Jumpstart Your Fitness: By saving money on groceries

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Jan 7th 2008 6:00AM

For many families one of the largest monthly expenses is the grocery bill. Prices are going up all the time, plus if you're interested in healthy options it doesn't help that companies usually like to charge more for the "organic" and "all-natural" versions of their popular foods. But with the right strategy you can keep that register total to a reasonable amount, and with it make your health and fitness goals that much easier to reach and maintain. Tricks like buying in bulk as much as possible, never shopping on an empty stomach, and buying off-brand products can really make a difference. See more ideas in this article from off-grid, and please share with us if you have any of your own tips on slashing your food bill.

12 ways to save money on groceries(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Buy in bulk Buying in bulk means getting a better deal overall -- just make sure you limit it to non-perishable items and food your family will easily be able to eat before it goes bad.
Set a budget Make a shopping list and stick to it, and keep a tally of how much you're spending as you go through the store.
Shop Farmer's Markets Farmer's Markets are more popular than ever, which means they're easier to find than ever. They're great because you can almost always find fresh, organic, local produce at good prices.
Make your own jams and jellies. Making jam and jelly sounds like a luxury, but they aren't exactly cheap in the store -- and setting aside just one evening for canning can keep your family in fruit sweets all year.
Plan for leftovers It kinda falls under the idea of buying in bulk -- get a slightly bigger roast or ham with the intention of having leftovers for lunch sandwiches or stew the next day.
Use everything Scrape every last bit from every can and squeeze it from every bottle, and use leftover veggies and meat/bones for free stews and soups.
Cut down on (or give up!) junk food Processed junk foods might look cheap sometimes but most of the time they'll only lead to cravings and cause you to eat more than you would have otherwise. Not to mention your health will suffer!
Buy drinks to last the week Instead of buying from vending machines throughout the week you can save big bucks by stocking yourself and your family with thermoses full off coffee, milk, juice, whatever!
Buy produce only when it's in season Produce bought when it's "in season" is not only cheaper but it tastes better too.
Raid the cupboard Most pantries have all kinds of food going to waste in the form of only half empty pasta, rice, and lentil containers.
Think like a student Students and young adults are famous for making their dollars stretch, so think like them! Focus on what you want to do with the money you save and keep it in a jar so you can see the results at the end of the week or month.
Plan ahead for the weekly menu Write down what you want meals to be for the week, make a list and get everything you need at once. This will limit random runs to the corner store -- they almost always include some kind of impulse purchases!

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Comments (25)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Vishaal 1-07-2008 @ 11:58AM

Coupons!!! But ONLY use them for things you REALLY want. I know my mom will bring home something crazy that we don't eat cuz "it was only 5 cents!!"

rick 1-07-2008 @ 8:56PM

Buying in bulk is an old wives tale that over 80% of the time is not true.

smarteepantz 1-07-2008 @ 8:56PM

This article is nonsense! Buy LOTS more food, because it's cheaper (after all, temptation is so necessary for a diet to work), stay away from junk food (junk food BAD, just look at the fatties loading up on velveeta at Costco), but focus on the pantry (hullo, non-perishables ARE junk food!)...my favorite tip is to think like a starving student. I know when I was a starving student, it was all about ramen and mac/cheese. How else could we afford the beer?
How's this for saving: buy only what you need, eat only what you buy, and eat smaller portions to make the food last. Buying in bulk only works for laundry soap and TP. What is sold in stores/stands (i.e., whole wheat pasta, fresh veggies and fruits, dairy, meats) doesn't need to be bought in bulk and SHOULD NOT BE. If it's a staple and it's open in your pantry for more than two weeks, you've bought too much. PERIOD.
You end up saving a boatload of $$ because you're not throwing away unused food, and you're eating healthier, which saves on medical bills and cold medicines. Plan your meals for the week, buy what you need, and that's it. Use everything, and nothing will go to waste.
I thoroughly agree about coupons. Buy the Sunday paper for $1, get $15 (minimum) in coupons, especially fantastic for breads, pasta, canned/frozen veggies and soy products. An easy, surefire investment if I ever heard one!

