Food prices keep going up and up. Food packaging portions keep getting smaller and smaller. What can we do when we’re on a budget but continually bring home less and less food for the same amount of money spent?
Here are some ways you can beat the prices and avoid the trap of slick marketing campaigns:
1. Make a list of meals for the week before you go to the grocery store.
2. Use the store ad for ideas for the week’s meals.
Plan menus around the sale items. Printed copies of weekly ads are available in the stores and usually in local newspapers. Some grocery stores also send customers ads via snail mail or email. You can also see what’s on sale by consulting a store’s website.
3. Use coupons only for items your family will actually eat.
It doesn’t save money when you purchase something because it’s cheap, but then have to throw it away because no one eats it.
4. Use store rewards cards to save on sale items and earn points for gas promotions and free items.
5. Purchase meat in bulk, then separate into meal portions and freeze.
You can stay within your grocery budget and even save money with a little advance planning. Build some planning time into your schedule before you head to the store.
