Save on Shopping

Keep your shopping on a cash basis.

Take several envelopes and designate each one for a certain purpose. Each week,
designate a certain amount in the "grocery" envelope- no more and no less. It is MUCH easier to keep within your budget when you know how much you have to spend for your items. Take a calculator with you so you can keep up with the total. Keep the checkbook at home, do not take it to the store. It is very easy to overspend thinking it will be okay, that you will have the checkbook to make up the difference. Keep it at home for paying bills.


Keep a weekly shopping list and stick to it!

Nothing will kill your budget more quickly than running off to the store without a grocery list. You will not only forget to purchase things that you need, but you will end up buying things you don't need! It helps to keep a shopping list posted on your fridge at all times!

I keep a shopping list posted on our fridge at all times. Whenever we are low on something, or if I realize I need a certain ingredient for something I want to cook, I write it down immediately. This has saved me so much trouble- and it's MUCH easier to stick to your budget when you know exactly what you do and do not need to purchase.

(As an additional note, we only shop once a week, which means it is very imporant to keep a list. Making additional trips to the grocery store results in more time, gas, and money than is necessary).


Plan your weekly menu before you grocery shop.




You may wonder how this will save you money, but believe me, it will! Planning your menu lets you know what ingredients you need to purchase and saves you from over buying at the grocery store. You will be less likely to buy impulsively, since you know what you won't be needing that bag of chips or package of meat for this week's meals. You will buy less food and it won't be wasted when you know ahead of time what you'll be using. The only exception to this "rule" is when I find something for a very good sale price that I know I can freeze and use later. Even if an item is on sale, I only purchase it if it fits in the budget.


Shop less often and buy in bulk.

Going to the store once a week, once every other week, or even once a month will save you in your time and gas every trip that you have to make.
• Try buying in bulk what you can freeze or store
• Shop locally every week or so for items that won't "save", such as fresh produce