How to Create a Cheap Grocery Budget
The USDA suggests that the average American family of four spent between $120 and $272 on groceries in January 2009. It's important to develop a grocery budget and stick to it in order to get the most food for your money. Learn how you can create a cheap grocery budget for your family in the guide below.
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Instructions
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Figure out what you are able to spend on groceries each week. Set your budget slightly high but lower than your maximum spending allowance to begin with. For example, if you can afford $150 a week, set your grocery budget to $125. This gives a small amount of leeway for overages.
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Write a menu plan for the full week of your budget. Include breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on this menu. Write down every item you need to cook each meal on the menu.
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Shop from your cabinets and pantry first. Check to see whether you have any of the items you need for your menu plan prior to going shopping. This will help you to stay within your budget while shopping only for the items you don't have on hand.
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Make a grocery list of the items needed from the menu plan. Include all staples you will need for the week on this list as well, such as washing detergent, paper products and personal care items.
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Use the weekly sales flyer from your local grocery store to look for the items you need that are on sale. Write down the sale price of the item next to it on your grocery list.
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Add up the cost of the items on your grocery list to see if the total is below your budget. If the cost is greater than your allotted budget, you may need to reconsider your necessity grocery items.
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