I eagerly look forward to the destruction of the United States and the chaos that will fill in the vacuum. I agree with everything else you said surprisingly.
I must admit that my average grocery bill seems to have gone down vs. last year, and we eat basically the same stuff. If nothing else, I’ve gone healthier for lunch/breakfast stuff.
I’m not sure. I’ve improved at using coupons and gathering them within a shorter amount of time, I also buy a month’s worth of anything that goes on a good sale. For example, my son likes to drink Vitamin Water (and it is SLIGHTLY better for him than garbage Juicy Juice) so when it went for $0.50/bottle at Kroger’s two weeks ago, I bought 100 of them.
The availability of coupons tends to very. Couponsuzy.com and coupons.com have both treated me fairly well, and it’s probably $0.10/page for you to print at the local library, but for $1.00 off something, that’s still worth it.
I have noticed that the price of everyday goods such as bread, milk and eggs has gone up, I’ll give you that. I have also noticed, however, that items such as cheese and vegetables have stayed about the same while anything Health/Beauty Care (except the untouchable name brands) has gone done.
For example, I haven’t paid for deoderant or toothpaste (except kids’ toothpaste) in three years, and I use both everyday. I remember I bought five sticks of Sure Deoderant with some coupons I found, it was on sale, and after the coupons I ended up getting $1.00 SUBTRACTED from my grocery bill for the deoderant.
I don’t know if you have ever watched Extreme Couponing, I’m not that good because I don’t have 20 hours/week for that shit (there is some value on my time, after all), but I would say I average 20-25% off of every grocery bill with coupons.
Food prices are rediculously high here too, but you can buy cheaper supermarket own-brands, and their even cheaper value range, which is rediculously cheap - surely you have those lines in the U.S.?
If you buy basic ingredients , you will save over buying boxed and pre-made convenience foods.
Getting eggs, milk, flour, sugar and making your own pancakes is cheaper that buying a box of pancake mix.
I am a checker in a major supermarket chain. There are some tricks.
First pay attention to ads. Often times stores will advertise two for one specials,
lately around here it has been chicken, and buy two for one and freeze the chicken
you don’t use. We often get cans of chef boyardee ravioli or spaghetti, ten cans for ten bucks,
buy twenty and store them. Walk the store and look closely at the tags, look for two for one or
even buy two get one free, lately that been coke twelve packs. Get bulk items as they are cheaper,
go to Costco or sams. buy the multiple packed things like olive oil and mustard or mayo or tuna fish.
I rarely shop at my own store unless there are some big savings
next, grocery store are very much penny savers. They are penny smart and dollar foolish
because the management of grocery chains are usually pretty bad and they are more
into getting their bonuses then actually saving you any money. Our CEO makes millions in salary and
bonuses and he couldn’t care less about anything else.
And yes prices have gone out of hand, mostly because of gas prices. Everything we sell either directly
or indirectly is influenced by the cost of gasoline. want a culprit for high prices, gasoline is the winner.
Venezuela is partially responsible for the gas prices. What with crazy petro-monarchs all over the world playing the crazy cat lady, speculation has driven the prices higher than they would be under boring governments.
My daughter and granddaughter get a monthly allotment of food stamps or EBT, while she is a full-time student.
She gets $365.00 per month and does extremely well with making that last. She mooches the Sunday paper from a neighbor (or me)
and clips coupons…also shops the sales. She buys little if any convenience food and makes all meals from scratch. Buying cheaper cuts of meat and
uses a crock pot to tenderize with low slow heat creating great hearty meals… she usually buys larger packages of meats and breaks them down to freeze.
A London Broil can be cooked and eaten for one meal with potatoes and a simple salad, then the leftovers diced and used with fresh veggies wrapped in a tortilla. Add some sour cream…yum!
A ham with bone in, can make a wonderful first meal of slices with sweet potatoes, pineapple and a green veggie. The leftovers can be cubed and mixed with some frozen mixed veggies and a can of creamed soup to pour over noodles. Lastly, the ham bone can be cooked as a soup with beans, carrots, onions etc… served with some crusty bread.
Fresh fish tends to be expensive but catfish is usually always cheap. Seasoned and crumb coated, it’s great!
A whole chicken can give you three meals too! Seasoned and roasted served with homemade gravy the first day. Cubed cold chicken for a chicken salad or sandwich…then boil the bones and leftovers for soup or stock.
I’ve seen beans and rice mentioned here…cheap high quality protein that can easily be “jazzed” up with the right seasoning and veggies. Learn how to make a Mirepoix which is like the holy trinity of many recipes. It’s sauteed onion, celery and carrots and add a big blast of flavor to soooo many dishes! Add a mirepoix to black beans and rice, season with some worcestershire sauce and add fresh cilantro…great wrapped in a tortilla or as a main or side dish.
Always use real butter (expensive luxury, yes, but…the best flavor and more healthy than substitutes) and buy large containers of yogurt and cooking oil (canola or olive oil are best).
Creative use of leftovers is a must!! Go to the library and pick out a few cookbooks that focus on how to creatively cook on a budget. Make sure they have lots of photos and easy directions for inspiration without intimidation!
If you crave sugared drinks…brew your own iced tea, add lemon and sweeten with sugar yourself…don’t waste money on soft drinks!!!
Check out the “dollar store” for jams, sauces, soaps, toothpaste etc… Many take EBT, but not for toiletries.
One last bit of advice, for the future…invest in cloth diapers!! You can actually buy them used on ebay. Also, encourage Harley to breastfeed. Both are better for the baby as well as economical.
Put in a little effort to learn these “survival” skills and even when you are rolling in the money you’ll be the little old man who says, “how do you think I got so rich”? Learning how to make each dollar “HOLLA”! LOL!