In the 10 days prices have jumped up on

[Nana2two]

Gas was $2.20 now $2.89
Shortning was $1.99 now $3.49 (aldis)
Grapes $1.99 pound now $3,79 pound
Trashbags same kind was $ 7.99 100 count now $10.99
In the last 2 months at least 20 items i normally buy has gone up between. .30 cents to over $3.00

I understand the gas price for the trucks to get the food and supplies to us, but gosh.

[hotprincesscm]

Yes but the gas prices arn't as high as they were a year ago, so there really is no need for prices to jump that much, I can understand a few cents here and there, but for things to jump $3 in price, is ridiculous! Wow! I'll have to look at things the next time I go shopping!

[gapeach]

I've noticed the prices going up here in Atlanta. Gas went up about 15 cents in 2 days

[Grainlady]

Sad, but true. And while prices go up, everything is getting smaller. I was thrilled when I got a dozen eggs free yesterday when I got groceries.

Grapes were on sale - $1.77/lb. I freeze what we don't eat fresh in FoodSaver bags (quick-freeze them before vacuum-sealing). I made out very well in the produce department yesterday. Not only were strawberries and tomatoes (on the vine) on sale, I also had store coupons for them to stack savings. I got a nice cantaloupe for .99. I didn't find any meat "deals" this week that I wanted to take advantage of, but that's what the freezer is for, so we'll be eating meat from the freezer this week.

I'm going through my inventory and deciding how to spend $200 I've saved in my grocery budget. I believe a sustained excelleration of consumer food prices seems likely, due to the economy, so now is the time to make sure I have a fully-stocked amount of the Seven Survival Foods:

1. Grains
2. Legumes
3. Sprouting Seeds
4. Honey (and other sweeteners of choice)
5. Salt
6. Oil (that's coconut oil for me)
7. Powdered Milk (that's a whey-based milk substitute for me)

I'll probably be purchasing more wheat and more whey-based milk substitute.

[redmaples]

we have seedless grapes on sale here for 1.38#

Grainlady--do you thaw them to eat or eat frozen, how do you use frozen grapes? another question for you is how do you store honey? I bought a quart several weeks ago, but it has crystallized before it is half gone.

If, as you've said above we are going to see an acceleration of food prices it sure seems like a good idea to spend $ on the things that are dropping in price here lately.

some of the things that surprised me in lower prices this week...

store brand coffee...big can...$4.87

butter...1#...........1.49

bread is getting higher, but we have bogo prices this week on Arnolds
& we have an empty space in the freezer from a turkey I cooked over the weekend.

I'm working harder to have fresh produce from the garden this year!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I figured that gas would go up because oil was trading at $65 the other day. My grocery bill's been a bit higher but I think that's due to changing it around for the kids.

[rowdy35]

wow, i am trying to use up my freezer food right now so don't need to shop much but this is horrible news *sigh*

[lovestoread]

Our gas in IN is now at $2.89..... we always have higher gas here....Our aldi's shortning was also 3.49.....now they are saying gas will go to $95 a barrel.....They were PROMISING that gas wouldn't go over $3/gal but I will not be surprised if that is WAY WRONG.....

[scooby8themall]

our gas prices are 2.71 went up from 2.39 to the 2.71 in 2 weeks .Meat prices are horrible no need of it .I've been stocking up since last spring and I use a lot of coupons ,the coupons really help to cut down the bill.Have to be right on top of things with the prices the way they are.

[Grainlady]

we have seedless grapes on sale here for 1.38#

Grainlady--do you thaw them to eat or eat frozen, how do you use frozen grapes? another question for you is how do you store honey? I bought a quart several weeks ago, but it has crystallized before it is half gone.

If, as you've said above we are going to see an acceleration of food prices it sure seems like a good idea to spend $ on the things that are dropping in price here lately.

some of the things that surprised me in lower prices this week...

store brand coffee...big can...$4.87

butter...1#...........1.49

bread is getting higher, but we have bogo prices this week on Arnolds
& we have an empty space in the freezer from a turkey I cooked over the weekend.

I'm working harder to have fresh produce from the garden this year!

We eat grapes kinda' half frozen/half thawed. I think they are cool and refreshing to eat as a snack when it's hot. I might make "mixed fruit" (frozen grapes, frozen berries, banana...) and pour a small can of pineapple tidbits over it all.

I actually store very little honey (probably only 10 pounds of it), but when it does crystalize, you just take off the lid, sit the jar in hot water and it will return to liquid (be patient, it takes awhile). Crystalizing doesn't affect it any. The interesting "huh" fact - how fast honey crystalizes depends on the floral source. I've noticed the Lavender Honey our friend makes from his bee hives in his lavender farm crystalizes really fast - but it's oh sooooooooo good! I use a natural, low-glycemic honey-like sweetener - Agave Nectar - instead of honey and keep several years worth of it in storage. It doesn't crystalize like honey does.

I just ordered 100-pounds of wheat (which equals 100 pounds of whole wheat flour), so we'll have lots of homemade bread and baked goods at a fraction of the cost of commercial breads and baked goods - not to mention 100% of the nutrients only found in freshly-milled flour. I'll order more later this year to add to the hundreds of pounds already in storage. Properly stored, wheat will last for decades.

[Mckeekitty]

Yes...I have noticed prices creeping up lately across the board...from gas to groceries. I'm more vigiliant about cutting coupons and checking the flyers for sales.

I purchased 300 Forever Stamsp just prior to the price increase on May 12. Should last us years as we pay most bills on-line.

I will continue to stockpile essentials that DON'T expire when on sale AND with coupon...laundry detergent (can't make my own...we have very hard water. I use Arm & Hammer, use only half of the recommended amount, and wash in cold. I have several bottles in the stockpile). Toilet paper. I have a fear of running out! I think we have 100 rolls stashed away. Stuff like that.

The trick is to take advantage of sales AND coupons. It takes a bit of time, but well worth the effort. But yes...I definitely see the prices going up.

[CrazyHomemaker]

I got a sticker shock today. Milk was $2.89/gal...down from $4.98/gal! I couldn't believe that one. Frozen fries were just over a dollar a bag before the price hikes. Now it's over $2 for the same size bag. Lunch meat is ridiculous in SC. Cheap cooked ham is $5 a pound. The good stuff is much higher. Gas was $2.39 at the gas station - up from last week. I had a Bi Lo rebate card and got my gas for $2.29/gal today. When will this price hike end?

[Nana2two]

We have several books of the forever stamps also, we do most of our bills on line.

[JanieD]

Higher prices are getting to me as well. Its shocking when the cashier tells me the total after I've carefully selected the sale items & the few basics we need. Seems really difficult to stay within my budget. Some basic items like canned veggies are up .10 to .60 now. Even the store brands on sale are usually more. Definately no 3/$1 sales or such. I'm trying frozen veggies. Often these are on sale & seem like a better value, but aren't as quick. Its a trade off... more cooking increases the electric bill. And we are expecting another rate increase from them very soon. I believe gas is up about .10 every 5 to 7 days, but I've already cut back on driving. I could cut a little more, but not much. Its a act, that's for sure.

[qtkitty]

I have noticed even if the price didn't go up they have reduced the quantity although the packaging may look as if the same amount should be in the box. Which catches yah when you just run in and grab the norm then wonder why it didn't last as long. * smacks head *