#1. Take inventory of what you have.
Usually we buy a lot more at the store than we need on a regular basis. I always have extra boxes of mac and cheese, canned beans, canned fruit etc. Because of this (and limited space in an apartment sized pantry) I have learned to first take inventory before heading to the store--aha! Shop in your own pantry. Look to see what meals you can make with what you already have.
Example: I have a box of mac and cheese in my pantry and oh look there, I also have a can of tuna= tuna helper (that usually costs about $1.59 per box) And check the freezer and see if maybe there are some frozen peas or carrots to go along with this meal--and voila! one less meal to buy.
#2 Plan healthy meals by using the next 4 tips.
-Focus on the leaner choices of meats. Such as turkey smoked sausage opposed to the regular version.
- Do not underestimate a vegetarian meal once and awhile. Beans are inexpensive and very nutritious. Make sure to pair them with a whole grain rice to get the best balanced protein source.
-Whatever is on sale, whether it is cream cheese,cottage cheese or lunch meat look CLOSELY to the ad and make sure there is a more lean or low fat option.
-If buying breads or cereals make sure the fiber content is AT LEAST 3 grams per serving for a more healthier selection.
Example of one meal planned the healthy way:
WHOLE WHEAT PASTA (usually about $1.19 per box-and when it is cooked your family WILL NOT know the difference unless they see the empty box in the trash can)
LEAN GROUND TURKEY (usually the same price and sometimes cheaper than hamburger)
LOW SUGAR/SODIUM(either or) HUNT'S CANNED SPAGHETTI SAUCE (usually about $1.09 per can--gotta look on the bottom shelf though because it is less expensive and more healthy--I have read on different occasions that grocery stores do this one purpose...especially with cereal)
THE MATH : 1.19+4.00+1.09=6.28 Now I will divide that by the 3 people in my family
$2.09 PER PERSON FOR A HEALTHY DINNER
((If you would like to see more tricks like this example with the spaghetti....follow this blog. One post is going to be "PHAT DISHES WITHOUT THE WAIST"))
You planned the menu, now let's go shopping
#1 Check every Sunday in the newspaper for coupons.
ONLY CLIP WHAT YOU USE!!! <--very important message for saving money. If you clip coupons and say "well I might use this" or "I could try this" DO NOT DO IT! Only what you would normally use is what you look for in these coupon listings.
ALERT*** HERE IS THE BONUS TO CLIPPING COUPONS (and using the ones you can find online)
IF YOU KEEP THEM ORGANIZED, YOU CAN CHECK THE GROCERY STORE WEEKLY ADS...AND YOU WILL FIND THESE SAME PRODUCTS IN THE ADS ON SALE AND TAKE YOUR COUPON AND SAVE MORE MONEY-SOMETIMES DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE SAVINGS!!! YAY!!!
#2 Check your grocery ads
We always get these in the mail around Thursday. For our house, that is a convenient day to plan out the menu for the week by using what is on sale in these ads.
This is the ad for this week. I went to the store this morning and spent $68.00 for a weeks worth of groceries for 3 people. By shopping in my pantry first and using the coupons I had with this add- I received-- Total awesome savings!!! WOO HOO!
If you would like to ask me any questions please feel free to post to the comments because some one else may have the same question or feel free to email me at inapinchhelpout@yahoo.com
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