*Make A Grocery List And Cook On a Budget. This post includes my affiliate link.
Are you familiar with that cruel feeling that sneaks up while shopping in a grocery store? We have all been there before, little money but we have to eat! That is usually us, around the end of the month! That is the worst time for us! How about you?
That frustrating realization that you are not financially flexible to afford most things that are on display at the grocery store. But you aren’t alone! Many people feel the same way. Grocery shopping can be very difficult especially if you’re on a tight budget. Nonetheless, eating a good meal, when you want it, and how you want it is achievable even on a budget.
I usually try to do some budgeting throughout the month and save money so that the end of the month is not so hard for us, but sometimes the inevitable happens and I have to use the money I saved for something else :/ I have several tips for you below, for why you should make a grocery list and cook on a budget. I hope it helps someone out!
Make A Grocery List And Cook On a Budget
Plan Your Budget! This is so so so important! Nothing is worse than going to the grocery store and not having enough money! Efficiency is key when your income is not aligned with your enormous grocery and cooking needs.
To fully get the best out of what you have, it is advisable to have a witty budget for your cooking. Having this budget will help you make better decisions in accordance with your income and what types of foods you can afford.
Plan Your Meals! This is also VERY important! Meal planning should be something every family does. I know I need to do more of this and when I DO do it, I can really make meals last and my money! Make a grocery list too!
In situations where you are in-between having the best meal and not going broke, it is only rational that you have a designated time for you to plan what you want to eat throughout the week. Having this session on a Sunday is the day most people do this so that you don’t have to do it over the weekdays – when you are so busy!
Make A Grocery List! This is also very important. I can’t tell you how many times I have made a grocery list only to leave it on my counter at home! Ugh. Those times suck because I end up getting only half of the things I really needed and I forget the other half :/
No circumstance should make you go to a grocery store without having a clearly defined list. Not having that grocery list to follow is capable of making you impulse buy food you don’t need! You don’t want to make the wrong call during grocery shopping. Make a grocery list!
Cook With The Seasons! This is a helpful way to plan your meals and get food for cheaper because the food is in season. This is one way to have the best meals without breaking the bank. When you plan your meal in a way that you eat what is attainable during a particular season, you not only get efficiency for your money, you also get to feel the great taste of freshness at the same time. Seasonal groceries are mostly sold in the local farmer’s market.
Don’t Go Hungry! This is a HUGE no no! I have done this before (MANY times to count!) and it never ends up good. I end up buying SO much food that I did not have on my list AND I always go over my budget! NOT GOOD!
Walking into a grocery store with an empty stomach will tempt you to spend on snacks and junk foods that weren’t on your grocery list. I recommend eating a meal or filling snack before you decide to walk into any grocery store. You will see the difference in the quality of the choices you make. If you are a particularly busy person, you can do some grocery shopping with mercato.com.
Don’t Waste Any Food! I know this is much easier said than done, but try not to waste food! Eat leftovers before starting another meal for your family. We do a lot of freezing of leftovers, (if you are able to freeze them) and eat them a week later. It is like a whole new meal!
It’s common to throw some portion of food away but you could save so much by investing in a small deep freezer. It can be used to stock up the chicken, pork and beef that could have found their way to the waste bin. Moreover, identify the aging produce and cook them before they reach their expiration date.
Think Outside The Box! When it comes to cooking, there are a million ways to create a good meal for your family. It doesn’t have to be the same old every week.
Cooking a yummy meal on a budget also allows you to be creative and gives you a willingness to experiment. There are many food channels on the web that teach people how to mix different cheap recipes together and still have a delicious outcome. So, make up your mind to try something new. It could turn out to be fun and you can get your kids involved too!
Do you make a grocery list when you go shopping? What tips do you have to share?
Buddy Garrett says
I love all of the great tips. Meal planning and shopping with a list are important. We compare sales at several stores and plan our grocery shopping and meal planning around what is on sale.
Eileen Boyce says
I need a shopping list because I forget things.
donna porter says
I do make a shopping list because it makes the process so much easier. I also recommend others to use coupons and watch for sales. It really does save me money. I must admit it has gotten harder to find good high end coupons these days.
