Many of us are looking at ways to save money and time, while remaining healthy - in an economic climate that is challenging at best. Entering the winter months is a time when more than the economic climate dictates how we shop and eat.
In a household of five, with different health and growth needs, finding ways to save is a daily mission. In my house, there are two adults, one teenager, one pre-teen, and an infant. Each member of our household has different nutritional needs, and fulfilling those needs is a priority. Maintaining a healthy budget is also a priority.
On the Internet there exist several articles and write-ups on various ways to shop frugally, and many of them are terrific. Here are some of the best of those tips in one place.
1. Coupons and generics
Coupons, used realistically and sparingly, help people save hundreds of dollars per year on a wide variety of products. There are people who save thousands of dollars even. Realistically, most of us do not have time to scour for each and every product we use, so the process becomes a catch-as-catch-can, and more hassle than it’s worth. There are stores like Kroger that aid in the process - my suggestion is shop around, and find out if stores in your locality offer an online no-clip, no-print option. Further, use coupons only for products you routinely use. Many coupon-clippers make the mistake of seeing the $1 off without checking to see if there is a generic that is less without the mark-down.
About generics. There exist between manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers reciprocity agreements that are mutually beneficial. Have you ever wondered why certain store brands or "generics" are packaged similarly to their corresponding name brand? The reason has to do with those reciprocity agreements that maximize profitability while extending the cost-savings to consumers. Wal-Mart, for example, has "Parents Choice" products in their infant food section. Read the label on the reverse of the formula container (if you feed your infant formula) and compare the nutritional content to Similac and Isomil. Then look at the prices. I was receiving $5 off coupons in the mail from both Similac and Isomil, but the costs of those products ranges between $22 and $25. The savings still did not come close to equating with the $11-12 Parents Choice brand. As the aforementioned Parents Choice link points out, you can get even further discounts directly from PBM Nutritionals. This is one of several examples.
Another sidebar suggestion here is to look at alternate cost-savings through places like BabyMint and UPromise where you might not see the savings right away, but you will see it in the long term. With these programs, read the fine print. UPromise has some state limitations and you have to stay within certain guidelines. Many people have complained that it’s a scam; it isn’t a scam, but there are very specific guidelines. Nothing is "free" - and we do live in a buyer-beware society. Make sure you know the details before you begin utilizing these programs.
2. List and stick-to-it-iveness
Make a running list during the week before you go to the grocery store. Specify quantity. From dental floss to kitty litter - include everything on that list. Of course there are going to be things that are forgotten, or things that are not on a "usual" list (between regular shopping trip items). However, by keeping a running list, and being specific, you can trim your regular grocery budget consistently. I learned about a family with an aging parent who is still mostly independent but needs assistance with groceries; their situation necessitated creativity, and they came up with a fantastic idea. Create a templated list of everything you buy on grocery trips. Every single product - from food to cleaning supplies to hygiene items. Put open checkboxes by each item. You can either maintain this list on your computer; or for those who prefer hard-copy, you can make blank copies of this. Throughout the week, add checkmarks of what you run out of or what you are running short on.
Stick to your list. This cannot be over-emphasized. Have you ever wondered about product placement on shelves? Or all of those products at the check-out line? The placement on shelves is based on shopping psychology; and those items at the checkout are cleverly arranged with the same ideas in mind as the product placements on the shelves. The target market for these things is impulse shoppers. All of the coupons and lists in the world will not help you save money if you undermine your own efforts by adding extras to your shopping cart that you do not need.
3. Eat before you shop
Going to the store hungry is a sure-fire way to blow your budget. Those impulse purchase items at the register? Yes, that is what all of those tempting candy bars and chips are there for - for you, the impulse shopper, who decided to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.
Another minor tip on this one, if at all possible, shop alone or only with another adult. There are two reasons for this. First, a practical reason - if you shop with another adult, you can exchange coupons (if, of course, you both use coupons). Second, children understandably lack adult impulse control, and most children like sweets. Even the most well-behaved child will try to tempt you to cave, with the sweetest smile and charming manners. A brand of emotional blackmail that all parents know and understand, which is in no way malicious, but just is the nature of a child. Understandably, shopping alone is not always, or even often possible. It is a suggestion, though, for those who are able.
4. Know your kitchen, know your space
This tip is a reality regardless of whether you have a household like mine, or if you live alone in a small studio apartment. Know your kitchen. Know its space and maximum capacities. An assessment of space and what you can realistically store in each space allows you to determine what you can and should put on your list - as well as what you cannot.
This is especially important with a refrigerator and freezer. I met a family once that had so much food in their refrigerator, I wondered how they kept track of all of it. While it might sound crazy, what had happened over time was they lost track of what all was in their refrigerator and freezer. So not only were they over-filling it, but they were also wasting food (and money) on the back-end by what had to be tossed out. I learned later that this is not as uncommon as I thought.
Knowing your space and what it can hold can aid you in maintaining an accurate inventory of what you have and what you lack. This will save you time and money at the grocery store, too.
5. Buy in bulk where you can and freeze
Alongside with knowing your space, know where you can maximize. Buying in bulk is an enormous cost-savings, especially for families. Routine paper items, like toilet paper, can be purchased at a significant discount.
Certain foods can also be purchased in bulk and frozen. Use proper care with freezing, of course. Freezer bags specifically designed for food extends the life of the product.
6. Cook large and freeze
Speaking of freezing, cook large. This is a tip for individuals and families that is a time and money saver. Whether you’re cooking chili, soup, pasta, casseroles, cook enough that you can freeze for a meal another day.
