Tips and Reviews from a Frugal Shopaholic with Expensive Taste
We’ve been having a bunch of track meets lately and with two scheduled for this week I’m a little off my shopping game. Today I just picked up a few staples and drinks and even though I didn’t quite hit half off I’m pretty pleased with my savings. This week at Publix I bought $57.08 worth of groceries for $32.67, or 43% off after coupons. Here are the deals:
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There are plenty of ways to save money on food. Some families choose to coupon and buy in bulk, while other families stick to a basic grocery list and avoid purchasing anything not on that list. While these tricks work, it is also possible to save money by purchasing just enough for the family and avoiding any waste. Here are some tips on reducing food waste that will help you save money:
Save time (and gas) by only going grocery shopping once a week or even once every two weeks. If your meal planning skills aren’t quite honed, do your shopping one or two days ahead of time. As you master the art of meal planning, you can buy enough groceries for longer periods of time.
Check the contents of your fridge, freezer and pantry every few days to ensure that you use anything nearing the end of its safe storage or expiration period. It may help to make a running list of the items in your shelves and freezer and their “best before” dates.
Regularly rotate the boxed and canned goods on your shelves so that the items in the back don’t remain unopened. Food items at the back of the shelves are often the ones that get too old to be eaten, because you’ve forgotten that they are even there.
As you plan your meals for the week, be realistic about how much time you will actually have to cook and prepare your dishes. Don’t buy lots of fresh produce if you know you won’t be able to use it right away. Opt to purchase produce that have longer storage lives, or buy frozen foods that don’t easily spoil. You may also want to designate which days you’ll be able to spend more time cooking, and which days you’ll be bringing out the slow cooker.
Follow the abovementioned steps and you’ll be able to reduce a lot more food waste and saveg much more on your groceries. Just a few simple practices can truly make a big difference!
Photo Credit: iClipart
There’s no question that many people are having difficulty keeping up with household and food expenses in these tough economic times. This is especially true for those who have lost a job or are now working in lower paying jobs out of necessity. I often hear people complain that they would like to eat healthier, but it’s just too expensive to buy the right foods. While it is true that many inexpensive sale items you see at the grocery store are the foods with poor nutritional value, there are still a number of things you can do to eat well without spending a lot of money. Here are 5 tips to help you do exactly that:
1. Use whole grain foods instead of prepared and packaged items such as flavored rice and pasta mixes. Whole grain pasta, brown rice and whole grain bread or tortillas provide far more fiber, vitamins and minerals compared to the processed items. You can purchase most of these items under the store brand, rather than a branded label. Factor in how many servings you get for the purchase price of the whole grain, and you will find that your net cost is lower.
2. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season and buy local whenever you can. Produce can be costly if purchased when they are not in season or have been imported from far away. The trick is to learn what fruits and vegetables are in season in your area and buy them at the right time. For example, in the northeast, fresh berries in January very expensive because they are not in season.
3. Stock up on frozen vegetables and fruit. Purchase the plain frozen vegetables and fruits (without sauces or seasonings). Flash frozen produce has comparable or possibly better nutritional value to the fresh counterparts. Frozen fruits and vegetables often cost less than fresh and are quite convenient. While most convenience foods are expensive or low on nutrition, frozen fruits and vegetables are definitely a winner.
4. Stock up on beans and lentils (legumes). Legumes are extremely versatile and can be used in soups, stews, salads or side dishes. The cost is low, while the nutritional benefits are high. Legumes provide a great source of fiber, protein and minerals. Trying adding black beans and some spices to your next batch of ground meat or turkey so you can use less meat.
5. Avoid the coupon trap. Coupons can be of help when you are on a budget, and you should check them out. However, many coupons are for higher priced food items which are highly processed. Be selective in your use of coupons. If the item has little nutritional value, then it’s really not a wise purchase, even with the coupon!
Follow these tips for making healthier choices at the grocery store. With a little planning, and bit of time devoted to your food choices, you will not only come out ahead nutritionally, but you will also get the biggest bang for your buck!
Photo Credit: iClipart
About the author: © 2011 Gretchen Scalpi. All rights reserved. “Pre-Diabetes: Your Complete Plan For Preventing The Onset Of Diabetes” and the “The Everything Diabetes Cookbook, 2nd ed.” Gretchen is a wellness coach and also offers The Balance Program® online in partnership with Real Living Nutrition Services®. Visit http://www.nutritionxpert.com/the-balance-program to learn more and while you’re there register for her monthly newsletter.
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Michelle at IHeartPublix has generously shared the Excel spreadsheet that she uses instead of a grocery list. The spreadsheet calculates exactly what the final prices should be for items after coupons and it looks pretty easy to use. Go here to download your copy, and while you’re at it, enter to win her giveaway of a $100 Publix gift card in celebration of reaching a million visitors at her blog.
I'm a professional blogger, social media consultant, and working mom of eleven year old quadruplets and a twelve year old son. I enjoy sharing shopping, fashion, beauty and travel tips as well as recipes and reviews from a frugal shop-a-holic with expensive tastes! Click here to contact me or learn more about me.
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