Saving Money on Groceries and Supplies

Today my friend asked me how I saved money on my groceries and other household supplies so I made a list for her. Even if they only pick a few it will help with their budget.

Then I thought I would share my tips with all of you, though I am pretty sure everyone already knows them.

1.  Clip coupons and use them. I used to clip all sorts of coupons and then only use about 1/4 of them. Now I find myself clipping or printing out coupons for those things I will use or want to try. Combined with a sale on the item you can save a great deal.

2.  Only go grocery shopping once a week. This is something I have always done, and when we lived 30 miles out of town I would only shop every second week. Combine your errands on your shopping day to save even more. By only shopping once a week I think my friend could get her grocery budget in shape (her hubby is running to the grocery store every second day...and you know those extras that seem to find their way into your cart can add up).

3.  Don't eat out, order in or get fast food as often. This is something the two of them do at least 3 times a week. I told her we eat out maybe once a month (sometimes twice) and it is usually brunch after Mass. Breakfast is the most inexpensive meal of the day.

4.  Make sure you eat before grocery shopping. Hunger makes a person pick up snack type items.

5.  Plan your weeks meals using store fliers, adding in whatever you have in your pantry that needs to be used up.

6.  Make a grocery list before you leave the house. I usually factor in a bit extra spending to keep my pantry and freezer well stocked.

7.  Get comfortable cooking. Cooking meals at home is the best way to save. I could even say get comfortable baking. Homemade bread is about half the cost of a loaf of store bought. Squares that a person would pay upwards of $6.00 can be made at home for a fraction of that cost, and you get a great deal more.

8.  Avoid prepackaged and frozen meals. My friend buys a great many frozen pizzas, I told her to make her own crust (they do have a bread maker and there are many recipes) and top it just the way she would like it.

9.  Make recipes with basic ingredients. Learn how to cook beans from dry, use eggs, fresh veggies and fruit in season, pasta, tuna, and oatmeal. All are inexpensive and can be made into wonderfully filling meals.

10.  Start a garden and learn to freeze the excess veggies.

11.  Buy in bulk those items you are sure to use up. If you let something get old, you lose any savings.

12.  Stock up and freeze any really good buys. This means know your prices and a good sale when you see one. I told her that we spent today slicing up bulk sandwich meat buys. In just slicing our own roast beef, and chicken we saved at least $50.00, and have enough sandwich meat in sealed bags in the freezer to last us for a couple of months.

13.  Prepare extra batches of food when cooking. Being able to pull a casserole, or container of chili out of the freezer when you are tired or hungry makes it easier to say no to eating out.

14.  Use your slow cooker. It saves time, energy and your meal is ready when you get home from work.

15.  Cut down on coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water. We have a water dispenser in our fridge that gives us cold, filtered water at the press of a button. We also have a Brita water filter we use in our coffee pot. We have cut down on coffee, never buy bottled water, and have cut back on soft drinks as well.

16.  Try generic brand products. Some are actually very tasty.

17.  Shop the farmer's market in the summer. There are great deals on fresh veggies to be had if you do not have a garden.

18.  Start to like leftovers. My friends' husband so does not like leftovers that many get thrown out. What a waste! Some foods taste so much better the second time around.

19.  Baking soda and vinegar aren't just for cooking. Get the most out of these items by using them for cleaners rather than buy the "advertised" cleaners.

I hope this list helps her (well I know it will help her, providing she can get hubby to join in).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.