If freezing freshly cooked food is not something you prefer, then have a day designated for leftovers. A large pot of soup requires the same amount of preparation as a small pot. Go larger, and eat it another day also (in many cases, the second eating is even better after a day or two for the seasonings to blend).
7. Develop a steady meal routine
This tip is not for everyone, admittedly, but it is a great way to curb not only costs but calories. A weekly calendar noting what you are going to eat on a certain day of the week spares you a lot of last-minute "what do you want to eat tonight?" The importance of routine and structure is known to be a stress reducer, particularly in a house with children.
In my house, there are rarely any surprises on the menu. However, dinner is never truly boring. There is a day designated for leftovers, and if there aren’t leftovers we enjoy the rare opportunity to pick up dinner from Firehouse Subs. We also have a designated pizza night (Friday). We do this in one of two ways. Either we purchase a deli pizza (Walmart’s deli pizza is really good), or we purchase the basic ingredients to make it, regardless of store. This is more healthy and affordable than ordering from pizza delivery outlets, and it’s an opportunity to have fun family time in the kitchen.
Two added benefits to this tip. First, it’s a great way to teach your children how to cook. At some point, they are going to leave the nest, and ideally they will strike out on their own with survival skills - one of which is cooking. Second, in my first tip I mentioned long-term savings through places like UPromise - Walmart is a participant, as is their bulk sister, Sam’s Club.
8. Brown-bagging
By brown-bagging, I’m referring to a couple of different things. Leftover Night is one way to extend the life of food. Brown-bagging leftovers is another option.
However, I’m also referring to kids’ school lunches. I am not suggesting that in-school menus are bad. Most are not. School lunches (despite many adults’ childhood nightmare stories of green hot dogs and crawling spaghetti) are designed anymore with health considerations in mind - to include salads and fresh fruits. That being said, with brown-bagged lunches, parents have a higher degree of control with what their children are consuming. This is particularly important with things like food allergies and other dietary considerations such as religiously based restrictions.
In terms of finance though, over a school year, more than $100 per child can realistically be saved.
9. Beef and pork
A couple of suggestions about food. First - meats. If you have the storage capacity, buy meats in bulk, and break them down into meal-sized portions. I enjoy a good steak as much as anyone, but I do not purchase them except for special occasions. My meat budget dropped instantly from that decision alone. For stew meat, another suggestion is to purchase a roast and chop it down yourself, since you will save on price per pound and the small mark-up related to preparation.
With ground meats, also buy in bulk and break it down. A 5-pound package of ground beef or ground chuck can easily be broken down for a variety of meal ideas. Use Saran or another separating plastic for easy access to just the amount needed.
10. Chicken
While the same suggestion of buying in bulk applies, this suggestion has a twist. You can save between $0.75 and $1.50 per pound on chicken by purchasing thighs instead of breasts. This is, of course, a matter of preference, because some folks prefer the flavor of light to dark poultry. For the cost-difference, though, it is a suggestion worth considering.
11. Turkey
During times when turkey is not peak-season to buy, you can get excellent deals on full birds. Take advantage of it. Buy the whole bird, and split it in half. Freeze the halves until ready to use. The variety of having turkey instead of chicken at other times of the year than "traditionally" done is a treat to the family, too.
12. Fish
Fresh fish is generally on the more expensive side, but watch for sales. Previously frozen fish is a good option if you are planning to have fish the night you buy it or the next night - prices are often slashed by half. One thing I take advantage of when the opportunity presents itself is the 10-filet bag of individually wrapped frozen tilapia. Because we eat fish one night per week, a single purchase of one of these packages can amount to two weeks’ worth of meals since each filet is individually wrapped.
13. Tobacco
For those who smoke (and I am a smoker), try to find a smoke shop in your area rather than purchasing cigarettes (and other tobacco products) at your local grocer. Consider lower-priced brands, too.
Even as a smoker, though, moral responsibility dictates that I point out quitting smoking not only benefits us as individuals health-wise, but also from an economic standpoint. With prices of name brand cigarettes upwards of $8 per pack in some places. Even if the average price is $5 per pack, a pack per day habit amounts to more than $150 per month, or $1,895 per year. Quitting can reduce your budget tremendously.
14. Alcohol
If alcohol is on your routine list, consider finding a liquor supplier, rather than going to the grocery. (This tip applies to states that do not have mandates state-operated outlets specifically.) Also, for wine drinkers, do not be afraid of the "Two-buck Chuck" type bottles.
As with tobacco products, minimizing or eliminating alcohol consumption on a regular basis is not only a matter of health, but is a great cost-saver.
15. Store cards and receipts
Finally, pay attention to your receipts. There are three different reasons for this. First, you know what you bought, and cashiers (like all of us) are human. Sometimes items get double-scanned. Places like Walmart do honor that, and return the money. Second, if you use store cards, your identifying number is one way the store tracks your shopping habits (they’re watching for buying trends). Often, coupons will be printed right on the receipt. Third, drawings for grocery sweepstakes can also be found on the receipts. They take only a couple of minutes of your time online to complete the surveys, and you can register for various store-based sweepstakes prizes. Bear in mind that some stores’ sweepstakes can put you in a position of receiving a lot of spam in your email inbox - but not all stores do. Before sharing your information, read the fine print.
In closing, a final thought that doesn’t fit into any of the above categories: For parents of infants and toddlers who wear diapers, during transitional periods from one side to another, if you have unopened packages, take them back to the store for an in-store credit for a larger size.
Happy shopping!
