8 Ways To Save Your Finances From The Drought

U.S. Department of Agriculture Visitor's Center in the Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building on the National Mall. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Nobody knows how much of a financial impact the drought will have in the coming months and even years, but unless the weather changes drastically, the effects are likely to be well into the billions of dollars. Some economists fear that the drought may have significant impacts on the economy, affecting middle class consumers barely getting by in this already challenged economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released food inflation forecasts that suggest that consumers won't feel the effects of the drought until 2013 but without knowing what those effects will be, lifestyle changes may be necessary. Think about these basic ways of fighting the effects of the drought.

Change What You EatThe USDA predicts that the price of food could increase from 3% to 4%. If farmers harvest fewer crops this fall, that will affect almost all food products. With the price of meat already more expensive than other foods, consider eating less expensive cuts of meats and compare the price of frozen vegetables to their fresh counterparts. The price of pasta will likely rise, but it will still be cheaper than meat.

Change Where You Eat

Regardless of how much your grocery bill increases, it will still cost less than eating out. Some restaurant owners are already looking for ways to mitigate the effects of rising food prices without a significant rise in prices, but that may be nearly impossible. ... Continue to read.

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• New York Times Goes Full Stupid On Drought (stevengoddard.wordpress.com)
• USDA to buy meat to aid farmers (channel6newsonline.com)
• Secret Side Of The Drought: Many Corn Farmers Will Benefit (npr.org)