How to save money on food

Is your food budget getting the most of your paycheck? I will show you how easy it is to save money on food and probably eat better for it!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shopping list
• Know your food budget

1. 
   Eating out is expensive

   Look at last months receipts and add up how much you spent on food, don't forget to add in all the money spent on eating out and fast food. This is your starting line and we're going to use that number to see how we can save, you can use the extra money to pay off bills or take a vacation.

2. 

   NO MORE FAST FOOD OR EATING OUT, okay that sounds drastic but cut it back to once a week or less. Split a dinner with your date/wife, most meals are more than enough for two people. Drink a glass of water with your meal, beverages are big ticket items on your meal ticket. Two glasses of wine could easily set you back $10 or more.
   Instead of eating out, you can easily make a romantic dinner at home (unless you have kids) arrange a sleep over at a friends home first.

3. 
   Save money by purchasing markeddown products

   Shopping for specials at the grocery store, coupons are awesome but sale items are sometimes at a lower price than the coupon price, do the math. Larger stores will list price per pound on the shelf tag, larger box doesn't always mean less expensive. You might save a dime by buying two smaller boxes of the same thing for a lower price, again do the math. Ask your meat department when do they do mark downs on items that are near their expiration date. Buying meat that is near the expiration date will cut your meat cost by about half. Look at the product before buying as I do with any meat product. If you aren't going to cook it for supper then put it in the freezer for future use.

4. Save money on fresh food and produce at the farmer's market. Know the times that they operate if it's from 5pm to 8pm, show up at 7:55pm and barter with them. If they were selling tomatoes 5 for a dollar then offer them 8 for a dollar and see if they nibble, most will. Most people would rather sell for less than take it back home and risk spoilage. The folks that sell sweet corn on the side of the road will make a bargain with you and all you need to do is ask for a bulk price. Buy a bunch of sweet corn at the season prime, blanch it and cut if off and place into freezer bags.

5. 

   Grow your own food, plant a garden in your backyard. Plant a patio garden in pots. You can even grow food indoors. If you like eating sprouts, then any health food or organic market usually has the supplies to get started.

6. 

   Plant fruit trees, apples, plums, pears. Grow your own strawberries in hanging baskets. Grow grapes on vines, not only are they food but also provide shade from the summer sun.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare your monthly savings over time and you will probably find other areas to save.
• You want to buy the best food for the least amount of money, but you don't want to live on dog food.

[harlsmits]

on 10/7/2008 Some great tips here! Thanks very much!

[momandpopoften]

on 6/3/2008 Great suggestions! I REGULARLY buy over $100 in groceries for less than $10 by using coupons. It really works! Take a look at my articles where I share how I do it: http://www.ehow.com/members/momandpopoften-articles.html