How to Feed a Family of Four on One Hundred Dollars a Month

Feeding a growing family is a very serious responsibility. While you were a young adult, it is quite possible that you lived exclusively on ramen noodles and coffee but as a parent you cannot continue to maintain that type of diet or your children--who are still growing--can suffer serious health consequences. As a result, as we grow and our families grow with us we find that our food budget must expand dramatically. However, it is still possible to eat frugally while maintaining healthy eating habits. In this article, we will discuss how to feed a family of four on one hundred dollars a month. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• Coupons
• Scissors

Instructions

How to Feed a Family of Four on One Hundred Dollars a Month.

1. 

   Do all your grocery shopping at once. Pick a date for grocery shopping and do your entire month's worth of grocery shopping at that time. Periodic trips to the store add up quickly. If you know that you are not going to be back for a month, you will be more likely to purchase items that will be used and not make impulse purchases.

2. Set aside thirty dollars for perishable goods. Milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and breads may need to be replenished throughout the month since it is not wise to buy a month's worth of them at a time or they will spoil. However, that thirty dollars must last until the end of the month, so ration it carefully. Seven dollars a week should purchase a gallon of store-brand milk and some type of fruit or vegetable that can be served over several days. Melons and bananas are good examples of fruits that can be made to last all week.

3. 

   Buy seasonal fruit. Fruit that is raised out of season is more expensive than that which is in season so buy seasonally to get more for your money.

4. Buy frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are far more nutritious than canned and can be added to soups, salads and other dishes in small amounts to make them tastier and more nutritious. They also tend to be relatively inexpensive and a bag will usually last a full month if you do not cook it all at once.

5. Buy in bulk. When it makes sense, purchase food in bulk. However, make sure that it is food that you will use. For example, you may wish to buy rice, pasta, chicken or diced tomatoes in large amounts because these items serve as the basis for many dishes. However, it does not make sense to buy something in bulk that you seldom use.

6. 

   Clip coupons. You can save nearly a third of your budget by carefully using coupons. However, make sure that the coupons do not control your grocery list or you will end up spending more than you save. Decide first what you want to buy, then examine your coupons to see if you can save.

7. 

   Give up sweets. Desserts are not nutritious and are generally one of the more expensive aspects of a food budget. Giving them up entirely will take an enormous chunk out of your food bill.

8. Set designated snack and meal times. Many people--children and adults alike--eat simply because they are bored. Set specific times for all meals and snacks, then do not snack in between times. It will lead to less wasted food at meals and help your entire family avoid a bad eating habit.

9. Comparison shop every time. Many discount or "dollar" stores receive shipments of damaged goods that vary from month to month. Go to your local dollar store to see what is available before going to the grocery or bulk-buy store. Sometimes the dollar store may have items that are significantly less expensive because the packaging is crumpled or damaged, and buying these goods can save you a great deal of money. However, make sure that a dollar is the cheapest price you can get before you get carried away. For example, canned goods are frequently forty to fifty cents cheaper at a regular grocery than at a discount store.

10. 

    Be repetitive. A limited budget does limit the number of dishes you can serve. Do not hesitate to serve spaghetti or rice multiple times in one week. School lunches will also be limited to sandwiches and leftovers. As long as they are nutritious, then there is nothing wrong with repetition.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a financial planner or accounting expert to get professional help developing and maintaining a new budget. This article is not intended to be used as financial advice.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish