Curious what you all do for your weekly shopping. Recently got into a disagreement with my partner about our grocery bills, he wants them to be lower, but I feel like we've already got it as low as we can reasonably go.
The reason its higher than he'd like though is because I prefer to buy animal products that are produced a little more ethically. I get the pasture raised eggs since the chickens are treated more humanely, I get the pasture raised chickens too (Whole, so I can break them down myself), and I get grass humanely raised beef products (used to get a quarter of a cow at a time but dont have the space for that anymore sadly).
But otherwise, we get store brand dry goods and local in season produce when available, and on sale produce when its not. Our bills arent that crazy imho, we're looking at 400 a month for two people in the midwest.
So curious, do you guys splurge for the fancier foods when its higher quality, or do you think its wasteful with your money? Whats worth it to you all
Do you guys get the upscale grocery items at the store or nah?
byu/bigsadkittens inFrugal
Posted by bigsadkittens
26 Comments
Personally I get the food that I, well, like. If a cheap brand doesn’t do it for me but a “fancier” one does then thats that (although the closest thing I currently have in that regard is veggies where I prefer the unpackaged ones to save a bit of plastic), if store brand is fine then I get that
Is there evidence to support pasture raised livestock is treated more humanely? Or that these companies are even doing what they claim?
Meats and veggies, yes. Processed crap for the hubster, nah.
I’d like to shop that way, but I probably won’t be able to afford it until my teenagers are done with college and out of the house ðŸ«
In general, we buy the lowest priced actual ‘food’ that satisfies us. There aren’t a ton of choices as most of our items are ingredients, not manufactured foods.
We do buy some ingredients considered ‘upscale’, but it’s a splurge/discussed. We bought fresh shiitake mushrooms for $9/4 oz. Robbery.
It’s kind of a question of value. My husband splurges in places I’d never but I’m also in the camp of pasture raised eggs and free range chickens. It goes in my body so I treat it with a higher standard. Even produce has less nutrients in it these days. Once you watch those videos of how Tyson and Purdue treats chickens you kind of can’t go back. I’ve eaten chicken wings with cysts in them, and the double yolk eggs you can get from a carton of eggs sometimes give me the ick.
Cut back a different way. Meal plan and reuse ingredients as much as possible. Don’t buy packaged process snacks. Shop at multiple stores to get the best deals. Freeze things you know you won’t be able to finish.Â
Yes, there are times I buy higher-priced products on purpose–ultimately, it depends on when I feel like I’m getting a higher-quality product and the upgrade is worth the money. For example, I exclusively buy swiss water processed decaf (rather than chemically processed decaf) for health reasons, and I buy Kewpie mayo because it tastes different/better than store-brand mayo.
As always, my definition of frugal is about being intentional about how I spend my money rather than always choosing the cheapest option. I will wait for sales/coupons on the coffee and be smart about it, but I am privileged enough to have some wiggle room in my budget that I’m willing to spend on products I prefer.
It depends on the quality of the ingredient. I only buy land o lakes butter and name brand flour as an example due to significant quality differences I’ve noted.Â
I will never skimp out when it comes to food! Eating high quality food will always be a priority for me! My body deserves the best!
I buy good chocolate. Brand name Cheerios everything else pretty much is lowest dollar wins. Oh, TP I go middle of the road
It’ll probably depend on your grocery store but I like to do the same with my meat. To save on costs, I shop about an hour after the grocery store opens so I can grab their discounted meats and breads and then throw them in the freezer.Â
Tbh in the grand scheme of things doesn’t really matter buying ethical raised animals, it’s just meat at the end of the day, I think a lot of it is a marketing scheme that people fall for. But do what makes you happy IMHO.
Your ethics and values are important. And fortunately cheaper stores like Aldi do offer more humane alternatives. I think your values matter more than saving a few dollars.
I pay $25 a week for 10 weeks in the summer for a farm share box. I know i could get the same produce cheaper at the grocery store but it’s worthwhile to me to get super fresh produce and support a small local farm.
