With the economy continuing to fluctuate and level off on the negative side, many families are seeking ways to save money. Any family spend on food is essential. While it would be impossible to eliminate to spend on food from a family’s budget all together, there are ways to reduce it. This article will explore a few of them.
How Much Should You Spend On Food Per Month?
Coupon shopping is a great way to save on groceries. There are many options available for finding coupons, from the traditional method of clipping them from the Sunday paper to more modern methods of finding them on websites and receiving them by email. Individuals who use coupons for the things they normally buy can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. Simply storing coupons in a binder when they are found and using them on every shopping trip is a great way to decrease spend on food while still eating well.
Another great way to save on groceries is to shop at a warehouse stores. Warehouse stores are increasing in popularity during this financially difficult time and for good reason. At a warehouse store, a family can stock up on the items they use regularly and save money over buying smaller portions of those same items. Families find savings by purchasing their meat in bulk and freezing it, buying larger portions of produce items that they go through quickly and buying mass quantities of drinks, frozen food items and toiletry essentials. A warehouse store typically charges for membership, but the cost can easily be recouped when the savings add up. In every month the amount spend on food is must for every family.
When buying items at a warehouse store, it is often necessary to freeze them. While some freezer space is available in the typical kitchen refrigerator, it is often not enough room to really stock up. This is where a freezer comes in. A good size chest freezer costs a couple of hundred dollars, but it provides a family with additional space so they can really stock up on meats and produce items. Purchasing one is an up front investment that can lead to big savings with the ability to buy larger quantities at a discounted price.
Another great option for saving on food is purchasing from a local farm or farmers market. When farmers sell their produce, meats, eggs and milk products locally, they can do so at a lower price because there is no need to charge fees for transportation or consider the cost of a middle man. In addition, the items are usually fresher than those found on a grocery store shelf, meaning they will last longer, and more food can be consumed instead of being thrown away when it goes bad too soon. Some farms even offer a cooperative option, meaning a family pays a small price for the produce they receive and also offers to work a certain number of hours on the farm to offset the cost of growing that food. This way to save money by spend on food.
Saving money on groceries is beneficial for any family living on a tight budget. Keeping these tips in mind can help a family to purchase the food they need for a reduced price, making it easier to afford all the things they need in their day to day lives.