Urbanfrugal 1-07-2008 @ 9:13PM

Learn to make one really inexpensive meal per week. Something like pizza bread, or a casserole (from left overs) can really stretch your food budget. If you make one meal that costs less than a dollar per serving that is filling you will save money.

You can also plan to make one meal a week a smorgasboard and eat the left overs.

http://www.urbanfrugal.com

vjhenderson 1-07-2008 @ 10:02PM

Living in the high mountain country and
seclused from instant help if there is a emergency in LA, we are told to have seven days of food and water on hand, or move off the mountain. buying in bulk is the way to go. cans with the flip tops,
rice in ten pound bags, mac and cheese, beef jerky when on sale, can be rotated all
week and still fill in if there is a need. pinto beans in 20 pound bags, that make
great dip or chili. instant dry milk, and
yes, homemade jellies and jams. it all works to keep prices down, and eat well.

ali 1-07-2008 @ 10:23PM

buying in bulk, costs lots more!!

busy, frugal mom 1-07-2008 @ 10:32PM

Here is a inexpensive dinner idea that my hubby and kids love! English muffin pizzas- split the muffins in half, broil the tops so they won't get soggy with the sauce, top with pizza sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you like... I can feed a family of 5 with this and it usually costs around $8 for everything.

Lisa 1-08-2008 @ 12:38AM

To comparison shop, check the per unit price on the shelf. It used to be a rule of thumb that large containers were a better bang for your buck but I've noticed recently that it is frequently not the case.

If you are a small household and you don't buy in bulk due to storage issues or the inability to utilize all of the item in a reasonable amount of time, consider joining a food co-op or starting one yourself with a couple of single friends. You can chip in on the 24 rolls of TP or the 5 lb bag of baby carrots, etc and only have to store/use your portion.

jennifleur 1-07-2008 @ 10:54PM

The only thing I buy in bulk are frozen vegetables. I portion them out into smaller freezer bags. It is healthier than canned and less expensive than fresh produce.
The best way to save money on groceries is to prepare only what you and your family need or know you will have in a day or two.. "leftovers" are only good if people actually eat them.

j 1-07-2008 @ 11:09PM

I am a firm believer in buying only what you know you will eat. Eating only when you are hungry and stopping when you are full. So therefore, I do only buy TP and papertowls in bulk. The food I buy what my family likes, when it is on sale . I've taught them to eat when they are hungry and stop when full . Leaving out any time for being over weight which this country is in general .

Tammie 1-07-2008 @ 11:23PM

I have 6 kids. We shop in bulk, plan a monthly menu, and we bake our own snacks. We also do not eat out (ever), and we have meals that run for 2 or 3 days. (Roast, potatoes and carrots, day 1; stew day 2 and 3). What do I spend monthly just on food? $300.00. Do we starve? No. Do we have a full pantry? Yes. Do I keep pasta containers for excess and for maybes? Yes. But it can and does work. I shop once a month for everything, and do "runs" for extra milk, bread, eggs and butter. (the things you use almost daily). Do my kids prefer McDonalds? Sure. Do they eat healthier? Sometimes. I am just as prne to the cravings as they are. But...we discovered, it works for us. We budget like college students (I lived on fast food in college), but we eat like adults. It can be done!

realist 1-08-2008 @ 12:30AM

You must have naturally skinny kids. I do not, irregardless of my gene pool. I have to spend more for the leaner cuts of meat and lots of fish, which is not cheap. People who boast about cheap meals, those meals, 9 times out of 10, are loaded with fat, and usually contain a white potatoe in the mix, frustrate me.
Yes, anyone can spend $300 a month on a family with six kids if you feed them starchy fatty meals; barring, of course, if you have your own garden and that is contributing to the overall expense.

betsy 1-07-2008 @ 11:23PM

You can save a lot buying in bulk if it is something you eat often like meats, etc... My problem is when I go to Costco I buy other things and it blows my budget. It is cheaper to buy extra when it goes on sale at the grocery store.

gary 1-07-2008 @ 11:25PM

Great tips from you and the commentaters. I use some now.

