As a wife and a mother to four, I, like many mothers out there have to find healthy food that is really inexpensive. Sometimes this has been a major challenge. Our family's health is a priority and they do not deserve to fill up on Hot Pockets instead of a fresh meal. Here are some ideas to help you next time you grocery shop:
Keep a grocery list running all week- write down items as you use them throughout the week or ingredients for future meals.
Make a list of lunches and dinners for an entire week- plan each meal and add the items you need to your weekly list. This may only actually take you about 15 or 20 minutes once a week.
Don't shop at just one store- If you can purchase off brand basic items for less at a store such as Savalot or Aldi's, then you will have more money left for branded items that can only be purchased at stores like Kroger's or Walmart. Fruits and vegetables for snacks can be purchased fresh in busier stores as the turnover is higher. Budget friendly fruits are typically apples, bananas, grapes, and anything in season.
Become Saver Shopper- clip those coupons and use them! Some stores double coupons and with the invention of the smartphone you can scan a barcode and get instant savings.
Stick to the healthy basics that can be purchased in bulk at club membership stores- Oats, whole grain cereals, tortillas, tuna in water, canned and dry beans, and other canned foods can save you money in the long run and you can make several recipes or cook in bulk and freeze. Try to focus on one ingredient on sale for a few recipes a week (such as focusing on using chicken or black beans a few days one week) to really maximize savings.
Check out new healthy recipes online when making your grocery list- here are a few sites to look through: http://www.sparkpeople.com/, http://www.allrecipes.com/, http://www.fatsecret.com/, and http://www.eatingwell.com/
With a little planning and effort you can feed your family healthy foods and not break the bank (or result to robbing one!)
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