I get some things upscale and others I get the cheapest. It depends on what it is. I tend to pay more for things where the difference in quality pays off more, like cheeses, or where I know it’s the main ingredient in my dish, or contributes more of the flavor. So I will buy nicer meats, fresh veggies over frozen, etc.
A recent example is that I devided to learn how to make mai tais at home, so I hunted down real orgeat syrup and bought nicer alcohol and fresh limes. I always try to get nicer ingredients for my first try at a new recipe, so I have one less place to trip up.
$400/mo for two people is great IMHO.
There are some things I don’t but lowest-price option like hair/body items that are EWG verified (so independently tested).
I’d recommend looking up the lower price brand and comparing business practices and claims from the one labeled as organic, responsible, or kind. I know for a fact that there is not much difference comparing the $2 eggs vs $5 but since $7 eggs actually let them roam and feed organic grains. That being said I buy the $2 because $7 is beyond my threshold of reasonable amount to spend on an grocery essential.
I buy TP made from bamboo because it’s far more sustainable. I can’t stand thinking about cutting down trees just to wipe the bum. It costs a little more but I can afford it because I am frugal in many other ways.
Meh. If its not on sale or a reasonable price, it doesn’t come home. I know how to cook and can turn any ingredient into a good meal, regardless of the quality.
I couldn’t afford that.
I do make sure to buy things that some people have told me are luxury items such as fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of cheeses and coffees.
These are not items that I had access to as a child growing up in poverty, and they have always been very important to me. A grocery goal post so to speak.
I don’t believe the animals are raised ethically. Read “The Omnivores Dilemma” as the author explains that pasture fed might only mean they get a small patch of yard. I don’t think you can expect ethics in food. I buy what tastes best that I can afford. I would not spend my money on premium meat because of its living conditions as that is b.s. “Upscale?” You are living in la la land. Just do what your partner suggests. They are right on this.
I’m the same way. We buy chicken and eggs direct from the farmer. I’ve seen enough stories about CAFOs to stop giving my money to corporate farms forever.
Google: local harvest to find a farmer near you. I’ve found the prices to be reasonable. And I LOVE knowing EXACTLY where my food is from and getting to talk to the guy who raises it. We’ve been to the farm. It’s awesome.
Here’s my take: how could what is going in your body be considered ‘wasteful’ spending ? It’s energy and nourishment for your body.
I used to beat myself up about our grocery budget until I realized that’s really a top priority.
I mean: food, shelter, water…🤨
Just do what’s cheapest, time for ethically when you have more money and economy is is in a better place, right now think about being able to afford to your next meal and have enough. Have the ethics for yourself.
$400 for two people is not bad by any means. That’s roughly $200 per person. I don’t consider grass-fed beef and pastured eggs/chicken “upscale” though. Imo, it comes down to sourcing and is the healthier option. Pastured eggs are higher in omega-3s as is wild salmon, and grass-fed butter and beef. It’s not affordable for everyone but I feel it does pay for itself in the long run. As the old adage goes, *”Pay the farmer now or pay the doctor later.”*
I’d happily pay extra for ethical treatment of animals, but I often wonder if these products are just “greenwashed”.
I don’t buy organic produce because it costs so much more.
Luckily I have so many friends with chickens now that are producing eggs I don’t need to worry about that for a while. I feel like 25% of people I know got a bunch of chickens this year.
I like the sriracha made by the huy fong people
Other than that it’s the lowest price per unit unless I think I can’t eat the volume before it goes bad
If you live near farm land, look into buying from local butchers, especially in bulk. I’m rural so I buy from my coworkers. I know my beef is humanely raised (and pastured its whole life – usually a 4-H project) and since I buy a 1/2 cow at a time, I can specify how cuts are done. Ends up being about $3/lb for everything (including this year our Christmas prime rib roast). The more you buy at a time, the more you save (buying a 1/4 means pricing around $4/lb). I realize that this may not be available – either for $$$ outlay or space considerations, but for those who can, absolutely should. I can also get pork, chickens, and eggs.
Not only is it frugal fiscally, my money stays local and I get better quality. When I start getting low, I put an ISO post on Facebook about sides of beef. There’s usually someone who has one close to being ready.
Ive gotten more picky about what I put in and on my body. So I save elsewhere