Money Sense Tips

With the recession happening now, can you live on a tight budget and still eat healthy?

In fact, stretching food resources is an on-going process, not just during tough time. For example, toddlers eat less than a teenager and a retired “senior” adult eats less than an average working adult. There are so many variables but the answer to the question is “yes.” The next question is “how?”

Here are some ways to stretch food dollars and still eat healthy:

1) Always plan meals for a week – check what’s in the cupboard, refrigerator and freezer and calculate how many meals can you make with what is on hand?

2) Ask family members for input and check sale ads.

3) Make a grocery list and buy only what is on the list.

Let’s start with the grocery store. Do you know that where you shop can make a difference? By driving to several stores for sale items, it may use more time and money rather than less. Check the weekly ads. Almost everything in the store will be on sale at different times a cycle. Most important of all tips, don’t go to the store hungry! Have a small snack first.

It is important to have a variety of foods from the five food groups, but you do not need to include all five food groups at every meal. Meat is likely to be the most expensive part of the food budget.

Here are some tips for saving meal planning and grocery store savings:

– Unless you are a vegetarian, plan at least one or two meatless meals a week.

– Buy chicken or turkey instead of red meat it is usually less expensive.

– Less tender cuts of beef (cheaper) such as round, chuck and shoulder are just as nutritious as the more expensive tender cuts if cooked right braise, stew or crock pot.

– Use a cheaper source of protein such as dried beans or peas. Add mashed pinto or great northern beans to spaghetti sauce.

– Compare the cost of medium and large eggs. If the price of large eggs is more than 7 cents above the medium, medium size are the best buy. When eggs are less than a dollar a dozen, one egg is only 8 or 9 cents. That is a good time to plan a “breakfast” supper such as scrambled eggs and pancakes, French toast or quiche.

Sometimes, you could be spending more money using coupons instead of buying the store brand or buying one item instead of two in order to use a coupon. Here are some great tips you may want to use:

– You will save the most when using a coupon for an item that is on sale and also on your list.

– Buy one get one free is only a bargain if you need it, like it and will use it.

– Remember when items are 10 for 10 or 3 for 5, you do not have to buy all 10 or three for the sale price.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are low-priced when they are in season. It is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Here are a few suggestions:

– When buying fresh, buy only what you can use before they spoil.

– If not in season, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables may be cheaper than fresh ones.

– Canned and frozen are very good sources of vitamins and minerals.

– Watch for canned vegetables on sale. If sodium is a problem, drain and rinse vegetables to remove about 40 percent of the sodium.

Precooked, instant, single serving, shredded cheese and other convenience products cost more. Use sales to balance some convenience with your time and preparation. Three of the most important tips to save money at the grocery store are:

– Plan meals and make a list.

– Don’t go to the store when hungry.

– Stick to your grocery list.

You may have other ways to stretch food dollars and save money at the grocery store, but these tips should give you some ideas and ways to start saving.