12 Easy Tips to Save on Your Food and Grocery Bill
It can be tough to cut important bills out of your household budget but when money is tight or you are saving for something important, controlling your budget is a must. For many people, the food portion of the budget is a section that can be easily reduced by applying some changes to it.
Here are some 12 top tips that you can use to save on your food bill
* Set a Food Budget – The first step in getting control of your budget is to know what you spend. Calculate a few months worth of costs and be prepared to look for areas where it can be reduced. Set a reasonable budget that you can work with on a weekly basis.
* Reduce Dining Out – Eating out is very expensive, even just a trip through the drive thru can put a big dent in your food budget. While it is okay to eat out once in a while, make sure to plan for it and put a limited amount of money into your budget for special occasions.
* Plan Your Meals – Planning for your meals will make it not only easier to shop each week, but easier to cook ahead and be prepared for each meal too. This will save unnecessary trips to the store or grabbing takeout on the way home from work.
* Make Grocery Lists – Use your weekly menu to plan out a master grocery list that you can use to shop. It will help keep extra items out of your cart that may not be needed.
* Track the Ads – Circulars are a big pain but they are great for knowing what is on sale at the grocery stores. Shop the ads for good savings at area stores and make sure to use your list.
* Work The Coupons – If you do not already use coupons, start. They do add up. Also, don’t forget online coupon sites where you can print off the coupons to redeem and add points for more savings.
* Use Store Discount Cards – Sign up for the store discount card if available. There is usually additional savings associated with them that make it worthwhile.
* Shop Store Brands – Some store labels are worth the additional savings, some are not. By tasting and learning which brands and items are worth the savings, the price difference can be significant.
* Buy in Bulk – There are certain items that are worth buying in bulk. Meats and canned goods are easy to store and worth the effort and savings.
* Shop Farmers Markets – During summer months, shop fresh from the farmer for better savings and delicious taste.
* Plant a Garden – If you have room and the ability, planting your own garden will help you save big on your food bill. Freeze extras and…
* Learn to Can – Capture all of the goodness of your garden and carry some through for the winter. It is easy to can things like tomato sauce, jams, jellies and more. Freezer canning works too and it is pretty simple.
Using tips like these can help reduce your food bill and free up some additional cash or add to your savings. What are some of your top tips your use to reduce your bill?
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!