Ask The Readers: I’m on a fixed income. How do I pay for groceries in this tough economy?

Dear Grace,

How do people get by in this tough economy? Are there any tips for saving money and making cost-effective meals on a fixed income?

– The Struggle Is Real In Rural America, Kentucky

Dear Struggle Is Real,

Ask The Readers is your regular chance to grab the mic and give advice to other readers in our community. Each piece of advice we share comes from a different thoughtful reader. Keep an eye out for more juicy questions and answers!

I sent your question to my subscribers—hundreds of thousands of women across the country—and this community delivered. Women on fixed incomes wrote in with recipes, helpful tips and tricks, and their own stories of struggle. Moms from suburban areas, grandmothers from small towns, women in rural areas like yourself, folks on fixed incomes, and people in cities…they all had one thing in common: they’re struggling too. 

Grocery prices have been up since the pandemic and have stayed high this year because of tariffs, immigration raids at workplaces, and the impact of climate change on farmers across the country. Regular people like you have been feeling the pinch for a while now. We’re told it’s temporary and things will get better soon, but those of us on budgets know that there isn’t a short-term fix.

Here are some of my favorite suggestions from women who are stretching their dollar farther and making it work: 

You’re not alone.

One thing is for sure: you are not the only one feeling the pinch. Folks who are surviving on social security, disability, or even wages from working full-time are really struggling to pay for groceries for themselves and their family. It is not your fault, Struggle Is Real. You are living in tough times, and you are not alone in your slog to make it to the end of the month with food on the table.

• “Phew, I hear you. These days, the economy is rough, and a lot of people are in your shoes (including me). Start by keeping track of where your money goes…sometimes just writing it down shows you where it’s slipping away. Here is how I shop to save money: Shop secondhand, buy basics like rice, beans, and pasta in bulk. I shop at stores like Aldi, Dollar Tree, or Walmart, and use cashback apps can give you a little something back. Big batches are great because you can eat once and have leftovers for later. Frozen and canned produce work just as well as fresh and usually cost less, and sticking to store brands or grabbing markdowns at the end of the day can save you even more. None of it feels fancy, but it all adds up and makes life on a fixed income a bit more doable. Sending love to you in Kentucky.”
• “Dear Rural America Kentucky, I completely relate to the struggle being real. I get these items for my two daughters and myself. Chicken (whatever is on sale), rice (whatever is on sale), and potatoes (5lb bag lasts a while). I bake the chicken, potatoes, and any veggies you may have. Cook the rice to your liking (from plain to Latin-inspired). I decide based on what I have available in my home. Hopefully, this inspires some ideas. All fresh produce that is left over, I chop up and store in the freezer for use within a few weeks.” 
• “I know, the struggle is real in Southern California, too. When I go to the store, I look for the cheapest protein available and it’s usually chicken or pork. I will buy a pork shoulder around 10-12 pounds and bake it at 250° for 8-10 hours, until it falls off the bone. Now I put this in individual freezer bags, and when I prepare a meal, I add barbecue sauce and make sandwiches. I also make tacos with it, nachos, sauerkraut, and potatoes. We eat a lot of pasta, rice, and potatoes. During the summer, I try to grow as many of our vegetables as I can. I also have chickens for eggs. Good luck, my friend. I know it’s hard out here.”

Shop smart and plan ahead.

Women from cities, small towns, and rural areas wrote in with their shopping tips: 

• “I know it’s hard right now. Here’s my advice: Create a weekly meal plan based on what you already have and what’s on sale. Make a detailed grocery list based on your plan and stick to it. Take inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer before shopping to avoid buying duplicates. Shop seasonal and local produce for better prices and freshness; freeze extras to use later. Compare unit prices and opt for store brands over name brands. Look for sales and discounts online, in flyers, and through store loyalty programs. Buy in bulk for non-perishables like rice, beans, and oats, but only if you will use them before they spoil. Shop on a full stomach to reduce impulse purchases. Check the bottom shelves where cheaper items are often located.”
• “Use cheaper protein sources: Beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, and chicken thighs/drumsticks are usually cheaper than steak or boneless breasts. Limit food waste and store leftovers properly. Good luck!”
• “Coupons! Every store has its own benefits of coupons. I get my paper, laundry soap, and any cleaning supplies at Dollar General. I make chili and spaghetti and freeze the leftovers. You can save money by making your own butter, mayo, cream cheese, salad dressing, etc. Homemade tastes better and is cheaper!”

Think outside the box.

Going back generations, women have made it work under tough circumstances. Our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers survived hard times and have wisdom to share. Talk to elders in your community about how they used to stretch a dollar and get creative. Plant a garden, swap produce with your neighbors, share when you have extra, and ask for help when you need it.

• “I’m feeling the struggle in Kentucky too, and I’ve changed several habits this year to help my family get by. First, I’m talking to my parents, grandparents, and other old folks in the community to learn from their skills of surviving through hard times. I turned over sections of our yard for a garden this year, and it was hard labor without fancy tools, but so worth it. I got some seeds from my dad’s garden, bought a few packs, and found free sources for others (KY extension services, seed library in Bowling Green, and community seed swaps). My husband’s mom makes a dish about once a week called “clean out the fridge” soup. We all chip in whatever is left in our fridges and share: maybe some leftover taco meat or the last 2 baked chicken thighs, along with any leftover veggies, some rice or pasta, broth, and seasonings. It is never the same twice and always delicious.” 
• “Healthy eating saves money on healthcare. Theme meal nights make shopping for food super easy, give kids something to look forward to (Meatless Monday, taco Tuesday), and take the pressure off of mom to be a top chef. Get help where you can: find your local food bank or pantry, apply for any benefits you can get, and talk to neighbors about how you can help each other out. ANYTHING can be jazzed up with the right spices and creativity!”
• “Hello there, sister. I hear you. Times are tough, but the good Lord made Kentuckians tougher. Let’s get that kitchen working for you, not against you. Living in a rural area gives you advantages that city folks dream of. Use them! A small patch in the yard for tomatoes, green beans, and zucchini can provide a bounty all summer. These are things that grow well in Kentucky soil. Learn to Preserve. Canning, freezing, and dehydrating are your best friends. When your garden is overflowing or a neighbor shares their bounty, you can “put up” that food to use in the dead of winter. A pantry full of home-canned green beans is like money in the bank. Befriend a Farmer. Check for local farm stands. Sometimes you can buy “seconds” (produce that’s a little bruised or misshapen but perfectly good to eat) for a fraction of the price. These are perfect for canning and sauces. Stretching a dollar isn’t just a skill; it’s a way of life, and it’s something our grandparents knew by heart. You’ve got resourcefulness in your bones.”

No one should have to fret about having enough money to put food on the table, The Struggle Is Real. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, but it sure doesn’t feel like that for those of us who are couponing, meal planning, and doing our best to get by. The truth is, Struggle Is Real, folks are feeling what you are feeling in rural areas, suburbs, and cities. They are feeling it in every U.S. state, territory, and reservation. The majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and have been for some time. You are not alone in your hardship. And like I always say, the best way to get through tough times is together.

I hope this advice helps you…I know it helped me!

With love, 

Grace and the Readers