Can we talk about grocery prices? Who wants to guess $

[bobbiwoz]

If Wegman's were giving recipes like box of pasta and jar sauce I could see bad mouthing them, but they are not.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I mean, a jar of sauce $4 and a box of pasta $2 with a bag of salad $4 meets that challenge for a family of 4...not the most nutritionally balanced, though...

That's it though, everyone should be able to work proteins into well balanced meals especially families with growing children or young adults. Made me sad.

It just struck me as I was at the checkout, I felt a bit of guilt and was thinking how on earth did we get to a place where groceries inspire guilt?

 

[wabbott]

Mrs. wabbott guessed $150

 

[bobbiwoz]

Strip steaks.

Not all our meals are pricey, I am also very at ease with potatoes and eggs or soups and repurposing leftovers. I made chicken soup the other night with leftovers from a roast chicken, made chicken salad (mayo and broth in a blender) with the meat starting to get a bit dry so the $11 chicken was 3 meals for 4.

I guess this time I just needed to restock and got some sticker shock.

We spent over $100 at Shop Rite yesterday ( the receipt said we saved $40 with specials and coupons) and have an order we‘ll buy at WalMart tomorrow that should come in around $50. We are two adults and an adult senior dog. I do make from scratch 1/2 of what the dog eats. He needs a prescription dog food. The balance of fresh and the prescription has worked for him.

Food is expensive! No doubt about it.

 

[TwoMisfits]

If Wegman's were giving recipes like box of pasta and jar sauce I could see bad mouthing them, but they are not.

View attachment 837413View attachment 837414

But, I'm looking at Wegman's suggested shop list for their $4.25/person fish tacos and I get...

$11.99 Tilapia bag (2lb)
$3.59 12 pack tortillas
$5.99 12 oz pico di gallo
$1.50 10oz bag cabbage
$1.29 1 avocado
$2.99 Mexican riced cauliflower 10oz
$4.49 chili lime seasoning shaker
$4.49 crema 15 oz

There's no way that's $4.25/person - if you assume $17 for 4 - that's the fish with tortillas and cabbage (which doesn't even have seasoning). That's all you can buy from their suggested list for $17.

They have you buy too much fish to keep unit costs on the protein down, but then you have to outlay more overall money to make the meal...

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm responsible for the grocery shopping in my family, which has gotten harder since I changed my eating habits. Fresh produce is outrageous, and I go through a lot of it because it makes up the bulk of my meals. I used to go exclusively to ShopRite, but now I shop at Aldi or Sav-A-Lot. Sometimes both in one trip. My family of five complained at the beginning that the food would be terrible, but I stuck to my guns and now everyone has calmed down.

 

[LuvOrlando]

$215! Like just how, I STILL need to put in the labor to make it into meals.

The chicken breast will make about 4 meals of chicken cutlets, I'll take them when I drive so I don't spend for fast food, and the bits will be stirfry
The thighs will get marinated in Soyaki then baked or grilled for maybe 4-5 meals
The steaks will be 2 meals easy, just as steak then as steak sandwiches on garlic bread
Roast chicken will be chicken then chicken salad or enchiladas and finally soup.

I'll stretch it because that's how I do things but a person needs to afford the $215 to get there and I realize this is out of reach for many families

 

[Magical2017]

When I go to Wegman's, my bill is similarly priced to Target, Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's, Safeway, and Weis markets (we are in the mid-Atlantic). I do a bit of shopping in the "fancy" sections but mostly shop for typical brand items or their store brand items.

Some items I am particular about but I will try out different store-brand items sometimes. A lot of their produce at Wegman's is not more expensive than anywhere else--I have compared and it evens out. I love getting fruits and veggies there. I do not shop at Whole Foods or organic markets.

ETA: I forgot Aldis! I shop there sometimes. They do have great prices but it's a hit or miss on produce and brands around here.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'm responsible for the grocery shopping in my family, which has gotten harder since I changed my eating habits. Fresh produce is outrageous, and I go through a lot of it because it makes up the bulk of my meals. I used to go exclusively to ShopRite, but now I shop at Aldi or Sav-A-Lot. Sometimes both in one trip. My family of five complained at the beginning that the food would be terrible, but I stuck to my guns and now everyone has calmed down.

