Three basic ways to cut food costs
July 22, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under food
Thrifty folks are happy when they cut costs anywhere but in particular it seems like thrifty people are most happy when they save a lot on groceries. Not sure why – maybe because it’s an ongoing, never ending expense, so trimming the costs is a good goal and an adventure. Sometimes we get so caught up in the coupons and newspaper deals that we forget the basics though…
Eat together most of the time – all the time if possible. Eating together cuts costs because you’re all eating the same meals, there are less leftovers, and it’s more alluring to eat quick fix (but more expensive) prepackaged food when you eat alone. PLUS family meals lead to better later health for your kids – so you’ll save on doctor bills too.
Shop when the stores are quiet and you’re chill. When you’re in a rush, when people are pushing through lines, when fresh from school (and tired) kids are screaming, and so on, it can make it hard to concentrate and even harder to stay in the store long enough to search for the best deals. I HATE shopping and crowded stores so much that I used to do the bulk of my grocery shopping at 1am – you don’t have to be so extreme, but find a quieter time that works for you.
Buy from the bulk section more often. Note that I didn’t say buy in bulk. I question the purpose of buying too much in bulk – that leads to needing a larger house (not thrifty). However, choosing pasta, grains, dried fruits, and baking goods from a store with a nice bulk food section can save you a lot.
[image via stock.xchng]
