More Saving on Food for the Family

How have you been doing on your grocery budget? I've had a few conversations with friends who have expressed that even though they have cut their budget down, they still feel like they need to be more aware of what they are spending and they need to cut even more . For many of us, winter is moving in and with the work situation as it is, we feel that we may have another winter just like last one. Only this time we are heading into it well aware of how scarce work can be.

With that in mind, lets take a positive stance, share some more ideas , and see where we can tighten up a little more. Some of this will be review for us, some new, and for the first time budgeters, it can be a lifesaver. Ready?

#1. We MUST plan. If we don't set a plan in order, it is hard to make everything work out over the long term. Plan menus, plan grocery shopping, plan to use up what we have, plan to stock up.

#2. Watch for sales and stock up when the price is right, (I've been surprised at home many times I've heard someone say 'but what would I DO with 5 bottles of peanut butter? The shelf life is at least a year, how many do you use in a year? Buy that amount) purchase in bulk, buy low cost items that feed the cells in your body. (interpreted: don't spend money on processed food/junk food)

#3. Think outside of what you're used to.
Always been a casserole cook? Take a few minutes and add up the cost of a casserole, (meat, potato, cheese, sauce, topping) and then add up the cost of an a meat/potatoes meal, (meat, potato, vegetable). You'll notice somewhat of a savings in one meal, but calculate that by how many meals in a year and you've saved a lot!

Start your meal planning around a vegetable or a carbohydrate instead of around the meat. In times past I thought 'roast', then added mashed potatoes, corn, bread, milk, and maybe a dessert. Why not start with 'potato'.... then if you need meat, add a small amount of chunks of ham, a little cheese and a bunch of broccoli. Your price just dropped substantially.

When planning your protein for your meal, think of the price of the protein. Yes, T-bone steaks really are good, but they can be saved and used to celebrate those special occasions like an anniversary, or Valentine's day, or an A+ on a report card. The ticket price on a T-bone can start at 8.99 and some meat is as high a 20.00 #. Use a potato as your 'main dish' and you can think more of .99# for a high quality baker. That is quite a savings.
Other proteins are much less expensive. Lean ground beef can be bought for 1.99# ( if you ask them to grind it when sirloin roasts are on sale, etc.) Chicken is often under 1.00#, eggs are about .15/serving. Use these proteins to go with your main course of carbs or veggies.

Try fixing a vegetarian meal one night a week. ( This is a good suggestion.. we've not come even close to that! So far, I can't convince my men to skip the meat in 1 meal of the day!)

#4. With a chill in the air, soups and chili are a welcome treat. Using a pot full of flavorful broth, combined with a lot of vegetables, some carbohydrates and even a small amount of meat, you can have many servings of a delicious dinner for very little cost. Add a big pan of warm cornbread, some baking powder biscuits, or fresh home made bread and you've made a sure hit. One that is acceptable to serve to company, bring to a family who just had a baby, and have plenty of leftovers for lunch with friend tomorrow. Remember to search out all the different soup recipes and keep the variation going so you don't tire of the same ones. There are many different kinds of chili ( our favorites are the Copycat Recipe from Wendy's and White Chicken Chili.) (Both coming soon in a post)

#5. Plan your menu on the day the grocery store ads come out. Plan around what is on sale and what is in season. For example, in October, you'll see canned soup on sale everywhere, along with great prices on apples, pumpkin, candy, and the beginning of baking items. Grocery sales go in a 10-12 week cycle. Keep your eye open for what you need, buy 12 weeks worth and save. If you've not been one to 'put by' as they used to call it, go here to read about storing food in the freezer, or watch for our coming post on canning meats.

#6. When going out for the day, be absolutely positive that your supper meal is done and ready to eat ( or ready to heat) as soon as you walk in the door. If you don't do this, you'll be much more likely to just stop and pick up 'something quick and easy' for supper. By putting a crock pot of chili going before you leave, you'll know it is done and the urge to buy out will pass over.

#7. Consider using less of everything. Paper towels, buy the ones that can be torn off in 3 different sections depending on the size needed. ( Or, hang a few rags on the paper towel rack... much cheaper to wash than to buy and throw away) Look at the amount of dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper ( yes... I DID say that!), paper plates, paper cups, plastic bags, foil, etc. that you use and see if you can't cut a little bit back on each one. Then, watch the ads/websites and see how many of these items you can get without having to spend your hard earned cash by using Register Rewards, Rebates, Coupons, etc.
Plastic cups are used in our house. Over and over and over again. I think of them as a way to add to the amount of glasses I have. If we have a houseful of company, I don't have enough glasses to serve everyone, so I buy plastic ones and now I have 50 of the same kind of cups. Lots of the guests that we have on a regular basis know that the cups go in the dishwasher, but if they don't, I just say 'if you don't mind, I'll wash those and use them again.' They will last for many, many washings.

#8. It wouldn't hurt many of us to take smaller portions at our meals. Accomplish this by using a luncheon plate that will still look full and give us the satisfaction of eating a 'full' meal, while cutting our portion down. It's amazing how we are creatures of habits, and how we can satisfy ourselves with just a little trick like this. If we all took a little less, it's less we'd have to buy.

#9. Make as much as you can from scratch. I love to think back to the 'olden days' when they made EVERYTHING at home. If they could do it, why can't we? There is a great sense of pleasure and accomplishment when we are able to say 'we did it' with something new. Most often it is a healthier option, too.

#10. Drink water. Milk is important for the calcium, but all the rest ( except coffee of course!) ( oh! I've read that you can make coffee by digging up dandelion root, drying it and grinding it! :) ) is just added cost and calories. Even fruit juices are an expensive form of sugar. Buy the whole fruit, eat it and gain the benefit of fiber. Can you get to the point where you can put out a big pitcher of fresh, cold, ice water to serve with a meal to company? That is what they serve in most restaurants, why not at home?

#11. Buy used. (well, not food or toilet paper) If you can buy anything from a garage sale or craigslist, you have already saved whatever your states sales tax amount it. Most often you will be getting the item less than had you paid full price at the store. In order to do this, you probably will have to practice patience, but that isn't a bad thing. Wait. You'll be glad you did.

#12. Share. If you have something that someone else needs, offer it. If you need something, see who would be willing to allow you to use it. Hand down clothes to others who can use them. ( Especially kids clothes) Barter. Offer what you have or can do in trade for what others have or can do.

#13. Challenge yourself. If last months grocery bill was $600.00, see if you can't cut off $50.00 this month. (Research is showing that for a family of 4, grocery bills run from $240.00 - $800.00 per month. What a difference!) See if you can get it down to $75.00 per person/per month. Find a friend to take the challenge with you. It'll be work, but good things don't usually come easily. ( If you want more incentive, tell yourself that you'll put all the extra you save towards... "............". Your choice)

#14. Reward yourself for the hard work you've done. Watch for sales on your favorite " " whatever it is. (candy, ice cream, coffee, chips) and buy just a little bit. Save it for the end of the month and celebrate a job well done. ( Or, have it on hand for the moments when the work gets hard and you want to flop back to your old ways. Have a little treat and keep on keeping on!

#15. Consider buying with a local buying club or co op. Ask around and you're sure to find one.

Now. These are suggestions that I've picked up here and there or have learned myself. Please help us all out and share what you've learned.