If you are heavy on produce (like we are here), always do 2 shops a week. It just pays off b/c loss leaders differ the most on produce between stores, so you can get a lot (b/c some places also limit to only 3-4 lbs of an item or just single quantities for berries) and a lot of variety.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

If you are heavy on produce (like we are here), always do 2 shops a week. It just pays off b/c loss leaders differ the most on produce between stores, so you can get a lot (b/c some places also limit to only 3-4 lbs of an item or just single quantities for berries) and a lot of variety.

Good advice, thanks!

 

[Magical2017]

Also, as far as store bakeries, Wegman's cupcakes are so good. I cannot have them in the house, and I am not typically a big baked-good fan. I am also not a baker, so while many people can make delicious baked goods, I rely on bakeries if I am going to buy them.

 

[snowwite]

Up in Massachusetts I don't find Wegmans to be much more than elsewhere, in Pennsylvania there is a noticable difference. I think Mass is one of the most expensive places in the US, when I go back to PA literally everything is at least 1-3 dollars less.

As far as organic, it is not OK that people are being taught it is luxurious to not eat pesticides and genetically modified foods we did not evolve with, I don't accept the idea that organic is fancy. Humans evolved alongside our food and even if people don't accept evolution (I do but I understand the position) there must be some ringing of a bell that we have existed alongside our plants for ages and so when we eat stuff our bodies are like, "OK there blueberry, I know what to do with you," and when we eat some synthetic goo covered in pesticides that looks like a blueberry or whatever our bodies say, "huh, what the?" and become inflammatory.

Organic shouldn't only be for upper middle class people, I reject that idea.

Oh, and BTW I can afford it, it doesn't mean I am utterly blind to the troubles of others and how things weigh on them, that would make me callous at best and a psychopath at worst, and I am neither.

I love Wegmans but we only shop there occasionally because it’s just too expensive. I started getting produce at Aldi and Trader Joe’s which are closer and a lot less and meat at the local butchery. I discovered my health insurance reimburses for things like the Y, Weight Watchers, Yoga and CSA. For anyone wondering a CSA is a share in a farm and it is a HUGE savings on produce. Some also include items like eggs, maple syrup and some fresh poultry and eggs. We can get up to $350 back!

 

[georgina]

I don't bother shopping around for cheaper produce. I went to Aldi today, bought

1 doz eggs (cheap protein!)
2.25 lb red grapes (most expensive thing on my list)
soft cream cheese
2 avocado
4 large tomatoes
shredded cheddar
3 red/yellow peppers
3 green peppers
bag of spinach
4 bananas
pint mushrooms
1 lb brocoli crowns

$28.35

We have a spinach and mushroom frittata for dinner regularly, in addition to beans and rice and peppers in soft tortillas. I buy my chicken and ground beef at Costco in large quantities

 

[LuvOrlando]

But, I'm looking at Wegman's suggested shop list for their $4.25/person fish tacos and I get...

$11.99 Tilapia bag (2lb)
$3.59 12 pack tortillas
$5.99 12 oz pico di gallo
$1.50 10oz bag cabbage
$1.29 1 avocado
$2.99 Mexican riced cauliflower 10oz
$4.49 chili lime seasoning shaker
$4.49 crema 15 oz

There's no way that's $4.25/person - if you assume $17 for 4 - that's the fish with tortillas and cabbage (which doesn't even have seasoning). That's all you can buy from their suggested list for $17.

They have you buy too much fish to keep unit costs on the protein down, but then you have to outlay more overall money to make the meal...

Hmmm, good one, I could probably get that down quite a bit.

The fish is decent price, can then use it for lots of meals.
Pico di gallo is expensive so I think a person can probably make fresh salsa way cheaper with some tomato, cilantro sprigs and garlic, cabbage is a good price and leftovers can be healing cabbage soup with the leftover fresh salsa or just some 50 cent small tomato sauce. Avocado is nice, can use leftover for a solid avocado toast with an egg for another filling meal. I'd probably skip the cauliflower and the seasoning, cauliflower seems extra for no real nutritional add lime seasoning is a lot for the thing I wouldn't do often. I do like a smidge of the McCormick Baja Citrus or Mojito lime on fish taco, they run around $2 and I only use a bit for for a family of 4 I use only a half a packet for a lot of fish. The crema is just some sour cream and siracha and maybe some lime if I have it

 

[bluezy]

When I go to Wegman's, my bill is similarly priced to Target, Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's, Safeway, and Weis markets (we are in the mid-Atlantic). I do a bit of shopping in the "fancy" sections but mostly shop for typical brand items or their store brand items.

