Grocery Shopping for two is what you need to do with the cost of food on the rise all the time
Here are some tips to help you plan how you’re going to save money and still eat the way you like to. Sometimes you have to look at the packaging in a different way.
Let’s start with planning
If you’re shopping for two, it’s not always easy to get variety without the danger of letting food go to waste. However, if you plan your grocery shopping ahead of time and take advantage of the following in-store tips, you’ll see it’s possible to be efficient and get exactly what you want.
Stock Your Pantry with Essentials
It can seem expensive, but stocking your pantry with the essentials will help you eat less packaged food and in the long run, save you plenty of money. Having essentials like flour, sugar, oils, herbs, spices, baking soda, baking powder, butter and so forth makes it easy to put together a meal.
If you’re on a budget and need to stock your pantry slowly, add one or two of these types of items each time you shop. Soon you’ll find you have the ingredients to whip together great meals at ease. A great example is Spices getting one per shopping trip will keep your budget in check.
Keep an Ongoing List
Write down important items (for example, eggs, jam, milk, bread) as soon as you notice you’re running low. If you don’t write it down right away, you’ll probably forget while you’re in the grocery store.
I have a spread sheet that I list all of the normal items we use; it helps keep me from impulse shopping, more about this latter.
Plan Your Meals
It may sound tedious, but if you know what you’re eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, it’s much easier to get the right amount of food and stay within your budget. Sometimes the budget isn’t as important as the storage space. Planning your meals helps with not ending up with a ton of leftovers and not over eating.
Check Local Flyers and Websites
Before you make your list, check local flyers and store websites for specials and coupons. Knowing what’s on special before you get there helps ensure you don’t make extra purchases and go over your budget. Yes you can save a lot over the year by doing this. It is a habit I am always working on
Make a Categorized and Itemized List Before You Go
Check your fridge, freezer and pantry and put together your list. Having a list is important because it keeps you from buying items you already have and from forgetting items you actually need. You can also put the precise quantities you need of each item, so that you don’t let unused food spoil and you can afford to get more variety.
Get the Butcher to Cut Your Meat
In the meat department, ask to have large meats cut into smaller portions. If that beautiful looking rib eye roast is just too large, let them know how big you’d like it. Many grocery stores also include a “smaller portions” section that you can take advantage of. Of course, if there is meat on special, you can buy the larger portion and freeze what you don’t use. Just remember to use it.
Freeze Extras
Sometimes it’s worthwhile to buy larger quantities to save money. Plus, it saves you time because you have extra food on hand when you need it. Whether it’s meat, baked goods, vegetables or fruits, divide them into usable portions before you freeze them. That way, you don’t have to defrost more than you need.
It’s Your Money and Your Health
Planning ahead always makes for a more successful shopping trip whether you are trying to save money or eat more healthfully. While it may feel like a lot of time is involved at first, it becomes second nature and easier each and every time. So get out the flyers, your favourite recipes, paper and a pen. It’s time to get started.