My Top Food Budget Tips:
1. Plan your meals for the week and make a list.
Take 10 minutes out of your day once a week to find some recipes you like and dinners you wish to cook over the next 7 days.
Create a list of the items you need. Once you head out make sure to stick to your list once you are in the
store. Our impulse buys are usually the ones that get our budget in trouble.
2. Shop in more than one place.
When grocery shopping, don't do everything in one store. Look through your local paper or look up adds from your favorite grocery
stores online. A lot of times stores will have your basics, bread, milk, eggs, etc on sale at different
times. It may not be as convenient to do this but all those dollars you save will add up real quick.
3. Leftover Night
When you cook during the week make extra food for leftovers. You can eat these for lunches and if you find that you have three days
worth of left overs in the fridge, heat them up for a quick easy dinner. It's a fun dinner for the family and you spend less time in the
kitchen and more time hanging out.
4. Stay Home and Eat In
Eating out adds up real quick. An average meal when eating out for my family of 4 will cost around $45.00 at a local restaurant. My
average meal at home will cost $7-$10 to make. Fixing dinner at home will give you more time with the family and better nutrition than
most restaurants. Its a win win, so roll up those sleeves and lets have some fun cooking at home.
The Simple Dollar » Trimming the Average Budget: Eating Out
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5. Frozen Veggies
Frozen Veggies are a great way to save a little cash at the check out. They usually run at about a $1 a bag. They don't contain the salt
of canned vegetables and if you have trouble getting through fresh veggies before they go bad, this is a great way to get that
nutrition without the worry.
6. Make a Budget
Making a food budget and sticking to it can be difficult. Track your food expenses for a month and then add it up. An average of $100
a person is a reasonable number. This should include your food and household items. It may take a few months to get the hang of it,
but in the end your wallet will be happy.
7. Pay with Cash
Once you make a budget of how much you will be spending on food, go to the bank and get the cash. Take the cash and place it in an
envelope. Use it only for your grocery fund. When the cash is gone, it means you have maxed out your budget. This method will help
you keep track of your spending and let you know exactly when you have overspent.
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