Managing Your Food Budget

Taking care of kids, managing your food budget and making good use of your time can be a real balancing act when you’re at the grocery store. Here are some tips that might make your next trip a little easier:

• Plan before you go to the store. How much money do you have in your grocery budget? Do you need to buy groceries for one week, two weeks, the month? Plan how much money you will spend before you go to the store.
• The grocery store may not be the best place to buy non-food items such as toiletries and paper products. Saving money on these non-food items will mean more money to spend on groceries.
• Do not buy grocery items at convenience stores. Remember, you pay for that convenience.
• Do not shop when you are hungry. Everything looks good when you’re hungry and buying extra, unplanned items can blow your budget.
• Shop during non-peak hours. There are usually fewer people at the store during morning hours or late evening hours. Your shopping experience will be more relaxed and you will have more time to make smart choices as you shop.
• Don’t forget your shopping list. It can help you shop faster while sticking to your budget.
• Check all the shelves before making your choice. Stores use strategies to get customers to spend more money. They might feature items at the end of the aisles that are not on sale but draw your attention. Usually items placed at eye level are the most expensive.
• Before you purchase, check to see if the coupon really saves you money. Coupons are best used when they save you money on foods you usually buy. Could you buy your usual brand without the coupon for less?