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I couldn't believe it, but my wife and I spent close to $600 on groceries this past month. How in the world did that happen? I thought to myself. I realize food is expensive, but wow.
Is there any way we can change our high grocery bill? We are averaging right around $130/week for both of us and I feel that is way too high.
I couldn't believe it, but my wife and I spent close to $600 on groceries this past month. How in the world did that happen? I thought to myself. I realize food is expensive, but wow.
Is there any way we can change our high grocery bill? We are averaging right around $130/week for both of us and I feel that is way too high.
Thoughts?
Buy in larger quantities when things are on sale. Get enough to tide you over until the items you want are on sale again.
Buy store brands rather than brand names.
Purchase as little prepared or semi-prepared (convenience) foods as possible. You pay a huge premium for the convenience.
Review your diet and try to pre-plan meals. Impulse purchases in the grocery store can really raise your food bill.
Look at the grocery store advertisements in the local paper. If possible spread your shopping out among several stores to take advantage of their sales. Consider clipping and using coupons.
Last edited by outbacknv; 09-23-2010 at 10:09 PM..
First go though what was bought and remove anything that was not grocery. Batteries shouldn't go against the food budget. Pet food is not food for you but pet expense. Cleaning supplies are not food (although many have the same ingredients as some of the packaged foods) and shouldn't be counted for food budget. You may find a good percent is not food. When that is removed, your food budget may not look so bad.
If it still looks bad, figure out what you are buying and why. is there something else as good but cheaper? Do you buy just because its there? Could you save by buying non prepared foods and make you own meals?
I lived on Hawaii and I can tell you, your shopping and eating habits quickly change after paying those first few grocery runs.
When you go to the store do you walk around and pick up what you feel like getting, and what you think you are out of? The best way to do it is plan a weeks worth of meals and shop for those meals only. Careful planning can make good use of better prices on larger quantities too - ie planning two chicken meals within a couple of days of each other so you can get a better price on chicken. And definitely cutting down on the prepared foods and drinks. Nothing wrong with water!
Use a list.
Use the flyer for the week from your favorite store, buy what's on sale, even stock up an non-perishables , add non-sale items if needed that week.
Stick to the list.
In addition to shopping the sale ads and stocking up on commonly used items when they're super cheap, remember to shop your refrigerator and pantry when you're planning menus. We have "left over night" several times a week to make sure we're not wasting food, plus you'd be amazed at the leftover veggies, meat etc. you can throw together to make really delicious casseroles and soups. It just takes a little creativity
The way I do it is to check the store ads, see what's on sale and plan my menus from that- I also make a list, the times I've gone into a store without one I end up spending a lot more, and having to go back to pick up things I forgot-
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