Submitted by Old Onions
What we can do to help ourselves …
Let’s face it food prices are not coming down anytime soon. Nor will certain promises that were made about “Priorities” some four and a half years ago, will be materializing, given that six months is all that’s left for scope.
So what can we do for ourselves to stave off the Dollar Monster living in the supermarket who seems hell bent on gobbling up the remainder of our savings, or sending us away with nothing much in hand? Times are not easy internationally this we know only too well.
With food prices rising, many of us (especially women) have already become well versed in the art of trimming our food budgets. In some instances, we have simply sacrificed on the quality and/or quantity of food eaten. In the face of inflation, many families may have no other recourse.
However, there are ways of getting around the price squeeze at the supermarket. One obvious way to soften the blow of family food prices is to buy in bulk, in larger size packages. A smart shopper who stocks up on economy sizes will save more than just food money. He or she may eliminate some of those time-and gas-consuming trips to the local grocery store.
Significant savings can also be achieved by avoiding prepackaged meals or gourmet items. Much of their price represents the cost of somebody else’s labor. Potatoes, for instance, offer an excellent example of the savings a nonprocessed diet brings. In their natural state, potatoes sell for a few cents a pound. Yet they may cost many times that as potato chips or crisps.
Natural grains often quadruple in cost when transformed into boxed cereals. And block cheese is another prominent food item that sells much more cheaply than its sliced counterpart. And nonprocessed food — vegetables, fruits, meats, milk and grains — are not only usually cheaper, but provide a healthier diet as well. In this regard, you might consider starting a backyard garden. For the price of a few seeds, and a little effort, you can enjoy the pleasures and financial rewards of homegrown produce.
Perhaps the biggest food savings families can achieve will come through home cooking. Restaurant dining, even in more modest establishments, is an expensive proposition. When families dine out, they in effect are paying a heavy premium to have somebody else prepare their meals.
Efficient meal planning can also be a boon to the family food budget. Leftovers can be tastefully used in casseroles, soups or stews. And on weekends, you might try serving two meals a day instead of three. This might be especially convenient for the family that rises late on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Though most of this surely you have heard umpty times already….for those who the time is right..implementation may save you a berry, that you may need for that near empty gasoline tank.
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