Shopping on a Budget

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Shopping on a Budget

Jun 30, 2020

"How can I save more money this month?" is the dreaded question we find ourselves wondering all too often. One place you might overlook is your food budget. Sure, the first thing you decide is we to stop going out to eat, but have you ever thought about how you could squeeze savings out of your weekly food shopping budget? Check out these tips to keep more money in your bank account.

Meal plan.

If you go to the store without a plan, you are already off to a bad start. Spend some time thinking about what meals you plan on making for the week and build your list on what's missing. Be sure to check your pantry before to avoid buying an unnecessary can of beans or spice you already have on hand. Take advantage of apps that help you find a recipe by using the ingredients you already have. Check out SuperCook Recipe by Ingredient App here

Turn one recipe into multiple meals.

This is especially easy when you're only cooking for one! Most meals can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Don't forget; you can also freeze your meals to make it last even longer. *Pro-tip- always freeze meals in serving size. The best way to thaw out is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. Need tasty freezer meal recipes? Check some of these out https://theinspiredhome.com/articles/19-freezer-meals-to-save-you-time-and-brain-cells-this-week?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYL3BRDVARIsAF9E4GeKdVWzRTDruwuTGvHgXrc53JCd7Y_Jn8e6Obo43vHq3lGcH4DOeTEaAlCrEALw_wcB

Not all produce is created equal.

There is nothing worse than literally throwing your money away. Produce can last longer or go bad faster, all depending on how you keep it.

Avocados- store alone on the counter and away from other fruit
Bananas- keep the stems wrapped and away from other fruit
Potatoes & Onions- away in a cool, dark place like a pantry
Celery- wrap in aluminum foil before refrigerating
Berries- don't wash until ready to eat to avoid mold
Roots like turmeric and ginger can last longer when stored in the freezer!
Tomatoes -room temp and away from sunlight
Citrus fruits- no need to refrigerate! Keep them in a counter basket.

Eat with the seasons.

Yup....fruit that's in season will not only cost less but taste the best too! Visit this link to find out whats currently in season https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/whats-in-season-2/?gclid=CjwKCAjw2uf2BRBpEiwA31VZj1WWzjvmiEi64bMmDFaL2XUJ5rTn4nY449Lf7sThNaZG022Vep4KARoC3pkQAvD_BwE

Do it yourself.

Whether its cut fruit, a salad, or grated cheese- count on it costing you more when buying something that has already been done for you.

Shop the weekly sales!

Guys, this is a no brainer. Always check the weekly ad before you shop so you can take advantage of the best savings and stock up on the items you use the most. *CTown pro tip- you can always view the weekly ad on Thursday before the ad drops. Have you tried the Flipp app yet?