This rule is one that we all have heard before, but it bears repeating. When you are hungry, your will power is diminished and you will be tempted to buy things you really don’t need. Areas of particular danger are the bakery aisle and snack section. The best time to go shopping is in the morning, after having eaten breakfast, or later in the evening, after dinner.
8. Avoid Pre-Packaged or Convenience Food Items
There is no question that we are all busy people, juggling work, home, school, and other activities. But while it is tempting to grab a stack of frozen dinners or an all-in-one boxed meal, these convenience items can destroy your food budget. Preparing food from scratch takes a bit more time, but the savings are well worth the effort. In addition, prepared foods contain more salts, fats and calories than their homemade counterparts.
For the price of one prepared container of mashed potatoes, for example, you could buy ten pounds of raw potatoes that would feed your family for a month. One box of prepared cold salad mix costs as much as two boxes of macaroni that would generate four or five big bowls of pasta salad. It makes no monetary sense to spend more for less!
9. Buy Store Brands
Don’t turn up your nose at store branded items. In many cases, these items are made in the same plants as name brands and simply labeled differently. On items such as canned soups, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and snacks, the savings can be significant. If you are convinced that name brands are better, experiment a bit, buying one can of a store brand item to try it out first. You won’t save money if you stock up on a store brand item and then discover that you really don’t like it.