You can eat well without spending a fortune! Here are some ways to get the most out of your food budget. You’ll save big bucks (and who doesn’t want that?) and even eat healthier, too.
Go on the web
You’ll find online coupons and supermarket sale announcements. You can also very quickly compare prices between products or different stores in your area.
Scout what you have
First check your refrigerator and pantry to see what leftovers you may have, or unused products from your last shopping trip. That prevents you from buying things you don’t need, or allowing products to expire.
Make a meal plan
Based on your online research (‘Oh, canned tomatoes are 50% off!’) and your pantry check you can get an idea of what kind of dishes you can make. Check out recipes and plot your meals for the rest of the week. Make a list of the other ingredients you might need.
Shop alone
If you can, leave the kids with a baby sitter or friend. If you’re distracted or tired you’re going to rush through the supermarket shopping without really thinking about what you’re getting. And we all know how kids like putting things in the supermarket cart!
Zero in on what you need
Go straight to the aisles that have what you need. Even just wandering down one aisle will offer temptations and you may end up getting something you weren’t planning on.
Try house brands
Generic brands or house brands may offer similar quality and taste at a much lower cost. Won’t hurt to try, right? Just get a small size if you’re trying it for the first time
Compare prices by unit
Look at the net weight of the product and see how much it costs per gram. You may discover that a more ‘expensive’ can actually contains more, and will save you in the long run.
Do it yourself
Precut, pre-washed or prepared salads or vegetables are more expensive, but do you really need the convenience? It won’t take much effort to do it yourself.
Store in portions
Dividing meat and vegetables in bulk gives you lots of savings, but do store them in portion sizes or you’ll just end up cooking more each time.
Going out for dinner? Read our article on saving money while eating out.
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