Food prices are up, way up in some cases, that’s for sure.
But if prices are putting a strain on the budget, take a close look at what you put in that basket.
Sad as it may be, now is the time to get back to basics. Not buying what you don’t actually need will save money and help lower prices as well.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
But Google “food company profits” and there are dozens of articles basically saying profits are rising for most companies. Their prices are increasing higher than inflation. I have yet to find a counter argument.
People are responding somewhat by purchasing less, but even with fewer sales, profits are increasing. How long can that continue?
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Caveat, for what it’s worth. Who not to blame…
Grocery chains and wholesale distributors. Apparently they operate on a very small net profit margin (2-4 percent)
Food and beverage manufacturers, and chain restaurants operate on net profits of 15-20+ percent and have more power to raise prices above inflation.
Not a scientific study, just a few articles because I couldn’t sleep, but I wanted to be fair(ish).
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Why should I have to care how much I put in my cart, what kind of car I buy, ride a bicycle to save money I worked every day of my life to enjoy my retirement. The prime rib I bought for Christmas cost $164.00 dollars, should have bought hamburger? Who is running us down to the level of a third world country? And yes Dick get a tattoo if I wanted.
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As long as you have the income, don’t care and don’t complain. That’s your right. You’re reference to “who” though appears to demonstrate a lack of understanding of the world economy and its affect on us. Don’t overcook the prime rib.
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I loved your “most expensive vehicle to operate!” Smith Smallwood
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I haven’t searched Humble Dollar for articles on “independent living”, maybe i should. I am not ancient, but past the average life expectancy, and I have stage 4 lung cancer, currently stable but virtually a ticking time bomb.*
We downsized to move closer to family so my wife will have support when I am gone. I wanted to look into the growing number of rentals/condo communities which supply meals and housekeeping as well as other amenities, for myself and for the wife when I’m gone.
She flat wouldn’t have it, so we are still grocery shopping and cooking as best we can. Neither of us really ever enjoyed cooking or was particularly good at it, so probably half our meals are take out or delivery. Either way, it aint cheap, and almost certainly less healthful than professionally prepared meals. As Richard suggests, we don’t have a detailed budget, so I don’t know how much we spend for food each month. Probably don’t want to know.
My stepmother was a great cook from the old school, a lot of fresh foods came straight from the garden. When Dad passed, she couldn’t wait to get into senior living and let someone else do the cooking.
* Going on five years since diagnosis, strictly by the odds I shouldn’t be here.
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Update…
Humble Dollar is an amazing resource. Just glanced at a few articles (CCRC, continuing care retirement communities) and right of the bat hit an unexpected snag.
If you follow the guidelines and find your ideal CCRC, don’t be surprised if there is a waiting list of up to four years. Or more.
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