I'm going to come from a different angle and give a positive spin to this posting.

With all of us knowing and (for the most part) actively budgeting and purchasing with frugality in mind...for me...I really don't see a big difference from what I have always paid at the grocery store. With coupons, double-coupons, sales and using creativity and improvising, I really don't see it that big a deal.

There's no finger-pointing or judgement meant at all by my comments, I just don't see it as bad as the majority do.

Is there anyone who has this same mindset as me or is everyone just feeding off the news and/or not being diligent enough with their budget and their choices? Is negativity just feeding negativity here? I wonder how the not-so-frugal are viewing the price increases or if they even notice.

Granted, gas has gone up so it basically affects everything we purchase in a trickle-down effect, but if meat is sky-high, couldn't we buy it on sale and use much less of it, and more beans for protein? Bean soups are loaded with nutrition and very cheap to make.

Just an example: I got a huge package of chicken thighs at an awesome price last week, and instead of buying chicken breasts that were NOT on sale, I bought the thighs. I breaded them just as I would the breasts and the kids loved them. Much, much cheaper too.

Thoughts? Wondered if we can turn this around and maybe challenge ourselves even more with finding ways to beat the markups. Are things really that bad? Am I missing what you ladies are seeing? Maybe it depends on what you're willing to change as far as choices and how willing you are at trying new/different recipes and improvising.

I guess what I'm trying to say in all this is that I see it, but I don't feel it. Up to this point, improvising and changing up my choices is key. As far as the increases...they seems so slight that this is a non-issue for me.

Comments?

I'm also wondering, frugal or not, what exactly is in the grocery carts of those who spend the $900 average for a family of four. Not being critical here; this is just a real and valid question I have because $900 seems really steep. I'm wondering if these high prices are due to too many H&B purchases, cleaning solutions, etc. and possibly not being diligent with the sales and such.

This is what I wonder too. We have a family of 6 and regularly only spend $400-450/month on EVERYTHING. Groceries, animal supplies, household products, milk, etc... I supposed I could spend $900 for us, but holy-canoli what I would have to buy .

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It may not be an issue for you and, to be honest, I spend about the same as I have since the kids moved out years ago. BUT you admit to being creative and I know that my buying and cooking habits have HAD to change tremendously to maintain the same budget.

Food prices have dramatically increased and some people were already scrimping and getting creative beforehand.

As far as the media goes, yes, they are talking about those people we all see at the store with CR** in their carts. Admit it, you see them all the time.

I think most of us here aren't those people they are talking about and if some here are hurting, I believe them!

RANT OFF... Sorry...
Cathleen

Darn it! Yuck to higher grocery prices!!!! We spend a good amount of money on groceries every month (budget is $560) for a family of four, including two with special dietary restrictions (diabetes and food allergies). $900 + a month seems really high to me, but I know A LOT of women who couldn't cook if their lives depended on it. They definitely spend that much on groceries every month. I know one woman who didn't know how to broil meat (and she's 36 LOL!)

Hmm...I guess I'll just have to figure out how to make it work, along with the rest of the moms on the Mommysavers board. We're a really smart, savvy, frugal bunch of women. Collectively, we should be able to find more ways to combat rising costs.

Cathleen,
I'm sorry you felt you had to RANT. Like I said in my post, I was not finger pointing or making an attempt to single anyone out. Just trying to look for ways that maybe those people who are struggling can adjust a little; bringing to light ways I have found to cut the budget. It wasn't personal. And, I certainly wasn't implying I "don't believe" those people who are having adjustment problems.

this is horrible how do they expect us to live?

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My choices yesterday create my today. My choices today create my tomorrow.

Found these. I wonder if there's anything new in it for anyone to get more leverage on their budget. Hope they help.

Thirteen ways to reduce your food budget - TheHomeSchoolMom in the Kitchen

Cut Your Food Budget with These Cheap Meal Ideas - Associated Content

MailTribune.com: Stretching your food budget

How Can We Stretch Our Food Budget?

There's more, but this is a start to get your creativity flowing!

This is one of the reasons we are working so hard to get out of debt. I know the prices are going to increase on lots of things due to the lack of corn. Corn is used to make lots of items. I was very suprised when I saw what all is made out of it.

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They just don't pay attention and also don't cook much from scratch but grab whatever seems convenient. I used to not pay attention and then realized how much money I was wasting and how ridiculous it was to grab things off the shelf without considering whether they were worth my money. The people on Mommysavers are either already smart about money or self-educating themselves to be smart about money, so people here are a LOT different than the "average" shopper. It's too bad, because just because you aren't smart about money doesn't mean you can afford that, but there's a marketing message in our society that you shouldn't ever have to think about cost, and people buy into that (literally).

I know. Iheard that too! It makes me so mad that they can raise the price of everything but do you see our wages going up to make up for the increases? Nope