Kevin 1-07-2008 @ 11:28PM

when making a recipe, think ahead of if you can freeze it or not for future use.....make a double batch, eat one and freeze the other for another meal next week or even next month. Since you are already buying the ingredients, you can save both time and money by having an extra on hand

johnnybravo 1-07-2008 @ 11:39PM

buying in bulk is almost ALWAYS cheaper if you do the math, and numbers dont lie.
whoever told you it isnt cheaper is wrong and needs to do a little research themselves.

frugalicious 1-07-2008 @ 11:42PM

I stopped shopping at Costco and only get a few things when my grandparents do their weekly visit. Canned chicken and salmon go great with a quick side dish with the meat mixed in. (My own take on the famous "helper" meals) throw in a can of veggies and my son eats it all up. Its a single mom life saver. I finally went to Costco this weekend and realized how expensive everything was compared to shopping at my local Super WalMart and Winco grocery stores. I would much rather get a few cheap things then a case of stuff that I'm stuck with for months. But laundry detergent and TP still is a better deal at the super store.

My other money saver is a small apartment sized chest freezer. Get the meat and breads on sale and stock up. When bread is on sale or on the day old rack, it freezes well. Just take it out a day in advance and leave it on the counter. I swear it does NOT get soggy!!! That is the only way I buy in bulk....if it can go in the freezer I will stock up.

CJ 1-08-2008 @ 12:18AM

I have been saving & conserving for years, (married, single
Mom, widowed etc.) I agree with most of your other comments but... would like to add a couple. I have learned that SOME things bought in bulk or great, like others said especially if you have a freezer. Also I like to bake sweets ahead and freeze as well as MEALS. You can prepare a larger portion of a family liked dish/dishes and then after the mail meal freeze individual portions for another date. You can use pie tins, or plastic containers are great for heating in the microwave. Alot of times after working you don't feel like preparing a full course meal but yet you can open the freezer and take out labeled balanced plates of food. I FIRMLY believe in coupons but as said above only BUY what YOUR FAMILY will eat or need.

CAROL 1-08-2008 @ 12:45AM

HEY SMARTPANTS, SHE DIDN'T SAY TO BUY MEAT IN BULK, ONLY TO MAYBE BUY A LARGER PIECE, WITH MAYBE SANDWICHES IN MIND FOR LUNCH, OR MAKING SOME SORT OF STEW WITH LEFT OVERS.

saltnpeppa 1-08-2008 @ 1:41AM

personally i buy boxed full of freezer meats from the local butcher its 60.oo to start and can go up to 200 if you want a bunch of steaks and higher end meats but the 60.oo i cut out some of the fryer chicken and change it into lean ground chuck. lasts my family 5 months. we sometimes have breakfast for dinners. i stock up on spaghetti and macaroni bare (so you can make whatever you want out of it) and they have the 5 boxes of kraft mac and cheese cheap . if we want a snack we have a bowl of cereal. we also have a wonder thrift store nearby so you can get like three loaves of wonder bread for around 2.00. i just get what we use i dont freeze bread cuz i can walk to that store waste not want not. i try not to overstock. my mom was back in the depression and she used to keep three full metal shelves full of canned goods in the basement not thinking of the expiration dates when she got older when i was younger though she always cooked homemade meals all three i stayed small and healthy when she got older we ate out now and then. now i have a family of 5 (including myself) and i notice if you buy in bulk sometimes the food goes bad before you can get to it. all beef hotdogs is a good more than one day food. the mini ones are good in a crockpot with bbq sauce. roasts double as loose meat bbq sandwiches. i am a crockpot queen cuz you can make food last for more than one meal . its quick and easy and ready to eat when everyone gets home. i cut coupons but i notice most of the time is for stuff i really dont use i mostly use them on deoderant and personal items more than on food items. i shop alot at save a lot and i really do come out with a ton of stuff.

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