Groceries cost TOO MUCH!

**JanieD** · 09-12-2008, 04:34 PM

Anyone want to compare, share or just complain about grocery prices? Honestly, the constant price increases are getting to me! And I want to VENT!

I am working on stockpiling sale items, but haven't really built up a reserve yet. I coupon some & work the CVS deals when I can. Feels like I'm on the right track with the tips I find here, but the prices are just jumping so fast.

Examples of what's costing/increasing/bugging me today:
Friskies cat food 3lb $4.28, was $3.58 a little over a month ago. I buy the small bag since kitty gets tired of it as we finish the bag. She is have health problems, so I'm spoiling/indulging her.

Kraft cheese slices 12oz (16 slice) $2.86, was $2.38 last week.

Green Giant veggie .86 a can, was .68 last month. We prefer this brand, but I'll pick up more Stokleys for 2/$1 instead. I do like my name brands, but we're trying store brands for certain items.

Starkist tuna in water small can .89 on sale Saturday. I thought that was too much until I looked at Walmart today. It was .96 there!

Orange juice is anywhere from $2.50 if on sale to $3.89.

12 pack can sodas on sale from $2.40 & up. Haven't paid over $3.50 a case. This may change soon!

How are you feeling about grocery prices today?

**i.m.cheap** · 09-12-2008, 04:36 PM

Oh, don't get me started! It is increasingly hard to contain the grocery budget.

**chevy_chick95** · 09-12-2008, 04:53 PM

ya know i had our food budget down to $80 for two adults and a dog and cat with coupons and rebates and such... and with prices they way they are its up to over $100 now.. it gets so tiring.

**tomishco** · 09-12-2008, 04:58 PM

I try so hard to keep it under $100 for everything including cleaning supplies, 2 adults, 2 teens (plus when their friends come over!), 2 cats and a dog. I use coupons, but only when it's a better deal than store-brand. I stock-up, etc. I swear I just can't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!
DH makes me so mad when he looks in the checkbook every Thursday night and comments on the amount I spent like I don't even TRY to be frugal.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-12-2008, 04:58 PM

Things seem to have stabilized here for the most part. Though, it's more expensive than ever. We're trying to shift back to scratch cooking...and we're concentrating on eat from our stockpile.

I wish produce didn't cost so much...

Have you considered a membership to Costco or Sam's? We get tuna there and it's around 70 cents/can. Comes in a 16 pack...

**JanieD** · 09-12-2008, 05:09 PM

I may need to rethink my entire grocery list soon!

**Marie78** · 09-12-2008, 05:24 PM

Our grocery list is no frills: veggies, fruit, bread, milk, cheese, eggs, meat, cat food, some HBA (as needed), beans, pasta, some canned goods, and that's about it. We still end up averaging $80 a week for 2 adults and 2 cats. We had been down to $55-$60 a week before the price increases this last year. It feels like a slap in the face each week we shop. We only shop one day a week and rarely run out for extras, unless it's an essential ingredient for a meal I'm making. It's about a $80 increase for us each month and I fear it will only get worse. I have tried cutting down my portion sizes to help stretch my meals longer, you would think it would make a difference, but instead it just allows us to hover at $80 a week instead of going over.

**brennasmom** · 09-12-2008, 05:29 PM

Feeling it here too. Doing the best I can by shopping sales (multiple grocery stores if necessary), working the walgreens and rite aid deals as much as I can. I have noticed our grocery fliers are dismal lately. It's like nothing is on sale almost! Especially fruit & fresh veggies which my kiddos LOVE. It is a weekly struggle.

Hopefully things will ease up for us all soon.

**DonnainME** · 09-12-2008, 05:45 PM

I agree it is getting very expensive to feed our families. We spent $250 or so today. BUT we got TONS of things (thanks to coupons and a $5 off $50 at Hannaford coupon). We went into Hannaford 2 times - using one of the coupons each time. We also went to Walmart and Save A Lot. We have 19 meat meals and lots of side dish and snack things. We did stock up on quite a few things also. We are only going to shop the sales for the next 4 weeks.

