Gas, food prices a double whammy

Gas, food prices a double whammy

As a gallon of milk hits $4 and gasoline exceeds that price, it’s all most families can do just to keep up.

Spiraling gas prices aren’t just hurting at the pump — they’re showing up in everything people buy and it’s taking a heavy toll on people’s income and spending. Producer prices increased 1.4 percent in May, according to the federal government, the highest increase in six months.

Everything costs more — milk, orange juice and now Florida Power and Light has asked for an increase in utility rates.

There are hidden costs. Law enforcement budgets are bottoming out because of souring fuel prices meaning there could be fewer police cars on the road. School districts are reducing the number of bus stops to save on fuel and school lunches have increased as well. Pizzas cost more and servers are seeing fewer tips. Non-profit groups have a decline in donations at the same time their clients have an increased need for help.

The rising demand for ethanol has fueled increased grain prices, which is impacting pantry staples such as pasta, rice and cereal. The American Farm Bureau Federation, which does cost comparisons of 16 common grocery items, said their prices rose 8 percent during the first quarter of this year alone.

Economists say U.S. consumers on average spend 10 to 15 percent of their budgets on food and beverages, and anywhere from 4 to 10 percent on gasoline. The solution — with no end in rising prices in sight — use less and choose wisely.

The Consumer Reports Money Lab uncovered hidden savings in everyday spending that could save consumers up to $500 per month. Using the strategies outlined in CR, consumers can trim their spending while gas and food prices continue to rise.

"It's surprising that there are so many savings opportunities hidden in your budget," said Jeff Blyskal, senior editor, Consumer Reports. "You don't have to radically change your life to save $500 a month."

The six tips are featured in Consumer Reports' August issue on sale July 1.

Savings shown are Consumer Reports Money Lab estimates based on what a range of consumers really spend and can possibly save. Actual savings will depend on individual circumstances.

$65 - Find cheaper auto insurance. Annual surveys of CR readers have shown that many have stayed with the same auto insurer for 15 years. Depending on people's profiles and where they live, they might be able to save hundreds a month by shopping around. For example, a married couple without violations or accidents but with a driving-age son in Los Angeles can save $380 per month on standard coverage by switching to a lower-cost auto insurer.

How to do it: Start at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Web site and click on NAIC States and jurisdictions to find your state's insurance department. Most provide comparative premium quotes based on standard customer profiles.

$110 - Optimize your life insurance. Life insurance premiums have dropped so dramatically since the 1990s; it will probably pay for you to replace a policy bought years ago with a comparable new one. A $500,000 20-year guaranteed level term from Prudential, for example, would have cost a 50-year-old man about $2,125 a year in 1998. Today the same guy, now 60, could pay Prudential $1,385 a year for the same coverage over the next ten years, saving $60 a month.

How to do it: Get premium quotes at http://www.accuquote.com and http://www.lifeinsure.com. Don't cancel your existing policy until you have a new one already in place.

$200 - Shop smart for food. Making different choices in the supermarket and when eating out can net monthly savings from $130 to $255. The average family of four can chop its grocery bill by $190 a month by shifting to a lower-cost mix of foods.

How to do it: Plan menus around sales of fresh poultry, fish, meat, dairy, and produce, and make use of leftovers. Avoid costly prepared meals. Eat more low-priced high-nutrition foods like beans and potatoes. Try less expensive store brands, and sign up for store discount cards.

$25 - Stop paying bank fees. Banks collected some $39 billion in account fees and penalties last year. That works out to an average of $28 per month per household. But with some planning, you can pay zero.

How to do it: Bank at large institutions with lots of ATMs in convenient locations. Shop for free checking and strictly adhere to provisions for a minimum balance, direct deposit, or other conditions to avoid monthly fees.

$35 - Call up phone savings. When CR's experts examined real phone bills they uncovered savings from $15 a month for budget callers to $55 per month for heavy users.

How to do it: Peruse your last few month's phone bills to assess how many minutes you typically use on landline and wireless calls. Comparison shop among cellular service providers, the local phone company, and your cable TV company. Don't buy more than you need, such as an unlimited cellular plan if you rarely go over 900 minutes per month.

$65 - Pay off your credit card. On average, consumers who carry a balance owe $2,200, on which they pay 15.2 percent in annual interest charges. Eliminate that and save $28 per month. Some 15 percent of consumers carry balances of $10,000 or more; they can save $125 per month by paying off their debt.

How to do it: Stop charging, then pay more than the minimum required each month until it's paid off. Dig up cash for this from your U.S. Treasury stimulus check, garage sales, or extra work part-time.