Thursday, July 24, 2014
By Barbara Pronin
Cutting coupons and shopping sales are good ways to save on groceries – and since the average U.S. household spends more than $4,000 a year on food, saving money is a worthwhile goal.
But if you’re willing to plan a bit, and expend a little effort, Money Talks consumer expert Stacy Johnson suggests 10 relatively easy ways to slash your monthly food spend:
- Try generic – Store-labeled boxed and canned foods can save you up to 50 percent over famous-name counterparts. Some are better than the originals, others not so much. Try them to see which work for you.
- Shop top and bottom shelves – Manufacturers pay for eye-level display. Bargains on similar products are often available if you scan the top and bottom shelves.
- Seek other sources – Take time to check out discount retailers and local farmer’s markets to see how the savings add up. A package of romaine lettuce hearts for a buck at the 99 Cents store is half the price you’ll find at most supermarkets.
- Plan meals around the ads – Use the bargains trumpeted in the market circular each week as the basis for family meals – and shop strictly from a list.
- Make your own – Homemade cookies, sauces or jams made from cheap summer fruits taste better than many you can buy. Take advantage of seasonal bargains. Cook. Freeze. Enjoy.
- Slice and dice it yourself – Buy the whole pineapple on sale for two bucks or the cut-up container for nearly twice that? You will reap big savings by cutting up chickens, grating cheese, and cleaning veggies on your own.
- Plan for leftovers – Buying meats and other foods in larger quantities is often cheaper than buying small packages. Cook more than you need at one time and freeze leftovers for a second dinner or several lunches.
- Substitute cheaper ingredients – A recipe may call for expensive gruyere, but a cheaper Swiss cheese will probably do. Check out The Cook’s Thesaurus or online sources for food substitutions that work.
- Save free condiments – Those take-out packets of mustard, ketchup and soy sauce can save you money if you save and use them.
- Cut down on bottled water – Unless the water from your faucet is not fit to drink, bottle it and keep it in the fridge. Fill commuter cups or refill bottles as needed.
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