Inflation not a problem as long as you avoid food

**HappyMama** · 01-25-2011, 02:54 PM

Thought this was interesting.

Any ideas on how to help keep food costs under control?

I am still stocking up,shopping sales and making from scratch! How about you?

Here is the article for those interested:

Inflation not a problem as long as you avoid food - The Buzz - Jan. 25, 2011

**HappyMama** · 01-25-2011, 03:12 PM

Will be stocking up on more sugar, that is for sure...lol

Global sugar prices are at their highest level in 30 years and may rise higher as fears of a worldwide shortage loom.

The high prices are part of a larger trend of high food prices caused by loss and degradation of arable land, climate uncertainty and price speculation. In the case of sugar, prices were pushed to record highs by a drought in Brazil, leading to a 30 percent drop in sugar cane production.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/43cfbb7a-e6b..._shortage.html

Learn more: Global sugar shortage looms, price hikes expected

**Booklover** · 01-25-2011, 03:20 PM

Stocking up on sugar is a great idea. How do I go about storing large quantities of it so it doesn't get hard? I hate finding a bag that is like a rock! lol

**HappyMama** · 01-25-2011, 03:23 PM

Booklover,

I buy mine 25-50 pounds at a time ( I get raw , turbinado , or cane sugar) not sure if it is because of the kinds I get but I put them in 5 gallon buckets and they never get hard.

**ladytoysdream** · 01-25-2011, 04:03 PM

Stockpile.
Use coupons when I can.
Buy loss leaders.
Don't use menus.
Garden.
Chickens for eggs.
Canning / freezing.
Buy mark downs.
Sub in something different if cheaper in price.
Buy genaric.
Shop at Aldi's mainly.
Buy in large quanity if the price is right.
Check the marked down shelf at the store.
Bartering and thinking outside the box.
Scratch cooking / baking.
Don't eat out.
Learn new recipes.
Cook smaller meals, so less leftovers.
Only enough for a second day, not 3 or 4 ........
Track inventory with lists.
Go to local farmer's markets. Make friends with the farmer

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-25-2011, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Booklover

Stocking up on sugar is a great idea. How do I go about storing large quantities of it so it doesn't get hard? I hate finding a bag that is like a rock! lol

Granulated sugar gets hard when it's damp, so store it in an airtight container in a dry area of your house.

Brown sugar is the opposite. It's supposed to be moist, and gets hard when it dries out. Brown sugar is easy to soften up again though, doesn't require a hammer like hardened white sugar

**shoiji** · 01-25-2011, 04:26 PM

Most of what I buy is on sale or part of the perimeter of the grocery store. Seasonal fruits and veggies are part of my diet. Frozen veggies when on sale also get purchased.

I stock up on meat when I see managers specials.

Now that you brought this up I think I will soak some beans tonight and throw them in the crockpot!

**indigo53** · 01-25-2011, 05:48 PM

I should ignore food.

**HappyMama** · 01-25-2011, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by indigo53

I should ignore food.

: Would make it easier ....lol

**savvy_sniper** · 01-25-2011, 06:24 PM

LOVE my stockpile and I cook mostly from scratch. We seldom eat out. So I have the luxury of buying ONLY when on sale, with a coupon, at the salvage store, etc. and then and only then do I stock up. Since I am on a diet and exercising we are eating healthier and less. So stockpile is lasting longer!

EVERYBODY go on a diet - LOL!

**pollypurebred39** · 01-25-2011, 07:35 PM

ummm....Now that is the million dollar question for me right now. Up until now we've;

-Gardened and froze & dehydrated surplus

-Planted fruit trees

-I make my own mixes for things like cakes, muffins, cookies

-I do a two, three times yearly if I can, stock up on flour, oats, cocoa, sugar, spices, etc. I try to do a stock up on harvest produce in the fall for cold storage (from farmers market, this year prices were too high) pumpkins, potatoes, onions, apples. And a stock up from the food thrift store on things like gluten free mixes, and things my oldest likes. I wait until I have enough saved up, sometimes it's just $30, sometimes more. I always hope to have more.

-I cherry pick. I get out my flyers and find what's on sale and then I make a giant loop hitting each store so I don't waste gas.

-I check out any and all food clearance racks. I've gotten some fabulous gluten free and natural products for a song that way.

-beans, lots of beans. Soups, lots of soups. And a lot less meat.

No one's mentioned it, but if you have a state park near you, often you can get put on a deer list. Right now they are thinning the herds around here, we just may get one to put up in the freezer. They also call you for deer/car accidents. The thing is, you've got to come when they call or you back to the bottom of the list.

**NikoSan999** · 01-25-2011, 08:26 PM

Bread in the container with the brown sugar will keep it soft as sand...change out the bread once in awhile. If you put the bread in a container with cookies it will keep them soft. The bigger the piece of bread the softer...don't put a big piece..the cookie will be TOO soft.

Food is going to continue to rise no matter what you/we do..stockpiling helps until you have to replace it..then you have THAT days increases.
Gardening definitely helps.
Alot of the stuff Lady said is what I agree with...it's about all you can do
But in the end it's going to keep increasing and unfortunately alot of peoples pay isn't.
This recession isn't over by a long shot...and me, the way I see it, this is only going to either make it worse or keep it going longer.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-25-2011, 08:27 PM

People just have to stop being afraid. That's what drives inflation more than anything. Sadly, unless you live in a country that directly controls the exportation of particular items, you'll always be hanging on the fears of someone above you who is controlling prices.

All you can really do is start switching to alternatives, learn how to garden, buy items on markdown/clearance and hope for the best. If you live in a country that cannot coupon or has few coupons, you have to live a lot differently than other people. My suggestions? Pay attention to the biggest sales and stock up. Write down your ingredients in your recipes and what the measurements are. Buy strictly based on that.

Also, cut back on eating out and learn to eat leftovers. Make/bake from scratch and adapt to using recipes that have few ingredients.

**Daisygirl** · 01-25-2011, 08:41 PM

I've switched our household over to a vegetarian diet and that has cut my grocery bill dramatically.

We use things like:

Brown rice
Beans (dried and canned)
Low fat dairy ( hard to stockpile much of this- I just get what is on sale)
Frozen veggies and fruits (fresh are outrageous right now)
potatoes
soups
whole wheat pasta
Canned tomato products
Peanut butter
Basic baking supplies

You can make a lot of different dishes from the above ingredients if you have a well stocked spice cabinet.

I've only done this for a couple of weeks but I'm noticing a HUGE difference. As an added bonus, it's also way better for the environment.

**Ramona** · 01-25-2011, 10:40 PM

I shop the sales at Market Basket. Our favorite bread is usually $5.19 for a 24 oz loaf. Bought two recently for $2.50 each. It's certified organic 12 grain whole grain. Boy howdy, is it delicious.

I only buy meat on sale or marked down.

Use my slow cooker a lot.

I buy seasonally for fruits and veggies.

Canned veggies only bought on sale, then I stock up, same with pasta and marinara sauce.

I do use store bought bread dough for my homemade pizzas, but it's only $1 each and two packages give me a huge pan of nice, thick pizza.

I try new recipes: discovered cheeseburger pie, yum! and will be making my first meatloaf soon.

I make my own Bisquick mix now.

Hot dogs on rolls with a side of baked beans is good for dinner.