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Step 1
Make a meal plan. Children are more likely to eat what they help plan. For young children, allow them to choose between major food groups. For older children, have them help plan a full menu and choose recipes to make.
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Step 2
Make a list. Let your children see how much food is needed to feed the family for a week. Have your children run back and forth to the pantry to check stocks and compare against the meal plan.
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Step 3
Grab your coupons (optional). If you shop with coupons, have your children help you pull and organize them. Be sure to stash a calculator in your purse to add up the savings at the store.
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Step 4
At the store, take the time to discuss the difference between store brands and name brands. Pay special attention to high-priced extras with their favorite characters on them. For older children, hand over the calculator and have them keep track of the savings as you shop.
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Step 5
Make them pay for the difference in price if your children still want the high-priced character-themed food. Children become "not so picky" when the extra money comes out of their allowance.
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Step 6
Pay in cash at the register. Checks and credit cards are "magic money" to children. Pay with the smallest denomination of bills you can. As your children see the wad of bills changing hands, they stop to think about just how much groceries cost.
Comments
momandpopoften said
on 6/3/2008 I REGULARLY buy over $100 in groceries for less than $10 using coupons. It is delightful for me to know that my ten children will grow up knowing how cheaply groceries can be had! Take a look at my articles where I share how I do it: http://www.ehow.com/members/momandpopoften-articles.html
LilacGirl said
on 5/14/2008 These are all excellent suggestions for shopping with children. Thanks for sharing.