BUDGET SAYS NO!
Back It Goes
Have you been to the market lately? Wait, what am I saying? You’ve probably been three times this week already, right?
Every two weeks, I do a “heavy shop.” In between, I fill in the cracks, you know, the stuff I forgot, the stuff I ran out of, and the stuff I didn’t need… until suddenly I did. (Looking at you, marshmallows and Japanese rice vinegar.)
Here’s my current market lineup, ranked by function, not affection:
Trader Joe’s – meats, veggies, fruits, dairy, chips, and those peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets I pretend are “protein.”
Walmart – cleaning supplies, paper goods, Diet Coke, and humble pie
Albertson’s – candy and random recipe saviors
Let’s get real: prices are outrageous.
Mid-2024, I paid $2.29 for a dozen jumbo eggs. Today? $4.49. And I don’t care how “happy” the chickens are, I’m not thrilled about paying double.
Wrapped hothouse cucumbers? Used to be $0.99. Now? $1.69. For one skinny cucumber that will still go mushy before I finish it.
Milk, butter, orange juice… everything I plop in my cart feels like it needs its own payment plan.
I try to be a good shopper. I look for sales, buy store brands, download the apps, and use digital coupons (sigh, I actually miss clipping paper coupons on Sunday mornings; it was a whole ritual).
And it’s still not enough.
These days, I sometimes put items back on the shelf.
Me. Putting things back.
That never used to happen. If I wanted it, I bought it; simple.
Now? If it’s only for me, it often goes back. (Not always. But often.)
There are some bargains:
Pasta at Trader Joe’s: $0.99 for a 1-lb. bag, any shape.
Triple-milled lavender bath bars under $5.
Walmart’s Diet Coke, Arizona iced tea, and avocados? Consistently cheaper than other markets.
And Albertson’s? Always good for a “2 for $whatever” sale on Hershey’s dark chocolate bars. (Essential. Don’t judge.)
So yes, I’m disgruntled. I can try to put a little humor into the situation, but let’s be honest:
If you’re low-to-middle income in this country, the rise in food prices is more than frustrating. It’s disastrous.
And when they rise again, and they will, what then?
Every city has food banks. And more and more low- and middle-income families are turning to them, not out of laziness or greed, but because they simply can’t make the math work anymore.
Food banks help our neighbors stay fed and stay healthy.
So please: find your local food bank and consider donating.
Some ask for canned or boxed items. Others prefer monetary donations.
Whatever you’re comfortable with, it makes a difference.
And yes! You absolutely have my permission to put a little “extra goodness” in your cart.
Thank you.