Today marks the last day of our “Grocery Budget” theme. Here are my final tips for this week:
Keep a Price Book. When you shop take a few moments to jot down what you buy and how much it costs. (or just save the receipts but be sure to come home and put them in your price book!)
Make a master list of items and the prices (include prices from each store that you shop). When you take the time to do this you will know if it’s worth it to go to a different store to stock up on a sale item. It is also a great way to calculate how much you will spend before you get to the grocery store.
I actually use a software called Home Cookin to keep my Price Book. I got this tip from someone else, immediately downloaded the program, and bought it a few days later! It has been a wonderful addition to my “kitchen clutter” problem, by helping me keep it picked up and organized!
Another tip worth repeating – Only take what you plan to spend. If you use a debit card, request only the money you will need from the ATM in the amount you plan to spend for groceries. Then leave your card AT HOME. That way you won’t be tempted to spend more than you have budgeted.
Hey! Eat Your Leftovers. Have beans leftover, make refried beans. Stale bread can be made into bread pudding or bread crumbs (and actually many other things too!). Chicken from last night’s dinner becomes chicken salad, or makes a tasty sandwich! Leftover pasta sauce can top a pizza, or be thrown in a one dish meal! Don’t prepare a new meal until all the leftovers are gone.
Nicole Cook
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