Saving on Groceries
Things that Break and Things that Help a Grocery Budget
1) Drinks –> Sodas, boxed juices, sports drinks, etc. These items not only are bad for you (usually) but they also take up a large portion of most family's grocery budget. Start drinking more water. It's not only healthier but it's about as frugal as you can get. And when you do want something other than water, do it in a way that won't cost so much. Make drinks yourself from mixes (i.e. Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, sweet tea, etc.), limit how much sugar is used (if any) and limit how much your family drinks. For milk, you may not want to eliminate it all the way, but if your family drinks a lot then try reducing the amount at least. And, if you or a family member insists on having soft drinks (my husband just wont give up Mt. Dew), at least get the 2liter bottles. They are much cheaper and you can stock up when they are on sale. For my husband's lunches, I simply have drink containers that he fills up (eliminating the need for cans).
2) Snacks –> Snacking isn't necessarily a bad thing but the way most people snack isn't in a good way at all. Reduce (or eliminate almost completely) the amount of sugary and salty snacks your family eats. Replace these items with healthier choices (like veggies, fruits, etc.) and with items that will hold you over for longer (like protein). And, when you do buy convenience snacks, try to buy on sale or generic and try to avoid those already portioned snacks. You can do the same with a measuring cup and a small tupperware container or those inexpensive snack plastic bags (cheaper to use these with a bread tie instead of expensive Ziplock bags).
3) Portion Control –> Most Americans eat way more than we need to survive. We (myself included) eat more for the joy of eating rather than nurishing our bodies. Try preparing and serving food in a smarter way. Reduce portions and serve your family a more balanced meal. This means cutting down on the meat (usually the main dish) and serving more healthy sides (like veggies).
4) Eat Less Meat –> Portion control brings us to the idea of eating less meat. We aren't vegetarians and don't ever plan to be one (I have nothing against vegetarians; I just like meat!).But I've really focused lately on eating less meat and even having more meatless meals. This has helped to reduce our grocery bill tremendously!
5) Learn to Like Beans –> When reducing the amount of meat your family eats, try serving more beans. I, personally, hate beans. That's the honest truth. About the only beans I like are green beans. LOL. But I've learned to tolerate (hey, being honest here LOL) things like red beans and rice. Beans are a very healthy source of protein, easy to make (most can be done in a crockpot while at work or busy with other things) and are definitely a frugal option.
6) Never Waste Leftovers –> Use leftovers for lunch the next day and/or incorporate a leftover night each week. Wasting food only means that you have to buy more food. Save money by wasting less. And, if your family doesn't like leftovers, then try to reduce the amount that you cook for a meal.
7) Cook More from Scratch –> I know this isn't an easy thing for many. Some don't have the time and others just simply don't know where to start. Try searching online for recipes from scratch and try making your own convenience foods (check out Hillbilly Housewife's Convenience Food Recipes). Some foods are so easy to make from scratch (i.e. pancakes!) that it is amazing that so many people pay the extra to have them already prepared. And even if you feel that you don't have enough time to cook from scratch, consider cooking larger (from scratch) meals on the weekends (or better yet, do a search for "Once a Month Cooking" on the internet). Or, get and learn to use a Crockpot. This is a great way to prepare and serve meals from scratch when you are short on time. Also, quick snacks such as trail mix or granola bars can be made from scratch for a whole lot less money.
Clip Coupons and Shop Sales –> Of course, you can save a lot more by buying generic or store brands. But if you clip coupons and combine them with store sales, you can usually get the name brand items for the same price and often can get things for free! Clipping coupons takes time and so does shopping sales, but when you see how much you can save by doing this, you'll be hooked! Check out the Jane4Girls blog to see how this awesome mom feeds her family on only $800 a year! Sure, she puts in a lot more work than most of us have the time or desire to do. But it's a great inspiration and a perfect example of how much can be saved by doing these things and shopping this way.
9) Stock Up Sale Items –> You can save a lot of money buy shopping sales and stocking up when items are at their lowest price of the year. For instance, canned veggies are usually at their best price around Thanksgiving time, condiments around July 4th, baking goods around Christmas, etc. You get the idea! You can really stock up when they are at this low price and save a lot by doing so.
10) Buy in Bulk When Cheaper –> First of all, buying in bulk isn't always cheaper. Shopping stores like Sam's, Costco, or any other warehouse store can save you a lot of money BUT you have to know your prices at the regular stores to know whether or not buying in bulk is a good deal. Also, only buy in bulk what you know that you will use. If you buy a huge container of ranch dressing but end up throwing away half of it because it went bad, then you aren't saving money. But consider buying in bulk items that you will use and, if they are items that expire, then buy items that you can break up into smaller portions and store (like meat for the fridge) or consider splitting with a friend or neighbor.
These are just some of my tips for saving on groceries.
What else do you feel breaks or makes the grocery budget?
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