Recently discount warehouse retailers Costco and Sam's Club put a limit on the amount of rice purchased by customers.
Price increases of this common food source found on tables around the globe have people panicking and purchasing rice in large quantities. Americans are feeling the pain at the supermarket checkout as the cost of staples like milk, butter and eggs continue to rise.
These perilous inflationary times can bust your budget if you aren't careful.
Planning, preparation and process can help you save big at the dinner table. Check out these tips below.
Grocery-Saving Tips
Have a plan. First, take a look in the pantry and refrigerator to determine what you need and make a list. You will avoid purchasing items you don't need or already have.
Take a look at what's in the sales circular and plan your meals accordingly.
Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season and buy at the local farmers market. You'll have fresh produce that hasn't been shipped and it will cost you less.
Avoid b.o.g.o or buy one get one free. Opt for sales that allow you to purchase several of the same item at a discount. You can buy one item and still get the discounted price.
Keep walking pass the gourmet counter that offers prepackaged or prepared foods. You can marinate and season your meat using common ingredients like lemon juice and teriyaki sauce with the same outcome.
Deborah Owens is author of "Nickel and Dime Your Way To Wealth" and host of "Real Money" on NPR Affiliate Weaa 88.9 FM. Visit deborahowens.com
1. There isn't one suggestion here that my family hasn't use for decades! Food prices are higher so now the uppermiddle class feels it. The lowermiddle class and under know these tricks. It is a sad time when the people who have never known poverty...now run around not knowing how to make ends meet in the least. I wish the government would give tax incentives to have your own garden.(how ever small) They are very costly to start but to me are looking to be an option.
Deanna at 5:37PM on May 7th 2008