Other than housing prices, since 2006, I have seen little deflation. I
know a lot of people think, or at least they did a couple of years ago,
that we are in or will go into a period of deflation. I just don't see
that happening. Here's an article that will help you prepare for food
inflation...which is already occuring.
Most of these suggestions are no brainers, but should be good reminders and encouragers.
9 Ways to Prepare for Food Inflation
If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you’ve no doubt
discovered that the price of most foods has increased significantly.
There’s plenty of blame to go around: increased commodity prices due to
increased demand, increased oil prices, devaluation of our dollar, and
on and on.
Whatever the reason, increased food prices are putting a major dent
in our household budget. Since we can’t do much about the prices, we
have to look for other ways to reduce (or at least keep even) our
overall food expense.
Food is a unique budget category in that normally when you are
struggling with less income and/or increased costs, the natural
inclination is to turn to cheaper alternatives. Unfortunately, as many
people are discovering, when it comes to food this means an unhealthy
diet.
Think of the cheapest foods at your local grocer – they are likely
cheap pastas and boxed processed foods (Ramen noodles, mac and cheese,
packages of potato flakes sold as “instant mashed potatoes,” etc). While
these foods will do in a pinch, they aren’t exactly healthy staples to
build the basis of a clean diet.
Nine Ways to Reduce Your Grocery Budget
1. Plan to shop every two weeks. Make room in your
pantry (and your budget) to shop for enough food to last two weeks. The
more often you see the inside of a store, the more likely you will
give into temptation and deviate from your list.
2. Buy in-season produce. The simple laws of supply
and demand tell us that things that are plentiful should be a little
cheaper. Of course, the opposite is true if a particular produce item is
not plentiful in your area, because it has to be shipped in from
another part of the country (or world), and those increased costs to
transport are passed along to you, the consumer.
3. Eat less. This one seems obvious, but to someone
like me raised on three squares (big squares) a day, the idea of
skipping a meal or two seems foreign. However, here lately I’ve been
trying to eat only when hungry, not when the clock says 8:00, 12:00 and
6:00.
Keep reading here for the next 6...
