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Family & Consumer Sciences |
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Stretching Your Food Dollars
There are many ways to save on food, especially when money has to be spent in other areas of our lives. In today’s economy saving a few dollars on groceries adds up every month.
One way to save is to eat out less often. Fast food is expensive. You can pack a lunch from home and bring snacks. Also, bring coffee, soft drinks, or juices from home instead of purchasing them from a vending machine. If you buy a soft drink for $.50 everyday of work and you work 5 days a week that is $2.50 a week. That adds up to $10.00 a month. At $10.00 a month you can buy two 12 packs of 12 ounce can soft drinks. That is a huge saving each month.
To get started on grocery savings do your homework. Begin by sitting down once a week and planning your meals for the next week or next two weeks. If you do not have time to plan your meals start by planning your evening meals at least. If you are going to follow a recipe then check the ingredients list to see what you already have and what it is you may need. Look through the refrigerator and the pantry to see what other items are at hand. Only buy what you need! Be sure to review store ads to find the best buys and use coupons that can save you dollars every week. Create a grocery budget and stick to it!
So, now it is time to head to the grocery store and begin to save. It is best to only go to the grocery store once a week for perishables and to save on gas. Be sure to bring your list with you and stick to that list. Sticking to your list helps you stay on track, not forget something, and not pick up what is not needed. If you are an impulse buyer, than send another family member to do the grocery shopping. The impulse buyer of the family should not be the one doing the grocery shopping. Do you have a family member or a child that likes to drop things into the buggy that may not be on that list? Try not to bring these family members or children with you to the grocery store. They will only cause you to get off track from your budget. These family members or children are the ones that do the impulse buying.
Avoid buying out of season fruits and vegetables. They are more expensive when out of season and not as fresh. Some things to avoid are expensive convenience and junk foods and sugary soft drinks.
Read shelf tags and labels to compare the unit cost of a product; smaller or larger sizes are not always cheaper. When reading these tags for unit cost, be sure to compare the items that are available in frozen, canned, and fresh. Substitute store brands for name brands and you can see real savings. You can find store deals usually on the higher and lower shelves.
Pre-cut chicken is going to be more expensive than buying a whole chicken that you take home and cut up. Some foods are priced for the convenience of cutting, shredding, or pre-packing for you. For example, the 100 calorie snack packs are more expensive than buying the bigger box. You can buy the bigger box, take it home and count out 100 calories yourself. When buying meat buy a large portion, bring it home and freeze it in meal portion sizes. Also, buy regular rice and potatoes instead of instant products.
At the check out counter be sure to pay attention to what price the product rings up, so you can be sure you are getting the advertised sale price.
Finally, you can also stretch your food dollars at home. To avoid waste, cook only as much food as your family will eat unless you plan to freeze it. Reduce fattening and expensive desserts. Instead of expensive alcoholic beverages drink juices, water, or tea.
One major expensive habit that will save you money is smoking, so now is the time to give it up. As a family activity grow a garden or plant vegetable plants in pots on the patio. Prepare more meals from “scratch.” Pick out 3 or 4 things you buy often and find ways to save on those items.
Using a credit card for groceries is not a good idea. Set aside some cash that is in the amount of your grocery budget and use it. When using a recipe choose ones with inexpensive ingredients that way you will save on food dollars.
Using coupons is a great idea but only if it is for an item you normally use or that you are going to use. Don’t buy items you don’t need or will not use just because they are on sale or you have a coupon for them. That is a waste of your food dollars.
Lastly, do not shop when you are hungry or hang around the grocery store too long, you will be more likely to impulse buy. Remember these tips when it comes to stretching your food dollars and you will save each month.
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| Last Updated: 3/20/2009 2:26:44 PM |
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