Everyone needs one thing—to stretch out the food budget and be a lot wiser when Tampa shopping for food. However, with so many tips coming from the internet and your friends and even the in-house newsletter of the grocery store, you may be hard-pressed to find what tips actually work for you.
It’s for you to figure out what would work best for you. It all depends on your lifestyle, your diet, your budget, and your time (if it allows you to cook food at all or simply open up a can and pop it in the microwave oven). Pick among these lists which tips are perfect for you. Mix them up and apply them accordingly.
Make a list
Check your pantry and your fridge for what you don’t have. Make a list of everything you need according to the meals you plan to make for the week. Try not to buy vegetables for dishes you’ll cook five days after you do your shopping. They will easily rot and if they do, it’s a waste of money.
Plan a weekly menu
The best way to stick within a budget is to plan every meal you plan to serve for a week or two. Make your list according to this weekly menu.
Have a budget
Don’t go to a store without one because you will likely overspend. Try to stick to the limit you have set for yourself, so that you won’t have to go home feeling sluggish for spending too much.
Don’t shop when hungry
Hunger makes us do all sorts of crazy things like buy junk food and other items we don’t need or even want. Shop when you’re full and not craving for anything.
Do a rough tally
Your phone has a calculator. Use it to tally the items you already put inside your cart. That way, you won’t be surprised once the cashier told you the total amount.
Stock quick and easy meals
There’s nothing wrong with storing ready-to-eat meals, those you pop in the microwave for a quick fix. Buy just enough for a couple of days when you’re likely to be too busy to cook.
Buy in bulk
When it makes sense, buy in bulk. Most of the time, you can buy your toiletries in bulk because these don’t go bad easily.
Buy frozen vegetables
Fresh veggies are great but they go stale easily. Invest instead in frozen veggies, so you can whip a dish only when you have the time for it. The problem with having fresh veggies in your fridge is that you might be forced to cook when you don’t have the time.
Cut back on meat
It’s very simple. Meat is expensive. There’s an upside to this: you’ll lose weight and eat healthier.
Use coupons
Don’t be embarrassed about using coupons. Everybody does it. Even millionaires like Warren Buffet uses coupons to save money.