Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cutting the Food Budget – Possible Strategies

A couple days ago, I asked all my FB friends for strategies to cut our food budget. Here's the list I got. My friends are geniuses. And also, THANK YOU... 



PLAN AHEAD:

  • shop sales/ plan meals around sale items
  • shop at Aldi
  • Plan your meals, including snacks and lunches
  • Buy at on sale en masse and stockpile things like:

    • Facial tissue
    • Toilet tissue
    • Hair care products
    • Body wash
    • Feminine products – tampons, pads
    • Contact solution (use FSA card)
    • Canned food
    • Dishwasher detergent
Make it or grow it

  • Plant a garden
  • Make your own bread
  • can or freeze sale produce to use bounty later
  • make your own yogurt
  • dried apples



Buy in bulk when possible

  • meat – Mosley’s or Carfagna’s boxes
  • grains (rice, quinoa, flour)
  • cereal (oatmeal, “Cheerios”, etc.)
  • raisins
  • milk
  • cheese



Limit shopping

  • “Allowance” - $20/week you can use on anything you want, including lunches out. Once
  • it’s gone, it’s gone.
  • Eat out only2x/month.
  • Don’t shop – use your pantry!
  • Buy the cheapest store brand/generic you can find for most things.
  • For items you won’t buy store brand, use coupons and buy on sale.



Reduce your consumption:

  • Don't buy cleaning supplies (rely on vinegar, lemon, baking soda, etc. instead of manufactured stuff)
  • Pre-portion snacks, especially bulk items, to reduce waste
  • Avoid items like:
    • frozen foods (frozen veggies allowed, but only plain)
    • soft drinks
    • paper products
    • processed food

You can also download it here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwSGlRSfWRiSQThScjVsanlzeGM
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