Some items I am particular about but I will try out different store-brand items sometimes. A lot of their produce at Wegman's is not more expensive than anywhere else--I have compared and it evens out. I love getting fruits and veggies there. I do not shop at Whole Foods or organic markets.

ETA: I forgot Aldis! I shop there sometimes. They do have great prices but it's a hit or miss on produce and brands around here.

I agree. I'm in PA and when I shop at Wegmans, my groceries is about the same price as when I shop at Weis. But the quality and variety of fresh produce is way better at Wegmans. I go to Weis more often because it's only 2 miles away whereas the closest Wegmans is about 15 miles away. If there was a Wegmans within 5-7 miles, I'd shop there all the time.

I'm constantly baffled at how I used to spend about $1200/month on groceries when I had 5 kids living at home and I cooked meals 6 days a week. Now DH & I are empty nesters (for the most part -- youngest child is in college) and I'm still spending close to $1000 a month on groceries -- and that's without buying organic or high-priced meats. I buy far less meat now than when the kids were at home, but I buy far more fresh fruits and vegetables...and we go out for lunch and dinner all weekend (and eat leftovers from that for usually 2 days) so it's crazy how much a weeks worth of groceries is costing me. I usually only need to cook meals 3 or 4 days a week. Sadly, it's not cheap to eat the foods that are good for you. I looked forward to my "cheap" grocery bills once the kids moved out. HA! The joke was on me!

 

[CdnCarrie]

WINNER within $10!

That doesn’t seem bad for steak and shrimp.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Also, as far as store bakeries, Wegman's cupcakes are so good. I cannot have them in the house, and I am not typically a big baked-good fan. I am also not a baker, so while many people can make delicious baked goods, I rely on bakeries if I am going to buy them.

We gifted their cupcakes to my niece for her birthday via Instacart and was told they are the BEST cupcakes they ever had so I tried one and yes they were above and beyond.

As an aside, the Tiramisu FAMILY size from Whole Foods is off the hook for a special sort of thing, it isn't cheap but it on par with cake prices or cheaper at under $15 for a nice "ta da" sort of splash.

 

[snowwite]

I don't bother shopping around for cheaper produce. I went to Aldi today, bought

1 doz eggs (cheap protein!)
2.25 lb red grapes (most expensive thing on my list)
soft cream cheese
2 avocado
4 large tomatoes
shredded cheddar
3 red/yellow peppers
3 green peppers
bag of spinach
4 bananas
pint mushrooms
1 lb brocoli crowns

$28.35

We have a spinach and mushroom frittata for dinner regularly, in addition to beans and rice and peppers in soft tortillas. I buy my chicken and ground beef at Costco in large quantities

That’s why I started shopping there! We tried a few items that were hit or miss. I like the marinated pork shoulder for tacos. I cooked it in the slow cooker all day with a jar of pineapple salsa and topped it with fresh cilantro and green onions. So good.

 

[LuvOrlando]

That doesn’t seem bad for steak and shrimp.

The family size pack of four steaks were $38 which is a lot but I only do it maybe once a month, in my mind one steak meal at a restaurant is over $40 so for 4 people it is solid and generally makes 2 meals, first on the grill and second with toasty garlic bread.

The Shrimp were $22 I think and since we do Lent it can be a solid add on for pesto with some kind of pasta or shrimp tacos, leftover shrimp is wonderful with some plain rice made with fresh ginger and garlic in the pot as it cooks.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I shop at Shoprite and Aldi. Always spend less than $100/week for two adults and we do eat meat at virtually every dinner. We do probably eat smaller portions than average, but DH is a snacker and I do buy a lot of snacks for him. I do pack lunches for us which are usually leftovers, ramen, canned soup, etc. I don't count any cat supplies as I order those separately from Chewy. And I don't count anything I get at CVS although I do get some HBA items at Shoprite when they are loss leaders (i.e. DH's body wash goes on sale for .99 cents). I closely watch sales at CVS and pair with digital coupons. Then stock up when the price is right. For example this week I got DH an 8 pack of Schick razors for $4 (priced at $15 originally which is ridiculous). I live in Philly and the OP is right that the prices at Wegman's are outrageous. I would never shop there although the quality is outstanding.