HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

There is nothing that can mess up the family budget quite like going grocery shopping. The problem many people have is spending too much money on items they don’t really need, but because they go to the store without a plan they have a hard time remembering what they need and tend to pick up extra things they already have.

The easiest way to solve this problem is to make a grocery list and once at the store do not stray from what’s on it. Probably the best way to build a shopping list for groceries is to first look in the refrigerator and pantry and see what you already have and what you are running out of or are completely out of. The only things that you need to put on your list are those things you need. There’s no point in buying more sugar when you have a big bag of it still full in the pantry.

The other thing you will need to do is make a menu for the upcoming week or two weeks, depending on how long you take between trips to the store. If you do this and buy only those things you need for your weekly menu you will find that you will no longer be picking up those extra items that you don’t need, saving you money. This will also help save you from making unplanned trips to the store for something you forgot, which can be a real pain when you’re making dinner and realize you don’t have an ingredient you need.

When you do go to the grocery store you might want to consider paying with cash. That’s right; keep an envelope with cash in it specifically for groceries. If you set aside a set amount of cash every month that you have budgeted for your food bill put it in an envelope and take it to the store with you and leave your check book, debit card, and credit cards at home. You’ll be amazed at how much less you spend because you will have to stick to your grocery list and keep track of what you intend to buy. When the envelope is empty your grocery budget is spent until the next month.

The way to save money on your grocery bill without ever going to the store is leftovers. By utilizing your leftovers either as a meal all on their own or with other meals you can stretch your food supply and therefore your grocery budget. It also gives the cook a break once or twice a week, leaving more time for family stuff.

And once last thing to remember; don’t go to the supermarket hungry. Eat a snack before you leave home to keep the temptation of buying snack foods to a minimum. So there you have, some simple ways to save money on your grocery bill.

By: Andrew Bicknell

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