| Most families have felt the pain of the dramatic | | | | such as bread, milk, fruit etc. Having healthy |
| rise in the cost of food. If you are on a tight | | | | choices available will cut down on the need to fill |
| grocery budget, how are you handling it? What do | | | | your family's snack attacks with expensive junk |
| you do to make sure you stay on your budget | | | | food. |
| each month? How do you decide what to buy | | | | 3. Next, jot down your family's bi-weekly food |
| and what to leave on the shelf at the store? Do | | | | items like cheese, vegetables, eggs, sandwich |
| you have a plan before entering the store? | | | | meat etc. Remember that you'll only be buying |
| Ask many folks and they'll tell you that they | | | | these items every two weeks and watch how |
| never make a grocery shopping list before hitting | | | | much your family actually eats. |
| the aisles. They just wander around the store | | | | 4. Buy your groceries at one store and pay with |
| plopping stuff into the cart with no plan | | | | cash so you'll not be tempted to go over your |
| whatsoever. If you're on a budget, the absolute | | | | budget. Write down your shopping list ahead of |
| easiest way to break it is to roam around a | | | | time so you'll know where to go in the store |
| supermarket without a list. After you get home | | | | rather than strolling around. |
| and put your items away you'll still have no idea | | | | 5. Plan your meals on a rotation. When you write |
| what to make for dinner. | | | | out your menus, keep in mind to mix them up so |
| If you're on a budget buy having trouble staying | | | | that you have simple meals throughout the |
| there what can you do to save money on | | | | month. This will help prevent your family from |
| groceries? What if you found out today that you | | | | eating all of the 'good stuff' up in the first week |
| had to drastically cut your grocery bill immediately, | | | | and then have to eat canned chili every night for |
| could you manage to save $50 or more? Here | | | | the last week of the month. |
| are a few tips on how you can slash your | | | | Regardless of your family's budget, by taking time |
| grocery bill. | | | | to write down a plan of action before your go |
| 1. Divide your current budget into three | | | | shopping and really thinking about your options |
| categories: weekly, bi-weekly and monthly so | | | | and shopping choices will help you stay within your |
| you'll know exactly how much you have to spend. | | | | budget and keep more money in your pocket. |
| 2. Write down what your family needs weekly; | | | | |