Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

Shopping with my 3 year-old son, Parker, is always an adventure. One of the stores I shop at has carts that have steering wheels where he sits and another has a ‘car’ attached to the front of the cart that he can sit in. Both of these keep him entertained because he pretends like he is driving. This is nice because it cuts down on the whining and wanting to buy everything. The downside to these carts is that they are big and take up more space going thru the aisles. Sometimes it is worth it though!

In addition to the ‘car’ carts, one of the stores also has little carts that the kids can push. I’m not so sure about this idea as a parent. Let’s just say I’ve held my breath a few times hoping that all of the cans he ran into would not fall. Only a few cans have fallen so far! I’ve also had a few bruises on the back of my legs where he ran into me. I’m usually frantically trying to make sure he doesn’t hit anyone else. Thankfully he hasn’t run into anyone else yet! And lastly, when he is pushing his own cart, and not confined to the child seat in the larger cart, he can grab lots of stuff off the shelves! Funny thing was the other day Parker informed me, “Dad doesn’t let me drive the little cart when I go shopping with him.” Imagine that!

Sometimes I do make it to the store without taking Parker, but that isn’t always possible. And he needs to learn how to act while in a store. In addition, grocery stores can be great places to teach kids. They are a place to learn about good nutrition but kids can also learn about numbers, colors, and shapes.  The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a great publication on shopping with children. Here are some of the tips they share.

1. Plan to go to the store with your child when you have plenty of time and the store is not crowded.
2. Plan shopping trips when your child is not tired or hungry. Or bring a nutritious snack for him to eat during the shopping trip.
3. Discuss your rules before you enter a store. Remind your child to stay close to you. Also, set ground rules about what is acceptable to put in the cart. Discussing acceptable behavior before going into the store can save a lot of headache later on.
4. Give your child a job. For example, ask her to help pick out five oranges or three tomatoes. Or let her choose if you get apples or pears. Kids who help pick out fruits and vegetables are more likely to eat them. Older children may like to hold onto the grocery list and cross off the items as you put them in the cart.
5. Set positive limits. When your child does something you do not want him to do, instead of reacting with a negative limit, such as “don’t throw the oranges on the floor,” tell your child what is expected in a positive way, such as “Keep the oranges in the bin.”
6. Make the shopping trip a learning experience. Keep kids entertained by asking them questions and having them searching for items. Teach toddlers about touch by asking how different items feel, like the skin of an apple or if the milk is warm or cold.  Teach preschoolers about colors by asking them to point out items of different colors like the green peas or the cereal in the yellow box. Have school-age children look at the labels and compare items based on nutrition.

What tips do you have for making grocery shopping trips enjoyable for both kids and parents?

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Many of the ways we recycle, reuse, and reduce to save energy can also save us money.  While I don’t think of myself as an extreme recycler, I found that I already do many of the suggestions in the two articles below.  Check them out—you might get an idea that will save you some pennies and reduce your energy use:

Save Green and Go Green in the Kitchen is a list from the Canned Food Alliance and 8 Ways to Go Green in Your Kitchen is from WedMD.

I see people using reusable grocery bags frequently when I shop. Just last week I went to a grocery store in Maryland with a friend. At the stores she shops at you have to pay for plastic or paper sacks, but if you bring your own, you get a discount of 5 to 10 cents. Most people brought sacks with them.

My concern about reusable bags is food safety. Researchers at University of Arizona and Loma Linda University asked shoppers going into grocery stores if they washed those reusable bags.  97% reported they do not regularly, if ever, wash the bags.  In addition 75% said they don’t use separate bags for meats and for vegetables, and about a third said they used the bags for carrying and storing all sorts of things like books, clothes, shoes, etc.

The researchers tested 84 of the bags for bacteria and found bacteria in all the bags except for one. The good news is that machine or hand washing reduced bacteria levels to almost nothing.

It’s a good idea to designate a bag for meat and poultry.  When meat or poultry juices touch food that will not be cooked such as fruits and vegetables, you have the potential for cross contamination and foodborne illness. Any type of reusable grocery bag should be hand or machine washed in warm to hot, soapy water at least once a week, and always after a spill. This will keep them clean and reduce the risk of cross contamination.

