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to go grocery shopping. Everytime I go I see older people who I am sure on a fixed income walking threw the store looking at prices or standing and staring at something as if they are not sure what to buy. I saw a man looking at tuna fish today, just standing there staring as if he wasn't sure which can to buy. There was nothing else in his cart. The food prices have to be affecting this folks tremendously. Why they are having an adverse effect on those of us who are still working. I have seen things go sky high in the last few months. I bought 4 cans of corn at Walmart the other day for .82 a can. I though I got robbed. Went to the grocery store this morning and the same cans were $1.29 a can. I almost lost it. This country has to do something and do something quickly. Hope things change after Tuesday.

As I am one of those older folks and trying to live on my pension, it is getting very hard. I only shop at super Wal-Marts because the food is cheaper. I buy in bulk at Sams. The other day I went to the store just for my groceries that I needed plus the things to make a double batch of cranberry sauce for gifts to friends for Thanksgiving. I had to pay $190.00 to leave with one basketful of groceries. I was so surprised to see the price of apples had gone up .29 in one week and also grapes. Good thing my dh and I need to lose weight and could skip a few meals.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flboy,

It is sad and frightening. I wonder how people will manage the holidays with prices the way they are?

I hope to start canning again next year and maybe have a small garden. I feel that if I can grow flowers and herbs, surely, I can grow beans and peas. I did it once years ago and put enough by to last two years.

Since moving here, we've started an orchard and planted blueberries, pomegranates and figs. Hopefully, this will help.

I don't understand why people don't design their yards with the beauty of edibles. What could be prettier than a blueberry hedge? Blooms in the spring and turns red in the fall. Peach and apple trees instead of maples?

I was reading the news about the bamboo famine in India. A real horror for those poor people. Arian

I hope others will post their tips for coping with rising prices. Arian

Seeing the "older folks" trying to decide what to buy at the store breaks my heart too. Today I saw a couple trying to choose from the over ripe for quick sale veggie shelf. Not much else in their cart. Somethings got to give. Hopefully if gas prices continue to go down prices will too.

My husband paid $1.99 a gallon for gas last evening, we were both shocked to see it under $2.00. Pretty ironic when we're shocked to see prices lower than we're used to seeing.

Pears went form .78 a pound last week to $1.78 a pound this week. And we all know the farmer is not getting rich off his produce. I could not possibly afford to get my whole family together for holiday meals like we did when our folks were alive. And this younger generation still continues to think money grows on trees. DGS would not eat the leftover beef and gravy I made last night form Wednesday ight's dinner. And he saw I put a cooked carrot in it and had a fit. All he ate was 2 bites of meat out of the gravy and the rice that was made to pour the gravey over. I hope I live to see him get his own place. Bet his mind will change after that. He turns his nose up to most leftovers except spagghetti and lasagne. It just k i l l s me. And yes, we need to be producing in our yard. I tried to this year but did not do too well. At least I grew the plants myself so did not have a lot of money in them.

It will take a while for the lower fuel prices to hit the stores. Most of that produce was grown and harvested with the higher fuel prices. Enjoy those lower fuel prices for now!

Oh, on the finicky GS, first DH had a saying, "Three days will bring them to their knees." It won't hurt GS to go without a meal...tell him (if he spends the night) that he can either eat it now or eat it for breakfast...his choice. I know, I know, G-Ma's are supposed to be nicer than that and I'm sure I will be too...if I ever get a Grand...

DGS lives with us. DH and I were talking the other day that he ate a better diet when he was younger then he does now at age 8. I guess part of that is our fault as we let him make excuses why he does not want to eat what I make. The sad part is that I am a really good cook. No Emerill, but you know what I mean.

