The newest trend in penny-pinching is coming from an unlikely source: The Amish. According to The Canadian Press, Amish-run grocery outlets "are a thriving discount industry tucked away in America's farmlands, sell expired food and medicine dirt-cheap. This shadow economy, run by people who typically shun modern methods of commerce, is drawing a steady stream of non-Amish customers seeking relief from the country's financial ills."
These outlets sell modern-day products at old-school prices, but not without reason.
The narrow aisles spill over with water-damaged taco shells (25 cents per package) and pesto sauce that expired four months ago (five packets for $1). Fresh bags of homemade flavoured gelatin and rolled oats are usually in stock, along with oddities such as light-up Disney princess pens.
There's low-priced facial moisturizer, tubes of old toothpaste, discounted rolls of toilet paper - even expired over-the-counter medicines.
At Triple M Salvage in Middlefield, adventurous customers can buy Hair Regrowth Treatment from Rite Aid that expired more than three years ago. For a buck, they might try a bottle of Dulcolax stool softener that expired last June or year-old caplets of Tylenol Allergy medicine.
The Providence Journal cites rising food prices as a cause:
U.S. food prices rose 4 percent last year, compared with an average 2.5-percent annual rise for the last 15 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And the agency says this year could be worse, with prices rising another 4.5 percent.
Some of the price increases have been eye-popping. Eggs cost 25 percent more in February than they did a year ago, according to the USDA. Milk and other dairy products jumped 13 percent, chicken and other poultry nearly 7 percent.
Looking for other ways to save? You can try the fine art of Dumpster Diving or try these money-saving tips from Huffington Post contributor Galia Gichon.
Got any advice to share? Tell us your tips in the comments below