Saving Money on Food and Groceries

Stefanie Epperly The average family of 4 spends about $120 a week on groceries according to figures from the U.S. Statistical Abstract. That adds up to over $6200 per year! There are many ways we can reduce our grocery bills, it just takes a little time each week. I will share with you ideas that I have gathered from other people as well as tips I have used myself.

Prepare

*Keep a list of needed grocery items on your refrigerater. Children can even help with this. When the've used the last of a particular item, have them add it to the list. This way you already have your grocery list made by the time you go shopping and you also won't have to make unnecessary side trips to the store to pick up items you have forgotten.
*Once a week, take about 15 minutes to scan the sales ad of the store you shop at. This way you will know what is on sale and you can add them to your list.
*Clip coupons! The best way I've found is to only clip items you use on a regulas basis. This way you won't be spending money on products you don't use. I used to spend more money at the grocery store using coupons because I was buying products just because I had a coupon for it without really needing it. So just clip the coupons for products you actually use!
*Don't go the store hungary. You will spend more than you planned because everything looks good!
*If you can, go without the kids. I always spend more when my kids are with me for 2 reasons. The first one is they want EVERYTHING! The second is if they are being difficult you will hurry without being able to comparison shop or you may miss some items on your list.

Shop:

*Stock up on items that are on sale. When hamburger is on sale, for example, for .99 per pound, buy at least 5 pounds. When you get home, seperate the meat in into 1 lb packages and freeze. Take advantage of 2 for 1 specials since meat will stay good in the freezer for quite a long time. Stock up on canned goods that you use on a regular basis and store them in your basement or linen closet or any other space you may have.
*Buy juice in concentrate form that mixes with water. They are cheaper that buying the pre-mixed refrigerated juice.
*Don't buy juiceboxes. Purchase refillable plastic juice bottles with built-in straws and fill them with juice yourself.
*Consider buying generic brands. Most items you can't tell the difference (e.g dried pasta, canned tomato products, canned beans and vegetables, juice, flour, raisins, rice, spices, butter, crackers, oatmeal and peanut butter). Sometimes it's worth it to pay more for name-brand items such as foil, plastic storage bags, paper towels, and dishwashing liquid. You're not saving any money if your generic foil rips or you need twice as many paper towels or dishwashing liquid to do the job.
*Buy large bags of chips and fill small plastic bags with them for kid's lunches

Monthly Recipe:

How to make your own Glass Cleaner-

Clean your glass, mirrors and windows with your own homemade glass cleaner! Combine one quart of water with 2 tablespoons of ammonia and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. (Some people like to add 2 drops of liquid hand dishwashing detergent.) Store it in a spray bottle, and just spray and wipe until your surfaces shine!

This recipe is quick and easy and, best of all, cheap!










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