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Family Budgeting – 17 Tips For Spending Less On Food

Webmaster | June 10, 2012 | no comments

One of the easiest expenses to cut back on is the amount of money you spend on food.

It may mean eating more homemade foods and fewer prepackaged items, but when you think about it, this could actually be a good thing!

You’ll not only save money, but you’ll be eating healthier as well.

Any of these 17 tips will help you save money.

Combine several and you’ll see an immediate reduction in your weekly grocery bill.

1. Plan your meals for the week

Base your meal plan on your budget and visit the grocery store with your list of items you need to prepare those meals. But those items and nothing else.

2. Cut down on trips to the grocery store

The more you are in the grocery store, the more you’ll be apt to spend. And you’ve probably hear this before – never shop when you are hungry. It’s true – you’ll always spend more if you are hungry.

3. When making meals, double the recipe

Then store the extra half in your freezer. When you have to work late, or you are out of town, those extra meals will come in handy. Knowing you have those extra meals in your freezer will eliminate the temptation for you or your family to go out to eat.

4. Coupons

Reducing your grocery bill can be much easier than many think through the use of coupons. Buy your local Sunday paper, clip coupons for the products you use and shop at a store that will double them. Coupon sites like couponcabin dot com, couponcraze dot com and coolcoupons dot come are all excellent websites.

Not only do they offer savings on popular national brands, but many offer free samples as well.

5. Shop at multiple grocery stores

Shop around to find out who has the best deals on various products you use. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference there can be in pricing on various items between stores.

6. Use House Brands

There is usually very little difference between house brands and overpriced name brands. They are typically made with the same ingredients, taste the same, and cost much less.

7. Limit your use of prepared meals and convenience items.

These items are always more expensive.

8. If you drink, buy less expensive beer, wine or hard liquor

9. Buy groceries at warehouse stores, discount stores and buying clubs

Buy in bulk when appropriate. But be careful. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a huge amount of perishable items just because the unit cost is low. You’ll get stuck throwing items out, meaning the true cost will be much higher. Also, when buying in bulk, make sure that your family will use the items.

Great deals are only of value to you if you actually use the items.

10. Pack lunches for yourself and your family instead of eating out

This will save you a ton of money. The average fast food lunch costs well over $5.00. Multiply that over the span of 1 month and you can save nearly $100.00!

11. Make your coffee in the morning instead of buying it on the way to work

The cost of buying coffee already made can become astronomical. It is much cheaper to brew it yourself and take it with you to work.

12. Cut out soda pop and junk food from your diet

These are both unhealthy and costly.

13. Eliminate eating out, except for special occasions

14. Try celebrating a special occasions by having a picnic

15. Pop your own popcorn when going to a movie

Not only will it taste better, you’ll save a ton of cash. But, be forewarned. You may have to go into stealth mode in order to get it into the theatre. Putting it under you coat will usually work well.

16. When your family is out of the house for the day, pack a meal instead of visiting a restaurant

17. Set up an area where you can grow vegetables and herbs.

You can save a bundle in the summer months. If this isn’t possible, consider joining a local food co-op or buy your fruits and vegetables at your local farmer’s market each week.

Article by Bruce Guzman

About the Author : Bruce has been writing personal finance issues since 2008. In addition to his writing, Bruce also operates a number of informative web sites.

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