Food Finance: 3 Strategies To Save On Groceries
Thursday, February 9, 2017, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
With today’s economy, most families are trying to find ways to trim their budgets.
According to a report from usatoday.com, the average family of four can spend between $146 to $289 a week.
Even though the highest cost represents a liberal budget, many people spend much more. As the price of food increases, families try to find ways to stretch their dollars at the grocery store.
Here are some helpful tips to save money on groceries and still keep the pantry full.
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Meal Planning
When you have meals planned for the week, it makes shopping much easier. You can quickly take inventory of what you have at home and what you need to buy.
There will be a lot less money spent on duplicates and impulse buys. You will not have to worry about running out of things and dashing to the grocery store every day.
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Shop Smart
When you shop for things such as clothing, furniture, and other household items, you usually do some research and get the best deal possible.
The same strategy can be used for your groceries. Take time to peruse weekly circulars from area grocery stores.
Some of the things on your grocery list may be on sale that week. You can also save money by clipping coupons and taking advantage of rebates.
Most stores have customer loyalty cards that will give you additional savings.
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The Weekend Warrior
When you are in a hurry, it seems easier to run through a drive-through than to cook.
The cost of convenience makes a big difference in your grocery budget. Not only is fast food more expensive, but it is often higher in calories and preservatives.
You can pre-make healthier alternatives at home. If you have a membership to a food club, you get better prices when you buy in bulk. Not only do you save money, but you choose what goes into your family’s food.
Plan some time on the weekend to prepare most of your meals in advance.
Getting the kids involved gives them valuable lessons about nutrition and cooking—plus, they will have fun spending time with you.
Instead of depending on fast food every morning, treat your family to homemade breakfast sandwiches.
During your weekend prep, you can supply a variety of toppings for the kids to make a week’s worth of their favorite bagel sandwiches. Put them in individual sandwich bags and pop them in the microwave in the morning.
To cut down on your costs further, consider buying bagels in bulk, like those at Klosterman Baking Company, to prepare for future meals.
Make a pot of delicious soup and freeze it in meal-sized containers. You can also buy bulk ground beef and freeze your own hamburger patties.
Cook up some chicken and ground beef and store them in individual freezer bags. You will have fresh meat in a snap for a meal.
Casseroles are another favorite food that can be pre-made and frozen.
When you get home from work each evening, there will not be any hassles or wondering what to cook. You can just re-heat things that you have in your freezer.
You will be surprised at the end of the month when you look at your grocery bill. The money you saved by ditching the fast food can stay in your savings account.
When you plan your meals and stay within a budget, you will have more money left for other important things.
You also will have more time to cook nutritious meals and have great conversations together at the dinner table. That is something on which you can never put a price.