I'd like to share something I have begun doing...works in Oregon, so I'm thinking nationwide too?
I buy the newspaper that contains all the grocery store ads (for us it's Tuesday). I make my grocery list from the loss-lead specials...i.e. whole chickens 69 cents a pound, Butter $2.00 a pound,Mayo $1.99, & the Buy one get one free's. Walmart will honor ALL OTHER STORES PRICES, so I only need to go to one store. I will buy 3 months worth of the super specials, or whatever their limit will allow. In one month I will have enough in
reserve for about 3 months. Nationwide, stores are on a 3 month rotation, which means that in a three-month run chicken will be at its lowest price just once, pork once etc. It may take awhile to have a monthly budget stretch to work for three months, but it is the best way to save **$. The dresser in my guest room is stacked with pantry overflow. Stocking up on baking for the holidays. Can't beat flour and sugar for $1-2, can you? Oh and I keep a sheet
of paper to list what is in the freezer. Otherwise I might miss something.

Great tips Slant. Before moving, I also made a list from the sales fliers. Now, I have a choice of two stores only so I just go to those. Other times I go to WMart in another town. I don't have room for a freezer and that really makes it tough. I am able to stock dry products though. I hope to be able to can next year. I love to can stuff. Arian

Check into "Project SHARE" - some churches here hosts the program. May be national. Free groceries..and you keep track of hours you help others..no designated work. Just helping others, maybe taking a friend to the beauty shop, church or store. Honor system.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

Such a sad topic but we won't make it any better by putting our heads in the sand and pretending reality isn't real so I think it is good to talk about these things....

DH and I are much better off than so many (although it doesn't seem that way at times) that I try really hard not to complain about how things are and just be grateful for what we do have. However, sometimes, it is difficult not to speak up and say we need to do something! I join with the poster above re next Tuesday.

I no longer make up menu's for the week and then make a grocery list for what I want. Instead, I wait until Wednesday when the two grocery ads come out, mark the best buys and create my menu's around them.

We have been buying up items that can be stored and/or frozen when things are on sale. We are fortunate to have a freezer so that does help. Everything from TP to beef broth to "buy one, get one free" specials.

I also have been doing something else; since we are so fortunate, I've been putting aside one or two of the "extra's" and dropping them off at our local food banks, ect., once a week. Not much, but I really hope that they make their way to those older individuals we see at the grocery store that breaks everyone's hearts....

Not charity, hand-out or, even a hand-up, just a simple human gesture that no one should go without simple necessities. My only concern is that the ones I see in the grocery store, like so many have posted above, aren't ones who sign up for these programs.... are they getting help if they don't ask for it?

when i was by myself and could afford a little i would stock up then at the end of the month if i knew somebody was short on food i would drop a bag off. or at xmas time i would give bags of can goods to the older ppl. i remember one time a friend of a friend was out of food for her and her kids so i made up a bag and added a box of cookies and a thing of already made pudding it wasn't much but it helped them til they got some money back then i found ppl getting just the stamples and not treats and cookies seam to make a kid smile and forget that they only had a little food. the food banks give what they can and most ppl won't ask for help.
as for what i do is go by the sales and been cooking liter instead of alot of heavy foods i have been cooking a meat and 2 veggys instead of bread veggy pot meat and breaking things up into meals. doing more soups a little meat lots of veggys.

quote:

My only concern is that the ones I see in the grocery store, like so many have posted above, aren't ones who sign up for these programs.... are they getting help if they don't ask for it?

A few may be too proud, some may not have transportation, and others don't realize there are programs for Seniors.
I stopped donating-volunteering at local food bank: disgusted after watching hordes of opporuntists drive up in newer and more expensive model cars than mine!
If you see a Senior wishing they could buy a specific nutritious item; add it to your cart! follow her/him to the checkout and signal to the checker that you will pay for those items if quietly placed into their grocery bag

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tessa89,

I was on my way to DS school and noticed that one of the houses on the way had grown about 2 rows of corn all along their fence line. We live in a city suburb and the lots are small and I thought this was rather clever way of growing corn in the city.

Thanks for sharing. Loved reading all your posts.

Me too... (loved reading the posts I mean)
N