What is your inflation “red line” at grocery stores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$5.49 for an Amy’s frozen entree. I wanted it as a treat for myself after grocery shopping right before lunchtime but that price was a nonstarter for me.

Other changes - I now drink Safeway brand coffee, we only have steaks maybe 1 x month and it’s London broil, not one of the fancier cuts, and we stopped buying soda altogether. We get most of our weekly staples via Misfits Market. Like a lot of other people have said we do buy free range eggs. The extra expense is worth it to me.

A frozen entree is a treat??

Have you ever had Amys? Its good - similar to NYC The Smith. I love their frozen mac, so much that I had to figure out to make it at home (I did and it involved 5 cheeses). If you don't want to bother with that - a $3 frozen version is not bad.

Yes, if I must get frozen food I will get an Amy’s entree. But I would never consider it a treat, more like a last resort.

[Anonymous]

I'm also finding that the Giants and Safeways of the world are going further down the Kohls/CVS route of pricing regular priced items really high and then using sales to move items.

For example, a 12-pack of Coke at Giant/Safeway is well into the $8+ range, but then they do a buy 2, get 2 deal regularly. Whereas it is under $6 at Target, but Target isn't as aggressive with sales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If something is unreasonable to me I simply don’t buy it and switch gears. If the cream cheese is too expensive then I don’t buy bagels and get English muffins instead. If the cereal is too expensive I just get something different for breakfast. I find the price of crackers has been outrageous lately so we’ve been eating cheaper pretzels and popcorn instead. I couldn’t find ground beef on sale last week so tacos can wait until another day and I’ll make something with the chicken I did buy.

This is me too, but it's getting harder and harder! It seems like every week prices go higher - I was noticing this yesterday at Giant. A gallon of milk is now $5.09??? I remember commenting a few weeks ago how it was $4.79, and thinking that was high! My kids like bagels, but I'm just not paying $5.99 for a bag of those mini-bagels. Chips have also been crazy high lately - a (smaller) bag of Doritos is now basically $5.

For produce, I tend to buy what's on special. Strawberries haven't been that bad around here lately, nor have melons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If something is unreasonable to me I simply don’t buy it and switch gears. If the cream cheese is too expensive then I don’t buy bagels and get English muffins instead. If the cereal is too expensive I just get something different for breakfast. I find the price of crackers has been outrageous lately so we’ve been eating cheaper pretzels and popcorn instead. I couldn’t find ground beef on sale last week so tacos can wait until another day and I’ll make something with the chicken I did buy.

This is me too, but it's getting harder and harder! It seems like every week prices go higher - I was noticing this yesterday at Giant. A gallon of milk is now $5.09??? I remember commenting a few weeks ago how it was $4.79, and thinking that was high! My kids like bagels, but I'm just not paying $5.99 for a bag of those mini-bagels. Chips have also been crazy high lately - a (smaller) bag of Doritos is now basically $5.

For produce, I tend to buy what's on special. Strawberries haven't been that bad around here lately, nor have melons.

From someone who noticed higher prices in 2021 and was asking why isn't anyone doing anything...welcome to the party.

[Anonymous]

Prices are so high but I justify the expense by saying 'Well this raw chicken pack may be $18 but if I go to my local restaurant they'll charge me $25 for 1/4th the serving'.

Good luck out there folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If something is unreasonable to me I simply don’t buy it and switch gears. If the cream cheese is too expensive then I don’t buy bagels and get English muffins instead. If the cereal is too expensive I just get something different for breakfast. I find the price of crackers has been outrageous lately so we’ve been eating cheaper pretzels and popcorn instead. I couldn’t find ground beef on sale last week so tacos can wait until another day and I’ll make something with the chicken I did buy.

This is me too, but it's getting harder and harder! It seems like every week prices go higher - I was noticing this yesterday at Giant. A gallon of milk is now $5.09??? I remember commenting a few weeks ago how it was $4.79, and thinking that was high! My kids like bagels, but I'm just not paying $5.99 for a bag of those mini-bagels. Chips have also been crazy high lately - a (smaller) bag of Doritos is now basically $5.

For produce, I tend to buy what's on special. Strawberries haven't been that bad around here lately, nor have melons.

Local strawberry season is in a couple weeks; stop buying produce that has to be shipped! My farmer's market prices are the same as ever.

[Anonymous]

Anyone go shopping this weekend? I paid $5 for saltines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone go shopping this weekend? I paid $5 for saltines.

