How to eat when you are broke
I have to admit that I love to grocery shop…yep I do. I hate to put everything away and I really, really hate to pay for groceries. Since last May, I have spent roughly $9,360.00 on groceries, my family of five averages $180.00 a week and we aren’t eating filet mignon either. I recently read an interesting article called “How to Eat When You are Broke.” The author, Liz Weston, provided some really good advice. Some of her suggestions included:
1. Cook once and eat twice- which means you can buy chicken breasts with the bone (sometimes cheaper) and when you get home, remove the bones then bake your chicken and use the bones to create a yummy soup.
2. Lentils are cheap, packed with protein and you can find tons of recipes online for them
3. Eat at home rather than grabbing fast food. A burger and fries at your favorite fast food place might seem pretty cheap at $5.00 but that same $5.00 could feed 2 people at home.
Here are some of the changes I made to curb my bill:
1. Create a list of the food you intend on eating for the week and buy only those things. I sit every Saturday morning and plan the menu for the week and yes, I spend a ton of money on food but this tip has helped me curb some of that extra spending that use to occur, like the fun looking cereal the kids want that is like $6.00 for a small box.
2. Don’t buy something if you have it at home. I won’t buy a new box of cereal, cookies or crackers until the stuff in the cabinet is gone.
3. Store brand is generally as good as the name brand.
4. Chicken thighs are cheaper and if cooked the right way they are totally yummier than breast meat. (my next blog will include a list of inexpensive, bunch of yummy recipes including those chicken thighs)
I think that most of us, who get tired of paying lots of money for the things we need, figure out a way to make it work. Please send us your tips about saving money. I just know there are a million ideas out there that can help all of us. Recipes are welcome too!
Good luck out there!
Liz Weston’s article: http://money.msn.com/saving-money/how-to-eat-when-you-are-really-broke-weston.aspx