The reusable bags I have are made from fabric which doesn’t hold up well to washing.  I found this tutorial for making grocery bags from pillowcases, which looks easy.  Ali Conners, the tutorial author, says you can “admire your handiwork, frugality, and earth consciousness while being the most stylish lady at the grocery store.”  The bags use a double thickness of the pillowcase fabric and the handles are made from the pillowcase hem.  I made one from an old pillowcase (see the light green striped bag below.)  Ali says it takes her about 10 minutes.  My first one took about 45 minutes but it will be much faster next time.  I found the turquoise pillow cases on clearance.  They cost $2.35 for both cases and the little pouch.  I think the darker color will be better and the design is more fun than the pastel green stripes.

Happy Recyling,

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Half the grain products we eat are supposed to be whole grain. We aren’t there yet, but according to a July study about 55% of us have switched from white bread to whole grain bread.

Whole grains aren’t limited to bread. There are whole grain pastas and brown rice on grocery shelves too. And products made with whole grains such as oats, popcorn, brown and wild rice, buckwheat (or kasha) and cracked wheat (also called bulgur) as the first ingredient carry the “whole-grain” label.

Grains such as quinoa, whole cornmeal (yellow or white), whole barley, whole rye, amaranth, millet, spelt and triticale are less common, but are also whole grains.

Why are we eating more whole grains? Maybe consumers are becoming more aware that whole grains help reduce the risk of bowel disorders, some cancers, heart disease (by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol), stroke and type 2 diabetes. Maybe it is because we like the taste and texture.

Bread is still a staple in our diets. Whole grain bread can cost $3.50 to $4.00 a loaf at the supermarket.  At the day old store I found whole grain bread for $1.00 to $2.00 a loaf. If you have a day-old bread store nearby and have a freezer, it’s worth a trip to stock up.

Check for clues on the label!

Be sure the bread you buy is whole grain and not just brown. Look for the “Whole Grain” stamp or choose foods that name one of the following whole-grain ingredients FIRST on the label’s ingredient list:

• brown rice
• bulgur
• graham flour
• oatmeal
• whole-grain corn
• whole oats
• whole rye
• whole wheat
• wild rice.

If you see these words listed as the first ingredient, that’s your tip that it is NOT a whole grain product: wheat flour; enriched; multigrain; 100% wheat; stone ground; cracked wheat; seven-grain; bran.

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I love watermelon. I remember my grandfather cutting giant melons on his front porch and giving all the grandkids a slice. Back then all the watermelons had seeds that we spit out on the grass. Melons were also a lot bigger. They often weighed over 20 pounds and sold for around $.06 a pound!

It’s still hard to pick a good watermelon. Here are some suggestions I found:

1. Choose watermelons that are symmetrical with no soft spots. Odd bumps and curves can mean it was grown with irregular runs of water or sun.
2. Look for a creamy patch. It’s called the ‘field spot’ — the place where the watermelon rested on the ground. The deeper in color, the longer the fully grown melon was on the vine getting sweet. A yellow field spot is better than white, but white is better than no patch at all.
3. Pick it up. Your watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Compare its weight with one of similar size.
4. Thumps, slaps, raps…some people think they can tell if a watermelon is ripe by listening. PCC Natural Markets has a video on selecting the perfect melon if you want to learn more about the listening method.

Safety first

When you get your melon home make sure you wash it. According to the FDA, you should wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water before eating them. This is true for all fruits and veggies–rinds or not! You should also use clean knives and cutting surfaces, and make sure you have washed your hands prior to preparing the watermelon for eating.

Buy a dud? Return it!

If you get an unripe or over-ripe melon home, take it back and get another one or your money back.  I called 4 local grocery stores today (Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee, Fareway and Dahls) and they all said they would refund or replace the melon. It is best if you have your receipt with you.

