Grocery Store Budgeting 101

Overview:

Eating healthy can be pricey, making it hard to eat well when you are on a limited budget.

I have some good news for you! There are tons of ways you can eat healthy whole foods, while still saving money.

Here are 10 quick tips that will help you eat healthy while still sticking to your budget.

1. Plan Your Meals

   • Think about this as a fun way to give yourself a heads up for the week. Plan your meals as if you were going out to a restaurant, you just sat down and they gave you a menu with options to chose from. Add variety to your menu so you don’t get bored of your options. Planning all of your meals for the week should be something you look forward to, as a nice reset for the week(s) ahead. By meal planning, you will also avoid food waste and save more of your money. I mean, who wouldn’t want that?! Always remember that a failure to plan is a plan to fail.

2. Stick To Your Grocery List

   • When going shopping, I always find 2 things that are rather difficult.

     • Making your list beforehand.

     • Actually sticking to the list you just wrote.

   • Entering the grocery store without a list is a recipe for disaster. We have all done it and it goes something like…

     • You walk into the store.

     • Pickup things that look appetizing.

     • Make your way to the checkout line.

     • Spend more money than you anticipated.

     • Get home to unload groceries.

     • Realize you forgot the things you went to the store for.

   • Avoid all of this frustration by simply sticking to your list! Sometimes I find that making a list throughout the week, leading up to your shopping day is helpful to not forget certain items.

3. Cook At Home

   • After going shopping for all the produce that you planned out on your list, cooking the food is the next step to success. Cooking your meals can be somewhat time consuming, but it pays off in the long run because you are:

     • Saving money by not eating out.

     • Eating healthier by knowing what you put into your dishes.

4. Cook In Bulk

   • When you are planning your meals for the week(s), take into account if you will be cooking in bulk, how many portions you will be cooking and how many (if any) portions you want for leftovers. This will save you loads of time in the future because all you will have to do is pop those leftovers in the oven or microwave.

5. Learn To Love Your Leftovers

   • We all know how hard it can be sometimes to cook the exact amount of food you need. At one point or another you are bound to have some leftovers. Learn to cherish and enjoy that extra portion in your fridge! Those leftovers will save you from having to cook another full meal, giving you more time for other tasks. Make sure if you are cooking in bulk, you put the extra food in the freezer (for a longer keep) or the fridge (if you will consume it within that week). Having the option to eat left over food is helpful whether you are in a rush or just simply do not feel like cooking that day.

6. Shop For In Season Produce

   • Shopping for seasonal produce is not only good for your health but also great for your pockets. In season produce tend to be richer in flavor, more nutritious and cost efficient. Buying produce in season is more abundant, making the price per pound less.

7. Buy Whole Foods

   • Buying whole foods are generally less expensive when shopping. Some examples of whole foods would be:

     • Whole grains such as oats and brown rice

     • Beans

     • Berries

     • Vegetables

     • Nuts and seeds

   • Foods that are less processed are sold in larger quantities and yield more servings per package.

8. Look For Sales

   • When looking at your shopping list, check to see if there are any sales. Typically products that are sold in bulk will be less expensive and will be on sale. If there are sales on the products you need, stock up to get the deal. Try to keep in mind the shelf life of the product you are stocking up on, so you don’t overbuy and then throw it away.

9. Freeze Unused Produce

   • Check your fridge weekly for any unused products that are about to go bad and freeze them for later use! This will help you waste less food and will save you the money you used to buy those items.

10. Shop On A Full Stomach

    • Going to the grocery store on an empty stomach = dangerous. Everything at the grocery store looks good when you’re hungry. This leads you to pick up those extra unnecessary items. According to a survey, shoppers spend an average of 64% more when shopping hungry. Do yourself a favor and eat before going shopping so you will be able to stick to your list!

Takeaway:

• Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank.

• There are many ways to eat healthy and still maintain a budget.

• Some of these include planning your meal, making a list, buying whole foods and looking for sales.

• It’s easy to go over budget on unnecessary food items.

• Remember to always have a plan and make smart food choices.

• What you put into your body is extremely important.

• Good health is priceless.