Whether you’re a student on a low budget or a parent trying to keep the food bills at bay, we could all use some tips on managing our grocery budget properly so we can save more money. Grocery shopping on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health.
There are several easy ways to stretch your food budget and still enjoy delicious healthy meals. Here are just a few:
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Use a Budget
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- Food is a big chunk of your budget. Having a budget and sticking to it is a big part of making the most of the resources you have.
- Use cash when shopping at the grocery store. Cash is a great way to limit those little “splurges” that are so tempting in the grocery aisles.
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Don’t Shop When You Are Hungry
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- If you shop for groceries when you are hungry, it can be hard to resist the many temptations found around every corner and at the end of every aisle.
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Make a Grocery List
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- Making a list helps you not only stick to a budget, but it helps you remember what you need.
- Using a pre-made grocery list allows you to “shop” your pantry before heading to the store. Marking off items you don’t need is a great way to “remember” what you don’t need when you are shopping.
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Plan Your Meals
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- Planning your meals will save time and reduce stress because you don’t have to spend time thinking about “what’s for dinner”.
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Learn to Cook
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- Cooking is way cheaper than eating out and it’s a lot healthier too! Not only can you save money by learning to cook, but you also save in extra calories that come with eating out.
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Use Leftovers
- Save your money. Save your leftovers. Planning for leftovers is not only a great way to stretch your grocery budget, but it saves you time in the kitchen by cooking less!
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Learn how to Stock Your Pantry and Store Your Groceries
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- Having items like canned fruits, vegetables, pasta, and rice that won’t spoil quickly helps stretch your grocery budget.
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- Remember to check expiration dates and rotate items so that those that are closer to the expiration date are used first.
Ideas for comfort meal starters from the pantry include:
- Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup: Ramen Noodles + canned carrots + canned chicken
- Minestrone Soup: Pasta + Great Northern Beans + diced tomatoes
- Corn Chowder: Canned corn + Canned potatoes + cheese
- Southwest Chicken Soup: Canned chicken + black beans + canned diced chilies and tomatoes