Step 1. Plan ahead before you shop.
• Plan meals and snacks for the week according to a budget.
• Find quick and easy recipes online.
• Include meals that will “stretch” expensive food items (stews, casseroles, stir-fries).
• Make a grocery list.
• Check for sales and coupons in
the
local paper or online and
consider discount stores.
• Ask
about a loyalty card at your grocery store.
Step 2. Shop to get the most value out of your
budget.
• Buy
groceries when you are not hungry and
when you are not too rushed.
• Remember to purchase refrigerated and freezer food items last and
store them promptly when you get home. Proper refrigeration will help food last longer.
• Stick to the grocery list, and
stay out of the aisles that don’t contain things on your list.
• Cut coupons from newspaper circulars or online and bring them to the store with you. Try to combine coupons with items on sale for more savings!
• Find and
compare unit prices listed on shelves to get the best price.
• Buy
store brands if
cheaper.
• Purchase some items in bulk or as family packs, which usually cost less.
• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables in
season; buy canned vegetables with less salt.
• Pre-cut fruits and vegetables, individual cups of yogurt, and instant rice and hot
cereal are convenient, but usually cost more.
• Good
low-cost items year-round include:
– Protein—beans (garbanzo, black, kidney, northern, lima)
– Vegetables—carrots, greens, potatoes
– Fruit—apples, bananas, 100% frozen orange juice
– Grains—brown rice, oats
– Dairy—fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
Step 3. Make cost-cutting
meals.
• Some
meal items can be prepared in
advance; precook on days when you have time.
• Double or triple up on recipes and freeze meal-sized containers of soups and casseroles or divide into individual portions and freeze.
• Try
a few meatless meals by featuring beans and
peas, or try “no-cook” meals like salads.
• Incorporate leftovers into a meal later in the week.
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