How to deal with rising food prices

I’m sure I’m not the only who has noticed that food prices continue to rise. What used to be the full retail price of an item is now considered the sale price. Not only that, but food packages are also shrinking. Many of us are on a tight budget so putting more money into our food budget is simply not an option. So today I’m going to share with you some tips to help you deal with rising food prices.

How to deal with rising food prices

1. Spend less.

As prices continue to rise, find ways to cut back on your food expenses. You can do this by using coupons, shopping from your own pantry and using similar ingredients for various meals. I also find that stocking up during grocery sale cycles is a great way to save on food. Set a savings goal each month and stick to it. For example, start off by aiming to spend $10 less each week in groceries. Once you get the hang of it, aim for a larger number until you reach your goal.

2. Eat leftovers.

I make an attempt to only cook what we’ll eat so that we don’t waste any food. However, if we do have any food leftover my husband will take it to work for lunch. You could also make a new meal out of your leftovers. Leftover meat can be used for sandwiches, pasta dishes or even breakfast. Frugality Gal has some great tips on how to reinvent your leftovers.

3. Shop farmers’ markets.

Shopping at a farmer’s market is a great way to save money on food. Most markets will have several vendors so shop around and compare prices. Negotiate with the vendor if you know you’ll be purchasing a lot of from them. Buy produce when it’s in season because the prices tend to be lower. Also try shopping at the end of the day when most vendors will reduce prices in order to sell what’s left.

4. Plant a garden.

Planting a garden is a great way to save money on fruits, vegetables and herbs. Make sure you only plant what you’ll eat and use. Purchase seeds when they’re on sale or have a friend that gardens save you some seeds. Research what you plan on growing so you know when to plant it, how to take care of it and how much water it needs. Not only will you save money, but this is also a great way to involve the family and get some fresh food in the process.

5. Eat whole foods.

Most people believe that buying whole foods is expensive, but the reality is that processed foods tends to cost more because you’re paying for fillers and packaging. Pick out your own produce and try to not to purchase produce that has already been packaged, it will cost you more for the convenience. Also make sure you only purchase what you’ll use. Fresh produce has a shorter shelf life so don’t buy large quantities if you know you won’t use it all before it goes bad. The Budget Mama has written a great post on how clean eating has saved her grocery budget.

So what are you doing to help offset the rising cost of food? Please share your tips below!

Looking for more money saving tips? Check out the following: