In this day and age of ever-increasing food prices I struggle whether or not to stop purchasing some items. I’ve always been a bit of a food snob had a few exotic or expensive favorites. They are my “Imperial tid-bits”.
For example, I enjoy drinking LaCroix water. It is light and refreshing but hey let’s face facts it is glorified carbonated water. A 2 litre bottle of generic soda water would do. I bet I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in a taste test.
Real parmesan cheese doesn’t come cheap. A chunk of real parm I justify as real cheese is far superior in taste to the nasty shavings in the green and yellow-top can.
I like the philosophy of organic food. Eating organic has become a very expensive choice. I am buying more non-organic vegetables and giving them a good scrubbing. Consumer Reports says this is sufficient. But I feel bad for not supporting the organic growers.
Shopping at Whole Foods in general is getting too much. We are going more to Fry’s. While I feel less confident about the food they sell, Someone insists we pay way too much at Whole Foods.
We are eating less meat anyway, which is not a bad thing.
We’ve joined the conga line at Costco to buy big batches of things. This feels a bit like selling out/joining the herd/feeding the empire.
What we really need to do is eat out less. We should be cooking at home. This would give us more time together and allow me to try out new recipes.
So I am going to focus on this rather than skimping.
Have you given up any luxury food item?
17 comments
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July 3, 2008 at 5:37 am
Steven
I haven’t given up any glorified food items because I don’t think I really have any. Although for some time I have gone with store brand cereal rather than the big names like Kellogg’s. However, I refuse to stop squeezing the Charmin, so I have been buying that in bulk for cheaper prices. Eight tolls of TP can be hard to hide in the house though.
July 3, 2008 at 6:23 am
tigeryogiji
I’ve pretty much cut out going to Whole Foods and our other local organic grocers completely for my exotic treats (especially my wasabi rice crackers!).
There are some things that I will buy “generic”, but, for now they are in the minority. I don’t care what the stores tell me, I CAN taste the difference!!
July 3, 2008 at 6:48 am
Greg
We definitely need to stop eating out as much as we do. As for giving up special foods, I’ve stopped drinking Coca-Cola. That’s about $1.50 - $2.75 a bottle depending upon where you shop.
July 3, 2008 at 7:24 am
don
With regards to the organic food. Don’t consider it as a lessening of support for the farmer. Think of it more as a vote of confidence for the fuller brush people.
July 3, 2008 at 8:48 am
Cliffie
I have given up a lot, including shopping at Whole paycheck Foods. But I was happy to find a deal on 10-packs of my sybaritic favorite — smoked eel — and bought a lifetime supply.
July 3, 2008 at 9:06 am
Mo
Aside from supporting Organic Farmers, for choices of produce = I think about which ones are sprayed directly that I consume.
Things I always peel, like bananas, I don’t mind buying non-organic. I peel the skin off. Underground things like potatoes the same.
But I do try to still buy organic greens like spinach. I just don’t want the pesticides and herbicides directly on what I eat.
July 3, 2008 at 9:25 am
Robert
Excellent question (and post)! Well, I’m not very luxurious in things that I eat (I love McDonald’s….need I say more?). But I do have one luxury which I will never give up, and that is Starbucks. And no, I don’t sit in a long line at the drive thru; I find it’s faster if I just get off my lazy butt and walk in to get my coffee.
July 3, 2008 at 11:38 am
Doug
We’ve cut back on the eating out, but nothing else that I know of. I can always justify organic or other expensive goods by saying they are less expensive than restaurant prices.
I like La Croix (prounounced “la - kroyks”), too, especially raspberry. I do sometimes get generic or Canada Dry, but most other soda water isn’t as good.
July 3, 2008 at 11:56 am
Raybob
Whole Paycheck doesn’t have a store here so I’m fine and not tempted. Fresh Market does, but it’s way too expensive and limited. The Publix markets that I grew up with in FL are now here, and they’re clean and wonderful and have a wide variety of off-the-beaten-path foods and organics, plus helpful staff.
July 3, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Pink
i’m sprouting. its a very easy and cheap way to feel healthy and its a superfood. there is no better food on earth because its live (as long as you use organic seeds, that is)
I’ve had to give up eating as much beef as I’d like to eat. Thats a good thing in many ways, anyway.
What I’m really trying to do is to stop wasting food. And eating out less.
Food in England is 3 x the price in North America. Its ridiculous when you stand at the supermarket thinking - that is a $4 tomato I’m holding!
xx
pinks
July 3, 2008 at 12:37 pm
cedrorum
We have given up some of the pricier coffees we normally buy. And you are absolutely correct on the parmesan cheese analysis.
July 3, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Merri
This is a coincidence as I just posted about food!
Good post!
We started giving up costlier foods when I was reduced to part time work. We used to drink good coffee(at 19 a pound, it WAS good..lol) but we gave up that and drink Costco’s Kirkland decaffeinated kind which is actually VERY good!
We stopped eating beef and pork about 3 years ago and honestly do not miss it. This was a health related decision.
We don’t eat out except at lunch time on weekends(and that is to a inexpensive Chinese(authentic) food place which features excellent and huge sized dishes.
I really know what you mean about Parmesan; have you seen the kinds available at Costco?
VERY impressive and they even have Grand Padano, which is lovely..
July 3, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Mike
We recently stopped buying those 3 packs of sweet peppers (Red, Yellow and Orange) as the price has really escalated. About a year ago I stopped buying that well know Seattle coffee and started ordering my beans from coffee bean direct. You order, they roast and 2-3 days later five pounds of delicious beans are at your door ready to give a buzz. Inexpensive, great variety and excellent cupa joe.
Other than that, we’ve started buying more store brands as often the quality is the same or better than the name brand.
July 4, 2008 at 7:33 am
DougT
I agree with both you and Cedrorum on the Parmesan. That would be one of the last things that I cut out of my life for economic reasons. The stuff in the green can barely qualifies as a foodstuff. Reduction in eating at restaurants would be the easiest thing for me to do in order to economize on food. It would probably be better for me, too.
July 4, 2008 at 11:02 am
jason
I’ve stopped eating out as much, and started cooking more….a bit more, but not much. I’m always pretty thrifty, by necessity, but there are some things I won’t skimp on, like you, cheese is one.
July 4, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Daniel
I’ve cut out land animal meat. I mostly eat stuff that swims, but I still occasionally eat things that fly.
It was really rough on my body getting adjusted to a meatless diet, but it feels good now, and it’s cheaper.
I’m sure the bovine community is relieved to hear of my choice.
July 7, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Maggie
“Have you given up any luxury food item”? One word, “no”.
I rarely eat meat so I guess I’m saving there.
I live alone and don’t go out to dinner a lot so………..
I figure that I save on that and I can allow myself on what is called “luxury” items. There is a small groceteria near me that specializes in such items as cheese, breads, teas, fruits, veggies, etc., foods from around the world. I LOVE IT!!!
I do buy organic when it come to the fruit and veggies though. We have a wonderful assortment of local farmers and I try to support them as much as I can. (There are some things we don’t have the climate to grow).
BTW I also support local independent bookstores.