Women are usually the ones working with household budgets and have seen the recent rise in cost for food. While this can cause distress, there are some ways to put the power back in your own pocket by making some good decisions while you do your weekly shop.
Discounts
Even with the recession, supermarkets will be competing for your custom and one way to do this is with discounts. All it takes is a little effort. Keep your eyes on local newspapers and listen to the radio - stores are always advertising specials. Make sure that you only use a discount for an item you really need. If you don't usually buy a premium brand cat food, buying now because there is a discount attached to it is not a saving.
Containers
A large percentage of the amount you spend on the food product goes to the packaging it is in. Invest in some good quality containers and buy in bulk. This way you save on not buying lots of smaller packaged goods.
Go sparingly on the meat
Meat is expensive. You don't have to become a vegetarian but experiment with mixing beans and meat to bulk up a meal. You'll drastically reduce your grocery costs this way.
Nutritious buying
Sugar-coated cereals, crisps and white bread are not good in the health stakes and they are also not good with the pocket. Substitute these items with popcorn, whole wheat bread and homemade treats.
Frozen is good
While we all like the ring "fresh" has to it, frozen often works out cheaper, especially when it comes to fish. To be honest, most "fresh" fish is frozen and then thawed, so bypass the pretence and buy frozen, boxed fish straight away. You are still getting a healthier part of your diet and at a much more reasonable price.
Chop chop
It is very convenient to purchase ready prepared vegetables and ready grated cheese, but the cost involved here is astronomical. We all work long hours these days so the allure of these conveniences is easy to understand, but a little extra effort one night a week can save a lot of money. Rope your family in and get them slicing and dicing. You can afford to buy in bulk this way, prepare and package the items in your freezer and you'll probably have fun doing it too.
A treat
Eating out is a treat to be considered carefully. Don't deprive yourself too much, enjoy your meal when you go to a restaurant. However, if you want to save money, you'll have to cut down the amount of times you dine out. There's no reason to buy take-aways. Buying pizza bases at the supermarket and preparing your own toppings at home will make this a fun, and cheap, night in.
Sales are a girl's best friend
Watch for sales and then buy lots of the essentials. 10 tubes of toothpaste on sale is not reckless, it is wise. Same with lightbulbs and pasta.
Your own veggies
Not everyone has a garden, but we can all grow some of our own produce. If you live in a flat, convert a container into a mini-garden to grow tomatoes in. If you are a proud garden owner then lettuce, eggplant, basil, peppers and many other veggies are easy to grow.
Set a goal
We have all got into the habit of not saving and budgeting now seems like a drudge. It doesn't have to be this way. Set a goal to save even a minor amount from your grocery bill each week and at the end of the month you will have a sum which you can use as you wish. And the enjoyment will be that much greater!