Feeling creative and interested in making a fun watermelon display? Check out the watermelon carvings posted by the ©National Watermelon Promotion Board for some neat ideas.

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ALDI is a discount grocery chain that operates over 1,000 stores in 31 states (26 locations in the larger Iowa cities and towns). The stores are only about 15,000 square feet (the size of a drug store). They stock only about 1200 of their most popular foods compared to about 40,000 products in most supermarkets. Ninety-five percent of the time you find only the ALDI store brands Grandessa, which is their gourmet line, and Fit and Active, which is advertised as “healthier foods designed for today’s active lifestyles.” Also, most of the time you will find only one size of each item. Sometimes there will be a name brand product for a “special”. ALDI does not decorate their aisles or fill shelves. Items are placed on pallets, similar to those big warehouse stores, and customers choose food off of the pallets. There is no bakery, meat department, or florist; although, you can buy bread, meat, and flowers.

My Top 5 Reasons for Going to ALDI

1. At ALDI food costs less (sometimes a lot less than local stores).
2. ALDI puts out the grocery flyers for this week AND next week in their stores and on their website. If I can wait until next week to buy something on my list for big savings, I will.
3. Shopping at ALDI is quick. I can get in and out of the store in less time because the store is small.
4. I like the products. Here are some of the things I buy at ALDI.
5. I do not have to feel guilty about not cutting out coupons because their products do not have coupons.
6. ALDI offers a double guarantee on all of their products. If you are dissatisfied with any of their products, they will replace the product and refund your money too!

BE ADVISED.  ALDI does some things differently than other stores to save money.

• If you want a cart you need a quarter to drop in a slot to unhook it from the other carts. You get the quarter back when you return the cart.
• ALDI only accepts cash, debit cards, and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards (formerly known as Food Stamps).
• You need to bring your own bags, or you can pay $.10 for plastic or paper bags or $.99 for an insulated bag.
• You sack your own groceries. As I sack, I organize into refrigeration or not, which makes it quicker and easier when I get home.

I am interested to find out what you like or do not like about ALDI. Please share in the comments section or on our SpendSmart Facebook page.

P.S.  Did you know that ALDI and Trader Joes are owned by the same German Company?

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Consumer Reports says that one-third of their readers have switched grocery stores in the past year.  The main reason was to get better prices, but their readers also switched in search of better selection, shorter lines, or more courteous staff.

In an eight page report in the May issue, 52 grocery stores were ranked by Consumer Reports readers on service (which combines customer satisfaction with employee courtesy and checkout speed), perishables (quality of meat and produce), price and cleanliness. Of the stores operating in Iowa, Fareway ranked highest at #4, Costco at #5, and Hy-Vee at #9.  Aldi and Target were 20 and 22. Can you guess which store came in lowest?  Walmart Superstores ranked at the bottom (51 out of 52)

Fareway received the highest rating in all the categories.  Costco was rated lower in service,  HyVee was knocked  because of high prices.  Aldi got good ratings for price and Target rated high in cleanliness.  Walmart was rated low in service and cleanliness and but got a favorable rating in price.

Money Saving ideas mentioned in the article include:

• Using store brands.  Seventy-two percent of those surveyed said they used store brands and 89% of those said store brands were as good as national brands.
• Unit pricing.  It would be wonderful if more states required this, but only 9 states do and there is no standard formatting so it can be hard to compare. Want to learn more about unit pricing? The SpendSmart.EatSmart web page has a lesson called Choosing the Best Deal which walks you through each step.
• Paying attention to the sale flyers.  Some items are priced below cost to get you to the store.  However not everything in the sale flyer costs less than the regular price.  (it’s the same as specials in a restaurant—specials are not necessarily cheaper or even something that is not on the menu all the time—they are just a shout out to a “special” meal.
• Coupons.  The report mentions that more coupons now require you to buy multiples and the coupons expire quicker than they used to.
• Loyalty cards or senior citizen savings.  I have used these in other parts of the county, but they are not being used much in Iowa

If you would like more tips to reduce your spending on groceries check out our shopping tips at SpendSmart.Eat Smart.

