How to save money at the grocery store

by Darla Hernandez (darlah@wsbt.com)

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Rising food prices

Not only are people paying more for gas, but food prices are also soaring. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 5, 2008 at 12:01 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 24, 2008 at 5:45 PM EST

Grocery prices continue to soar and now experts say it will likely stay that way for the next two years because of global food consumption.

Amy Clark knows all about the grocery gouge. She shops for her family of four.

“You can explore other grocery stores like Save-a-Lot or ALDI,” she told WSBT News.

Clark, a savvy saver, started a website called MomAdvice.com. It has articles on frugal living, cheap recipes, and tips on how to save more money.

Besides coupons in the paper, online websites like CouponMom.com are a great resource.

But Clark says some of your grocery money is getting thrown away … literally.

"Paper towels can be replaced with dish towels, micro fiber cloths can replace the Clorox wipes that you’re buying. Those are reusable items that you are going to use over and over again,” explained Clark. “Start small."

For two weeks WSBT tracked prices at Wal-Mart, Martin's, and ALDI. Of all three stores, we found the following:

  • The cheapest generic gallon of milk at ALDI for $3.09
  • The cheapest gallon of Dean's milk at Martin's for $3.79
  • The cheapest dozen of eggs at Wal-Mart for 96 cents
  • The cheapest loaf of Pepperidge Farm bread at Martin’s for $3.00

    Overall the best prices for name-brand items was Martin's. Overall the best prices for generic brands was ALDI.

    New farmers markets like the one in Elkhart County seem to be the trend. Over the last 10 years they have nearly doubled nationwide.

    Shoppers say they gobble up the area-grown produce at lower prices.

    "The prices especially on all the fresh vegetables, they seem to be pretty competitive or lower than some of the chain grocery stores in the area and we really like the community at the Farmer's Market, too,” said Heather Moriconi, who shops at the American Countryside Farmer’s Market in Elkhart.

    And if you really want to get down and dirty to seriously save, start a farm in your backyard.

    "You can buy a pig for around $85 and you can raise it for about $300 and you’ve got almost 180 pounds of pork,” said David Thompson of Hardscrabble Farms.

    OK, that may be extreme for most.

    For Clark, cutting coupons, using discount grocers, and eliminating paper products puts more back in her pocket.

    "You are really going to save a lot of money because you are throwing a lot, a lot away,” she said.

    Community gardens are also a popular way to grow produce. A group is using the Potowatomi land in South Bend and another garden is planned for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Olive Street in South Bend.

    Watch WSBT News at 5 p.m. next Monday for more money saving tips.

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