Shopping Secrets to Save Money
Most people don't think they can live the frugal life and still be comfortable. I feed my family of five on $175 month. In five years my husband earned an average of $22,000 per year. In those five years we paid off $20,000 in debt. There are countless ways you can cut, but if you are a frugal beginner, try these simple suggestions from Not Just Beans: 50 Years of Frugal Family Favorites (Not Just Beans Publishing, 2002), for saving on your food bill first.
- Before you shop, take a tour through your pantry and your refrigerator. Be organized!
- Don't buy what's already hiding in your kitchen.
- If you're a fan of coupons, remember this: It's not what you save, it's what you spend. If you save 30 cents on something you wouldn't ordinarily buy anyway, you haven't really saved anything.
- A typical fruit item is significantly larger than one serving. Most people would be just as happy eating a small apple as eating a large one – so buy smaller fruits!
- This month, try two meatless meals a week (or one, if you're a diehard meat fan). Use meat as an ingredient instead of a main dish.
- Cut back on the juice and milk. Use the money you've saved from eating less meat and drinking less juice and buy something that's on sale. Those sale items will help you cut back even further next month.
It's the little things that add up, so start small!
Member Comments On...
Shopping Secrets to Save Money
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I set up a menu of what my family will eat for breakfast lunch dinner and snacks by the week. We shop on Saturday or Sunday mornings and only get ingredients necessary for those meals. Fresh veggies and fruits from the local farmers market also helps w/prices!
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Nice tips! I also try to stock up on common pantry things when I see a good price.
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Never go shopping on an empty stomache. You will buy alot of sweets and food you wouldn't ordinarily buy. Make a list of what you need, use your food coupons and look for sales in diferent stores before you go out.
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