Mommy Needs Chocolate

How To Cut Down On The Monthly Grocery Budget

Finance

This post may contain affiliate links, read our Disclosure Policy for more information.

In our family the shopping budget is usually our largest expense of the month. I’m very financially savvy when it comes to money so this makes me particularly uncomfortable.  

I’m always trying to find new ways to better manage the family finance.

Although you can never have a “0” budget for groceries because then you would probably be dead from starvation. 

You can, in fact, reduce your overall grocery budget just by following these simples steps that I use all the time for our family.

1. Break down your budget

This for me works a treat in our family.  It’s easy to get lost in your monthly budget and then as you get to the end of the month you find that you only have a small fraction of your budget left over.

I find it helpful to break my monthly grocery budget down into weekly sections this way I feel as though I have better control over what I am spending.

monthly grocery budget

***Please note that this site uses affiliate links.  If you would like to read the legal stuff, you can do so here

2. Never shop on an empty stomach

This should go without saying really.  I know I have certainly been guilty of it on several occasions.

There have been times I have gone to the supermarket famished and suddenly all the cakes, chocolates and fizzy pop start speaking to my subconscious.  

It usually ends up being a battle of the wills, my stomachs will against my brains will.  Sadly the stomach usually wins.

If you succumb to this temptation sadly your grocery budget will take a massive hit.  

The worst part of this is that those cakes won’t even fill you for long and before you know it you’ll be looking for something else to eat again.

3. Meal plan ahead of time

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!  Make a list of which foods your family will eat through the week to make sure you have all the ingredients to hand.  

Remember if you fail to do this you will have to go shopping again on another occasion to pick up the forgotten items and I can almost guarantee you, you won’t walk out with just the one item!

Poof! There goes your budget.  You can also try to alternate and make budget meals one day and more “jazzy” meals on another day.  

Another great thing you can do is to repurpose meals.

For example, if you have leftover chicken from the night before turn it into a chicken salad or sandwiches for lunch.

Be adventurous!

How To Cut Down On The Monthly Grocery Budget | Saving money for your family | Budgeting Plans #budgeting #savingmoney #finance #family #savingonfood

4. Cut back on unhealthy foods

Right here is my Achilles heel.  I’m a grab it and go type person so I like to grab things that are quick and easy.  

Don’t tell my children but i’m quite partial to a piece of chocolate when I’m hungry.  

I will never admit that to my children whom I always tell that chocolate is not food.

These high sugar content items tend to lift you up for a moment then drop you down like a lead balloon afterward.  

Eating more healthy will ensure that hunger is kept at bay  for longer periods and will stop you from raiding the fridge at every opportunity.  

In the long run, unhealthy foods tend to cost more over time as they are short-lived as bodily nutrients.[mailerlite_form form_id=2]

5. Hunt down grocery deals in the supermarket

This I am a genius at!

Hey credit where credit is due and all that.  It’s no secret that my husband would rather do a stack load of dishes rather than go grocery shopping with me.  

I love to hunt down deals in the supermarket.  I’m always on the look out for buy one get one free or half price on this or that.  

I love the challenge of finding the most cost-effective item.  I will boldly get out my calculator to make sure I am getting a good deal on the offer.

My husband, on the other hand, would rather walk into the shop see the item on the shelf, pick it up then leave.  

Nooooo!  

Don’t be like my husband.  Needless to say I do all the shopping in our family.

These offers can save you huge amounts on your grocery budget if you do it the right way.

6. Use discount vouchers

Always be on the look out for vouchers.  

Sometimes the supermarket will hand out newspapers at the end of your shop that will give you discounts on certain food items the next time you go shopping.  

Cut these out and keep them in your purse.

Make sure you understand the terms on these vouchers too as they can sometimes be a little tricky.  

Sometimes they require you to purchase it along side something else or perhaps it may have a very short expiry date.

Either way just understand the terms and conditions of the voucher before you get to the till so you don’t get any nasty surprises.

How To Cut Down On The Monthly Grocery Budget | Saving money for your family | Budgeting Plans #budgeting #savingmoney #finance #family #savingonfood

7. Always have a shopping list

I can’t begin to tell you how important this is.  Without a shopping list you could literally be buying anything and forgetting everything all at the same time.

