I grew up in a large city, where job opportunities were abundant, and it had never occurred to me that a small town would not have as many jobs to offer.

We only had one car, which my husband used to commute to his job 30 minutes away. With a local bus system that was lacking any real schedule, I was limited to finding a job that was within walking distance of our apartment.

Spoiler alert: I did not find that job. I did everything that I could possibly think of to stretch each paycheck as far as I possibly could, from making my own laundry detergent, drying our clothes on a clothesline, and making all of my own homemade cleaning supplies.

At this point in time, I was nowhere close to having the money to even consider a weekly latte. This is why I want to share with you these eight simple, and more importantly, realistic, ways to stretch your grocery budget.

Breakfast is one meal that can easily be simple and take up a very small portion of your food budget. Foods like eggs, oatmeal, and toast can all be cheap but filling ways to start your day.

I have always loved eating healthy, but I struggled with allowing produce to eat up a large part of our food budget. When we did buy produce, I would use a half of an onion for one recipe, and then use the other half of the onion for another recipe later that week. I did this with peppers, cans of beans, and even ground beef.

Splitting one portion into two meals is a great way to make your food budget stretch. I see this piece of advice regularly now, but I could not skip over it in this article. When I fail to meal plan and create a grocery list, I see a huge spike in my food spending.

During the first two years of our marriage, we would have pancakes and eggs for dinner once a week. We bought a cheap bag of flour and a carton of eggs, which always provided us with one inexpensive but filling dinner. I find that the quality is consistently good and is oftentimes cheaper than what's at my local grocery store.

There you have it, my top practical ways to stretch your food budget! Saving money on groceries requires effort, mindfulness, and planning upfront.

Keep these tips in mind to help you keep to your food budget once you're prepared to shop. These foods are versatile, inexpensive, and make large quantities for the money.

From there, shop sales and seasonal foods to take advantage of cost savings and get the best value from fresh foods. These kitchen appliances quickly pay for themselves because they save you time by doing the cooking for you. Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to footer Home Recipes Recipe Index By Protein Beef Chicken Pork Seafood Turkey Venison By Meal Appetizers Breakfast Lunch Dinner Sides Snacks Dessert Condiments Food Budget Reviews About Me Privacy Policy Work With Me!

menu icon. search icon. Ground Chicken Picadillo. Home » Food Budget Published: Jun 21, by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment These are my best practical tips to stretch your food budget. What this is not The following are meant to be practical, achievable ways to stretch your food budget.

This is not: A promo article pimpling the latest couponing app. The tips shared here are meant to be practical for all, regardless of your level of technical prowess. A trendy food hacks article. Freezing leftover wine in ice cube trays is a cute trick and all, but there are plenty of articles that cover food hacks some of which are surprisingly clever.

A nutritional guide. I am not a nutritionist. A moral diatribe. Can you save money by passing on things like alcohol, prepared coffee drinks, and junk foods? I refuse to give up chips and Top the Tater. this recipe.

Caribou Cold Brewed Coffee at Home. More Food Budget What to do with Leftover Pico de Gallo. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email LinkedIn.

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cookielawinfo-checbox-others 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Choosing less expensive cuts of meat helps too. Choosing ground meats, top round steaks, or chicken thighs vs. breasts are ways to help cut costs.

Talk to your butcher or compare prices to save. You can also stretch your meat by blending it with veggies and grains in meals like stir-frys, burgers or casseroles. My grandmother, who grew up during the great depression, almost never threw away food. I once tried to get rid of yogurt I thought had expired, and she quickly corrected me and stuck it back in the fridge.

But the dates you see on food packages often represent quality standards, not safety. They can be especially helpful for large families who need to stock up on a lot of food. at your regular store can help you save. Many of us are loyal to our grocery store, but switching it up can help you save on your grocery bill.

Depending on sales, you may want to mix up where you shop. Plus, some grocery stores just have certain foods for less and not just big box stores.

Even dollar stores will have some grocery staples for great prices. Not everyone has the ability to shop at different stores — due to where they live and how easy it is to access food —but if you can mix up where you shop, you may be able to save some money.

We all need a little help putting dinner on the table, so choose your convenience wisely and make sure you are getting what you pay for. Sometimes the cost of chopped veggies or a jarred sauce is not that much more expensive. Be mindful of the prices to see what the premium is and also know that you can find convenience without paying more by buying items like frozen vegetables.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Buy in bulk/family size packs (subject to price per pound): yes, it takes larger chunks out of your budget right away, but you get more for your amigar.info › How-can-you-makedollars-stretch-forweeks-for- Drink tap water. If you're trying to stretch dollars, bypass the aisle with soda, beer, juice and especially bottled water. You can save enough

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Stretching your food budget - Use these Depression Era tips to stretch your food budget. Includes tips on making food last, grocery shopping ideas & frugal cooking tips Buy in bulk/family size packs (subject to price per pound): yes, it takes larger chunks out of your budget right away, but you get more for your amigar.info › How-can-you-makedollars-stretch-forweeks-for- Drink tap water. If you're trying to stretch dollars, bypass the aisle with soda, beer, juice and especially bottled water. You can save enough

If a store limits the quantity of an item e. Unadvertised Specials: If you get to the store and see an unadvertised special that is too good to pass up, be flexible. Change your plan and add the food to your list.

