KBID 570 Date Created: 4/3/2003 Date Modified: 8/22/2023
Before you head to the store, keep in mind your family's needs.
What does my family like?
How many of us will be eating?
What do the kids or older people need?
How much money did I budget for food purchases?
Will we be eating away from home, so that I should buy less food?
Will friends and relatives come over for meals?
Plan the menus for your family meals.
Your family needs and tastes
Good nutritious foods
Variety of foods keeping in mind texture, color, flavor, and temperature
Consider wise use of leftovers.
Weekly specials and seasonal food, such as fruits and vegetables.
A shopping list can save time and help control your spending.
Keep paper and pencil in the kitchen. You can write down things you need when you think of them.
If you prefer, create a digital list on your mobile phone.
Organize the list the same way the grocery store sections are laid out. You will save time and avoid forgetting items when you shop.
Look at the newspaper and/or grocery store apps for sales and coupons.
Be sure to check your cupboards and refrigerator before heading out.
Use these tips to get you through the grocery store without going broke:
Join rewards and loyalty programs at your favorite stores.
Buy a Sunday newspaper to get the coupon inserts.
Eat before shopping for food. Hungry people tend to buy more food than they planned on.
Know the current prices of the foods you buy most often.
Set a grocery budget and stick with it.
Buy the amount of food that fits your family's needs and your storage space.
Buy larger sizes of items that won't spoil. It may be cheaper.
Buy the quality and size of food that fits how you will use it.
Prices of different brands.
Cost of frozen, canned, fresh, and dried items of the same food.
Number of servings in each food package.
Prices at different stores.
Prices of similar foods.
Larger packages versus two smaller ones of the same product to get the better value.
The cost of convenience foods vs. the cost of making it from scratch.