Family Budgeting – 17 Tips For Spending Less on Food
One of the easiest expenses to cut back on is the amount of money you spend on food. It may mean eating more homemade foods and fewer prepackaged items, but when you think about it, this could actually be a good thing! You’ll not only save money, but you’ll be eating healthier as well.
Any of these 17 tips will help you save money. Combine several and you’ll see an immediate reduction in your weekly grocery bill.
1. Plan your meals for the week
Base your meal plan on your budget and visit the grocery store with your list of items you need to prepare those meals. But those items and nothing else.
2. Cut down on trips to the grocery store
The more you are in the grocery store, the more you’ll be apt to spend. And you’ve probably hear this before – never shop when you are hungry. It’s true – you’ll always spend more if you are hungry.
3. When making meals, double the recipe
Then store the extra half in your freezer. When you have to work late, or you are out of town, those extra meals will come in handy. Knowing you have those extra meals in your freezer will eliminate the temptation for you or your family to go out to eat.
4. Coupons
Reducing your grocery bill can be much easier than many think through the use of coupons. Buy your local Sunday paper, clip coupons for the products you use and shop at a store that will double them.
Coupon sites like couponcabin dot com, couponcraze dot com and coolcoupons dot come are all excellent websites. Not only do they offer savings on popular national brands, but many offer free samples as well.
5. Shop at multiple grocery stores
Shop around to find out who has the best deals on various products you use. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference there can be in pricing on various items between stores.
6. Use House Brands
7. Limit your use of prepared meals and convenience items.
These items are always more expensive.
8. If you drink, buy less expensive beer, wine or hard liquor
9. Buy groceries at warehouse stores, discount stores and buying clubs
Buy in bulk when appropriate. But be careful. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a huge amount of perishable items just because the unit cost is low. You will get stuck throwing items out, meaning the true cost will be much higher. Also, when buying in bulk, make sure that your family will use the items. Great deals are only of value to you if you actually use the items.
10. Pack lunches for yourself and your family instead of eating out
11. Make your coffee in the morning instead of buying it on the way to work
12. Cut out soda pop and junk food from your diet
These are both unhealthy and costly.
13. Eliminate eating out, except for special occasions
14. Try celebrating a special occasions by having a picnic
15. Pop your own popcorn when going to a movie
Not only will it taste better, you’ll save a ton of cash. But, be forewarned. You may have to go into stealth mode in order to get it into the theatre. Putting it under you coat will usually work well.
16. When your family is out of the house for the day, pack a meal instead of visiting a restaurant
17. Set up a place on your property to grow vegetables and herbs. You can save a bundle in the summer months. If this isn’t possible, consider joining a local CSA or buy your fruits and vegetables at your local farmer’s market each week.