Buy just what you can store and use before it spoils. Canned goods have a long shelf life. Before buying an unfamiliar food, be sure you know how to prepare it. A special sale may make it worth your while to change your menu or use a substitution for an expensive ingredient.

If skinless chicken breasts and lean ground beef are on sale, plan to serve baked chicken and chili for two dinners during the week. Consider substituting an ingredient e. The dish may be slightly different from the original recipe, but it will still have an acceptable flavor, texture, and appearance.

Most coupons are good for at least three months, allowing you to take advantage of a categorical sale before it expires. Using coupons for coffee, cereals, prepared foods, flour, and flour mix products adds up to about a 10 percent savings. Some stores may honor coupons from other stores or match advertised prices.

Ask for a rain check if the store is out of a sale item. Sometimes coupons are used to promote the sale of new products. Do not use a coupon for a national brand to justify buying a food your family does not need or that costs more than a store brand.

Most cents-off coupons offered by stores or manufacturers are for name brand items, sugary snacks, more expensive, highly processed foods, or for foods in abundant supply. Store brands and generic brands have no national advertising.

They often are less expensive than name brands bought with a coupon, and their quality may match the national brand. Store coupons usually can only be used at the specified store. Compare prices and forms of nationally known brands and store brands. Breakfast cereals can vary greatly in price per serving, yet the difference is mostly in the packaging with few nutritional differences.

Compare the prices of frozen, canned, fresh, and dried forms of the same food. Coupon offers and special sales tempt you to buy impulsively, which can blow your budget. Some foods may not be within your budget, even with rebates, coupons, or at special prices.

When potato chips are on sale, they are still just expensive, empty calories. Take advantage of these days if the store you frequent offers them. Find out if the value of the coupon has to be under a certain amount.

Learn how to combine triple coupons with in-store deals. You also must pay the postage. Internet Couponing: If you have access to a computer, there are several Web sites that offer coupons and regional sales information. Print off coupons for items you really need.

Check the Web sites of stores where you shop and of products you use. Product labels usually provide Web site addresses, which can direct you to coupons or other ways to save.

Become a member of an internet coupon group and exchange coupons with other members. Get Organized: If you keep your coupons in an envelope with your shopping list written on the back, they will be easy to keep up with and retrieve at the checkout.

Circle the expiration date of each coupon and use it before it expires. Cut Down on Convenience Foods: Cook from scratch and do most of the preparation yourself. That way, you control what goes into the food, including less fat, salt, and sugar.

You pay for convenience, such as ready-to-cook chicken breasts. Use Store Discount Cards: Sign up and use store discount cards, or loyalty cards.

Ask if you need one to get the advertised savings. Cardholders usually are offered advantages, such as instant access to sales and in-store discounts, purchase points toward rewards e.

Shop at Low-Cost Stores: Food cooperatives and warehouse food stores usually have low-cost foods. Convenience stores usually have higher prices, with the possible exception of dairy products and soft drinks. Dollar stores may sell items like canned fruit and snack crackers cheaper than the grocery store.

Toast or freeze them for good eating. Most unplanned purchases are the result of the shopper seeing, touching, smelling, or tasting something pleasurable. Avoid specials on sodas, expensive ready-to-eat salty and sweet snacks that contain calories with few, if any, nutrients. Try to shop no more than once a week.

If you shop at more than one store, go to one this week and buy enough bargain items for two or three weeks. Shop at a different store the next time. Advanced planning reduces or eliminates extra trips to the grocery store during the week, saving both time and money, especially on gasoline.

If you must shop between weekly trips, try using a basket instead of a cart to limit spending. Shop at the Best Time: It is easier to stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys if you follow these guidelines.

For example, you can compare prices to know whether it will be cheaper to buy fresh, frozen, canned, or dried apples for a recipe. Shop When the Store is Less Crowded: This is usually in the early morning, late evening, and midweek.

Friday afternoons and Saturdays are usually the most crowded times, resulting in distractions and long lines. Stores also are busy during weekday afternoons when people stop on their way home from work. Eat Something Healthy Before Going to the Store: Eat an apple or other small snack before you shop.

Shop Alone if You Can: To avoid unplanned spending, leave tired, hungry children and other family members at home. Children may see and want items advertised on television.

Spouses may want to buy non-essential or gourmet items that are not on the list. Find out how old you have to be to get the discount, and ask how often and on what days discounts are offered.

Shop for cold items last, including meats, eggs, dairy products, frozen vegetables, and salad bar ingredients. You may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP and other programs.

To find out if you could be eligible, check out the Internet tool at www. Your local library usually has computers to use.

