| Do you think this is a joke spending money only | | | | ahead of time. You only need to do this once as |
| $300 a month for the whole family? With this | | | | many of the items (Cereal, meat etc.) will need to |
| tight budget, what sort of food would make the | | | | be repurchased each time. Other items (sugar, |
| list? | | | | flour etc.) may be substituted every other month. |
| Could you save $25 a month on groceries? How | | | | In this example you have $200 left. |
| about $50 or $100? Possibly you could cut your bill | | | | 5. Have a schedule of meals that you can rotate. |
| by almost 50% if you consider some of the | | | | Cheap, healthy meals like stir fry can be |
| following suggestions: | | | | inexpensive as they use less meat than full pieces |
| 1. Divide the budget you have into three | | | | of chicken or beef for dinner. Plan to have a meat |
| categories; weekly, bi-weekly and monthly. Once | | | | meal offset by a simpler dish like pasta every |
| you have the totals fixed, try to find a way to | | | | other night. This way your family will not go |
| make it work. If you budgeted too tight, only | | | | through 'feast-and-famine' when they eat like |
| then consider how much more you really need to | | | | kings the first week and are eating canned chili |
| spend. | | | | every night for the last week. |
| 2. Identify your WEEKLY needs; milk, bread, fruits. | | | | Always determine your meals based on what you |
| These will be your saving graces when the troops | | | | really plan to cook. If you have easy weeknight |
| are hungry. You can load up every week and | | | | staples, try to find the cheapest method of |
| always have a healthy snack available. Think about | | | | preparing them, or make do with less pre- |
| $15/week. | | | | packaged affair on other nights when you have |
| 3. Identify your BI-WEEKLY needs; eggs, cheese, | | | | more time. Using items like frozen vegetables can |
| vegetables, meat and cheese for sandwiches etc. | | | | make eating cheap also healthy and convenient. |
| These items have a slightly longer shelf life but | | | | Clearly the $300 suggestion will depend on your |
| you will watch how much you use when you | | | | family, the age of your children and how much |
| know there's still four days until your next | | | | your budget really allows. Whatever your budget, |
| purchase. Try $20 every two weeks. | | | | taking the time to draw up a plan and think about |
| 4. Get the remainder of your groceries in one | | | | your choices will guarantee that you keep more |
| place. Use cash to pay (to avoid temptation of | | | | cash in your wallet for other important things. |
| over spending) and work out your shopping list | | | | |