Saving Money at the Grocery Store By Using a Budget
Savvy customers know that shopping from a grocery list can save time and money. However, setting a budget at the store can often be confusing. How do you create a budget? How do you know how much you can spend?
To begin with, it’s a good idea to look at your grocery budget the same way that you look at your rent and car insurance-as a bill. This makes sense, since we need food and it is an important expense. When doing your monthly budget, figure in your groceries the same way that you do your other bills. Don’t shop under the old “I’ll spend whatever I have left over on food.” Sometimes, that leftover money gets eaten up in day-to-day expenses and you might not have enough left over to shop with.
How much should you budget? There are several variables in this, including family size and income. According to the government, a family of 3 with little to no income would receive $389 per month in Food Stamps. Of course, that’s not saying that every family of 3 would spend that much, or that little, but it’s a good estimation.
A good way to look at your grocery list versus your grocery budget is to determine what staples you absolutely need. If you know that you go through 2 cartons of milk per week, and milk is $4.00 per gallon, then you know that your grocery budget is at least going to be $32 per month. Start making a list of those items that your family eats every month and then estimate the cost of those items. This will give you an idea of how much you have been spending.
If you then look over that list and see that the amount is too much, then do a re-take and try to figure out how you can cut back. Is there a discount store in which you can buy some of the items, like the canned goods? Is there is meat market or farmer’s market nearby where you can get food for less?
Once you have set your monthly budget, if you find that it is too high, try cutting it back $50. You might find that the quality of your pantry has not changed that much. If you think you can stand it, the next month, try cutting back another 5%.
Or maybe you decide that you don’t need to cut back on your grocery bill, that you actually need all of the items on your list. In that case, try cutting back in another area of your life. If you do your list and find that you actually will spend $400 per month on groceries and you absolutely cannot cut back, think about taking your lunch to work two days a week instead of eating out. Or one Friday night per month rent a movie and pop popcorn instead of going to the cinema.
In general, it is always cheaper to buy items that can be used more than once. Try buying for multiple meals instead of for one meal. A box of pasta can last through two or three meals, as can a bag of potatoes. Buying frozen dinners, while more convenient when it comes to time, is going to cost more money in the long run.
A really good tip is to try to work with the cash system. When you get paid, whether it’s monthly or bi-weekly, take your grocery money out of your bank and put it in an envelope and shop from that. It’s an excellent way to keep you from overspending.
All in all, remember that food is just as important of an expense as your rent, your utilities, and your childcare (if you have children). Treat it importantly and be wise in your budgeting so that you don’t short yourself on having a healthy lifestyle. With a little forethought, grocery shopping on a budget does not have to be too hard.