I suck at grocery shopping. How can I feed a family of 4 on a tight budget?

Question

There's 2 adults and a 4 y/o and 5 y/o. Every week when I buy groceries, I always end up spending $130-150! That is too much imo.

Any tips for saving on my grocery bill?

Thanks!

Answer 1

well  you could get them home bake meals  that would work

Answer 2

Do you have a discount card? Most grocery stores will give you one when you register yourself, it saves you about 30% each time.

Make a list, and only get what you need, nothing else.

Buy the store brand, it's cheaper, but you also have to give up quality.

If you go later at night things tend to be cheaper.

Check out the managers special, they save you a lot!

Only buy as much as you can eat, or else the rest can go to waste.

Don't bring any credit cards, only bring 100 dollars (or how ever much it is you plan on spending) in cash so you don't go over.

Good luck!

Answer 3

this is just like my family! lol...

try this:

1. Make a list INCLUDING the estimated cost of each food.

2. Bring the exact amt of cash, and make a little extra for ice cream if u want.

3. Shopping when hungry is a no-no.

4. Do not be tempted to use that cred card. You'll likely to overspend.

5. Ignore ur kids' pleas for special food(choc/sweets etc) no matter what n stick to ur lists(works w my mom)

6. Instead of going to hypermarkets/supermarkets on each month to to buy groceries, go to small shops/mart/sundry shop/market once a week and buy the essentials only. less likely to overspend!

Answer 4

lot"s of raein noodle"s ?

Answer 5

All answers are good, but I'd like to point out a few considerations:

1)  Often pre-made meals are more expensive and VERY HIGH in sodium.

2) Ramen noodles are high in saturated fat.  Quick, cheap, and easy but BAD for you.

3)  $130/week for a family of four is actually a good start.

4) Look for and compare the cost/use.  Some stores show the price per ounce or something like that.  Compare those values, but make sure that it is a fair comparison.  (Comparing the cost/ounce of laundry detergent is meaningless if one brand uses half the amount of the other.)

Wal-Mart or Shop4Less (like a warehouse) or even Sam's (our $40 annual membership paid off in 2 weeks) are good places to get discount food.  I've found that some store brand foods are actually better for you--and cheaper!

Good Luck!

William

http://dealchalet.com

Answer 6

Check out The Grocery Game.com. it costs a little money but if you actually use it, it will save hundreds!

Answer 7

I don't  have kids but I'd assume your bill is a bit high for having children that young.  Then again I suspect you're purchasing prepackaged little snacks small children like to eat and that can add up.

If your kids are sticklers for brand name cereals I suggest being sneaky and refilling the cereal box with the popular cartoon bee, tigers, or bears shown on the outide and fill the box with off brand cereals at nearly half the cost and twice the quantity.  That's how my mom did it.

I also suggest getting produce at farmers markets or fruitstands.  You can literally get better produce at a fraction of the supermarket price.

And don't purchase perishable foods at the large wholesale stores unless you know it'll be cooked and eatten within the next few days.  This little rule has reduced my grocery bill by at least a 3rd.

There's a great yahoo group called "Pantry Challenge".  They have all kinds of cheap recipes, but the healthfulness of some post dishes can be a bit sketchy..