Find the Best Prices Overall and Save!

Food is one thing a family can’t give up. But, that doesn’t mean food expense has to eat away at the family budget. Some very basic and easy steps can help you keep a lid on food bills, adding hundreds or even thousands to your yearly disposable income.

First, walk into the store with a plan. With recipes and a plan in mind, you can buy larger quantities, which tend to be less expensive. You’ll also find yourself picking up less convenience food and making fewer spontaneous purchases. And never walk into the store hungry—it really will make you buy costly items you wouldn’t otherwise consider.

When choosing specific items, try generic over national brands. They’re usually just as good or better and are always cheaper. If you are loyal to a few brands, search for coupons. However, don’t get pulled into the pitfall of “I have a coupon so I should buy it.”

If there is a sale on an item you buy consistently, such as your favorite cereal or tuna, buy it. Your weekly budget might take a hit, but your yearly budget will show rewards.

Find the store with the best prices overall, within a reasonable distance from your home or work. There can be differences of up to 15% at stores within a short distance from each other. With a $500 monthly grocery budget, the savings can climb close to $1,000 at the end of the year if you shop at the least expensive store.

And finally, try and use whatever you buy. This sounds silly, but think of the leftovers that spoil or go unused. If you plan meals so that leftovers from Sunday get used in some form on Monday or even into Tuesday, your savings mount up quickly.

When out, keep expensive coffee drinks down to a manageable limit—say one or two a week. At $4 or more per drink, just by holding back once a week, you’ll save over $200 a year. Also, bring lunch to work if possible, and make eating out an exception rather than the rule.

Food should sustain you, so follow these few tips to keep your food budget from being a drain on your resources.