It is not really news anymore that many package and product sizes have been shrinking in the US. I am mentioning it, though, as a reminder to double check your price:mass_or_volume ratios over time if you are gaming your groceries.
Ice cream hasn't been in half-gallon containers for ages, slipping subtly to 1.75 qts, then 1.5 qts for some producers (Breyers). My beloved Tropicana OJ has dropped its cartons from true 64 oz half-gallons to 59 oz. I have finally increased my price threshold for OJ from $0.05/oz. Quilted Northern just made its bathroom tissue substantially narrower, but it doesn't take me any more squares than before to take care of business, so it doesn't affect my ratios.
There was a television commercial a few years ago about a guy who got promoted for realizing his company could make a larger profit by putting fewer olives in each jar they sold. He was expected to continue increasing profits to keep his job. How he would continue was left open with the implication that he'll eventually have to think of something besides selling fewer olives for the same price. This economy and gas prices have been drivers for food producers to practice some shrinkage, but I don't expect re-enlargement when the economy recovers.
I keep seeing odd package masses, such as 15 oz cans of beans and 13 oz bags of chips. What's wrong with the pound? Trader Joe's sells me a pound of organic chips for less than I find 13 oz bags of other chips at the supermarket. This isn't really a problem, but something to keep watch of if you're particular with your price thresholds and ratios.
Showing posts with label Groceries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Groceries. Show all posts
2011-01-28
2010-08-25
Coupons
Coupons seem like they would be a major part of grocery gaming, but they really haven't managed to become a significant factor for me. I only end up using coupons a handful of times each year. Coupons come to me in my primary grocery store's weekly flyer and in an envelope and a magazine of coupons in the mail aggregated by a third party company. Newspaper subscribers typically get coupons on Sundays, unless that's changed over the years. I've looked into websites such as coupons.com, but I just do not find enough useful coupons to justify the time it takes to find them.
On these internet sites, which typically require registration with some personal information that they will sell in exchange for giving you access to the coupons, I find many coupons of negligible value for products I don't want. Sugary cereals, heavily processed foods, total junk I don't buy. The coupons provide savings along the lines of $0.75 off if I buy 3. So, not only do shoppers only get about $0.25 off each item, they have to buy three items to get the discount. Lame.
In our modern information age, as newspapers lose readership and grocery stores use membership cards to track shopping patterns and direct incentives, I get good prices for the things I buy due to periodic store discounts without coupons. For example, Dannon Light & Fit yogurt is usually marked as $1.05 for 6oz. That is a crazy price that I will not pay. But for about a week each month the store marks down the price to $0.50 for 6oz. Then I buy 20 of them. When I see coupons for that product, it's remarkable for them to give me $1.00 off for buying two 4-packs. The 4-packs are priced differently than individual cups, and even using the coupon when the 4-packs are on sale rarely brings the price down to $0.50 per cup.
What cognitive phenomena go on when we see coupons? Anchoring is definitely taking place, in which the regular price (artificially inflated) serves as the anchor to which we compare the discounted price so that we feel like we're getting something for a lower price than it's worth even when the discounted price is higher than the product's worth if we stop to really think about it. I think also that the coupons serve as advertisements that cause us to think more about the product than regular advertisements do, and that thinking activates more parts of the brain that contribute to purchasing decisions. It has been found that we get more neurologically excited (dopamine in the anterior cingulate cortex, for example) at the expectation of how satisfying a product will be than when we actually have it. It takes a lot of mindfulness to recognize that you won't really be as happy as you expect you will if you buy a freezer-full of frozen pizzas with a dollar coupon. Off the topic of coupons, this is a contributing factor to obesity as people try to eat until they are as satisfied as they expected they would get.
So, my experiences trying to find a good source of useful coupons have led me to generally avoid such a waste of time. I tend to rely instead on the grocery store's weekly sales.
On these internet sites, which typically require registration with some personal information that they will sell in exchange for giving you access to the coupons, I find many coupons of negligible value for products I don't want. Sugary cereals, heavily processed foods, total junk I don't buy. The coupons provide savings along the lines of $0.75 off if I buy 3. So, not only do shoppers only get about $0.25 off each item, they have to buy three items to get the discount. Lame.
In our modern information age, as newspapers lose readership and grocery stores use membership cards to track shopping patterns and direct incentives, I get good prices for the things I buy due to periodic store discounts without coupons. For example, Dannon Light & Fit yogurt is usually marked as $1.05 for 6oz. That is a crazy price that I will not pay. But for about a week each month the store marks down the price to $0.50 for 6oz. Then I buy 20 of them. When I see coupons for that product, it's remarkable for them to give me $1.00 off for buying two 4-packs. The 4-packs are priced differently than individual cups, and even using the coupon when the 4-packs are on sale rarely brings the price down to $0.50 per cup.