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 09-12-2008, 06:22 PM

Yes, it's bad here as well. Thankfully we have a great stockpile . When I do find a great deal, I buy a lot in case it goes up some more.
The prices will get better eventually, but right now they are a pain.

But you know I look at peoples carts and I'm amazed. It sure doesn't seem to matter to some people. I see so much junk food and conveinance foods in carts - it scares me. I buy very little in snacks and NO conveinance foods. Our garden has helped a lot. I can and freeze all I can. Been making jellies, salsa, spaghetti sauce, you name it.
Keep your chins up - it will get better SOMEDAY!

**Moor** · 09-12-2008, 06:38 PM

I have noticed a big increase in my grocery bill. Since school started!
I buy things for the kids to take to school. I don't buy junk.
If they want cookies or something, then I make them.
But last Friday, I went to the store. My bill was $78.00.
That was for:
bread
mayo
eggs
milk
lunchmeat
chips/one bag
cheese crackers
popcorn shrimp
french fries
tater tots
tuna
chicken noodle soup
tomato soup
one package of sliced cheese
a bag of pinto beans
a bag of great northern beans
two boxes of jiffy corn bread mix
a stouffer's lasagne
juice boxes for the girls to take to school
lunches for my dh to take for a week
four pizza's / come two in a pack for 3.59

These items were all bought at Save a Lot.

**cissylu** · 09-12-2008, 06:44 PM

I`ve noticed things going up.It is scary.

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 09-12-2008, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by JanieD

Anyone want to compare, share or just complain about grocery prices? Honestly, the constant price increases are getting to me! And I want to VENT!

I am working on stockpiling sale items, but haven't really built up a reserve yet. I coupon some & work the CVS deals when I can. Feels like I'm on the right track with the tips I find here, but the prices are just jumping so fast.

Examples of what's costing/increasing/bugging me today:
Friskies cat food 3lb $4.28, was $3.58 a little over a month ago. I buy the small bag since kitty gets tired of it as we finish the bag. She is have health problems, so I'm spoiling/indulging her.

Kraft cheese slices 12oz (16 slice) $2.86, was $2.38 last week.

Green Giant veggie .86 a can, was .68 last month. We prefer this brand, but I'll pick up more Stokleys for 2/$1 instead. I do like my name brands, but we're trying store brands for certain items.

Starkist tuna in water small can .89 on sale Saturday. I thought that was too much until I looked at Walmart today. It was .96 there!

Orange juice is anywhere from $2.50 if on sale to $3.89.

12 pack can sodas on sale from $2.40 & up. Haven't paid over $3.50 a case. This may change soon!

How are you feeling about grocery prices today?

I know it's too late now, but last month the All You magazine at Wal-Mart had coupons for free cheese slices, free wheat thins, free crystal light, free salad dressing, and free hot dogs when you buy any 3 kraft products. Kool aide was on sale super cheap and I ended up with over $200 worth of stuff for I think 4 bucks (kool aide was on sale .05 a packet and I had coupons to get some of it free!)

**Mom23boys** · 09-12-2008, 07:10 PM

I agree - grocery costs have gone up and I can't wait until they stabalize so I can actually plan a budget that works!:pullhair:

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 09-12-2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Luv2BeFrugal

Things seem to have stabilized here for the most part. Though, it's more expensive than ever. We're trying to shift back to scratch cooking...and we're concentrating on eat from our stockpile.

I wish produce didn't cost so much...

Have you considered a membership to Costco or Sam's? We get tuna there and it's around 70 cents/can. Comes in a 16 pack...

I buy the Wal-Mart brand tuna and it's still the same price, but the size went down an ounce! The thing that irks me is the price of flour- it's doubled in the last year. At the grocery store though, the price of milk has gone over a dollar a gallon