For most of us, the budget for groceries is super tight. Our family has even lived through a season where there was no room for groceries in the budget, and we just had to trust God would provide what we needed. God never let us down.
Now, our family is seeking to build our immune systems after a year filled with illnesses, and I am watching our grocery budget inch ever higher.
The truth is, eating a nutritious balance of foods is more expensive than eating convenience meals and junk that I could get for pennies on the dollar by stacking coupons with store sales, but there are some things I can do to make our healthy eating habits more affordable.
Eat more beans
I know that beans have a bad reputation of melodious after-effects but they are packed with protein and when you buy them dry and in bulk, the savings are huge. I cook them in large batches, rinse and drain them well, and package them in 2 cup increments for the freezer. If you have no idea what to do with beans, the Ultimate Beans and Rice Recipe List is always an inspiration to me.
You can also use beans anywhere you would normally use ground beef. You can either substitute the beans for half of the beef or go all the way.
Go meatless
Skipping the meat once or twice a week can save you a bundle. If you have a meat and potatoes man who refuses the idea, then do one of two things: 1) Change your entree. Think of meat as a side dish or filler and not as the main course. 2) Fake it. Cook eggplant with beef seasoning. I use eggplant in marinara this way and our family loves it.
Skip the beverages
Water is a lot cheaper than sodas and juice or even tea and coffee. Keep your beverages sugar-free and simple to see an instant savings in your grocery bill. If you must by juice, buy it frozen and mix it with water yourself. The package says to add three cans of water but I add four and my family has never been able to tell the difference.
As for milk, well… that is a tough one. My best recommendation is to watch for sales and freeze it. Pour a little off before tucking it into the bottom of your deep freeze. Also, consider using dry milk as a substitute when cooking.
Cook from scratch
Convenience costs but not only that, processed foods are packed with chemicals. The great thing about making your food from scratch is that you know exactly what is going into your food while you are still saving money. We even make our snacks from scratch.
If you do not have time for scratch cooking, then try making some simple homemade mixes and create shortcuts in your routine. You are still saving money (especially when you buy these basic ingredients in bulk) and you are saving time too.
Buy produce seasonally
Seasonal produce is always cheaper. How do you know what is in season in your area? You really do not need a chart. Just look in the store’s sales flyer. If what you need is not available at a reasonable price, pick it up in the frozen foods section. I buy our frozen fruits and vegetables either in bulk or on sale with coupons.
Know your prices
By keeping a price book, you can know what a good price is instead of guessing. I am able to buy a lot of our organic items using Subscribe and Save at Amazon. And, don’t forget that when you use Swagbucks for your searches, you can even earn gift cards to Amazon, making those groceries free!
Still struggling?
If these ideas still having you watching your bank balance, keep in mind that small changes can still make a big difference.
Also, if your first trip to the store ends up costing you more than it normally would, take a look at what you bought. If you did not have a stockpile of healthier options before, your initial shopping trip will cost more.
Have any tips for eating healthy on a budget? Please leave us a comment.
Tabitha is a saved by grace wife to one amazing husband and mother to four terrific kids, ages 9 and under. Blogging under the pseudo-name “Penny” at Meet Penny, Tabitha loves to write about topics including homeschooling, frugal living, homemaking, recipes, Autism, faith, parenting, and motherhood. In 2012, she was ranked number 5 in the Top 25 Homeschooling Moms 2012 at Circle of Moms, recognized as one of the 15 pinners mothers should follow on Pinterest by iVillage, a division of NBCUniversal, and was featured in You Can Do It Too: 25 Homeschool Families Share Their Stories.
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anything that u can give me on finding way to reduce my budget or any ideas on anything. thank you