How to Feed a Family Inexpensively

The money you spend on food for your family can take a significant bite out of your budget. With careful planning you can keep your food costs at a minimum and feed your family economically and heathily.

Instructions

1. Find a discount grocery store in your neighborhood that sells off-brand items. Read grocery store sale ads. Shop only at the discount store or the grocery store that is having a sale on the items you need to feed your family.

2. Clip coupons from newspapers and sale ads. Use coupons only if the discounted item is cheaper than the store brand. Otherwise, buy the store brand.

3. Buy perishable food in bulk that is on sale and freeze what you don't use right away. Grocery stores will often rotate sales on items such as meat. Purchase a month's supply of the marked-down meat for your family and wait for another sale before you buy a different kind of meat. Meat, bread and vegetables can be stored in a freezer until ready to use.

4. Make a list of essential items before going to the grocery store. Plan family meals ahead of time and put the items needed for the meals on the list. Stick with buying only what is on the list.

5. Choose meals to cook for your family that get the best bang for your buck. One idea is to have a baked potato dinner with toppings for your family to choose from such as cheese, broccoli, bacon or sour cream.