By: Nikki Nies
Budgeting can sound overwhelming, but can save a lot of time, headache and money in the long run. Budgeting doesn’t necessarily have to mean depriving oneself of great, fresh food, but being aware of what the value of certain products are and becoming a more active shopper.
Suggested tips below aim to help you with your next trip to the local supermarket. It feels great to leave the store with an extra few dollars in your wallet!
Tips:
- Choose to do without–recognize what items can be considered a luxury (i.e. not willing to pay more than $0.99 for OJ)
- Check out weekly circulars, write shopping list and stick to it! (i.e. limit choice of meats to less than $2.00/lb)
- Buy in bulk when possible (i.e. buy 2 lbs of meat at a time, freeze what’s not used during first round of cooking)
- Be willing to try generic or on sale brands–comparison shop at drug stores as well as grocery stores
- Check internet for coupons as well as newspapers and magazines
- Buy produce in season (i.e. corn and peaches in the summer) will save you more money
- Make sure you eat before grocery shopping to prevent too much impulsive buying
- Watch cash register for mispriced items
- Add a variety of protein–beans, nuts, tofu, quinoa, lentils and cheese are great alternatives to meat and can be less expensive than the latter
- Shop with cash
- Become familiar with prices and know what really is a “sale” price
- Create meal plans to help construct grocery list
- Keep staple foods on hand (i.e. rice, frozen vegetables, beans and an array of spices)
- Limit discretionary calorie foods (i.e. cookies, chips, soda, crackers)
Sources:
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-lower-your-food-budget-without-giving-anything-1077105045
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/10-tips-for-grocery-shopping-on-a-budget.htm
http://www.southernsavers.com/2013/01/creating-a-grocery-budget-part-1/
wedishnutrition.wordpress.com 
Excellent advice. I have learned that the major grocery store chains have a rock bottom price for say chicken breasts, ground beef etc… that they run about 3 to 4 times a year. Keep a notebook of what that low price is and try to buy quantity only at that price. Or at least buy a minimum amount when the price is higher.
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