Having a well prepared shopping list will keep you on track for what you really do need at home in the cupboards.

8. Bulk buy some things

Bulk buying items is a great way to make future savings but there is a very fine line here because if you over bulk buy you run the risk of then having cash flow problems in your budget.  It’s a very fine line so tread with caution.

9. Make juices a special treat

Who doesn’t love juices?  Juices are great but they can be very expensive especially if you are trying to cut down your grocery budget.

Opt for drinking water instead and make juices a special treat.  Water is much healthier too so its kind of a win win situation really.

10.  Shop online if you can

Shopping online is great because there is less opportunity to window shop.

Besides, you can’t get the smell of the freshly baked cakes over the internet connection meaning that you have much less chance of impulse buying.

You can get your items delivered by your local supermarket or if you are desperate for some items amazon prime is great for quick delivery of essentials.

Amazon can even offer you a free 30 day trial.

Do you have any other great tips for reducing your grocery budget? I would love to hear them!

Related Posts:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  21. froleprotrem says

    I like this web blog very much, Its a real nice billet to read and incur information. “‘Taint’t worthwhile to wear a day all out before it comes.” by Sarah Orne Jewett.

  47. Addiction Treatment Centers says

    Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. But just imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could certainly be one of the very best in its niche. Superb blog!

  115. clomiphene says

    Is clomid sunrise approved by way of the FDA? Clomid is a simplified stamp standing and monicker throughout generic clomiphene citrate. The U.S. Eats and Stimulant Application (FDA) approved this voiced fertility medication concerning speak in women who are powerless to be proper pregnant. It affects the hormone ponder within the density and promotes ovulation. The FDA approved Clomid exclusively after throw away in women.

  122. doctorhims.com says

    At what age does a throw stop getting hard. The most routine sexual problem in men as they ripen is erectile dysfunction how to get online viagra prescription consultation best rated. In common, the younger a man is, the preferably his earthy r“le drive be. Helter-skelter 40% of men are mannered on erectile dysfunction at age 40, and more 70% of men are affected away get viagra without seeing a doctor viagra without a doctor prescription paypal past the perpetually they turn 70.

  144. viagrakurka.com says

    Does caffeine attack sildenafil. when does viagra go generic, caffeine has a eager strike on the cardiovascular method during causing increased callousness gait and blood straits which results in increased cardiac output. So theblood proceed to theliver pass on lengthen, and the metabolism of cheap female viagra viagra pills in manifestness of caffeine may inflate because of this heighten in blood flow.

  148. buy cialis overnight delivery says

    How much does tadalafil 20 mg cost. Generic tadalafil is during the course of 50% cheaper than brand-name where to buy cialis canada. Compared to the trade name, which can fetch between $350 and $1700 as a replacement for 30 tablets depending on their resoluteness, online cialis prescription costs between $100 and $600 for 30 tablets. Not too bad.

  162. asmr https://0mniartist.tumblr.com says

    5 stars
    Unquestionably imagine that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to take note of.

    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while
    people think about worries that they just do not understand about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as outlined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be again to get more. Thanks asmr 0mniartist

  166. http://www.fokuszpalyazat.hu/ says

    What i do not realize is in fact how you are not really a lot more well-favored than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, produced me individually consider it from so many various angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated until it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. All the time maintain it up!

  170. 0mniartist says

    1 star
    Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am visiting this website dailly and obtain nice facts from here daily.
    asmr 0mniartist

  185. j.mp says

    1 star
    Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
    It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much
    the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
    0mniartist asmr

  186. http://j.mp says

    3 stars
    Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol asmr 0mniartist

  225. why gamefly says

    3 stars
    We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with helpful information to work
    on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community might
    be thankful to you.

  228. asmr it says

    4 stars
    I’m not sure where you are getting your information,
    but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.

    Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for
    this information for my mission.

  230. with asmr says

    4 stars
    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to
    be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad
    for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  231. asmr why says

    5 stars
    Great site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like
    yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you!

    Take care!!

  232. houses for sale coeur d' alene says

    Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  248. my gamefly says

    5 stars
    Great web site you have here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours
    these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you!
    Take care!!

  250. this asmr says

    4 stars
    Wow! Finally I got a webpage from where I be capable of actually
    obtain helpful information regarding my study and knowledge.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.