7 Satisfying Grocery Substitutions as Budgets Tighten This Summer
Great taste doesn't need to go hand-in-hand with empty pockets.
“One of my clients was spending $1,100 per month on groceries for three people,” said Cody Schuiteboer, president and CEO of Best Interest Financial.
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“One line-by-line grocery check brought about $280 monthly savings through protein substitution, purchasing whole produce instead of preprepared and switching brands in pantry items whenever store brand was indistinguishable by ingredients. She didn't suffer nutritional deficits from this process. All she did was stop paying for convenience.”
Here’s a look at some grocery items you can avoid buying this summer and what to purchase instead to help stretch those summer dollars.
Chicken
Avoid: boneless, skinless chicken breast
Buy: chicken thigh
According to Schuiteboer, the most expensive mistake one could make in the grocery aisles concerns protein.
“Boneless skinless chicken breasts, which cost $6 to $8 per pound and sirloin steak, costing $10 to $14 per pound, are both premium-priced items, with significant markup above similarly functioning products,” he said. “The same amount of protein per serving can be had for only $2 to $3 per pound in the form of chicken thighs, which perform better than the breast during any summertime cooking method.”
Red Meat
Avoid: sirloin steak
Buy: pork shoulder
Per Schuiteboer, pork shoulder at $2.50 per pound would replace sirloin in all recipes with long cook-times that call for beef. While it won't replace your steak filet in any meals cooked high and hot, pork shoulder can make great meals for any recipe that requires low and slow cooking.
“The difference when counting costs per serving can add up to $30 to $50 savings per month for a family of four,” he said.
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Pineapple
Avoid: precut pineapple
Buy: whole pineapple
“Another group of groceries not worth the price tag is ready-to-eat produce,” Schuiteboer said. “Pineapples come in at $2 to $3 for a whole fruit, but the precut equivalent can range anywhere from $6 to $8 per pound.”
Veggies for Cooking
Avoid: fresh vegetables
Buy: frozen vegetables
“Buy frozen vegetables instead of fresh when you're cooking them anyway, because frozen is often more nutritious and costs about half the price,” said Jasmine Charbonier, a money and food expert behind Your Tampa Bestie.
Riced Cauliflower
Avoid: riced cauliflower in a bag
Buy: a fresh head of cauliflower
“Cauliflower at $2.50 for a head versus pre-riced cauliflower in a bag, coming in at $4.50 per pound, is another case of high markup on produce convenience,” Schuiteboer said. “The markup on preprepared produce usually ranges between 60% to 120% and you essentially pay for somebody's effort. Buying whole items and preparing produce at home is a fast track to improving the family budget.”
Organic Fruit
Avoid: certain organic fruits
Buy: nonorganic alternatives
Since organic foods can cost much more than their nonorganic alternatives, it makes sense to be selective about which ones to buy.
“Skip the organic label on items with thick skins, like avocados, pineapples and bananas, where pesticide exposure is minimal,” Charbonier said.
Name-Brand Buys
Avoid: name-brand items
Buy: store brands
“Trade name-brand pantry items for store brands,” Charbonier said. “Studies consistently show that prices at Aldi and Lidl run more than 8% lower than Walmart on a comparable basket of goods.”
If the taste just isn't the same, go for your gusto guilt-free, but ask yourself first if it isn't just marketing's effect. When the experience is the same, why wouldn't you pay less?
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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