With the holidays coming up, food budgets can easily get out of hand. However, you don’t have to turn away guests or hang up your oven mits to save money.
“Creating a food budget doesn’t mean you have to go without,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance agency.
Notably, financial expert Dave Ramsey, recommends spending 5-15 percent of your take home pay on your food budget. This includes the grocery store as well as restaurants.
While you want to save money, you also want to be reasonable. Start with some small goals, such as spending $20 less this month than the previous month.
Some realistic ideas for reducing your food budget are listed below. Read through the list and find suggestions that might work for you and your family.
- Start by making a food budget for groceries and dining out.
- Make a grocery list and stick to it. Up to 40 percent of grocery store purchases are impulse buys.
- Bring a lunch to work or school.
- Meal plan- Set aside some time to plan out meals for the week and write down the ingredients you will need.
- Eat out less often. Try making pizza at home, it is a fun activity the family can enjoy together.
- Utilize leftovers, 40 percent of food in America is wasted annually according to Feeding America.
- Forget brand loyalty. Consumer Reports found over the years, a wide variety of store brands are just as good as name brands. You can also save an average of 25 percent.
- Try a different grocery store and compare prices.
- Check unit prices (price per ounce or pound) when you see an item on sale, to determine if it is really a deal.
- Visit the grocery store as little as possible. Most people end up with one or two extra products they didn’t plan on purchasing when going to the store.
“You can successfully cut your food bill without sacrificing your health, says Buck, of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance agency. “Some changes could actually benefit your overall health more than your pocketbook.”
- Meal prep, cooking meals ahead of time and freezing them will prepare you for the week and could reduce a fast food stop.
- Limit alcohol, having more in the cabinet could cause you to drink more.
- Grow your own produce or regularly used herbs.
- Spend time in the kitchen. Making your own snacks and keeping fruit on hand is healthier and can save you money on prepackage snack foods.
- Buy in-season produce or purchase it frozen. Check out this seasonal produce guide.
- Scale down dinner. Dinner does not have to be a four course meal, keep it light with salad and sandwiches.
- Reduce portion sizes, try using a smaller plate or bowl.
- Eat less meat, try going vegetarian a couple of nights a week.
- Don’t shop hungry or your shopping trip will be filled with foods to satisfy your current cravings.
Agents at GreatFlorida Insurance can help you find an affordable homeowners insurance policy to protect your investment.
