Grocery Prices are Skyrocketing. Here's How to Save Big.

You likely have noticed that some of your usual go-to's at the grocery store are tagged at a much higher price lately. Between supply chain issues and grocery shortages, certain grocery items are skyrocketing in price, causing customers to reevaluate their budgets—and try to think outside of the box.

It can be infuriating to have to rejigger your usual grocery budget over changing prices, which is why we broke down a few solutions on how to save big at the grocery store right now. To do this, we took a look at a recent report on major price hikes at stores, along with some of the grocery prices customers are currently frustrated over, and created solutions you can turn to from there.

Here are some of our tips on how to save at the store right now, and for even more grocery shopping guidance, be sure to read up on our list of the 6 Things You'll See at Costco This Year.

Find plant-based protein solutions.

Common proteins like meat, eggs, chicken, and bacon have seen major price increases over the past year, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These types of foods are household staples for meals, so finding cheaper solutions that can still provide a sufficient amount of protein is vital for shoppers.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

An easy solution is to turn to plant-based options. Some plant-based "ground beef" options (like Impossible, Beyond Burger, and Good & Gather from Target) are even cheaper than some of the organic, natural, and grass-fed options on shelves right now.

There are also a plethora of frozen plant-based proteins you can purchase including chicken and burgers.

Or you could even turn to other forms of protein including legumes like lentils, beans, and chickpeas.

Look for produce elsewhere.

Numerous grocery customers have been noting some of the increased prices even in their fresh produce section, which can certainly take a major hit in price if those items are being shipped in from afar.

An easy solution within the grocery store is to start not at the produce section, but the frozen-food section instead. You can likely find a plethora of your favorite fruits and vegetables for your meals that are at a much cheaper price in the freezer aisle.

Another answer could be turning to the canned food section. There are plenty of low-sodium canned vegetable (and protein) options that you can get creative with at the store.

Lastly, if your community is regularly hosting a farmer's market, you can shop for seasonal produce there. While the price may still be slightly higher than what you are used to, you would be supporting local farmers while also helping your health and even your environment with each purchase.

Try dairy alternatives.

Milk is another product with skyrocketing prices, so if you've ever toyed with the idea of trying some milk alternatives, this could be your chance. Almond milk and oat milk are popular choices you can easily find at the store that will likely have a price tag that is sometimes even cheaper than your usual go-to milk products.

Here are The Best & Worst Oat Milk Brands to Buy, Say Dietitians.

Sip on other caffeinated beverages.

Coffee has reached a 10-year high in price over the past year (up 4.7%) and those prices likely won't change until 2023. If you're a regular coffee drinker, this price hike could easily be defined as your worst nightmare.

Don't worry—we're not going to suggest giving it up completely. But what about finding other caffeine alternatives for your other drinks throughout the day? If you keep a cup of coffee for the morning and then sip on tea or another healthy caffeinated beverage as your afternoon pick-me-up, this could easily save you money as time goes on.

Invest in some reusable items.

Paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper have seen increased prices on shelves as early as June 2021 due to supply chain issues—which can be maddening if these are items you regularly rely on at home. One solution to think about is buying reusable paper towels, napkins, and even silicone bags or containers.

While these would obviously be an investment upfront at first, using these items regularly will pay off over time and you won't have to worry about the ever-changing prices of these items at the store. Plus, it's incredibly healthy for the environment.