35 ways to eat and shop on a budget
Stretch it out! Simple tips for grocery shopping and cooking smart
Let's face it: We're all hurting. Food prices have risen across the board by more than 5 percent over the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a May 2008 report — milk hikes (13 percent) are rivaling those of gasoline, and cheese and eggs are up 12 and 30 percent respectively. Even cereals and baked goods have risen 8.9 percent since last year. The result? Most of us are looking for ways to stretch our food budget.
Hope is at hand. While no one's expecting prices to drop in the near future, there are many easy ways to trim food expenses without feeling the pinch or sacrificing on flavor. Take a tip from us when planning your weekly food budget: We will tell you how to shop and cook smart, so that you can continue to enjoy delicious — but inexpensive — meals. Here are 35 simple ways to eat well with less.
Shopping tips
1. Do research online first
Before you plan your shopping, check your store's Web site to see what the week's specials are, if there are any coupons, and what items are seasonal and abundant, and thus good value. Compare prices between different supermarkets in your area.
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2. Plan ahead
Decide what your weekly meals will be in advance so that you can use leftovers from one dinner in the following day's lunch or dinner. (Our Dinner Rush menu planner can help!) Before shopping, check that you have all the necessary staples (flour, sugar, etc.), and jot down anything else you need for the week. Try making up an easy spreadsheet for a shopping list and food budget, then simply update it each time you head to the store.
3. Eat before you shop
When you're hungry, everything looks good!
4. Try to shop alone
When you're distracted by children or friends, you tend to make impulse purchases or don't take time to compare prices.
5. Wear blinders
Only walk down aisles with items you need so you won't be tempted to stray from your list.
6. Seek out local produce
Try to buy mostly local fruits and veggies that are in season — it's better for the earth and oftentimes cheaper. Farmers market vendors may also have end-of-day sales.
7. Ask for deli products to be sliced thin
Does your family load up on cold cuts? Thin meats and cheeses can go further.
8. Avoid eye-level products
Supermarkets usually place more expensive items right in front of you. Do a little stretching and bending to find bargains.
9. Buy generic
Many store-brand staples taste the same as brand-name products, so choosing the store's label is an easy way to save. Experiment with the store's cereals, coffee, veggies — your
family may not even notice the difference.
10. Compare unit prices
Unless you're a math whiz, it's impossible to compare prices and values across different sizes. The unit price makes it easy. (And you may find that sometimes the bigger package is not the best bargain.)
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