When the price of clothes, furniture or airfare rises, we can often adjust our spending priorities. But how do we avert inflation at the grocery store?

It’s a pertinent question right now. The latest Consumer Price Index reading shot a warning flare last week, revealing August had the biggest monthly increase in grocery prices since 2022 (when pandemic inflation was in its heyday.)

Economists say new tariffs on imported foods are finally working their way through to consumers, and the pressure is likely to build.

The good news? The most significant hikes were concentrated within a few key categories: coffee, beef, and fresh produce. Other staples like chicken, pork, frozen produce, beans, milk, dairy, and fresh fish saw smaller increases or even slight declines. And egg prices — which surged earlier in the year because of bird flu outbreaks — didn’t change at all, holding steady at 24% below their March high.

Plus, while August saw a big jump in prices, both April and July of this year saw declines. So clearly things are pretty volatile from month to month.

So what? With so many moving parts to the economy, it’s unclear how prices for necessities like groceries will change.

But you don’t need to know what will happen to make a plan. Here are some proactive ways you can adapt your grocery shopping strategies to counter inflation:

Be patient. If it’s freezable or non-perishable, don’t pay full price until it goes on sale – and then stock up. If you scan your supermarket app or flyer, you may even start to notice discount patterns (like ground beef or your favorite rocky road ice cream going on sale every few weeks). This is a great way to save on those pricier items you can’t live without.

Challenge yourself. Can you come up with one or two meals per week for under $10? Focus on staples that can feed a crowd and feature less costly proteins and pantry items. (Think frittatas, soups, pasta, or rice/grain bowls.)

Experiment with generic brands and different stores. Test out private label items at big box stores (Target’s dealworthy or Walmart’s Bettergoods brands, for instance). Or branch out and see whether you’d get better deals at a supermarket you don’t normally go to. Even if it’s not a chain known for discounts (like Aldi’s,) you might be surprised by how much variation you can find in prices.

Cut “nice-to-have” extras to offset hikes on “must-haves.” Some ideas: Skip the paper plates and cups, make your own salad dressings, or switch to brewed teas (hot or iced) to cut back on coffee or soda.

Related Readings

Grocery Inflation Hacks: How to Fill Your Fridge for Less (SoFi.com)

Here Are 4 Ways ChatGPT Can Help You Save Money on Groceries (Investopedia)

We Compared Grocery Bills Across 3 Chains — Here’s Where Shoppers Save the Most (GOBankingRates)

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