Shopping at the supermarket will not be cheap in 2022 0:55
New York (CNN Business) --
You're probably not too happy with your shopping accounts these days.
But there are strategies to help you stock your pantry without breaking the bank.
Food prices increased 1% in February, the largest monthly increase since April 2020. In the last 12 months, general food prices increased 7.9%, the largest jump since July 1981. Prices of grocery stores increased at an even faster rate.
All food products recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics were more expensive last month than they were a year ago.
Meat, egg and soup prices show the biggest difference from last year, with a double-digit jump through February.
"When it comes to saving money on groceries, consumers are spoiled for choice, but we need to make changes to our routines and make some smart choices," said NielsenIQ's Carman Allison.
The inconvenient truth about food prices in 2022
Here are some savings tactics recommended by the pros.
make a list
Grocery stores are well trained in the science of stimulating the taste buds.
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The best way to avoid impulse purchases that increase the cost of your pantry?
Make a list in advance of what you are going to buy, and stick to it.
Don't get distracted by all those desserts and appetizers that aren't on your list.
Planning ahead and shopping with a list helps you focus on what you need and reduces the time you spend searching, where temptations can set in.
Be deliberate in the store and don't add extra things to your basket while you wait at checkout, where stores often stock hard-to-resist candy and other flashy items.
Compare stores
To find the best deals you have to compare the prices of products in different stores.
One may have better prices for eggs, but another may be cheaper for fish.
"I'm not loyal to any supermarket. If it has the best price, it's my best friend at the time," says Edgar Dworsky, a former Massachusetts deputy attorney general and founder of Consumer World, an educational resource.
But don't just compare prices between the same types of stores.
Supermarkets, department stores, wholesale clubs, discount supermarkets, and discount chain stores all have different pricing and promotion strategies.
Cooperatives and farmer's markets are also worth looking at.
"People can save a lot of money if they know how these stores are set up," says Victor Martino, founder of food consulting firm Third Wave Strategies.
Martino recommends shopping at least two different store formats.
Look for promotions and offers
Stores publish weekly sale announcements in the press and on the Internet.
Find out what day the offers are published.
Many post their ads on Wednesdays, so that's usually the best day to find deals.
Check them out and compare.
If there is a big sale, consider buying multiple pieces of the product.
"When apple nectar is $0.99 a gallon, I buy a case or two," says Dworsky.
And to make sure you're getting a good deal, check out product price history on websites like CamelCamelCamel.
Use a store loyalty card
Most supermarkets offer free loyalty cards with special offers and savings for their members.
Loyalty cards from some supermarkets also offer gas savings.
Use them.
If you don't use a loyalty card, "you're throwing money away," says Dworsky.
"It's really crazy."
Switch to own store brands
Store brands used to be considered cheap knock-offs.
But supermarkets have spent a lot of time and money in recent years to improve their products.
House brands are usually produced by the same manufacturers that make the big brand items, but they are usually cheaper.
According to David Bishop, a partner at food consultancy Brick Meets Click, switching to your own brand can save between 10% and 40%.
Experts consider Costco's Kirkland Signature to be one of the best store brands.
Other store brands include Walmart's Great Value, Kroger's Simple Truth and Target's Good & Gather.
Why all Costco products are called "Kirkland Signature"
Beware of "reflashing"
Less cereal in the box.
Smaller snacks.
Ice creams that occupy a tiny part of the container.
You're not losing your mind.
In reality, you currently pay the same price or more for everyday items, but you finish them faster because their size has been reduced.
The reason?
A deceptive tactic known as "shrinkflation" or "reduflation", implemented by consumer product brands and grocery stores.
The phenomenon has been going on for decades, but it tends to be more common when business costs rise, as is the case with the wave of inflation we are seeing today.
However, experts say there is a way to beat reduffing: Compare the price per unit, price per ounce, or price per 100 units, of similar products to see which is the best deal.
Buy frozen meat and vegetables
Meat has seen some of the steepest price increases during the pandemic.
In February, meat prices rose 14% from a year ago.
Chicken was just behind, up 13%.
"The frozen chicken breasts are of good quality, they can be defrosted one at a time and the savings are considerable," says David
D'Arezzo, former head of trading for Dollar General and executive of drugstore and supermarket chains.
Frozen vegetables are also a good option, he said.
They don't spoil or spoil like fresh vegetables, which is a blow to the wallet.
Another tip for buying vegetables: buy them in season.
If you buy tomatoes or other produce when they're out of season, you'll likely pay more.
"If you buy in season, you can save 25% to 30%," says Martino of Third Wave Strategies.
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Look for "ugly" products
Browse yesterday's product shelves or discount stores in your area to save.
There are also "ugly" vendors on the Internet, such as Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market, who buy and resell quality fruits and vegetables at deep discounts because grocery stores have rejected them.
"Why not pay half price for lightly beaten products?"
Dworsky says.
food price increase