food prices.

[#7 throw away to do list.]

has to increase in food prices altered your eating habits? ie. chicken thighs in place of breasts, store brands in place of private label, box wines. i find myself paying attention to the sales circular which i had never really done before.

[justagirl]

I stopped going to the grocery store all together. I shop Farmer's Markets, Asian/International Markets, and Sam's.

[café au lait]

The increase in food prices has altered my eating habits by causing me to cut back on eating out and forcing me to buy more groceries for cooking at home.

[Hadacol]

First of all, if the price increases are making people switch over to thighs and legs in the chicken world, maybe it's not such a bad thing. Chicken breasts are the least interesting part of the chicken.

But, yes, it has changed things. I find myself making the effort to go to the Dollar General for things that I used to buy in the grocery, because it is so much less expensive for household items. Also, leftovers get used up to the last bite. I don't eat out as much, and I am careful about using everything that I buy. I no longer let that bag of carrots sit in the drawer until they have to go, for example.

Generally, though, beyond being more careful-which I should have been doing all along anyway, the answer is probably, "not much."

[Turbodog]

Twice in the last week, I cooked with what was on hand instead of going to the store (where I cannot go without spending $40-$50, minimum).

[Suzy Wong]

I used to toss stuff in the basket and not really pay attention to the price. But now I find myself being much more aware, even of smaller priced items.

I'm also like turbodog, one or two items turns into 50 dollars or more....

[BTG]

I am def. eating out less and bringing more lunches to work. I am also watching the sales ads a little more often.

We got some bad news in the family recently that really is going to affect our finances and such and I think I am going to have to attempt shopping at Wal-mart.

[edible complex]

I think I am going to have to attempt shopping at Wal-mart.

easy...be careful, Wally World can sneak up on you too.
bring a list and stick to it... my rotisserie chicken and gallon of milk at SAM's always ends up costing $200...:shootself:

[Schuarta]

I'm also like turbodog, one or two items turns into 50 dollars or more....

Same problem, ran into Safeway on Monday for some coffee. Left with:

Don Francisco Coffee
Panko Bread Crumbs
Thai Chili Sauce
Pepsi (on sale)
Yoplait (on sale)
Tri Tip Roast (on sale)
Lascco Herring (on sale)
Ears Of Corn (on sale)
Radishes
Brussel Sprouts
Eng. Cucumbers (on sale)
$43.49

[café au lait]

Lots of sales, schuarta - think of all the money you saved! :laughup:

[Jesse]

I know I've been eating out less, and watching not too wast what I buy. The cool thing about that is that I've been having to be more creative with my cooking which is normally a good thing. :confused:

[DivaKitty]

I was already on a budget and we only eat out about once a month, but indulging in interesting ingredients from Dorignac's or Hong Kong Market made for fun shopping, cooking and eating. Now I find myself creating more ways to use herbs from my garden and utilizing pantry items I already have in new ways.
I'm really wishing I had planted a bigger garden!

[JudiB]

I'm doing the same thing Diva - looking around in my pantry and fridge and creating new dishes with what's on hand.

Like so many of you have said... I go wherever, Rouses, Dorignac's, Sam's... for a couple of things, and if I get out under $100, I call myself lucky.

And what kills me the most, with these high price tags... I usually haven't bought any meat! (That used to be the big ticket item for me!)

[ibjamn]

Instead of eating out twice every weekend, we eat out twice a month. Buy all meat on sale. We both brown bag our lunches. I watch the circulars and keep a well-stocked pantry and don't waste a thing. I have been keeping records of what things have cost in the last 6 months and the money I've saved, I've put aside and saved nearly $3000 in the last 5 months. :)

PS. My guilty confession. I actually made a tuna casserole recently for the first time since 1976. :covri:

[Isabella Maja]

Instead of eating out twice every weekend, we eat out twice a month. Buy all meat on sale. We both brown bag our lunches. I watch the circulars and keep a well-stocked pantry and don't waste a thing. I have been keeping records of what things have cost in the last 6 months and the money I've saved, I've put aside and saved nearly $3000 in the last 5 months. :)

PS. My guilty confession. I actually made a tuna casserole recently for the first time since 1976. :covri:

Kudos to you Ibjamn. Thanks for sharing your tips. I'd love to hear more if you have them! I usually pay cash when I buy a car & will need one in the next 2 or 3 yrs probably. I think this might be my incentive.

But I'm not making tuna casserole! :(

[ChoWeb]

I take $20 to the farmer's market once a week and try to buy everything I need there. Every other week I stop at t he regular grocery store to pick up any extras like milk, coffee and diet coke.

[PNG]

I have been taking shoplifting lessons, but I am a little afraid of taking my final exam................