How to Grocery Shop for One or Two On a Budget

Over the years I have tried shopping for one, two and up to 25 people or more. It's not easy. I've found from talking with others and my own experience that it's harder for single people and new couples to balance eating right, grocery shopping and budgets especially since there are few foods packaged for them. Hopefully the tips below will help keep you eating healthy as well as on target with your budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pen
• paper
• calculator
• recipes
• magnets
• coupons

1. First to avoid purchasing double or triple, you will want to make a quick inventory of the following areas in your kitchen: freezer, spice cabinet, pantry, and refrigerator. By doing this you will eliminate unnecessary purchases. This may seem like a lot of work, but if you get this done and then use it to keep track of items in the freezer and pantry it will help you plan your meals better.

2. Check your recipes and decide which you will be making for the week/month you are shopping for. Once you have a basic meal plan, check the recipes and see what ingredients you already have on hand. Now add the ingredients you don't have on hand to your shopping list.

3. Coupons: These will help cut costs especially on cleaning products. Check out Coupons.com and Coolsavings.com or just do a search for free coupons online. Also check out the websites of some of your favorite products, sometimes they offer coupons on them. Don't forget to check your local newspaper and any fliers you get in the mail.

4. Freezing servings or whole meals and/or refrigerating pre-made lunches for the week: Keep in mind while you are making your menu and list that you can make that whole lasagna and portion it out and freeze it, or use covered plastic plate containers and make up lunches ahead of time for the week and refrigerate them. This will help cut costs by having meals ready to be re-heated at home when you don't want to cook and taking lunch to work will eliminate eating out costs.

5. Once you get home from shopping, you will want to note on your inventory lists (for the pantry and freezer especially) all additions to each section. Divide up your meats and vegetables if possible into freezer bags and containers. As you prepare meals, try to make note on the lists what has been used and any meals you have placed in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to add snacks to your shopping list. If they are on your list and budgeted for, you are more likely not to impulse buy.
• Once you are in the habit of making notes on your inventory lists of things taken out and put in, it won't seem like such a chore.
• Keep your inventory lists on your freezer and refrigerator with magnets.
• Remember to stick to your list when shopping. Those impulse buys will blow your budget.

Resources

• check out our website for some easy inexpensive recipes

[sandhillkar]

on 2/1/2009 Wonderful article! Very usable information. Oh-your website is GREAT!