I expect to get sticker shock at the grocery store these days, what with the price of food up about 6% at the end of this year, compared to last.
But the cost of breakfast cereal has leapt a staggering 12.5%, and our family of three goes through three or four boxes—at around $6 each—a week. I can’t afford this, and I bet you can’t either.
Now in these tough times I expect the price of New Zealand lamb to be soaring (and it is), but I can easily swap red meat for beans and rice several nights a week. But a box of commodity grains that our government is supposed to subsidize? What gives?
Phil Lempert, aka the Supermarket Guru, feels my pain; he’s been getting complaints from his readers. He explained that the cost of cereal is a perfect storm of rising ethanol prices (which affect transportation) plus last year’s severe weather (which curtailed crop yields). But the industry isn’t above playing tricks on the consumer, either.
“If you think cereal boxes are shrinking, it’s not your imagination,” Lempert says. “From a packaging standpoint, if you can reduce your ingredients by 2 ounces rather than raising your prices, the thinking is that the consumer won’t notice it.”
Well, I’ve noticed, and I need alternatives to $6 boxes of cereal that are half full of air.
My suggestion is to try making your own. This granola recipe is great and fun to make.
For his part, my husband tosses rolled oats and wheat germ into his cereal to boost the fiber and whole-grain content. He says the mix really fills him up.
Here are Lempert’s ideas for smarter cereal shopping.
- Switch from the more expensive “kid” varieties, which are loaded with sugars and other ingredients like marshmallows, to the adult cereal classics. Add fresh fruit, nuts, or even a teaspoon of white sugar (just 16 calories) to make the cereal more kid-friendly.
- Try the store brands. The store-brand cereals are typically less expensive by a dollar or more. Compare the taste and ingredients; they might not be identical, but if you are watching your budget, the taste difference may not matter. Remember that almost all store brands have money-back guarantees, so if you are not satisfied with the taste, bring the unused portion back for a refund.
- Cereal storage is important. Cereal will absorb moisture and spoil quickly, so take the box (or bag inside) and put it into a ziplock bag. Never store cereals in the refrigerator, as moisture and odors from other food can be easily absorbed. It’s also important to wrap them tightly to avoid insect infestation, especially over the summer and in warm, damp environments.
Do you have any breakfast cereal alternatives you’d like to share?
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Comments (4)
I don’t like to spend more than $2.50 a box, and I don’t like to buy the sugary kinds, but I go through 2-3 boxes a week. Good thing my favorite kind- Barbara’s Bakery- is usually on sale for $2.50 at Stop and Shop. I like the kind that’s basically the same thing as Quaker Oatmeal Squares. Tasty, filling, and cheap.
Thanks for your comments, Amy. I also hear that drugstores like CVS and Duane Reade also have deeply discounted cereals on occasion.
I know it is a Midwest thing, but for those readers who have access to Hy-Vee, their store brand cereal tastes better in many cases than the brand names, and are half the price. And because most people pour milk on cereal, I have found that Target has really good prices. I only buy milk at the grocery store if it is on sale and go to Target if I am out.
Amy, this is such a great site. Good information and fun to read. Many thanks, Pam