Defending the Truth

It's getting as insane as the gas prices. Since I pass several stores during the week, I find myself "sale shopping" for the weekly grocery supply. No more store loyalty at all.

U.S. seeing worst food inflation in 17 years - Stocks & economy - MSNBC.com

The U.S. is wrestling with the worst food inflation in 17 years, and analysts expect new data due on Wednesday to show it’s getting worse. That’s putting the squeeze on poor families and forcing bakeries, bagel shops and delis to explain price increases to their customers.

U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007, compared with an average 2.5 percent annual rise for the last 15 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the agency says 2008 could be worse, with a rise of as much as 4.5 percent.

Higher prices for food and energy are again expected to play a leading role in pushing the government’s consumer price index higher for March.

What is scary is that I have been this poor before.

For some, that means adding an extra cup of water to their soup, watering down their milk, or giving their children soda because it’s cheaper than milk, DiChiara said.

I am the primary grocery shopper in the family. I go armed with coupons and my club card. The other day I saved $65 in groceries. The store I go to doubles the coupons.

Heck, food prices are so bad, that sometimes I will eat cereal for lunch.

It is insane, as much as I hate walmart it's just dumb to buy dry goods at the grocery store. The same box of cereal will be $1.00 less at walmart. I still go to the grocery store for my meat and produce though.

I quit buying meat and produce at Walmart a long while ago too. It's just too iffy. I actually try to avoid the place at all costs. But as you said, it's hard to avoid them sometimes.

My mom once told me to avoid going shopping at the beginning of the month when all the fixed income people shop. The stores gouge them. And I kept sale papers of one particular store in my area, and the prices were quite lower in the last week of the month than the first. Of course, your results may vary.

That's an interesting tip, I am going to pay attention to that and see what kind of mileage I get.

Walmart treats their meats and produce like everything else, it gets marked down as it gets closer to the end of it's shelf life. Watch the bananas when they are green they cost more than when they yellow.

Related story...The death of the coupon - MSN Money

My meals are provided free to me at taxpayer (your) expense whilst in Iraq. Thank you taxpayers....brrrrrrrrrrappppp!

Also, I didn't have to pay any taxes on the money I earned in Iraq last year. Thank you taxpayers (and H & R Block).

you are certainly welcome if you are serving your country. and what is brrrrrrrrrappppppp, a burp? in some cultures that is considered polite to burp after a meal. lol

Well, I have to admit that I'm serving my country as a 50 year old civilian contractor.

I work in a small restaurant and I see how much more my boss is paying for his supplies. And he really can't raise the prices much because he doesn't want to lose business. He is between a rock and a hard place. He may have to lay off a couple of guys in the kitchen soon. Business is slower than usual as well. And I definitely see the differences at the grocery store.