Save Money on Your Food Bill

Does it seem like you spend a lot of money for food? Food costs can add up when the total amount of food purchased monthly is added up. Food can be purchased at many places: grocery store, fast food restaurant, take-out, stand at the shopping mall, movie theatre, or in a restaurant. With many people watching their finances due to the recession, food is a flexible expense. By making wise decisions, the amount of money you spend on food can be reduced.

Plan ahead by making a grocery list. When making a shopping list, plan meals around foods you currently have as well as food that are in season or are on sale. Take time to review shopping ads. It also pays to look for in-store specials that may not be advertised in the shopping ads.

Look for foods that have been minimally processed. Usually the less processed the food, the lower the cost. Bulk rice is cheaper than boxes of flavored rice. Whole potatoes are cheaper than frozen processed potatoes. Rolled oats are going to cost less than packaged cereal or oatmeal breakfast packets.

If cooking is not something you enjoy or are good at, look for recipes that offer five or less ingredients. Often the fewer ingredients involved, the faster the recipe will be to make.

Track foods kept in the pantry and refrigerator. Use foods before dates found on the package. Also check the freezer to locate foods that may have been pushed to the back or bottom. Controlling waste is a great way to keep costs under control.

The cost of eating away from home can add up quickly. Rather than eating out on a regular basis consider eating out as a treat. I find reducing the number of times I eat out an easy way to reduce monthly food costs. The following poster was developed for the program “Small Steps to Health and Wealth” developed by colleagues at Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Consider the cost of food bought at the shopping mall or movie theatre. These items can add up quickly and may offer little nutritional value. It may be less expensive to have a treat after the movie either at a less expensive place or at home.