships and the ability to negotiate Multiple markets also accept EBT and SNAP benefits that can provide more value than grocery chains Do Store-hop to find the best deals Making one extra stop can save you more than you think People are shopping around Lempert says People are now willing to go to Aldi Grocery Outlet to Smart and Final and other stores in order to save money These discounted grocers pass on savings to consumers through generic brands and lower overhead costs But there can be downsides limited stock and selected don t accept manufacturer s coupons To stretch your grocery budget make multiple stops at a mix of discount and traditional retailers to take advantage of deals and discounts Check out weekly flyers and coupons you can use Plan your way to shop strategically and save gas money Don t Assume fresh is dependably better The idea that fresh food is invariably healthier than frozen food can lead to overspending The reality is that frozen food which is typically less expensive can be just as nutritious Frozen produce is picked at its peak and flash-frozen to retain the nutrients Cost savings also apply to several frozen meats For example Lempert says that buying frozen fish can cost about less than fresh Replacing out-of-season fresh produce and particular meats with their frozen counterparts is an easy way to save money and you re not racing against an expiration date More techniques to save on groceries in any financial sector Take inventory and plan your meals Taking stock of what s already in your pantry and freezer can save you big and prevent unnecessary purchases Make a list and stick to it Shopping without a sense of purpose can lead to overspending impulse purchases and lots of ingredients but no coherent meals Use a grocery list app so you ll have the list at your fingertips Leave your emotions at the door Check in with yourself before you shop If you re already tight on your budget and you go hungry stressed or rushed then majority likely it s a given you re going to go over your budget says Elaine King a Miami-based CFP Budget for treats When times get tough it s hard to cut out all the fun King suggests using the rule of our grocery budget should go toward nutritious foods leaving to spend on treats or things you look forward to eating Don t downplay leftovers Saving your leftovers or doubling a recipe and storing the second batch in the freezer for later are great procedures to save time and money You ll have a meal ready for a day when schedules are tight or you re tempted to spend money on takeout More From NerdWallet What Kindergartners Should Know About Money In Tight Times Tap Your Library for Money-Saving Guidance Required on Reddit How Should I Trim My Monthly Budget Amanda Barroso writes for NerdWallet Email abarroso nerdwallet com The article How to Recession-Proof Your Grocery Budget Do s and Don ts originally appeared on NerdWallet