I'm not sure yet whether we're spending more or the same. I just know I've been making very frequent trips to the store because I still haven't figured out just how much produce we need for however many days!
I think in the long run we may wind up spending a little less because we have always and will continue to use cheaper cuts of meat except for the occasional splurge. Even so, at $2.50 a pound for a splurge, our dinner meat is going to cost $10. We definitely can't afford that!
One thing I would urge anyone who has the room is to invest in either an upright or chest freezer. We have both, and even an extra fridge, and we still run out of room sometimes! Home Depot carries a 13.x cubic foot upright for under $300 (ours was $290 with tax). A freezer can pay for itself in six months.
I also buy a lot of bulk when I find good sales. For example, if you've ever paid attention to milk prices you'll notice they go down in the summer, right about mid-July to the first of August. This is the time when butter will be the cheapest it will be all year. It's just now come back up about 10 cents a pound to $1.76. During this time I buy 10 pounds at a time and put them in the freezer. You can do the same thing when cheese is on sale, but it's best if it's grated before it goes into the freezer because once it's frozen and thawed it crumbles.
Someone mentioned the high price of olive oil. Yes, it is expensive. However, you can buy a 3-quart can of olive oil and if kept in a reasonably cool place the oil will stay good (even opened) for at least two years. Also, remember, a good alternative to olive oil is canola. My preference is a combo of olive oil and butter, but canola comes in real handy a lot of times.
One thing I noticed over the years about coupons was that generally speaking they were for foods I would never even buy because of the original prices, and even a coupon didn't make them cheaper than a good generic. I can go through the weekly coupons and find maybe three of them.
Generics (or store brands) are a great way to save money although you need to find out which ones are as good or better than name brand products. For example, I'll never buy 'cheap' laundry soap because I don't like the way they work. I also won't buy DH store brand tea bags because they're just not worth it. However, WalMart's Great Value brand of salsa is excellent and the GV mixed nuts put Planters to shame in flavor AND price.
And don't overlook the corner grocery! Our little grocery store often runs specials on meat that surpasses what I can buy at the larger stores and it's much better quality (this week alone: pork sausage, $1.39/pound; pork steaks $1.29/pound; GOOD chuck steak, $2.29/pound). And their eggs are cheaper than in the big stores.
If you have outlet stores in your area, also check them for exotic-type foods at reduced prices. I love the dollar stores for fancy mustards, marinated onions and excellent quality salad dressings at $1 each. I also check Big Lots periodically because they tend to get a wide variety of canned meats and such that are sometimes super cheap. (You do need to watch, though, because often I do find cheaper prices at either WalMart or WinCo.)
If you don't have to, forget shopping at stores like Albertsons, Fred Meyer and other high-priced grocery stores. The quality on some of their produce may be worth the extra price, but the over-priced staples aren't any better than discount grocery chains like WalMart.
Oh, another thing! I've noticed that corner 'fruit stands' often times have way better produce and way better prices than grocery chains. They're abundant in our area in the summer time.
Ah well! You asked a simple question, and I wrote a lecture! I'll shut up now.
Oh yes !
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