Sometime in 2007, the phrase "subprime mortgage" passed "cheap eats" on its way out the door to oblivion. The price of food hasn't increased so much in one year since 1990, according to the Consumer Price Index. The cost of staples such as orange juice, eggs and milk has risen by 25 to 50 percent in some cases. Many of us may have gotten a little rusty at trying to save money on the grocery bill thanks to years of relatively inexpensive food, so we rounded up five consumers who practiced good shopping habits back when ground beef was under $1 a pound. KIM PETTMAN, BLAINE
A longtime frugal shopper, Pettman likes outlets such as Mike's Discount Foods in Fridley. She tries to combine grocery shopping with other errands to save gas and time. Pettman remembers the McGlynn's bakery outlets, now called Concepts2, which she said don't have the selection they used to, but bread is still only 50 cents a loaf.
Her five tips:
• Get inexpensive, nutritious staples through Fare for All (Fareforall.org, 763-450-3880). Open to anyone who wants to save money on groceries; buyers can save up to 50 percent. Participants register, prepay for their food and then pick it up generally the third Saturday of the month at distribution sites across the Twin Cities area.
• Try Big Lots for good deals on tea, soup, bread and many other foods.
• Cook rice in big batches, put in bags in the fridge. Use as needed with sauteed onions, chicken and other veggies for quick, healthful meals during busy weeknights.
• Buy medium-sized bags of dried fruit, trail mix and deluxe mixed nuts when Fleet Farm has them on sale.
• Check neighborhood bagel shops that may discount the day's bagels 50 percent an hour or so before closing.
DARREL AND JAN MATHIEU, LUCK, WIS.
The retired couple shop at Aldi, Costco, Trader Joe's and United Natural Foods buying club. They buy in bulk, have a pantry, a freezer and large garden. They make bread and soup from scratch. Bones from the meat make soup stock. They buy organic when they can. Their tips:
