Grocery Savings For Your Family And Your Budget

We have posted before about grocery savings, but we focused heavily on coupons and deals. Today we will talk about grocery savings that are rational and rooted in common sense (saving is easier than you think!) Let’s dive into our three best tips!

#1 Grocery Savings – Incorporate Meat-less Protein Sources

No, no, no I am not suggesting you never eat meat again or incorporate a new lifestyle (to each their own). However, there is no doubt that meat can be the most expensive thing you serve at home. Often it is the “main” dish and the center of everyone’s plate. To save money you could have one or two days each week that are meat-less OR you could halve the amount of meat you serve. If everyone has a smaller portion you can make half as much and up the ante on your side dishes. Think veggies, salads, or a soup opener! Don’t forget that yogurt, beans and lentils are an incredibly inexpensive protein option

#2 Grocery Savings – Meal Plan To The Rescue

I never thought I needed a meal plan, but let me tell you, it is life-changing. I started by committing myself to planning for the next few days (not a whole week), and I grew it from there. Your lifestyle and grocery shopping habits will determine whether it is for dinner only, the whole week or just a few days. Either way, it will save you! This will help you to make use of “leftover” ingredients or use them from one meal to another. Your meal plan will serve as your shopping list. Last, but not least, my favorite meal plan starts with me looking at anything in my pantry or freezer that I can use FIRST, and then building my meals around that!

#3 Grocery Savings – Buy In Season (Not For Convenience)

Isn’t planning the best? Not always the planning itself, but definitely the improved outcome. An important part of your new meal plan will be to incorporate lots of fruits and vegetable that are in season. In Michigan, apples are cheaper in the fall, cucumbers and strawberries in the summer and root vegetables in the winter. And as an added bonus, it is likely fresher. A cucumber in the winter has traveled quite a ways to get you. And as a matter of opinion only, the closer it was grown to you, the better! It will taste awesome and the nutrients will be intact. Combine that with a cost-savings…now that’s food for thought.