Are You Spending Too Much On Groceries?

TOP OF MIND

We all need a budget
For decades, intimacy and money have ranked as the top two reasons why couples fight. A recent survey of nearly 1,000 couples revealed 75% of them have gotten into an argument with their spouse over a financial decision.

No one likes talking about money, but sometimes it's necessary to get back on track. And the easiest way to get back on track is to create a budget. Here's a super easy guide to follow.

The important bits
Every family has their own unique set of expenses, but there is one thing every family has to do, and that's eat. We all have to buy food. Apparently, we need it to survive or whatever. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of groceries for households is around $5,700, which works out to just under $500 per month.

That number has increased in recent years, thanks to the outrageous prices at the grocery store. Grocery spending went up nearly 10% from 2021 to 2022.

In 2023, the prices continued to rise, but at a slower pace.

So what can you do? Well, you can shop smarter, and that leads us back to budgeting. If you just walk inside the grocery store without a plan, you're going to spend more than you should. You're also going to end up with a package of Oreos and a tub of ice cream.

The most basic budget is the 50/30/20 rule. This means you spend around 50% of your monthly after-tax income on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and debt repayment. And we're sorry to say, but that tub of ice cream is not a need, no matter how much you want it. For this plan to work, you need to be honest about what qualifies as a "need" at the grocery store.

This super mom's meal plan and grocery hacks might help you figure it all out.

What's it all mean?
Talking about money can be uncomfortable, and sitting down to create a budget can be sobering, especially if your spending is currently out of control.

But it's something everyone has to do at some point, and there are so many resources online to guide you through the process.

After you've created a budget, take a look at this list of 50 tips and tricks to save money at the supermarket.

DID YOU HEAR

📱 Screen time = bad time
A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics found that the more time toddlers spend on devices, the less they learn to use the kind of words adults use in spoken language. Scientists have labeled this as "technoference," noting how electronic devices can capture attention of toddlers, but fail to provide the same quality of learning they get from real interactions.

👩🏼‍🏫 Are Instagram parenting classes worth it?
For years and years, most people have turned to books in an effort to learn more about parenting, but now some new mothers are turning to Instagram. So called "parenting experts" online have started selling parenting classes on their social media accounts. This eye-opening article will let you know if you're missing out or not.

🎰 Father steals nearly $30k from school fundraiser
Beating yourself up today because you didn't have time to pack your kid's lunch before school? Don't worry, at least you're not this father who stole $29,000 from a school fundraiser to feed his gambling addiction on Draftkings and FanDuel. He faces up to 10 years in prison, but he has paid back $8,000 so far.

🧼 Did you know your microwave has a filter?
It's Spring cleaning time, and apparently we've been doing it all wrong because we truly had no idea so many common household items have filters that need regular cleaning. Check out this list of household filters you're probably missing.

🤑 $2,500 monthly allowance
"Real Housewives" star Larsa Pippen gives her daughter a $2,500 monthly allowance, and you probably won't believe how she tries to justify it.

A DOSE OF GOOD

BITES WITH KIYAH

When I saw this blind taste test in Bon Appétit I knew I had to re-create it at home. Not only because we love a good taste test - especially one with chocolate - but also because it fit so nicely with my weekly theme of tasting new foods!

So I bought five different brands of semi-sweet chips and set up our experiment. It was very scientific, 😉 involved several handfuls of chocolate chips, and often required seconds just to be sure we had a good taste. I preferred Ghirardelli for its textured and balanced sweet/bitter flavor (which I prefer). But the kids all preferred good old Nestle Toll House - because it reminded them of their grandparents.

With all that chocolate we obviously had to make cookies! I usually rely on Michele Lopez’s Weeknight Baking recipe, but this time made a version from NYT cooking because (and I know I’ve said this before and I’m going to say it again) if you have the opportunity to use brown butter in something... do it! These cookies were just as simple to pull together and are next level delicious.

PS - grab this silpat and cookie scoop if you want perfectly sized (and baked) cookies every time.

kiyahduffey

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Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on Instagram.

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PARENTING WIN/FAIL

This week, loyal reader Anthony R. explains why it's important to check the weather every morning.

Lesson learned... never wake up early on a Saturday! Thanks for sharing, Anthony.

If you have a parenting win/fail you'd like to share, email us at [email protected] and your story will be featured in a future edition!

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked if you've given your kids melatonin, and nearly 60% of you said, "only bedtime stories here!" while around 15% said, "once or twice."

RECALLS

OH NO, TRADER JOE'S!

Looks like Trader Joe's is back on their recall game. Just a couple weeks ago, they were forced to recall over 60,000 pounds of chicken soup dumplings due to some sort of plastic contamination.

This week? It's cashews with salmonella. The grocery store chain recalled their 50% less sodium roasted & salted whole cashews in over 16 states after the product tested positive for salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported, but we don't want you being the first. If you have any cashews from Trader Joe's, please return them to the store for a full refund.

More info here.