Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and
Your Budget
Make the most of your grocery shopping
Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Barton County, University of Missouri Extension
It’s a new year and many people are trying to eat more healthfully. Some of those people are having trouble doing that because they are on a tight budget. Having a tight budget does make it more difficult but it is not impossible to eat well when you are pinching pennies. With planning and creativity, your family can enjoy well-balanced meals for as little as $1.54 per person per meal.
When asked how much money they spend on food in any given month, the majority of adults are not able to answer that question. Most will be able to tell you they are spending more than they used to. That’s because food costs are going up. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of eggs rose by 33.7%, milk by 21.1%, fresh chicken by 8.4% and naval oranges by 13.6% from July, 2006 to July, 2007.
Another report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that in 2005 there was an increase in the amount of money spent on food away from home. If budget is a concern, the most cost efficient use of your money is to prepare food at home.
The first way to save money on the grocery bill is to plan your menus for the week and only shop once. Extra trips to the store make it too tempting to pick up extras that you want but don’t need. While making your list, check your refrigerator and cabinets for ingredients you already have on hand making sure to only buy what you need. Your shopping list not only helps you save money, it will also help you save time.
Other things that will help you save money:
- Use the grocery store ad to check for specials and plan you menus around the best bargains.
- Clip coupons and use them only on items you were planning on purchasing.
- Compare the costs of brands of food. The store brand will usually cost less and be perfectly acceptable in quality.
- Don’t be afraid to stock up on non-perishable foods when they are on sale.
- If you can use it, the economy size is often (but not always) a better price per serving.
Don’t shop when you are hungry. People tend to have more
impulse buys when they shop hungry.
Food is our third highest household expense after housing and transportation. It is possible to decrease that expense with careful planning and shopping.
Last update: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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