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BUDGET STRETCHING TIPS
COMING SOON: Time to tighten the belts and do more with what we have. Most of us are looking for ways to stretch our food budget. Here are some easy ways to trim food expenses without feeling the pinch or sacrificing on flavor. Take a tip from us when planning your monthly food budget: We will tell you how to shop and cook smart, so that you can continue to enjoy delicious—but inexpensive— (meals).
SHOPPING TIPS:
Set a Budget
Calculate your current food expenditures decide on your grocery budget. Stick to your budget by setting up a tracking method, much like your checkbook
Set yourself up for success
Clean out expired or unusable food from the pantry and fridge. Inventory what’s in your freezer and eliminate the mystery objects. Inventory your spice selection
Don’t get caught without your staples. Without milk, eggs, yogurt and bread we have “nothing” to eat! Create a list and keep on the refrigerator of staple foods needed each week and share the list with your family for their input
Plan ahead
Decide what your monthly meals will be in advance so that you can use leftovers from one dinner in the following day's lunch or dinner. (WellMeals4u.com can help!) Before shopping, check that you have all the necessary staples (flour, sugar, etc.), and jot down anything else you need for the week. Try making up an easy spreadsheet for a shopping list and food budget, then simply update it each time you head to the store.
Do research first
Before you plan your shopping, check your store's Web site to see what the week's specials are, if there are any coupons, and what items are seasonal and abundant, and thus good value. Compare prices between different supermarkets in your area.
Eat before you shop
When you're hungry, everything looks good!
Try to shop alone or give everyone a job
When you're distracted by children or friends, you tend to make impulse purchases or don't take time to compare prices. The alternative is to bring children along to help make wise purchases and run gopher.
Wear blinders
Don’t browse up and down all of the isles. Only walk down aisles with items you need so you won't be tempted to stray from your list. Focus on the perimeter of the store, where bulk, produce and basics are most available.
Seek out local produce
Try to buy mostly local fruits and veggies that are in season—it's better for the earth and oftentimes cheaper. Farmers' market vendors may also have end-of-day sales.
Buy generic
Many store-brand staples taste the same as brand-name products, so choosing the store's label is an easy way to save.
Compare unit prices
Bring a calculator and compare by unit prices. You may find that sometimes the bigger package is not the best bargain.
Check the sale rack
If the supermarket has too many items near their expiration date, they slash prices to make sure they move. Examine discounted produce and meats carefully, and freeze any you can't eat soon.
Use coupons with a critical eye
While this can save cash, you may still be better off buying the generic version rather than the higher-priced brand. It's work, but if you watch for store coupons as well as the ones in the newspaper, you can do well—and some stores double coupons. Just make sure you only clip coupons for products you actually need.
Apply for a store card
This gives you extra savings on sale items and means you don't need to clip coupons.
Shop with cash
Some strict budgeters advocate only taking cash to the store so you keep better track of your purchases and reject extras. This is where the calculator comes in handy. Using a debit card is another option.
Bring your own bag(s)
Some stores give a discount for each bag you bring—and you're saving the planet as well as your own green.
BUDGET-STRETCHING TIPS:
Do your own prep
While it's tempting to buy those prepared fruit salads, precut vegetables, and precleaned greens, you can save a lot by doing a little bit of the work. Same goes for cheese: Buy a chunk and slice or grate it yourself.
Invest in a freezer
This lets you buy meats and vegetables in bulk or on sale, divide them into smaller serving sizes, and store safely for later use. It also helps you avoid expensive last-minute dinner purchases because you have nothing in the house. Frozen veggies and fruits come in handy for quick stir-fries or desserts.
Make your own cold cuts
Sometimes it's worth buying time, but often you'll eat better—and definitely less expensively—if you get creative. If you see ham or turkey breast on sale, it may be worth roasting it and slicing for sandwiches. Too much meat? Freeze extra slices for later.
Mix up drinks
Brew your own tea and ice it, or mix seltzer with fruit juice for a light and refreshing spritzer. If you use milk only for your coffee or tea, a slightly weaker flavor milk won't be obvious—so stretch your milk dollar with a mixture of the powdered variety enhanced with the real thing from its carton cousin.
Try your hand at canning or freezing
When produce is in peak season and you have a glut (and prices are typically at their lowest), stock up and preserve or freeze them. It's inexpensive, convenient, and a great way to enjoy tasty fruits and veggies throughout the year.
Bring lunch
Cook up batches of pasta, quinoa, stir-fry vegetables, and the like so you have a few days' worth of lunches to microwave at work. If you're not that organized, at least throw together a sandwich and snack or fruit instead of buying a much more expensive version.
Waste not
Overripe bananas can be frozen and used later for banana bread or smoothies. If you roast a chicken, save the bones and make your own homemade stock. Stems from parsley and basil are great for flavoring soups and stocks. Keep the rind from Parmesan and other hard cheeses and use to flavor soups. Stale bread can be used for bread crumbs or meatball filling.
Freeze properly
Label freezer packs with contents and date. Invest in containers or special freezer bags—you're not saving money if your food gets freezer burn and has to be tossed out. Squeeze as much air as possible out of freezer bags before sealing.
Grow food
You don't need a big yard—even window boxes or planters will work for herbs and some veggies.
Compost
Save landfill space and also make your own nutrient-filled soil for growing those veggies.
COOKING TIPS:
Cook batches
If you have time over the weekend, make large quantities of your favorite dinners. Set aside enough to serve the next night, and freeze additional batches for days when dinner's a rush. (Freeze promptly so teenagers don't polish off the extras…) Lasagna and chili are easy to make and freeze.
Go meatless a few days a week
Plus, you'll save money and reap health benefits, too.
If you do buy meat…
Buy the tougher cuts, which are less expensive, and stew, roast or marinate to tenderize and add more flavor. Slow cookers make deliciously rich and tender meat dishes.
Use whole grains
Whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa are delicious and nutritious in their own right and can also use them as fillers in soups and stews.
Buy beans
Dried or canned legumes like white beans, chickpeas, and lentils are an inexpensive way to add protein to your diet. You can use them to make a tasty pot of chili go farther, or you can make a salad topping by combining white beans with some extra-virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, and crushed red pepper.
Make a pot of soup
Easy, nutritious, filling, and inexpensive, soup is the ultimate money-stretcher. Throw in leftover veggies or protein, homemade stock, pasta or rice, and lentils or beans. Add a side of crusty whole-wheat bread, and it's a meal.
Boost salad
A simple salad dressed up with easy additions such as cold roast chicken, shrimp, ham, or chunks of tuna can be an entrée rather than a side.
Experiment with herbs
Fresh herbs add a flavor boost to any dish. If you find you have extras, whip up a quick sauce or pesto for use later in the week. If you prefer to freeze your herbs for later use, finely chop them, place them in an ice cube tray, cover with oil, and then plastic wrap and freeze. When frozen, pop out the cubes and place them in a freezer bag for easy storage. Next time you need herbs for soups, pastas, sauces, or other preparations, just add a cube to your recipe.
Make your own snacks
You can reduce your food bill by reducing your snacking and switch to making homemade treats.
Employ leftovers quickly
Don't push leftovers to the no-man's-land at the back of the fridge. Make sure you use them promptly, either for lunch or another dinner.
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