What cognitive phenomena go on when we see coupons? Anchoring is definitely taking place, in which the regular price (artificially inflated) serves as the anchor to which we compare the discounted price so that we feel like we're getting something for a lower price than it's worth even when the discounted price is higher than the product's worth if we stop to really think about it. I think also that the coupons serve as advertisements that cause us to think more about the product than regular advertisements do, and that thinking activates more parts of the brain that contribute to purchasing decisions. It has been found that we get more neurologically excited (dopamine in the anterior cingulate cortex, for example) at the expectation of how satisfying a product will be than when we actually have it. It takes a lot of mindfulness to recognize that you won't really be as happy as you expect you will if you buy a freezer-full of frozen pizzas with a dollar coupon. Off the topic of coupons, this is a contributing factor to obesity as people try to eat until they are as satisfied as they expected they would get.
So, my experiences trying to find a good source of useful coupons have led me to generally avoid such a waste of time. I tend to rely instead on the grocery store's weekly sales.
2010-07-14
Love Summer
From June to October each year you will probably find that prices drop radically for whatever produce is ripe at the time. A local farmers' market should not be necessary to enjoy the low price result of massive spikes in supply, but it might help. Each week's shopping brings me delicious, healthy, and inexpensive treats. Last week saw cherries for $2/lb. Blueberries have been $5/qt, sometimes dipping to $4. Strawberries have been $2-2.50/lb. Watermelons are $4-5. A head of romaine is $0.69. Tomatoes, usually quite expensive because they are costly to ship safely, are getting cheaper, and it will soon be the time when people put bags of them out in front of their houses with collection cans for money. Corn on the cob is popular now. I always look forward to September when the orchards give us over a dozen kinds of fresh apples.
Do not be afraid to buy produce that is almost too ripe. My local non-chain market has an area for "seconds", and I have gotten some real bargains. I just bought four acorn squash for $0.50 together, and made a 10-bowl batch of squash soup for $3 (halve and bake the squash for 40 min at 350 F, then peel; add a pint of chicken stock from the last chicken you cooked, a half-pound of cheese (I used colby-jack), two onions, and some spices, then puree in a food processor (adds maybe $0.25-50 amortized depending on how often you use your processor)). I also get piles of tomatoes on their way out, and make fresh salsa (great for chips, chicken, or fish) and gazpacho. When November rolls around, it'll be applesauce time! Also there will be more squash in the fall. Overripe bananas are present all year, and can give you a quick and cheap banana bread. I also got a big bag of discounted but delicious grapes just because they had fallen off their vines.
Cold Winter leaves us with roots, old gourds, a pantry of cans and bags of grains and nuts, but Summer is a wonderful time for a rolling variety of inexpensive and healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. My only food complaint about Summer so far is that the heat ruined the sourdough starter I had out. Sourdough seems to just be my Spring treat.
Do not be afraid to buy produce that is almost too ripe. My local non-chain market has an area for "seconds", and I have gotten some real bargains. I just bought four acorn squash for $0.50 together, and made a 10-bowl batch of squash soup for $3 (halve and bake the squash for 40 min at 350 F, then peel; add a pint of chicken stock from the last chicken you cooked, a half-pound of cheese (I used colby-jack), two onions, and some spices, then puree in a food processor (adds maybe $0.25-50 amortized depending on how often you use your processor)). I also get piles of tomatoes on their way out, and make fresh salsa (great for chips, chicken, or fish) and gazpacho. When November rolls around, it'll be applesauce time! Also there will be more squash in the fall. Overripe bananas are present all year, and can give you a quick and cheap banana bread. I also got a big bag of discounted but delicious grapes just because they had fallen off their vines.
Cold Winter leaves us with roots, old gourds, a pantry of cans and bags of grains and nuts, but Summer is a wonderful time for a rolling variety of inexpensive and healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. My only food complaint about Summer so far is that the heat ruined the sourdough starter I had out. Sourdough seems to just be my Spring treat.
2010-05-27
Kitchen Staples
There are some things that I try to always have on hand in my kitchen. Sometimes there are no exciting sales, or I find myself cooking for guests on short notice. By keeping a few things constantly stocked, I give myself some flexibility to make a decent variety of dishes with whatever other random ingredients are lying around. Some of these are generally inexpensive, and others I buy piles of when they're on sale. They also tend to have decent shelf-lives.
* Mirepoix is the fancy French word for chopped carrots, onions, and celery. These are three good veggies to have around, and are commonly tossed into soups, salads, stews, roasts, and stock. Carrots and celery are also good alone as a snack. Onions are very versatile and fit in fresh or sauteed with meats or grains.
* Potatoes are easy to bake, roast, boil, or microwave, and go well with most meats. Sweet potatoes are even better.
