Active Aging

Sunday, October 24, 2021 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 22 ACTIVE AGING Provided by Koelsch Communities When it comes to budgeting, living on a fixed income can be tricky — from monthly bills to health care to necessi- ties (and leaving a little wiggle room for fun and social activities). Luck- ily, a few simple changes could make shopping for groceries less of a hassle each month. Here are eight tips for stretching your food bud- get this fall. Ask for a discount . Some grocery stores may offer a customer discount card or a senior discount. If you ask, the store asso- ciate may give you a store coupon as well. You never know unless you ask. Do the prep your- self. Have you ever noticed how expensive bagged salad mix is when compared to regular old lettuce? This is because convenience often costs more. If you choose to buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself or purchase a whole chicken instead of tenders, you could save quite a bit of money. Look for store brands. Nearly every store has its own retail brand. These products may look slightly differ- ent from the other brands you’re used to seeing and may or may not have the store name printed on the label. Even so, they’re of- tentimes cheaper than the national brand names. Bargain shop at the dollar store. Dollar stores offer rock-bottom prices for things like con- diments, storage contain- ers (for meal prepping), bread, bagged or boxed candy, and coffee filters, among other things. GETTY IMAGES Tips to help stretch your food budget this fall Avoid making impulse purchases. It can be tempting to splurge while standing in the check-out line, from small candies to other snack foods. But that’s why it’s there: to tempt you! Resisting the urge to add a few candy bars to your cart (and whatever else) could save money in the long run. Break out the calcu- lator. Most items have a small sticker underneath that displays the “unit price” or the price per ounce or pound. If you compare unit prices, you can see which brand of- fers the best deal. Shop in-season fruits and vegetables. Buying in-season pro- duce could save you a few bucks. Plus, seasonal produce typically tastes better as the crops are picked when they’re the freshest. Buying seasonal food also helps the local farmers, so it’s a win- win-win situation. Buy what you’ll use and freeze the rest. When it comes to perish- ables, try to buy in small portions. There’s nothing worse than buying a load of produce only to watch it spoil in the fridge. If you do happen to buy more than intended, con- sider portioning it out and freezing it. You can do this with meats, veg- gies and certain fruits. Make sure to label your containers, so you know their contents and when they were packed for the freezer or by when the food should be eaten. Sometimes, shopping for groceries is easier said than done. If you experi- ence mobility issues or find maneuvering a big store difficult, there are a few things you can do to make your trip easier. Use a motorized cart. Some stores offer motorized carts that take the pressure off if walk- ing down aisles is tough for you. Plan your trip. To avoid the after-work rush, plan to shop in the morning when you’re rested and the store is empty. Sign up for meal delivery. If grocery shopping isn’t an op- tion, you may want to consider looking into a meal delivery service or a meal kit subscription. Groups such as Meals on Wheels America offer one hot meal per day, whereas meal subscription boxes (like HelloFresh and Blue Apron) deliver preportioned, ready-to- cook meals right to your doorstep. You can also order individual items online directly from most grocery stores and either pick them up or have them delivered. Koelsch Communities has been family-owned and -operated for three generations, providing 60 years of signature services to families. Our continued success is compelled by our founding principles as we strive to serve our residents with respect, dignity and compassion. Information: koelsch seniorcommunities.com Premier Residential Retirement Since 1987 Find connection and joy IN EVERYDAY LIVING SENIOR LIVING THAT ENRICHES YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT Era Living retirement communities help you stay engaged and connected—while covering the cooking, cleaning, care if you need it, and more. Visit eraliving.com/joy to learn more Locations in: Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah, and Renton