Keeping yourself and your family fed isn’t always easy. For many U.S. households, grocery bills are a major expense. Credit cards and personal loans may help you stock your refrigerator and pantry in a pinch, but relying on them could lead to money problems down the line if you’re unable to manage your monthly payments.
Thoughtful decisions at the grocery store and in the kitchen can help you stretch your food budget further and keep more money in your pocket for other expenses.
Avoid Waste by Planning Your Meals
No one likes throwing away food. But sometimes, you just can’t quite make it through your spinach before it wilts or your cheese before it grows moldy. Planning out your meals for the week before going grocery shopping can help you cut down on waste. For effective meal planning, focus on your dining habits and lifestyle.
Build Your Grocery List With Intention
If you’ve never meal-planned before, you might start by listing the dishes and recipes that are currently in your rotation. If you want to change it up, add some recipes you want to try from cookbooks or the internet.
Use that meal list to plan your week. When setting meals, factor in your schedule, the season, any preferences you or your household may have, and, of course, your budget.
Once you choose your meals for the week, break down the ingredients to create your shopping list. Remember to check your pantry first and note any ingredients you already have in stock.
Make Meal Planning Work for Your Lifestyle
Meal planning can be as structured or unstructured as you’d like. Maybe you want to plan out each meal for the week. Or, you might choose a couple of breakfasts and lunches you think you’ll repeat. You could even make yourself a menu to choose from each day. The most important part is finding what strategy works for you. While the occasional fruit or vegetable may still go bad before you get to use it, meal planning could help you get in the habit of buying only what you need.
Join Loyalty Programs (With Caution)
Do you have a favorite grocery store? If so, enrolling in the store’s loyalty program may help you bring down your grocery bill substantially. Loyalty programs vary across retailers, but membership often gives you exclusive discounts, coupons, and deals.
Loyalty programs are often free to join. But it’s important to make decisions thoughtfully. Sometimes, coupons, sales or buy-one-get-one offers may persuade you to make impulse purchases of items you wouldn’t otherwise buy. Getting half off on ice cream may be a great deal, but it’s still an unwise purchase if sweets aren’t on your shopping list or if you have a limited budget.
Cut Down on Meat
Meats are often among the priciest items in the grocery store. Because it’s often so expensive, cutting back on meat a little can have a big impact on your budget.
Reducing your meat consumption doesn’t mean going without protein. While vegetarian meat substitutes can also be expensive, you could try incorporating the following affordable protein sources into your regular diet:
- Lentils
- Chickpeas and other beans
- Tofu
- Quinoa
- Edamame
You don’t have to become a vegetarian to save money. You might save meat for the weekends and special meals. Even going without meat just one day a week may have a big impact.
Shop Seasonally
Fresh fruits and veggies are often a delightful, colorful part of a healthy diet. But where and when you buy produce can make a big difference for your budget. Often, in-season fresh produce is more affordable than out-of-season produce. Seasonal fruits and vegetables may come from more local farms, while out-of-season produce might have to travel a long distance.
Try to get familiar with growing seasons in your location. In most of the U.S., tomatoes and strawberries are in season in the summer, while carrots and parsnips are in season in the winter, for example. If you want produce that’s out of season in your region, consider frozen or canned options for a better value.
Become a Leftover Expert
Making your food last longer is key to making your funds stretch further. So, ideally, you should eat your leftovers before they go bad in the back of your refrigerator. But sometimes, it takes a little foresight and creativity to make leftover food appetizing again.
High-quality food containers may keep your leftovers fresh for a longer time. Glass containers with a tight sealable lid may lock out the moisture that turns yesterday’s lasagna into mush. Label and date your containers to stay organized.
Transforming your leftover ingredients into a new dish may be more appealing than reheating them. You may want to brainstorm ideas in advance. Leftover veggies from dinner often go great in an omelet the next morning or a stir-fry for lunch. Freezing leftovers is also a great way to reduce waste and keep meals on hand. Soups, sauces, and baked goods can all have a second life after freezing.
The Takeaway
No matter what your grocery budget is, it never hurts to save money on food. Sticking to a grocery budget can be a challenge, especially as prices fluctuate. But a few thoughtful changes can help you put food on the table without draining your bank account.
Notice: Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of gritdaily.com or its employees. Please be sure to consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances and options. This site may receive compensation from advertisers for links to third-party websites.
