Tip #7: Dry Pasta and Egg Noodles

Cold weather demands heavy, comforting carbohydrates. Pasta is the ultimate vehicle for stretching small amounts of expensive meat and vegetables into massive, filling meals. A single chicken breast and a cup of frozen broccoli can feed four people when tossed with a generous portion of pasta. Because dry pasta has an almost infinite shelf life when kept away from moisture, buying it in bulk now is a zero-risk investment.

Inflation frequently targets wheat products, and geopolitical supply chain issues can cause pasta prices to fluctuate unpredictably. Take control by purchasing Great Value spaghetti, penne, macaroni, and egg noodles before the summer ends. At just over a dollar a box, Walmart’s store-brand pasta is one of the most affordable groceries you can keep on hand.

Pay special attention to egg noodles, which are crucial for winter dishes like beef stroganoff or hearty chicken noodle soup. Because they contain egg yolks, their price is often tied to the volatile egg market. Buying your winter supply of egg noodles now insulates you from potential agricultural disruptions or winter bird flu outbreaks that typically send egg prices soaring. Store all dry pasta in a dark, dry place—preferably transferring them from cardboard boxes to sealed glass or plastic jars to deter pests and prevent humidity from making the noodles stale.