Shopping on a budget isn’t as scary as it seems. Just take a little time and figure out what your family will use for a week (unless you prefer to shop for longer periods of time), and go from there. These tips will help you get started.
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- Set up a monthly budget. It is helpful to have a grocery budget so you know what you have to spend. Be realistic, don’t stress if you go over a little bit.
- Shop in bulk. If you have a membership at Costco or Sam’s you can save money on buying items you use a lot, like toilet paper and paper towels. You can also save money on produce and meat.
- Make a list. I find it extremely helpful to have a list, so I don’t stray as much. It helps to keep the impulse buying to a minimum. It also helps to not forget items you do need.
- Ad match. I use some ad matching sites online, such as pricematcherz.com. I also look through the ads I get in the mail to find the best deals (think Loss Leaders!). I like the online sites because they have ads that I don’t get in the mail, which is extra helpful.
- Coupon. I recommend looking for coupons online, because it’s fast and easy. However, ink and paper costs can add up quickly, so keep that in mind when printing. Sign up to get the paper delivered to your house each Sunday. There are lots of blogs that share coupons, so find your favorites and stick with them.
- Use Cash. Use cash if you are the type of person that may go over your budget simply because you are using a debit card. This will also keep impulse buys to a minimum.
- Menu planning. Write a weekly menu, gather your recipes, and check your pantry for items you need to restock. You can make your grocery list from your menu as well. You might like to pick a couple of easy meals for those days you are busy and need to put dinner together in a short time.
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These tips should help get you started. I would love to read your ideas in the comments!