Everyone is feeling the price-pinch at the grocery store these days and trying to keep food on the table at a reasonable price is like going to war. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to decrease our dollars spent on food. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Before making that trip to the store, create a list of items you’ll need and use it. Download your store’s mobile app to review up-to-the-minute information on sales and special savings and sign up for your supermarket’s loyalty program. Remember to use any rebate and coupon apps too. Rakuten, Honey, Ibotta, and Coupons.com are all excellent examples of great apps you can use to save dollars.

Once in the store, stick to your list for everyday shopping. Avoid canned, frozen, prepared, and processed items when stocking up. Instead, look for fresh fruits, vegetables, and in-season produce to freeze or put back yourself. Buy the family size for fish, poultry, meats, and other raw items. Most shoppers are amazed at their savings when freezing individualized portions.

Eggs are an example of a raw grocery item to be purchased in bulk and frozen. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eggs had the highest food price increase from May 2021 to May 2022 at 32.2 percent. Packed with protein and used for cooking and baking, eggs are almost a necessity in most households. But there is hope!

Removed from their shells, you can keep raw eggs in the freezer for up to 12 months. Whisk them together until yolks and whites are combined, then freeze them. Scramble, bake, or otherwise cook eggs and keep frozen for up to 2 to 3 months. My favorite frozen omelet contains fresh spinach and cheese, but you can add tomatoes, bits of sausage, bacon, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and other goodies too.

Fruits and vegetables have also seen incredibly high price increases, although some bargains can still be found. Apples, onions, and carrots are actually down in price for the year, as are certain items in the organic section. You could also find a farmer and buy in bulk at reduced rates, but all things considered, the healthiest and overall most frugal way of shopping is still from your own home-grown garden. That will always be where you find the tastiest bargains and deals.  

This article first appeared in the Traveler Weekly Newspaper August, 2022