DEBIJOT says
I always make a grocery list. I plan my meals around my stockpile. Using circulars and coupons – I stock up on sale items to have on hand – that way I do not have to make an extra run to the grocery store.
Rachel says
I definitely need to make a shopping list it would makes shopping a whole lot easier
kathy pease says
No I don’t make a list but I should because I usally always end up forgetting to pick up something.
Linda K says
I like to take advantage of mobile coupons and making a grocery list is the only way to make sure you don’t miss out on coupons. I don’t buy it unless its on sale or have a coupon.
Felicia Lockamy says
Thank you for all the tips on how to make a single working moms life easier
Nicole Lancaster says
Great info. I always make a list and pre -prepare meals to eat later during the week since once school starts , it gets so busy.
Katrina Weiss says
Keep a list of things you need throughout the week, and then before going shopping reorganize the list putting like things together and noting things you have coupons for.
Cassandra D says
With grocery shopping, I like to use the coupons and digital coupons on my card and any reward points that I have saved up over time to get the best deals that are available at the time.
Lyndsey R. says
Great information. I usually go with a list and add all sorts of items that are on sale. I always overspend.
Beverly Johnson says
I’ve used all of these tips at one time or another through the years. The most helpful is to make sure you have the list with you and don’t go hungry! The worst thing I can do is take my husband and granddaughter with me. They get me all discombobulated. LOL
Diane M Gooding says
I’m thinking I’m the worst shopper in the world. I run for one or two items several times a week. And when I do make a list…. once in a blue moon…..I write down things like bread and milk, but I just wing it with meals. I need to develop better habits
Marilyn Nawara says
I make a list and am pretty good at sticking to it — allow myself to pick up one of two goodies that aren’t on the list.
monique s says
I use a list but it is the yummy treats I see while shopping that end up spoiling my budget
Rhonda Rudd says
I always use a list when I go grocery shopping. I use an app on my phone,
janetfaye says
I try to make a list every time I go shopping. This helps me to buy only items that I need and not impulse shop.
Angela Saver says
Great tips! I always make a list or I forget things we need. I also try to shop the sales and plan my menu around what is on sale.
Julie Waldron says
I’m pretty good at making a grocery list and I try to plan my meals around what’s on sale. That is when I do meal planning. I am horrible at it!
vickie couturier says
i freeze leftovers and my husband takes it for lunch at work the next day and by then time he is ready to warm it up ,its thawed out
Laura says
Good information! Meal planning is so important. I try to meal plan and always make grocery lists before shopping.
Patty Wright says
I always take a shopping list with me to the store.
gloria patterson says
A lot of good information here. I make my list of my cell phone, and when I think of something or something is empty. I don’t really plan meals it is just me, but I do plan to make one big meal ever couple of weeks. Like chili or soup or spaghetti and sauce. I keep out what I will eat for 2 meals then freeze the rest. I freeze in pint freezer bags, labeled & dated lay flat on a cookie sheet when frozen remove cookie sheet. Makes storing in freezer easier.
Melissa O says
Affording groceries is definitely something I struggle with. I try to utilize coupons as much as I can. I have gotten tired of throwing away food after no one (except me) eats leftovers! So I have started freezing food.
One of my favorite and inexpensive things to cook are casseroles! Throw some cheese, meat, sour cream, soup and tater tots in a dish and I am a happy lady.
Christy DuBois says
Grocery shopping is not one of the task k enjoy doing but it has to be done. I agree completely on your suggestions. Making a list preferably from meal planning helps a lot. Then don’t do like me and take your list but lay it down while you are shopping to grab an item then realize it 2 rows over and go back and it’s gone. And going grocery shopping as you said is a big no for me. I will check out the website you named also.
Susan Gillam says
I’m so bad about making a list before I go shopping and when I do, I always forget it at home. I need to get better at this for sure.
Mia Rose says
I agree that meal planning and not wasting food goes a long way to staying within budget. We try to use what we buy.
Darcy Koch says
I am a very careful grocery shopper. I always have a list. I check out the circulars and plan meals around what is on sale. I admit there are times I go over my budget a little, but overall I pride myself on how I manage my shopping.