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According to the National Retail Association about 90% of us will have candy on our shopping list for Easter and our total spending will be about $2 billion. WOW.

Why is it that people who do not buy candy for most of the year, buy enormous baskets and fill them with chocolate, jelly beans, candy chickens, etc. for Easter? I think advertising and retail promotions, as well as peer pressure, are at work.

Photo from The Saved Quarter

For Easter this year, how about buying one small bag of a favorite candy and then filling the Easter basket with stickers, whistles, pencils, plastic rings, coupons for ice cream, puzzles, playing cards, and bath toys. Here are a couple of sites that have ideas to match with your child’s or grandchild’s interests and your budget.

Alternative Fun Easter/Spring Baskets

Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas for Children

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As I was reading the blog Peggy wrote about tracking expenses last week, one line stood out to me more than any other, “I really need to follow my own advice.”  After my most recent trip to the grocery store, I was thinking the same thing.

Usually, my son and I go to the grocery store every Friday morning.  I like to shop at that time because it is quiet and I can get in and out quickly.  I do not have to worry about taking my son to the grocery store; he just sits back and enjoys the ride in the cart.

The problem came this past Friday when my husband had the day off of work.  Even though I knew better, I invited him to join us for our weekly shopping trip.  Many people have trouble with their children asking for treats or sneaking extra food into the cart.  Not me.  My husband is the one who does that.  I spent $15 more than usual!

If I spent an extra $15 each week at the grocery store, that would be $780 per year.  What could your family do with an extra $780 per year?  I can think of a few things that we could do.  So, I have learned my lesson this time, I need to follow my own advice and let my husband sleep in on his day off while my son and I go to the grocery store.

For other tips while at the grocery store, check out:
10 Tips for Saving at the Grocery Store

Justine Hoover, MS, RD, LD

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The SpendSmart.EatSmart web page and Facebook have been running a poll asking What do you think saves you the most money on your grocery bill? Here is the breakdown from the 315 people who responded:

The results of this poll indicate to me that our readers are very savvy shoppers!  These are similar results to what research and the experts promote as the best ways to save money.

Do you know how much you spend for food each month, how many times you shop and where most of your money goes? That is good information to know before you set goals.   I wrote about tracking my food expenses on SpendSmart last June, but now I have a much easier method.

I downloaded a free app on my phone called Mint a couple of months ago and now it does most of the work tracking my expenses.  Mint, which is also available free on-line at Mint.com, links to all your  checking, savings, credit cards, etc..  Whenever money goes in or out of your accounts it is recorded.  The best part is that Mint is pretty smart about categorizing your expenses from the names of the businesses.  For instance, it knows to categorize Aldi and HyVee as grocery stores and Younkers as clothing.

There are many more cool features about Mint.  You can see a recent review of Mint in Doughroller.  The author said Mint is a “good concept and very well executed.”

So what did I find out about my spending? First, I need to spend a little more time categorizing transactions.  Second, there is a lot of variation month to month in both the amount and spending occasions. I can tell when I am not taking the time to plan and just running to the store and buying…these are the months when I have 10 or 11 charges from grocery stores.

I really need to follow my own advice.

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Shopping

Almost every day I notice an article about how to save at the grocery store.  We have many of those tips summarized on the SpendSmart.EatSmart website.

Compare unit prices for best buy explains unit pricing and how it can save you money.  A free step by step lesson will make you a whiz at finding the best buy.

Aisle by aisle tips tells the best buys in each food group, how much you need for good health, and how to store food so it will not spoil.  You can also get a concise buying guide from our PDFs called Spend Smart basics on the lower right of each of the aisles pages.

You can also Test your Shopping Skills by trying out our game. It’s like a jeopardy game only with choices (see picture).

I noticed an article that first appeared in Fitness magazine that you might like. A dietitian worked with  for women she identified as Multitasking Mom, Convenience Queen, Frozen Foodie, and Stuck-in-a-Rut Shopper to learn the best choices to stay fit, save money, and spend less time at the grocery store.  It is called Get Supermarket Savvy.

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