How to Cut Your Grocery Bill

 We all want to save a few bucks right?  And no one wants to feel like the grocery store is a financial battleground.  Thankfully, saving money on groceries is within your grasp.  Take some easy and simple steps to cut your grocery bill.

Plan Your Meals

Planning meals gives you the added advanage of knowing what is going in your mouth.  It also helps you prevent impulse buying.  Use your store's local specials as a guide.  Do your best to avoid highly packaged foods.  From a health standpoint these foods are not your friend.  Try to focus on meats, canned soups, and vegetables.  You will be able to make a rough estimate of what your bill will look like before you go grocery shopping. 

Make a Spending Spreadsheet

Stores are always advertising big savings.  But how many are telling the truth?  Set up a basic spreasheet with columns for prices and food.  Create a seperate category for your local Dollar Store and grocery stores.  This is a really great idea if you've recently relocated.  Take into account the cost of driving to the store.  If you have to add gas money and wear and tear on your vehicle, the sale may not be worth it.

Cook

So many of the higher priced foods are ready to go items like pizza.  Mak cooking for yourself a priority.  Stick to simple recipes and stable ingredients.  Keep in mind you want recipes easy on your wallet.  Omelots, stir-fries, soups, and salads are great for stretching over multiple days.  Chicken and cheaper cuts of beef can also be versatile. 

Like What You Eat

This seems deceptively simple but it's very important.  Eating is often linked to our emotions.  Many of us eat more because we don't feel satisfied or happy with our food.  Don't buy vegetables you hate to eat just because they're supposed to be healthy.  I've made the mistake of buying baby carrots because they were a healthy snack.  Those carrots sat in the refridgerator for weeks before being thrown away.  The lesson being, only buy foods you will eat.

Food is and should be fuel for our bodies.  Planning meals is a great way to know what you're spending.  Do your research and know if a deal is really a deal.  Shope, save, and love your food!