Gina Zakaria, a mother of two and resident of Los Angeles, considers herself a savvy shopper.
As someone who has been making content about frugal living with her social media since 2017, she has become an expert at finding deals at the supermarket, but as prices have continued to rise climb up In recent years, even she has felt a pinch when shopping.
“I always look for sales,” she says, “but I feel the difference in my total.”
Prices in supermarkets across the country have increased by 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels, data from Bureau of Labor Statistics show. Looking at rising prices in supermarket checkout lines, many Americans are feeling the impact. In recent years, 80% of Americans say they have felt a noticeable increase in the cost of groceries — and more than a quarter said they have occasionally skipped meals as a result of rising costs, according to a study conducted by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuitive Credit Karma.
“As prices continue to rise, people may be afraid to go shopping, which leads them to eat out more or not at all. [making] the best decisions when it comes to cooking,” says Will Coleman, chef and content creator who shares tips for saving money on grocery shopping. your Instagram. Last USDA data 2022 shows that Americans spent an average of 11% of their discretionary income on meals both at home and at restaurants – the highest percentage since 1991. “With prices rising, there must be more resources and knowledge to be shared about shopping and cooking. [more accessible],” Coleman notes.
TIME spoke to experts about why groceries are so expensive and ways to keep costs down while you shop.
Why are groceries so expensive now?
The increase in prices can be attributed to the The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused major supply chain disruptions and worker shortages, says Ronald Hill, professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business. “It blew up the supply chain,” he says.
Global conflicts – including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East – have also contributed to rising prices. “We had grain passing through Eastern Europe and that became a problem,” he says. “Gasoline came from the Middle East and that became a powder keg.”
How much does the average American spend on groceries?
Americans spend an average of $550 a month on groceries, Hill says, citing data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, food prices will likely vary greatly depending on family size. “If you’re an individual who works and spends $500 a month on groceries, it’s easier than for families who may struggle more… to keep your family moving forward,” says Hill.
The data supports this. A Help Counselor study found that families with children spend 41% more than families without children.
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Will supermarket prices fall?
Hill says it’s a challenge to get food prices to come down after an increase. “When prices go up, companies are reluctant to lower them,” says Hill. “And consumers acclimatize to those levels.”
But there is some hope. The recent Consumer Price Index Report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday, showed that food prices have not increased since January. Major retailers have also recently announced their intention to cut prices as Americans struggle to manage high costs. In May, Walmart announced which planned to reduce prices on more than 7,000 items. Soon after, Albus he said that would reduce the prices of more than 5,000 common goods, including milk, meat, bread, fruits and vegetables, and household items like paper towels and diapers.
What is a reasonable budget for grocery shopping?
Grocery prices can be different depending on where you live — Californians and Nevadans tend to spend more on groceries, while Midwestern states report lower costs, according to the Help Counselor to study. A study of Boost search found that while most shoppers would spend an average of $174 per trip to the grocery store in 2024, the number fluctuates greatly depending on the number of mouths to feed: a single person can expect to pay about $131 per trip, while a family Five people could face a $262 bill.
Zakaria recommends spending an average of $125 to $130 per person, per month – including for children. That amount is up from the $100 budget she recommended last summer — and doesn’t include household items like detergent or toilet paper. “I discovered this [prices at] in the supermarket they are about 20 to 25% higher than they used to be,” she says.
How do you stick to that budget?
“Always look in your pantry first,” recommends Theresa Gentile, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. To avoid unnecessary waste, experts recommend following the “first in, first out” rule by keeping items closest to their expiration date at the front of your pantry, where you’re most likely to see and use them.
Having a game plan when heading to the grocery store can also help you keep costs down. Coleman created a 6-to-1 method to help people stay on track at the grocery store, instructing customers to buy six vegetables, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces and one fun item.
Coleman suggests staying away from processed items. “It’s a lot more expensive and you can’t use it beyond that one meal,” he says.
Instead, focus your meals on items that are in season, which tend to be cheaper than those that aren’t. Coleman recommends purchasing items that can “stretch out over the week” and be used in several different recipes. “It’s a gift that keeps on giving.”
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What is the best day to buy groceries?
Experts say the best day to buy groceries may depend on local supermarkets — some have sales cycles that start and end on certain days of the week.
Zakaria says most sales cycles tend to start on Wednesdays and end on Tuesdays, and suggests scheduling your shopping trip around the sale. “I would definitely go for the middle of the sale just because people tend to flood the store at the beginning and end of a sale if it’s a really great deal.”
“It’s good to have a contact with the store manager,” says Coleman, who says they can keep you updated on the best sales days or latest food shipments. For the freshest produce, Coleman suggests shopping early in the week, within the first three hours the store is open.
Is it cheaper to shop once a week?
While some people may extend their shopping trips to once every two weeks – or even once a month – shopping once a week is an achievable goal. Stretching out the process can quickly lead to overspending.
“Going out frequently can lead to an increase in impulse purchases. “You can say, ‘I just need milk,’ and then walk away with $30 worth of stuff, because [you think] ‘I can carry other things too,’” says Gentile.
Zakaria also says that — contrary to popular belief — it’s better to shop when time is tight rather than when you’re killing time.
“It’s a perfect time because you’re not just going to walk around and see different things,” she says, noting that it’s a habit that can quickly lead to spending too much. “You’re going to get the things you need and leave.”
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When is it best to buy in bulk?
Some items may be cheaper to buy in bulk, so it’s helpful to keep an eye on an item’s unit price to know if you’re getting a good deal. The unit price of an item, usually located in the corner of the label, tells you the cost per weight.
“[Looking at the item’s unit price] will help you compare prices between warehouses and regular stores,” says Zakaria.
How much do expiration dates matter?
Expiration dates typically refer to quality, not safety, according to the USDA. Many food products are safe to consume after the labeled expiration date, but you should always inspect the quality of the food before consuming.
What cheap food lasts the longest?
“Canned foods can sometimes get a bad image,” says Gentile, but canned fruits and vegetables are often picked at their peak, making them tastier than fresh options at a fraction of the price. Foods like lentils, beans, rice, pasta, and potatoes are also affordable, pantry-stable solutions.
And don’t be afraid to use your freezer. Gentile says anything from herbs to breadcrumbs to extra fruit can be frozen to reduce waste—and be an easy addition to a future meal. “It takes a few minutes on the front end to do this, but it is very beneficial [the next time] you’re cooking,” she says.
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How does SNAP work and who qualifies?
Although income requirements vary by state, families typically qualify for SNAP benefits if your total income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty line and if your net income after deductions is at or below the federal poverty line. Families must also have assets below a certain threshold. To apply for SNAP benefits, visit your state’s SNAP office and provide income information as needed.
“Once an application is approved, the person or family receives an EBT card, which is basically like a debit card loaded with the family’s SNAP benefits each month, and those benefits are essentially almost like money that can be spent in food at most supermarkets, grocery stores or other food retailers,” Erica Kenney, assistant professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told TIME in an email. SNAP benefits can only be spent on food – hot foods and grocery items like diapers, toiletries and paper products are not covered.
However, the strict eligibility requirements for SNAP mean that many families facing food insecurity are not eligible to receive help. “However, there are some people who do not qualify for SNAP even if they meet these income levels: most students who attend college more than part-time; immigrants who have been in the US for less than five years; and undocumented immigrants,” says Kenney. “Some states have chosen to increase the gross income limit…or relax some of the asset limits, in recognition of the fact that many families whose incomes are just above the poverty line still struggle with food insecurity.”
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
