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Survey Shows We'e Eating More Meals at Home
A recent Harris Interactive survey sponsored by Food Shopping Trends (NASDAQ:WFMI) showed that two thirds of Americans have changed their eating habits. 51% are eating dinner at home more often and 37% are taking a hard look at their grocery shopping habits.
If the trend continues it could very well negatively affect stocks of such companies as
Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), and Chili's (NYSE:EAT) which provide moderately priced foods in a friendly atmosphere. Additionally grocery stores like Kroger's (NYSE:KR) and Safeway (NYSE:SFY) could see the value of their stocks rise.
There is a positive aspect to eating at home beyond saving money. Most restaurants over salt their foods and ladle on the butter and fats. Neither excess salt nor fat leads to good health and has negative consequences such as hypertension (high blood pressure) becoming overweight which can lead to diabetes, and high cholesterol which is linked to heart disease.
Saving money at the grocery store isn't as difficult as it seems. The layout of the store prompts the purchase of high priced items. The basics of produce, milk and eggs, meats, and baked goods are spread out on the perimeter of the store, forcing the customer to be exposed to and hopefully purchase high margin items, such as processed foods, mixes, and cereals as they go up and down the aisles to get from the bakery to the meat department for example.
Placement on the shelves isn't left to chance either. The more expensive brands are at eye level while the more modestly priced brands are either on the top shelves or bottom shelves. The exception is the breakfast cereal aisle. Leading cereals are placed at a child's eye level.
Don't assume that products on the end caps of the aisles are on sale. Many times they're at the regular price but displayed as if they were on sale.
Shopping with a list prevents impulse purchases. Develop the list as a result of weekly menu planning will cuts costs further. Incorporate planned leftovers into lunches are dinners later in the week and you'll save even more.
If you've got to have your morning gourmet coffee or afternoon latte consider purchasing it from a fast food place rather than the gourmet coffee shops. Or buy upscale coffee beans, an inexpensive grinder (about $10.00) and make your own coffee drinks.
Decreasing your food costs frees up money for other purposes, don't let it go to waste on frivolous purchases. Use the savings to pay down debt, increase savings, or invest in stocks.
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