How to Feed a Family of 5 On $75 a Week

food

The grocery budget is one of the areas that you can save the most as it is not a fixed payment each week. Being aware of what you spend at each grocery trip and cutting in certain areas will give you that added cash in your pocket.

Instructions

1. Figure out how much you spend weekly on groceries for your family. Decide to cut it by at least $25 (that's a $100 savings each month).

2. Sit down and write out a meal plan for the coming week. I, personally, just write what we will have for dinner as lunches and breakfasts tend to be things we always have on hand. Breakfasts are cereal, oatmeal, muffins, toast, yogurt, fruit, etc. Lunches tend to be sandwiches, salads, leftovers, and so on. All these ingredients are kept on hand at all times.

3. Based on your meal plan for the week write down what ingredients you will need to buy. Look through the weekly grocery advertisement to see if certain things you will need are on sale. Check to see if you have any coupons for products that you will be buying.

4. Stick to your list at the grocery store. Buying little extras here and there really adds up. The only time when buying something not on your list is acceptable is when there is an excellent sale on something that you normally buy - in this case stock up on the sale items if you don't think you will see this price again for awhile.

5. Make most of your foods from scratch. If you are a busy person (and aren't we all?), make things that can be frozen for later use. A large batch of homemade wheat rolls can be frozen for several future meals and is much cheaper than buying processed white rolls at the store. Snacks such as cookies, granola bars, brownies, and more can all be made and frozen for quick snacks or to stick in a lunch for school or work. It is cheaper and healthier to make your own.

6. If you have the space, grow a garden which will drastically cut your grocery bill in the summer months. Even a small potted tomato plant on a patio can supplement your food budget. Look at alternatives such as the farmer's market, co-ops, and a CSA. They can be cheaper than your grocery store.

7. Once you cut your food budget by $25 comfortably, try to cut it more. Get down to the bare minimum that you can while still purchasing healthy food items. For our family of five I have found that we can comfortably eat healthy on $75 a week. I make a game of it and find that when I see how much I am saving by glancing at my checking balance I am encouraged to keep going.