After a difficult night trying to coach a friend through some financial issues, I started thinking about the easiest way to cut back on expenses. It’s the food. It’s always the food! Here are my tried and true methods I’ve been using to keep my large family’s grocery bill around $200 a month for the last few years and I know they will work for you.
1. Meal Plan
This will be your main source of savings. Going into the store with a plan instead of aimlessly wandering the isles will save you the most off of your grocery bill. Find some recipes your family likes, write down the ingredients you need, and off you go!
2. Once a Week
Multiple trips = many more ways to drop a few more dollars because “It’s on sale!” or “It’s only $2, no big deal!” Hitting up your favorite food supplier less often will add up to more money in your pocket.
3. What Season is it?
If you shop certain produce items in the seasons that they grow, you will save 2-4x more than if you buy them whenever you want. I could buy asparagus right now for $5.99/lb, but if I wait until late April, I can get it for $.99/lb. That’s a deal I can get behind!
4. Eat a Snack
The times I have gone way over budget and bought items that I didn’t plan on is when I’m hungry. I’m so out of my head that I can’t think straight and I start throwing things into my cart that I don’t even like on a normal day. Have a meal, then head to the store.
5. Cut the Crap
It’s no surprise that items like cookies, ice cream, chips, soda, and juice are expensive. Not only do they cost you a lot of money, but most snack foods do you no favors for your health. Cutting these unnecessary items from your life will loosen your waistline and fatten your wallet.
You work hard for those dollars, it makes sense that you would want to enjoy it doing fun things like vacations, new clothes, and perhaps a date night once in a while. Try one or all of these ideas and see how much you can save. And then take all your kids out to a movie this weekend.
Check out my youtube series on feeding my family for $200 a month in 2019.
Can I simply say what a comfort to find someone who actually understands what they are discussing on the net. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you are not more popular since you most certainly have the gift.
Christine,
I cannot start the day without watching one of your videos! You’re absolutely adorable, and so funny! I LOVE the t-shirt you wear that says “I’m silently correcting your grammer” but have a little bone to pick where it’s concerned. You need to Google lie and lay, and their proper used. Like most Americans, you use lay and lie incorrectly. A proper example is, “Go LIE down”, and “I’m going to lie down.” You will be LAYING your body down, but it will be LYING down. Like I said, just Google it. If you’re going to wear a shirt like that, you should not make little mistakes like that. You’re way too smart.
Sincerely,
A MEGA FAN,(and an old English teacher)
Hello Christine, I’ve been looking for some new recipes so I can cook up extra (cheap) food for my family. I love cooking so it’s not a problem for me! My family has all different illnesses. My (*adopted) brother lives here with Kidney Disease, and he has custody of 13 year old son; who is leaning towards Diabetes too. I’ve moved here last October coming out of brain surgery with memory issues started in 1995; I wasn’t diagnosed until May 2016 and I tend to lean towards Diabetes 2. Finally getting to managed care. My (*adopted) Mom is Diabetic 1 & (*adopted) Dad has MS so we all have different reasons for illness. I try to watch life & carbohydrates and I buy magazines titled KETO at Walmart for $6 or so. Kroger? Etc. I have looked at other people who go thru Dollar Tree on Youtube to see if $10 will make it thru the week? My Mom is overwhelmed that she thinks we will run out of food. Any suggestions on how to bring calm to the house? I’ve spent $$ to replace my parents’ bed from 1987, as well as ex SIL. I’ve been cleaning & fixing things since the holidays. I exterminated the entire house of bugs; I think we need to hire a plumber to replace kitchen sink, handles in Mom’s shower, and check wet wall in hall bathroom. If I win lotto I can buy the house & fix the foundation. I have asked 2 of my 3 boys to come help fix things outside like replacing the wood on the back porch, paint the entire house & remove leaves out of the gutters. I think the garage door is cracking so it could be replaced as well. I need to watch for sales to afford to get these things done. (I forgot to say that *oldest son lives out of state.)
I’ve been debating planting a small garden in the yard, but Mom said there’s a walnut tree planted next door. I’ve looked at Google and it will kill plants thru the grass, so I can put the metal 3 x 8 ft containers from Tractor Supply $300 each to hold the dirt. I want to plant food that I know my family will eat, perpetually growing if possible. I like things like Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Tomatoes, Onions, Bell Peppers, Herbs. We are in DFW so apples won’t grow here. It’s too hot! Yard is not large enough to grow lemon, limes, advocado, or orange trees. We do have a pecan tree that takes up the front yard, I need to get a tool to pickup the pecans so we can cook with them. *Dad likes pies! I tend to make them in duplicates, but still not fast enough! Lol!
I’ve looked at the sweatshirts on your YouTube site but there’s no sizes on large. Will there be more merchandise in the Spring? I saw the word, but not sure I understood it. I may order a couple of cups for morning tea/coffee instead.
I’m starting my old yoga workouts. Usually 90 minutes 3x week should help me loose 40#. I lost 20# from September, so I want to keep going… this brain tumor is classed 3 but I have 2 more weeks of radiation and they did x-rays today. Tomorrow is with Dr. & I need MRI in mid September and week after that, I’m going to get to the oncology Dr. who says that I should be good for at least another +/- 5 years from info from studies that were done in France. Will see. I keep trying to keep the faith! I will be turning 55 Oct. 19th.
I know this note is long so I will say,
Have a Blessed Day!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. Im hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now 😉