The Daily Dish Recipes

The cost of food is certainly on the rise, and making our dollars stretch is something that all of us need to do. Groceries are a necessity and something we have to purchase. It is not an expense we can forgo. So how do you save money on the thing you need most to survive? Here are five easy and quick ways to start saving today.

1. Substitute your boxed or frozen meals with made from scratch meals even just two times a week and you can save up to $5-10/week. Do it four times a week and you’re looking at $15-20 worth of savings. Add that up over the course of a year and you’re on your way to saving hundreds of dollars a year. Made from scratch is cheaper and can be stretched further and if you’re worried about waste, use your freezer to save portions for another day.

2. Coupons are available everywhere for nearly every product known to man. Clip them, organize them and use them. When you are making a shopping list, grab the weekly ad from your local grocer and pay attention to what is on sale. Perhaps even create your meals around these items. If a deal is particularly good, and you have the storage room, stock up. Use your coupons to bring the cost even further down. The first time you get groceries for $42 that would have cost you $109, you’ll get more excited about the coupons. In addition, it takes about an hour a week or so in organizing, but can save you thousands of dollars a year.

3. Buy in bulk, but only if you actually use the item frequently. Avoid purchasing anything in bulk that will spoil before you use it all. Consider splitting the cost with someone else and sharing the product. Ask someone, you might be surprised at how eager they are to do the same thing. You won’t know if you don’t ask. Buying in bulk definitely saves money, but you want to eliminate the end waste if you can.

4. Before you shop, eat a quick sandwich, or an apple or anything that might make you less hungry. You don’t want to be full, unless you shop exclusively from a list (which I strongly recommend). You’re more apt to not purchase anything because nothing will be appealing to you. If you shop when you are hungry, you will wind up with many items you probably would not have purchased otherwise.

5. Meal plan, make a list, stick to it. The best advice I have for you, make one grocery trip a week if you can help it. Consult the store ads, check out your coupons and then plan your meals ahead of time. Make a list of what you need to prepare those meals.  Once you have made that list, go to the grocery store and stick to what you have listed.

More tips coming this weekend and a money saving recipe later this afternoon!

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