* Eggs are versatile and necessary for most baking.
* Rice
* Cheese
* General baking supplies: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, oils, butter, salt
My pantry is full of other things, canned veggies, dry beans, pasta, tuna, but I don't consider those essential, and I do not necessarily rush to replace them when they run out. I do not even have milk most of the time because of its relatively short lifespan. I usually have some chicken breasts in the freezer, but not always. Between my staples and whatever else is lying around, I am generally equipped to feed people easily.
* Mirepoix is the fancy French word for chopped carrots, onions, and celery. These are three good veggies to have around, and are commonly tossed into soups, salads, stews, roasts, and stock. Carrots and celery are also good alone as a snack. Onions are very versatile and fit in fresh or sauteed with meats or grains.
* Potatoes are easy to bake, roast, boil, or microwave, and go well with most meats. Sweet potatoes are even better.
* Eggs are versatile and necessary for most baking.
* Rice
* Cheese
* General baking supplies: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, oils, butter, salt
My pantry is full of other things, canned veggies, dry beans, pasta, tuna, but I don't consider those essential, and I do not necessarily rush to replace them when they run out. I do not even have milk most of the time because of its relatively short lifespan. I usually have some chicken breasts in the freezer, but not always. Between my staples and whatever else is lying around, I am generally equipped to feed people easily.
2010-01-12
The Most Important Meal of the Day
Among stereotypical breakfast foods is one that provides a great opportunity to eat healthily at a low cost: oatmeal. This is a whole grain food that should keep you feeling full through the morning, and it is very inexpensive. I typically buy the big store-brand canister of quick oats, which is $3 or less for 30 half-cup servings. That's 10 cents per bowl. It takes less than two minutes to prepare.
Now, you might say, "But I don't like the taste of plain oatmeal, and I'll go insane if I have to eat it every day." Here are some things I often add to my oatmeal to help it taste better, and you can mix and match for variety:
Cinnamon - zero calories, costs a penny per breakfast
Apple, half, sliced - 40-70 calories, ~$0.40 (varies by size & price)
Honey, 1 tbsp - 60 calories, ~$0.20 (highly variable)
Walnuts, chopped, 1/8 cup - 50 calories, ~$0.18 (@$4.50/lb)
Grape Nuts, 1/8 cup - 50 calories, ~$0.16 (@$2/box)
Flax Seeds, 1/8 cup - 90 calories, ~$0.15
Banana - 90-130 calories, ~$0.25 (@$0.69/lb)
Sugar Substitute - 0 calories, a few cents per packet or free
So, you can have a variety of pretty healthy and tasty breakfasts for $0.50 or less. I even splurge sometimes and have a $0.75 bowl of oatmeal with banana, honey, and walnuts.
Even throw in an 8oz glass of delicious Tropicana orange juice (they do not pay me) fortified with calcium and vitamin D for $0.40 or less. I refuse to pay more than $0.05/oz for juice, and it goes on sale often for less than that. There's a nutritious breakfast for less than $1 per day per person with only a couple minutes of preparation that even a child can handle.
This is a great option for those of you with kids. This kind of breakfast will help your children concentrate at school and be healthy. It doesn't make sense to pay more money for junk cereals that are half sugar, or Pop Tarts, or whatever else, which lead to poor concentration, obesity, and potentially type II Diabetes.
Now, you might say, "But I don't like the taste of plain oatmeal, and I'll go insane if I have to eat it every day." Here are some things I often add to my oatmeal to help it taste better, and you can mix and match for variety:
Cinnamon - zero calories, costs a penny per breakfast
Apple, half, sliced - 40-70 calories, ~$0.40 (varies by size & price)
Honey, 1 tbsp - 60 calories, ~$0.20 (highly variable)
Walnuts, chopped, 1/8 cup - 50 calories, ~$0.18 (@$4.50/lb)
Grape Nuts, 1/8 cup - 50 calories, ~$0.16 (@$2/box)
Flax Seeds, 1/8 cup - 90 calories, ~$0.15
Banana - 90-130 calories, ~$0.25 (@$0.69/lb)
Sugar Substitute - 0 calories, a few cents per packet or free
So, you can have a variety of pretty healthy and tasty breakfasts for $0.50 or less. I even splurge sometimes and have a $0.75 bowl of oatmeal with banana, honey, and walnuts.
Even throw in an 8oz glass of delicious Tropicana orange juice (they do not pay me) fortified with calcium and vitamin D for $0.40 or less. I refuse to pay more than $0.05/oz for juice, and it goes on sale often for less than that. There's a nutritious breakfast for less than $1 per day per person with only a couple minutes of preparation that even a child can handle.
