Consumers Can Be Thankful for Decreasing Grocery Store Prices
I could swear that grocery prices inch higher every day, but apparently (and fortunately for my wallet) I'm wrong - the price of a Thanksgiving meal has actually declined this year. Don't believe me? The proof is in the (corn) pudding.
A survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that a family of 10 will pay just under $43 for a Turkey Day spread of bird, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and the like - that's 4% less than last year and the first decline in nearly a decade. In fact, most food prices have dropped recently due to lower energy costs and the poor economy. According to an American Farm Bureau Federation economist, you can feed your family a hearty Thanksgiving meal for less than the per-person cost of dinner at the nearest fast food joint.
Now, $43 still isn't cheap when you've spent the rest of the year scrimping and saving and generally getting by on as little as possible. But hearing that prices are stabilizing - and in some cases, declining - sure is a relief. When you're struggling to make ends meet, it's easy to think the rest of the world is out to get you, be it the grocery store, the gas station, the mechanic or the doctor's office. But while prices may go up and down, you still have the ability to control your finances.
You can save money by eating at home or packing your lunch instead of eating out. You can make a budget instead of spending freely. And you can reduce your monthly expenses by reducing debt.
If you're anything like most Americans, a large portion of your paycheck probably goes to bills for multiple credit cards, car loans and other obligations. And if you're paying just the minimum on those bills and happen to have a high APR, you're covering little more than interest - meaning your debt is growing. Bankruptcy can break that cycle by providing a realistic way to pay off debts over time - therefore reducing interest and freeing up more money every month. Maybe you can put that newfound cash towards the mortgage or groceries, or maybe you'll use it for your kid's college education or for that dream vacation. How you spend your extra money is up to you - the point is, it's yours to spend.
Want to find out more about how bankruptcy can bring you a fresh financial start? It's as simple as filling out an online form for a free personal debt analysis with one of our Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. Just another thing to be thankful for this holiday season.