Everyone is trying to save money these days. The days of buying anything you want, anytime you want seem to be over. So how do you still eat healthy and feel satisfied during this recession?
Always have a plan when you go to the store.
Plan your meals ahead of time. Try to plan for five to seven days at a time. This will hopefully save you from spending more money and time on numerous trips to the store. Take the time to make healthy choices instead of just grabbing whatever you see that looks good. While you’re doing your planning for the week, check out the sales circulars in your local papers. If salmon is on sale, make that one of your dinners. If yogurts are on sale, pick some up to have them as a healthy snack. You will soon see that a little planning can go a long way in saving you money.
Shop from a list.
Once you’ve planned out all your meals and snacks, make a list. Check your cabinets and refrigerator to make sure you aren’t putting something on the list that you already have. Once you get to the store, stick to the list. Impulse buying can be a big problem for some people. It can quickly add to your spending and often leads to unhealthy foods in our baskets.
Use your coupons!
Many people are embarrassed to use coupons. I just don’t understand this. Spend a little time on a Sunday morning clipping some coupons from your local paper. Every week the grocery stores will compete with other through coupons. Be sure to clip coupons for the items you really need or were already going to buy. Also, if you go to the same store all the time, become a frequent shopper. Frequent shoppers often get special deals. If you save 10% each time you shop, it will add up quickly.
Don’t be afraid to buy store brands.
I recently bought store brand graham crackers that were $2.20 less than the name brand. They tasted exactly the same! Give store brands a try. The nutritional value is almost always the same. You can check the unit price information to see if it is really a better value to get the store brand. Most of the time, it is.
Pay attention at the checkout.
If you know something is on sale, check what price comes up when it is scanned. Often times, a cashier will just keep going and not even notice if an item rings up incorrectly. Keep an eye on the scanner and you might just find some mistakes popping up. Also, always check your receipt before you leave the store. If something was on sale as 2 for 1, make sure you got one free. The store manager will usually be happy to help if there is an error.
Remember, we are all in this recession together. Saving a few extra bucks a week might not sound like a lot but it could add up to a new TV, a bike for your child or a night out with friends.
- Jennifer
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Labels: grocery shopping, healthy budget, healthy eating, healthy tips, Jennifer
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