Anyone buying food at a supermarket knows prices have risen sharply recently. As a senior on limited income, I shop very carefully. Many things I only buy when on sale, like poultry, meat and fish. Also, whenever possible I buy the “buy one, get one” items. And, when a nonperishable item we use frequently is on sale, I buy it whether or not we need it.
These days, I buy dinners, thinking of how much a serving will cost, as opposed to the price of the item. Eggs are a good example. The high price of eggs has gotten a lot of attention. Recently, even a comic strip character mentioned it.
Although eggs are high in cholesterol, they also are rich in protein, amino acids and vitamins. Therefore, I try to limit my consumption to two eggs a week. If they’re $6 a dozen, costing $.50 each, most meals of two are $1. If you like bacon, buy it on sale for less than $5 a pound. And, add English muffins to go with eggs and bacon. Again, purchase them on sale as a BOGO, which works out to about $.40 each. So, when I want a bacon and eggs dinner, the two eggs, a couple of strips of bacon, and an English muffin will cost me about $3.
Pasta dishes are another inexpensive meal. We like cooked noodles with either olive oil or sauce, then covered in shredded cheese. Buy pasta when it’s on sale, whether or not you need it, so it’s on hand. For sauce, I buy an inexpensive brand, on sale if possible. When I want to use it, I “doctor” it with herbs, garlic powder, sautéed onions, and red wine. This is far less expensive than a “fancy” sauce and usually much better.
One positive about the high prices is they make us be creative!
Enjoy and stay safe!
If you have suggestions or questions about this column, please contact me either at this newspaper at www.buckscountyherald.com or at guthrielarason@verizon.net.
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