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Stretch Your Grocery Dollars Further
Seems like no matter how many categories you find to shave down the household expenses, a large
chunk of your money will always be spent on groceries. No secret in that! You have to eat, and better to
eat groceries that you prepare at home than to dine out at fancy restaurants for ten times the amount. In
most cases then, spending on groceries are a given. But believe it or not, there are MANY things you
can do to stretch those grocery dollars even further.
Sound meal planning. Prepare your menu ahead of time, selecting recipes that use items that are
already in your refrigerator or pantry. Remember foods that are in season will be cheaper.
Do inventory before you head for the store. If you don’t, you won’t remember exactly what’s in
the pantry at home, and you might end up purchasing something that you already have. Doing inventory
will ensure you grab only those items you need.
Have a definite list. Don’t buy on impulse. This means you should include snacks and desserts on your
shopping list if you know you like to keep these items in your home. Decide before you leave the house
exactly what you’ll buy, and stick to it.
Use coupons. Buy 2-3 Sunday newspapers each week to get multiple coupons for items that you use
regularly, then buy a couple of those items at a time, particularly when they’re already on sale. If you
use specialty items, such as diapers (items that MOST people don’t purchase unless they have a special
reason to), alert your family and friends to clip the coupons on your behalf and send them to you. Pay
attention to how your grocery store handles coupons. Some stores double or even triple coupons, which
lead to a double or triple savings! Coupons and rebates can be a big help… but only for items that you
would buy anyway. If you're used to buying a cheaper brand for 89 cents, don't buy the nationally
advertised brand for $1.29 because you have a 20 cent off coupon.
Carry a calculator. Thinking through the math can be a simple way to save money. A calculator will
help you easily compare unit prices. But remember, a less expensive price on a large size is only a
savings if you're going to use those extra ounces. If you end up throwing them away, it’s not a bargain.
Stick to buying food. It’s usually a bad idea to buy non-food items at the grocery store. Housewares,
holiday accessories, and toiletries can all be purchased for less elsewhere.
Limit meals out. This requires a certain amount of discipline, because most people enjoy an
occasional meal out. But restaurants can be a real budget buster. You can prepare a week’s worth of
meals with the money you spend dining at one moderately-priced restaurant., especially if you splurge
on appetizers, alcoholic beverages, and desserts. Dinner is the most expensive meal to eat out. If you
must eat out, go for breakfast or lunch, and try to dig up a 2-for-1 coupon or a Kids Eat Free special.
Think store brands. Yes, you CAN tell the difference in some cases, but in others, you probably
cannot, and that’s because there’s likely to be no difference at all (besides the label). Store brands are
usually great for canned goods, spices, and household cleaners.
Store food properly. Proper storage in plastic freezer bags or storage containers can preserve the life
of food. Take time to carefully close snack bags (chips, cookies, nuts) to preserve their freshness.
Clothespins are great for this purpose.
Pack your lunch. It might be an everyday thing for you to pack your hubby's lunch and the kids’
lunches, but what about yours? You should pack your own lunch for day trips, children’s activities,
shopping, errands, etc., so you won’t be tempted to stop for fast food when you’re out. Even a planned 20-
minute trip can end up being an hour or two if you make unexpected stops, so always play it safe and at
least pack snacks. Cheaper to pack your own from the grocery store than buy them in vending machines
or gas stations when you’re on the road.
Seems like no matter how many categories you find to shave down the household expenses, a large
chunk of your money will always be spent on groceries. No secret in that! You have to eat, and better to
eat groceries that you prepare at home than to dine out at fancy restaurants for ten times the amount. In
most cases then, spending on groceries are a given. But believe it or not, there are MANY things you
can do to stretch those grocery dollars even further.
Sound meal planning. Prepare your menu ahead of time, selecting recipes that use items that are
already in your refrigerator or pantry. Remember foods that are in season will be cheaper.
Do inventory before you head for the store. If you don’t, you won’t remember exactly what’s in
the pantry at home, and you might end up purchasing something that you already have. Doing inventory
will ensure you grab only those items you need.
Have a definite list. Don’t buy on impulse. This means you should include snacks and desserts on your
shopping list if you know you like to keep these items in your home. Decide before you leave the house
exactly what you’ll buy, and stick to it.
Use coupons. Buy 2-3 Sunday newspapers each week to get multiple coupons for items that you use
regularly, then buy a couple of those items at a time, particularly when they’re already on sale. If you
use specialty items, such as diapers (items that MOST people don’t purchase unless they have a special
reason to), alert your family and friends to clip the coupons on your behalf and send them to you. Pay
attention to how your grocery store handles coupons. Some stores double or even triple coupons, which
lead to a double or triple savings! Coupons and rebates can be a big help… but only for items that you
would buy anyway. If you're used to buying a cheaper brand for 89 cents, don't buy the nationally
advertised brand for $1.29 because you have a 20 cent off coupon.
Carry a calculator. Thinking through the math can be a simple way to save money. A calculator will
help you easily compare unit prices. But remember, a less expensive price on a large size is only a
savings if you're going to use those extra ounces. If you end up throwing them away, it’s not a bargain.
Stick to buying food. It’s usually a bad idea to buy non-food items at the grocery store. Housewares,
holiday accessories, and toiletries can all be purchased for less elsewhere.
Limit meals out. This requires a certain amount of discipline, because most people enjoy an
occasional meal out. But restaurants can be a real budget buster. You can prepare a week’s worth of
meals with the money you spend dining at one moderately-priced restaurant., especially if you splurge
on appetizers, alcoholic beverages, and desserts. Dinner is the most expensive meal to eat out. If you
must eat out, go for breakfast or lunch, and try to dig up a 2-for-1 coupon or a Kids Eat Free special.
Think store brands. Yes, you CAN tell the difference in some cases, but in others, you probably
cannot, and that’s because there’s likely to be no difference at all (besides the label). Store brands are
usually great for canned goods, spices, and household cleaners.
Store food properly. Proper storage in plastic freezer bags or storage containers can preserve the life
of food. Take time to carefully close snack bags (chips, cookies, nuts) to preserve their freshness.
Clothespins are great for this purpose.
Pack your lunch. It might be an everyday thing for you to pack your hubby's lunch and the kids’
lunches, but what about yours? You should pack your own lunch for day trips, children’s activities,
shopping, errands, etc., so you won’t be tempted to stop for fast food when you’re out. Even a planned 20-
minute trip can end up being an hour or two if you make unexpected stops, so always play it safe and at
least pack snacks. Cheaper to pack your own from the grocery store than buy them in vending machines
or gas stations when you’re on the road.