Frugal shopping: How to cut your grocery bill
Jan 12, 2006
HAVE you overshot your budget while doing kitchen shopping? Then you need some tips for cutting your grocery bill. It is important to start with strategies that you can implement without causing major revolt in your family, moving gradually to a goal of a lower budget for food that is healthy, whole
HAVE you overshot your budget while doing kitchen shopping? Then you need some tips for cutting your grocery bill. It is important to start with strategies that you can implement without causing major revolt in your family, moving gradually to a goal of a lower budget for food that is healthy, wholesome and homemade.
With the following tips, you can see some changes along the way and be willing to make more frugal choices as you and your family get more comfortable with this kind of shopping and therefore eating.
lAttitude of gratitude — A long journey begins with a single step and this is your first step. Begin with your own attitude towards being frugal, because it will impact the rest of your family. How can they be excited about changes if you aren’t? So start by being thankful for all that you have, even if your life seems far from perfect.
lUse everything — when you are cooking, think about how you can get every last food mile out of what you are making. Try to avoid wastage and get everything out of your food dollar!
lBulk buying — This can be a little scary at first. Buying so much can be intimidating. How will I use this all? How will I store it? The answer is to get creative. Flour can be stored in air-tight containers at room temperature. Use your freezer to stock up on good deals on meats and other frozen items.
lCut down on the junk food — If you can completely give up the soda, chips, cookies, candy and the like good for you! They are not very cheap yet not all that nutritious.
lMake it yourself — If you can’t totally cut out junk foods, make them yourself. If you bulk buy the ingredients and make them yourself, it can be even cheaper. This means that you have to stop eating at restaurants .
lEat less meat — Does your pizza really have to have all of that meat on it? Only you will know for sure what your family will miss and what it won’t. If this is too difficult, try cutting portion sizes of meats and adding more side dishes to compensate. There is always a way to cut down on meat consumption.
lPack your lunches — This is a great way to use up your leftovers. Lunches don’t have to be boring either. Be creative in using the leftovers. Always have the family members participate in meal decisions or in actually preparing some of them. This helps stem complaints.
lMake you own drinks — If you are working and spend money on coffee, buy a thermos and take your own. Take along water or tea in a big jug on outings — this will help you resist the temptation of stopping at a fast food joint and ordering an overpriced, undernourishing soda.
lFill up on healthier foods — Whole grains and healthy foods fill you up and nourish you. You will eat less and crave less because your body is nourished more. Think of wholesome foods as an investment in your health. You may also find yourself visiting the doctor less often.
Enigma
Communications
With the following tips, you can see some changes along the way and be willing to make more frugal choices as you and your family get more comfortable with this kind of shopping and therefore eating.
lAttitude of gratitude — A long journey begins with a single step and this is your first step. Begin with your own attitude towards being frugal, because it will impact the rest of your family. How can they be excited about changes if you aren’t? So start by being thankful for all that you have, even if your life seems far from perfect.
lUse everything — when you are cooking, think about how you can get every last food mile out of what you are making. Try to avoid wastage and get everything out of your food dollar!
lBulk buying — This can be a little scary at first. Buying so much can be intimidating. How will I use this all? How will I store it? The answer is to get creative. Flour can be stored in air-tight containers at room temperature. Use your freezer to stock up on good deals on meats and other frozen items.
lCut down on the junk food — If you can completely give up the soda, chips, cookies, candy and the like good for you! They are not very cheap yet not all that nutritious.
lMake it yourself — If you can’t totally cut out junk foods, make them yourself. If you bulk buy the ingredients and make them yourself, it can be even cheaper. This means that you have to stop eating at restaurants .
lEat less meat — Does your pizza really have to have all of that meat on it? Only you will know for sure what your family will miss and what it won’t. If this is too difficult, try cutting portion sizes of meats and adding more side dishes to compensate. There is always a way to cut down on meat consumption.
lPack your lunches — This is a great way to use up your leftovers. Lunches don’t have to be boring either. Be creative in using the leftovers. Always have the family members participate in meal decisions or in actually preparing some of them. This helps stem complaints.
lMake you own drinks — If you are working and spend money on coffee, buy a thermos and take your own. Take along water or tea in a big jug on outings — this will help you resist the temptation of stopping at a fast food joint and ordering an overpriced, undernourishing soda.
lFill up on healthier foods — Whole grains and healthy foods fill you up and nourish you. You will eat less and crave less because your body is nourished more. Think of wholesome foods as an investment in your health. You may also find yourself visiting the doctor less often.
Enigma
Communications