DEDHAM, Mass. — We’ve all noticed we’re paying a lot more at the grocery store.
Prices for food at home increased 10.8 percent between April 2021 and April 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the largest 12-month increase in 41 years.
“Prices are definitely up. I feel like every time I come in here it’s not $100-something, it’s $200-something,” said Dover mother Alyssa Bloch.
Consumer World founder Edgar Dworsky showed us five ways to save money the next time you go to the grocery store.
USE DIGITAL COUPONS
Everybody knows about clipped coupons and loyalty cards—those have been around forever. Dworsky said shoppers should start using digital coupons offered through companies’ websites and apps.
“You can save big. For example, I got a free half-gallon of Not Milk last week using a digital coupon,” Dworsky said.
The process is fairly easy, Dworsky said, especially if you have your grocery store’s app on your phone.
“You have to go on the company’s website, clip the coupon, then attach it to your account. You get the discount when you show your loyalty card at checkout,” he said.
COMPARISON SHOP USING WEEKLY CIRCULARS
Many of us throw circulars away when they come in the mail or newspaper, but Dworsky said they’re a quick and easy way to see which stores are offering the best deals.
“Comparison shopping is one of the best ways to save. You don’t have to run from store to store to comparison shop,” Dworsky said.
For example, Dworsky used circulars to find different prices for a pint of blueberries: Stop & Shop’s went for $1.49, Market Basket $2.99 and Star Market $3.99.
“We’re not just talking a 10-cent difference,” Dworsky said. “Cherry pick the best deals. If there are a couple stores nearby and you don’t have to spend a lot for gas, go to two stores. Pick the best items.”
GIVE UP BRAND LOYALTY
You can save a lot by switching, especially if you buy the store brand.
“Sometimes different brands are just as good as the famous name brand itself,” Dworsky said.
Dworsky showed us drastically different prices for a pound of deli ham: Star Market advertised one brand for $11.99 per pound, Stop & Shop promoted another for $6.99 per pound, and Market Basket listed one brand at $3.99 per pound.
“What do you want to pay? Do you want to pay $4 per pound or $12 per pound? Is the famous brand really worth triple the price?” Dworsky said.
GET TO KNOW “GUIDELINE PRICES” FOR THE ITEMS YOU BUY
If you purchase orange juice every week for $3.49 and suddenly the price jumps to $3.99, you’ll know you’re paying more for the same product. Conversely, if the price drops that week, you may want to consider buying more than one.
“When something drops to a great price, that’s when you want to stock up,” Dworsky said. “If you’re saving a dollar or two on an item, you really can cut your food bill.”
LOOK FOR THE VERSION OF ITEMS NOT DOWNSIZED BY “SHRINKFLATION”
Shrinkflation occurs when companies reduce an item’s size, quantity or quality but keep its price the same, giving consumers a little less for their money.
We showed you specific examples of shrinkflation here and here. Dworsky said knowing the weight and quantity of the items you buy can help you recognize when the company suddenly downsizes the product.
“As prices go up, manufacturers keep looking for more ways to make more money and one of those ways is to shrink the products,” Dworsky said. “Sometimes it’s small, sometimes they take a lot out of the product. But it tends to be invisible because the packaging tends to be identical.”
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