Everyone appreciates a sweet deal that saves money and spares the family budget. Grocery shopping for the family requires strategic planning and some homework. There are many ways to shop economically for food. Cooking has become "assembling" now that literally everything comes pre-made. But for that convenience there is a trade-off in the form of higher costs and diminished quality and vitamin content. This theory applies to shopping for just about any product for the home, car, kitchen table, or the walk-in closet. Conscious frugality is good home economics
Clip, clip, and clip coupons to save money with rebates. Apply for grocers' savings cards. Buy whole vegetables and salad greens instead of the pricey, pre-cut versions. Same with chicken. Buy the whole bird and cut it up at home. No sense in paying a stranger to cut them up. Back away from expensive pre-made frozen meals.
Shop at a large grocery store chain. Chance are that their products are less costly. They also buy their product in large quantities to bolster the bottom line. Form a shopping team. Have family members share coupons with each other. Many store managers give rain checks if they are out of an advertised special. Take advantage of them.
Deals and bargains are usually on the top shelf or around the ankles. What the store really wants purchased is at eye level. Eye level is buy level. Eye appeal is buy appeal. Avoid buying it simply because of its alluring packaging Store brands are another way to economize. Read ingredients for dangerous additives, however. Cheaper food is usually of lesser quality.
If you can't afford it, and have the where-with-all, grow it for the best quality and affordability. All it requires is the sweat of your brow, water, and sunlight.
Tips
Shop on a full stomach. Leave the kids at home and reduce the temptation to cave into their requests. Buy only what you need. Is there something at home I can use with this? Refrain from buying items that only apply to one meal.
It's often 50% cheaper to purchase food from a farmers market. Join a food club or community co-op. Buy in bulk with family members. Plan family meals with overlapping ingredients. That's how restaurants design their menu items to optimize profit and reduce waste. Try not to allow anything you purchase to go to waste. Accumulate a cache of emergency foods. Leftover vegetables, meats, beans, or stocks can be transformed into lovely soups. Waste transformed.
Warnings
At check-out, observe what is being scanned. The mechanisms are not perfect nor are the cashiers. Bring along a calculator. Control impulse buying. Stick to your list. Once a vegetable has been cut and peeled, it immediately begins to lose it nutritional value. Buy whole foods. Meat is an excellent source of protein, but a costly budget buster.
Tips
- Shop on a full stomach.
- Leave the kids at home and reduce the temptation to cave into their requests.
- Buy only what you need. Is there something at home I can use with this?
- Refrain from buying items that only apply to one meal.
- It's often 50% cheaper to purchase food from a farmers market.
- Join a food club or community co-op.
- Buy in bulk with family members.
- Plan family meals with overlapping ingredients. That's how restaurants design their menu items to optimize profit and reduce waste.
- Try not to allow anything you purchase to go to waste.
- Accumulate a cache of emergency foods.
- Leftover vegetables, meats, beans, or stocks can be transformed into lovely soups. Waste transformed.
Warnings
- At check-out, observe what is being scanned. The mechanisms are not perfect nor are the cashiers.
- Bring along a calculator.
- Control impulse buying. Stick to your list.
- Once a vegetable has been cut and peeled, it immediately begins to lose it nutritional value. Buy whole foods.
- Meat is an excellent source of protein, but a costly budget buster.