Saving money is very important especially during tough times. The hardest task about saving money is the budgeting. The number one reason why people do not save is that they do not know how to budget themselves.
How are going to come up with a life plan to save on groceries when you do not know how to allocate money for your monthly bills such as, gas, phone, water and power? You are not going to be able to successful saving on your groceries or anything else if you do not learn how to utilize your money wisely.
Food is the most important of all your household responsibilities. The first lesson for saving on your groceries is to prioritize on how to budget your money. Start reducing the money spent without sacrificing your food allocation. Buy only necessities in groceries. Make a list of all goods you have to buy together with their prices, find out what the prices are if necessary. This will help ensure you have the budget allotted for food. If you happen to go over, start trimming down your list or consider the generic brand.
Having a list is good but you will need to stick to it. Limit your trips to the grocery store only to only 1-2 visits a month. You will save both time and money by not having to go as much and reduce your chances of overspending.
Follow some of these simple tips below to help you can stay on track.
Planning your meals ahead for the week will not only save you money but major time as well. Once again, this will help you to avoid over spending. When you have your menu laid out and the needed ingredients, coming up with dinner will be a breeze.
Every kitchen should have a list of these items. They are eggs, garlic, salt, sugar, onion soy sauce, vinegar, coffee, and milk. These are your staple items and will need replenishing almost on a weekly basis. The list will help you stay consistent and not be tempted to buy things you do not need.
Buying the generic brand over the brand name only will help you save on our grocery bill. Check the labels, read the ingredients and the nutritional facts. More often than not, you will find the generic brand lives up to the branded goods because it offers the same ingredients and quality but at a lower price. You save by not having to pay for the brand names’ marketing.
You can save even further by buying your meats in bulk, portion them out and freeze them for when you are ready. Another good trick for buying meat to save is buying less expensive cuts of meat. Some recipe like pot roast will not matter or affect the taste if you substitute a less expensive cut. Usually the more expensive cuts are generally tenderer. You can always make your meat tenderer by cooking it longer in a slow cooker. You can put all your ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning before work and dinner will be ready by the time you come home. Another way to tenderize your meat is to use a meat mallet.
Get creative with your leftovers. Learn how to “re-package” your leftovers to make them more appealing and appetizing again. Here is a good tip. Spaghetti is a family favorite. When you prepare it, keep the sauce and pasta separate. You can use the leftover pasta for a different dish the next night such as adding it to a soup or stir fry it with other left over meat and veggies. You can be use the leftover sauce in a lasagna dish or as pizza sauce. Try to think of other possibilities.
Packing your own snacks when you are traveling or going out for long periods will help you save money by not having to stop at a convenience store. It is also a good stress reliever too to have some snacks on hand for the cranky and restless kids.