When grocery shoppers have limited budgets, they often do not get everything they need in a single trip.
Instead, they must go without some items until the next paycheck arrives.
By taking a different approach, they can get all the foods they regularly use without spending more than they can afford.
Anyone can follow this simple approach to saving money on must-have groceries.
Make A List
Create a list of the foods used most often and purchase them in the required quantities. If bread is on sale at the grocery store and the family eats it with most meals, stock up and freeze the excess to enjoy later. Canned products typically have long shelf lives so purchase enough for several months when prices are low.
Keeping a list of regularly needed items makes it easier to buy these products when they are most affordable.
General Rules For Fruits And Vegetables
Purchase locally grown produce in season for higher quality at lower prices. Seasonal produce is often grown without reliance on pesticides or costly greenhouses and it typically tastes better because it is not picked before developing full flavor. Purchase vegetables and fruits from a greengrocer or outlet that allows shoppers to select and weigh their produce. Loose vegetables and fruits keep longer and shoppers can verify that the items are not damaged.
A small market stall or greengrocer stocks lower-grade produce than that offered by a supermarket. These fruits and vegetables taste as good or better but are less expensive because they are less visually appealing. Supermarkets choose similarly sized, unblemished produce items and package these together for appearance purposes, which raises the price tag.
If fruit will be consumed within the day or used to make chutneys or preserves, select the discounted version.
Meats And Poultry
Stewing beef and flank steaks cost ten to 30 percent less than more choice cuts of meat. However, they must cook longer to become tender so plan when choosing these. When making a Bolognese or slow-cooked chili, choose minced beef rather than prime minced steak. This less expensive meat is suitable for dishes that require longer cooking time.
Turkey makes an inexpensive meal any time of year, with a 4.5kg bird feeding approximately 12 people. Turkey breast, joints, steaks, mince, and cubes make economical family meals. Purchasing an entire chicken and cutting it will save money on pieces of poultry.
Leftovers and bones can be used to make soups and stocks.
