Eating on a Budget

Nowadays, who isn’t? So, I thought I would put together the tips that I use and hopefully they will help you.

Make a budget

To be able to make a budget you have to know where your money is going. If you never made budget, start by writing down what you buy & receive each day, and I mean everything - gum, vending machine visits, clothes, paycheck – everything. I want you to do it for a whole month, start off taking it day by day and before you know it you will have covered a month’s time. Put your purchases into categories (housing, transportation, food, pets, personal care, entertainment, loans, savings, gifts & donations) you will then have an idea of where your money goes and you can create your budget. Sometimes you will be surprised where your money is actually going versus where you thought it was going.

Buy in bulk

I’m not talking about buying a 2 gallon jar of peanut butter, although if you like peanut butter...

I’m talking bulk bins. Many local co-ops or health food stores will have them; you can buy as much or more importantly as little as you want.

I also buy bulk frozen products from my local warehouse store (such as Sam’s or Costco), like tilapia & salmon. I can get a 3lb bag of tilapia for $12.98; if I remember correctly there are about 12 individually wrapped fillets in the package which is $1.08 per serving.

My local natural foods co-op also has spices, olive oil, honey, maple syrup, almond & peanut butter in bulk form. Which is terrific when I try a new recipe that calls for a spice I don’t think I will ever use again; or when I’m low in funds and need olive oil or almond butter.

Look for sales, specials, and membership discounts

Most stores provide printed specials for the upcoming week, before you go review them and see what is on special or on sale. Stores also will have a card that will give “members” discounts on certain items or if it is a natural foods store or co-op you can buy membership and also get weekly discounts.

Go to the meat counter

Don’t buy pre-packaged amounts – this goes along with the buy in bulk. You can get as much or as little as you want, and it is fresher.

Buy local, in season produce

Not only are you strengthening your local economy, you can get it cheaper, & fresher by buying directly from the supplier. Check out your local farmer’s market. Still too much; plant a garden or try joining a community garden, for a seasonal fee you can have your own plot, some you can also donate your time for a portion of the fresh produce.

Buy single servings

This is helpful if you want to try a new product or can’t afford the large container. I did this when I went this weekend. They were out of the protein powder I usually buy and I wasn’t about to pay $23.00 for a container I’d never bought; so I bought individual serving packets to get me through. Sure, the price per serving is cheaper when buying the larger jar but if it is the end of the pay period and you don’t have it. This will save you.

Buy Generic
Now, there are some things I won't buy generic. Never. No way. They are the items that are always in my mom's or were in my grandmothers fridge or cabinet. But if it isn't one of those items and it has the same ingredients, I'll buy it. My local grocery store will also have an organic version of their generic brand which is even better.

Plan your meals

This may seem like a given, but I am notorious for going to the grocery store with a list of food but not an idea of what I’ll fix with it. This way you will know how much and what to get. Take into account if you are going out with friends too.

In the end planning is the key when you are trying to budget any aspect of your life. Hope this helps!