And you were lucky to find them. This has been perpetually missing from our Safeway. I ended up ordering a few Family Size boxes on amazon. My teenage boys want spaghetti and meatballs EVERY week, so this is a must have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If something is unreasonable to me I simply don’t buy it and switch gears. If the cream cheese is too expensive then I don’t buy bagels and get English muffins instead. If the cereal is too expensive I just get something different for breakfast. I find the price of crackers has been outrageous lately so we’ve been eating cheaper pretzels and popcorn instead. I couldn’t find ground beef on sale last week so tacos can wait until another day and I’ll make something with the chicken I did buy.

This is me too, but it's getting harder and harder! It seems like every week prices go higher - I was noticing this yesterday at Giant. A gallon of milk is now $5.09??? I remember commenting a few weeks ago how it was $4.79, and thinking that was high! My kids like bagels, but I'm just not paying $5.99 for a bag of those mini-bagels. Chips have also been crazy high lately - a (smaller) bag of Doritos is now basically $5.

For produce, I tend to buy what's on special. Strawberries haven't been that bad around here lately, nor have melons.

The worst part is that the prices will not ever come down. There will be sales but once they have jacked up the price and people pay, the price will stay that high. It doesn't matter if inflation overall comes down. In this area, the price will remain high.

[Anonymous]

Prices have gone way up, but most of what I buy is from the perimeter aisles, produce and meats/dairy. I'm not going to not buy berries just because they've gone up in price. I also refuse to skimp on quality meat and eggs. One area I am skimping on is bottled water. Frankly shouldn't be buying it anyhow. But the water I buy used to be $3.99 per case of 24. it's now $8. and it's not fancy water! it's store brand! We have a filtered water function with our fridge, so I've been using a metal flask now instead of plastic water bottles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prices have gone way up, but most of what I buy is from the perimeter aisles, produce and meats/dairy. I'm not going to not buy berries just because they've gone up in price. I also refuse to skimp on quality meat and eggs. One area I am skimping on is bottled water. Frankly shouldn't be buying it anyhow. But the water I buy used to be $3.99 per case of 24. it's now $8. and it's not fancy water! it's store brand! We have a filtered water function with our fridge, so I've been using a metal flask now instead of plastic water bottles.

Perimeter items have become expensive too!

[Anonymous]

Heads Up Sistas and Brothas

pain incoming

My BIL drives a truck for a major food supplier. He goes all over the US. He owns the truck. Monthly fuel bill is over $2000 - $3000 a month. And no the company does not take the hit. He does. Independent truck operator. Now he does make a really good salary but he did not start driving for fun. He's also a licensed diver and master welder so he's in this driving for the money.
He told the family to get prepping as soon as possible because there will be major disruptions to the supply chain. There is plenty of everything but absorbing these fuel prices will be the reason some drivers will walk away. Concentrate on pantry items, supplements, pet food, bottled water,
paper goods, household items things like that. Cold food you can just get as you need but to make sure you get enough each time you buy. What's affordable now may not be soon and may even be hard to find.
He is not one to raise alarm bells. He's been doing this for 3 years now and it's the first time he's ever said anything. He said summer is looking bleak meaning prices are already set to explode. Companies will hold back items just to hurt your wallet. We've all seen this before.
Don't slap my hand for this message. I'm just passing along from the front line of operations. If you agree good. If not that's okay too. I just care about everyone.
Peace.

[Anonymous]

I’m the nanny on a budget and from feb-March people on here made fun of me for stocking up. I have enough supplies for 6 months. Little by little. Sale by sale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the nanny on a budget and from feb-March people on here made fun of me for stocking up. I have enough supplies for 6 months. Little by little. Sale by sale.

If it lasts 6 months it’s not fresh. We don’t eat any canned goods. I occasionally use a can of tomato paste or beans in a recipe. So there’s no way for me to stock up anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$5.49 for an Amy’s frozen entree. I wanted it as a treat for myself after grocery shopping right before lunchtime but that price was a nonstarter for me.

Other changes - I now drink Safeway brand coffee, we only have steaks maybe 1 x month and it’s London broil, not one of the fancier cuts, and we stopped buying soda altogether. We get most of our weekly staples via Misfits Market. Like a lot of other people have said we do buy free range eggs. The extra expense is worth it to me.

A frozen entree is a treat??

Have you ever had Amys? Its good - similar to NYC The Smith. I love their frozen mac, so much that I had to figure out to make it at home (I did and it involved 5 cheeses). If you don't want to bother with that - a $3 frozen version is not bad.

Yes, if I must get frozen food I will get an Amy’s entree. But I would never consider it a treat, more like a last resort.

Can’t believe I’m being scoffed at for describing an Amy’s meal as a treat. My usual lunch is two slices of turkey on a tortilla with a handful of baby carrots. I’m frugal by necessity and always busy so this works for me. A hot entree would be a huge upgrade!