How to Maintain Your Grocery Budget
The best way to stick to a budget is to prepare a weeks worth of meals ahead of time and only buy what you are going to need for those meals. Make brown bag lunches and avoid juice boxes and soda by replace them with a thermos. It's better for the environment and it will save a ton of money over time. With the poor state of the economy, there is not much room left in a budget for eating out, so plan meals around family activities and keep snacks such as granola bars, raisins and beverages in your car to avoid fast food when the kids are hungry.
One way to stretch your food dollars is to shop at more than one grocery store and look for all of your staples on sale. Be sure to only buy what you need and don't get sucked into buying junk just because it's a good deal. Buy food such as bread, rice, beans, raisins, carrots, popcorn, whole oats and pastas all in bulk. These items are much cheaper and will leave you with making fewer trips to the store. Try buying meat in bulk and freezing it, but make sure to portion is out and write the date on it so it gets used in a timely manner. Always rotate the food in your freezer so nothing sits in there for months at a time.
Canned foods are always great to stock up on, so fill your pantry with plenty of diced tomatoes, pasta sauces and beans. Substitute beans for meat for two of your meals a week to cut down on cholesterol, calories and price. It is noted that American's eat more than the recommended allowance of meat and beans provide plenty of fiber, protein and antioxidants. Using canned chicken, clams, tuna and salmon are great in casseroles and the leftovers can be used for other meals. Canned is much less expensive and most of the work is already done for you.
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