This is a great option for those of you with kids. This kind of breakfast will help your children concentrate at school and be healthy. It doesn't make sense to pay more money for junk cereals that are half sugar, or Pop Tarts, or whatever else, which lead to poor concentration, obesity, and potentially type II Diabetes.
2010-01-11
Price Guidelines
I long ago established some hard rules for myself as far as how much I am willing to spend for certain foods. Despite inflation, I have not changed these limits since setting them about ten years ago. Though these are strict rules for me, you may find them to be useful guidelines when you are at the grocery store. If something costs more than my limit, I just don't buy it. There are many foods that I can only buy when they are on sale, and I have found that foods go on sale often enough that I do not go deprived of the foods I like. I often find food for less than my limits. I shop at a regular Albertson's chain store for most products.
Steak (rare occasions)- $5.00/lb (I am still sometimes able to get tenderloin and T-bones)
Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless - $2.00/lb
Cereal - $2.00/lb
Cheese - $4.00/lb
Mushrooms - $3.00/lb
Carrots - $1.00/lb
Onions - $1.00/lb
Tomatoes, canned - $1.00/32oz
Pineapple, canned (Dole) - $1.00/20oz
Yogurt (Danon Light & Fit or Yoplait only) - $0.085/oz
Granola Bars (Kashi or Nature Valley) - $0.50 ea.
Orange Juice (Tropicana only) - $0.05/oz
Spices - $1.00/1.3oz (buy these at a drug store or hardware store; not McCormick)
I do go to Trader Joe's for a few things, and I am lucky that one is very close to me. They have very inexpensive all natural peanut butter, honey, tea, tree nuts, fine cheeses, and chocolate.
Besides those limits, I tend to buy things only when they are on sale, but without strict limits in mind. Canned vegetables, tuna, potatoes, bagged salad/spinach, fish, bacon (typically buy 1 get 2 free deals). Once or twice per year I've been able to buy 101 fl oz jugs of extra virgin olive oil for $10-12, which is a steal. Every once in a while canned veggies are 42-50 cents per can, and I stock up. A small local market sometimes has grapefruit 6/$2, so that's when I get to eat grapefruit. I make my own bread, which is fun and cheap; yeast comes in an $8 jar that can make approximately 32 loaves or 48 pizzas. I love the summer for berries, and the fall for apples and squash. Local, seasonal foods are better quality and the prices are reasonable even to me.
Some prices are rising and causing me to reconsider my shopping behaviors with regard to them. Brown rice, which I can only find in 2lb bags, is getting more expensive. It's up to $2.50 per bag now, and I've been using barley as a replacement in some meals. Canned tuna is rising, so I bought piles of it the last time it was $0.50/can, and I don't think I'll ever see that price again. I will gradually adapt to changes in the market, but always strive to optimize my grocery habits.
Steak (rare occasions)- $5.00/lb (I am still sometimes able to get tenderloin and T-bones)
Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless - $2.00/lb
Cereal - $2.00/lb
Cheese - $4.00/lb
Mushrooms - $3.00/lb
Carrots - $1.00/lb
Onions - $1.00/lb
Tomatoes, canned - $1.00/32oz
Pineapple, canned (Dole) - $1.00/20oz
Yogurt (Danon Light & Fit or Yoplait only) - $0.085/oz
Granola Bars (Kashi or Nature Valley) - $0.50 ea.
Orange Juice (Tropicana only) - $0.05/oz
Spices - $1.00/1.3oz (buy these at a drug store or hardware store; not McCormick)
I do go to Trader Joe's for a few things, and I am lucky that one is very close to me. They have very inexpensive all natural peanut butter, honey, tea, tree nuts, fine cheeses, and chocolate.
Besides those limits, I tend to buy things only when they are on sale, but without strict limits in mind. Canned vegetables, tuna, potatoes, bagged salad/spinach, fish, bacon (typically buy 1 get 2 free deals). Once or twice per year I've been able to buy 101 fl oz jugs of extra virgin olive oil for $10-12, which is a steal. Every once in a while canned veggies are 42-50 cents per can, and I stock up. A small local market sometimes has grapefruit 6/$2, so that's when I get to eat grapefruit. I make my own bread, which is fun and cheap; yeast comes in an $8 jar that can make approximately 32 loaves or 48 pizzas. I love the summer for berries, and the fall for apples and squash. Local, seasonal foods are better quality and the prices are reasonable even to me.
Some prices are rising and causing me to reconsider my shopping behaviors with regard to them. Brown rice, which I can only find in 2lb bags, is getting more expensive. It's up to $2.50 per bag now, and I've been using barley as a replacement in some meals. Canned tuna is rising, so I bought piles of it the last time it was $0.50/can, and I don't think I'll ever see that price again. I will gradually adapt to changes in the market, but always strive to optimize my grocery habits.
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