Call or go to the local SNAP Office if you think you are eligible. This office is listed in the blue pages of your phone book under Social Services or Human Services.

You also may call If you get SNAP benefits and have children in school, they qualify for free lunch and breakfast. Contact your local school or school district for more information. Women who are low-income and pregnant, breastfeeding, new moms, or have children under five years old, might qualify for Women, Infants and Children WIC benefits.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program TEFAP is another Federal program that provides food to low-income persons. For more information on these and other similar programs, visit www. Your local community may also have resources that provide food if you qualify e.

To learn more about saving money on food, refer to HGIC , Stretch Your Food Dollars Part 2: At the Grocery Store and HGIC , Stretch Your Food Dollars Part 3: At Home.

edu or Janis G. Hunter , Retired HGIC Nutrition Specialist, Clemson University Katherine L. Cason , PhD, Former Professor, State Program Leader for Food Safety and Nutrition, Clemson University.

Faith C Isreal , Extension Agent Assistant, Richland County Extension. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named.

All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies.

Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. They are my go-to's if I want to stretch my food budget because they tend to be reliably inexpensive and have a long shelf life, making them okay to buy in bulk quantities.

You might also consider lentils, quinoa, farro, oats, egg noodles, and good old Ramen noodles. For instance, I often add pinto beans or rice to burritos so I can cut down on the amount of meat used since meat is more costly than beans.

The shelves at easy viewing height are strategically stocked with more expensive items. Shop the bottom shelves if you want to save some money. Root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beets also fall into the pantry staple category.

Root vegetables are inexpensive and can be stored, unrefrigerated, for months at a time. The downside to these types of pantry staples is that they can be time-consuming to cook.

If you have an Instant Pot or rice cooker, you can expedite their preparation. One of my favorite things to make is Instant Pot Pinto Bean Soup , which takes around 2 hours to prepare - in set-it-and-forget-it fashion.

I cook 1 pound of dried beans for the recipe, then repurpose the leftovers, which can be turned into a bean filling for burritos or served as refried beans. I am the person who wants to try out that intriguing barbecue spice rub and bacon ranch salad dressing. Condiments eat up food budgets quickly and often expire before they get used up.

As someone who cooks for two, the struggle is real. Nowadays, I try to stick to stocking the basics when it comes to condiments; things like ketchup, mustard, mayo, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, etc. You can make many sauces from this basic lineup, like this Honey Chipotle Sauce that contains ketchup and soy sauce.

If you keep oils on hand - like olive or canola oil - you can make all kinds of vinaigrettes and in smaller, usable quantities! like this Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette. The same goes for spices. Their potency drops off after a year or so, so consider keeping the basics on hand, like onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, basil, oregano, etc.

You can easily make your own custom spice mixes instead of splurging on some pre-made mix you might not use all that often.

And seasoning mixes like this homemade Taco Seasoning are easier to make than you may realize. Outside of condiments and spice mixes, you might consider what else you could make at home to save money.

This is a tough one for me as a native Minnesotan. The window for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables feels impossibly short. I always keep canned tomatoes and corn in my pantry.

If you have the ability and ambition, you could also try growing your own. I have a small garden in which I grow tomatoes every year; I LOVE homegrown tomatoes, and I make and freeze tomato sauces for later use.

I find that the quality is consistently good and is oftentimes cheaper than what's at my local grocery store. There you have it, my top practical ways to stretch your food budget! Saving money on groceries requires effort, mindfulness, and planning upfront.

Keep these tips in mind to help you keep to your food budget once you're prepared to shop. These foods are versatile, inexpensive, and make large quantities for the money.

From there, shop sales and seasonal foods to take advantage of cost savings and get the best value from fresh foods. These kitchen appliances quickly pay for themselves because they save you time by doing the cooking for you.

Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to footer Home Recipes Recipe Index By Protein Beef Chicken Pork Seafood Turkey Venison By Meal Appetizers Breakfast Lunch Dinner Sides Snacks Dessert Condiments Food Budget Reviews About Me Privacy Policy Work With Me!

menu icon. search icon. Ground Chicken Picadillo. Home » Food Budget Published: Jun 21, by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment These are my best practical tips to stretch your food budget. What this is not The following are meant to be practical, achievable ways to stretch your food budget.

This is not: A promo article pimpling the latest couponing app. The tips shared here are meant to be practical for all, regardless of your level of technical prowess. A trendy food hacks article. Freezing leftover wine in ice cube trays is a cute trick and all, but there are plenty of articles that cover food hacks some of which are surprisingly clever.

A nutritional guide. I am not a nutritionist. A moral diatribe. Can you save money by passing on things like alcohol, prepared coffee drinks, and junk foods?

I refuse to give up chips and Top the Tater. this recipe. Caribou Cold Brewed Coffee at Home. More Food Budget What to do with Leftover Pico de Gallo. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email LinkedIn. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Do not sell my personal information. Cookie settings ACCEPT. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.

Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent.

You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

Cookie Duration Description cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin.