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Savvy customers know that shopping from a grocery list can save time and money. However, setting a budget at the store can often be confusing. How do you create a budget? How do you know how much you can spend?
When setting your budget, treat your grocery shopping as if it were any other bill, like your rent and car insurance. After all, food is a necessity and a vital part of your health. When doing your monthly financial planning, budget in your groceries and try not to use the attitude of "whatever I have left over after I pay the bills I'll spend on groceries." That "leftover money" sometimes gets eaten up in little daily expenses that we don't even think about and you might not end up with enough to grocery shop with.
How much should you budget? There are several variables in this, including family size and income. According to the government, a family of 3 with little to no income would receive $389 per month in Food Stamps. Of course, that's not saying that every family of 3 would spend that much, or that little, but it's a good estimation.
After you have created your shopping list, compare it to your budget. Take a look at those items that you know you're going to be purchasing on every shopping trip. It might be milk and bread for your family. Figure in the costs of these items as you start preparing your budget. It will give you a good idea of what you know you're going to spend.
Take a look at your list and try to figure out if there are items that you can buy less of. Are there items that you can purchase at another store, such as a discount store, where they might be cheaper? Is it cheaper to shop at your local farmer's market for produce? You don't always have to shop at the same store for every item on your list.
Once you have set your monthly budget, if you find that it is too high, try cutting it back $50. You might find that the quality of your pantry has not changed that much. If you think you can stand it, the next month, try cutting back another 5%.
If you try cutting back on your grocery bill and find that you can't live without all the items on your list, then look at other amounts that you spend and try cutting back there. Perhaps you stay in with popcorn and a rented movie one weekend, or you start taking your lunch to work several days per week. See if there is another area in your life that you can re-budget, without depriving yourself of the groceries you need.
Although it might feel more convenient to buy pre-packaged or frozen meals, it is almost always going to be cheaper to purchase items that can be used for several meals. Rice, pasta, potatoes, and meat that can be frozen and stores can be used for multiple meals.
A really good tip is to try to work with the cash system. When you get paid, whether it's monthly or bi-weekly, take your grocery money out of your bank and put it in an envelope and shop from that. It's an excellent way to keep you from overspending.
Remember that your grocery budget is just as important of a bill as any of your other expenses. Don't neglect your health and vitality by assuming that you can eat for less, when realistically you might not be able to. When you plan ahead properly, you can be assured that grocery shopping on a budget doesn't have to be that difficult. - 24553
When setting your budget, treat your grocery shopping as if it were any other bill, like your rent and car insurance. After all, food is a necessity and a vital part of your health. When doing your monthly financial planning, budget in your groceries and try not to use the attitude of "whatever I have left over after I pay the bills I'll spend on groceries." That "leftover money" sometimes gets eaten up in little daily expenses that we don't even think about and you might not end up with enough to grocery shop with.
How much should you budget? There are several variables in this, including family size and income. According to the government, a family of 3 with little to no income would receive $389 per month in Food Stamps. Of course, that's not saying that every family of 3 would spend that much, or that little, but it's a good estimation.
After you have created your shopping list, compare it to your budget. Take a look at those items that you know you're going to be purchasing on every shopping trip. It might be milk and bread for your family. Figure in the costs of these items as you start preparing your budget. It will give you a good idea of what you know you're going to spend.
Take a look at your list and try to figure out if there are items that you can buy less of. Are there items that you can purchase at another store, such as a discount store, where they might be cheaper? Is it cheaper to shop at your local farmer's market for produce? You don't always have to shop at the same store for every item on your list.
Once you have set your monthly budget, if you find that it is too high, try cutting it back $50. You might find that the quality of your pantry has not changed that much. If you think you can stand it, the next month, try cutting back another 5%.
If you try cutting back on your grocery bill and find that you can't live without all the items on your list, then look at other amounts that you spend and try cutting back there. Perhaps you stay in with popcorn and a rented movie one weekend, or you start taking your lunch to work several days per week. See if there is another area in your life that you can re-budget, without depriving yourself of the groceries you need.
Although it might feel more convenient to buy pre-packaged or frozen meals, it is almost always going to be cheaper to purchase items that can be used for several meals. Rice, pasta, potatoes, and meat that can be frozen and stores can be used for multiple meals.
A really good tip is to try to work with the cash system. When you get paid, whether it's monthly or bi-weekly, take your grocery money out of your bank and put it in an envelope and shop from that. It's an excellent way to keep you from overspending.
Remember that your grocery budget is just as important of a bill as any of your other expenses. Don't neglect your health and vitality by assuming that you can eat for less, when realistically you might not be able to. When you plan ahead properly, you can be assured that grocery shopping on a budget doesn't have to be that difficult. - 24553
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For more advice on how to correctly create your grocery budget, go to 4GrocerySavings.com and find out the best ways to make grocery shopping on a budget work for you.
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