Out of all the items people and families spend money on, food is the most essential. But with the cost of many foods rising, it can be tough for those on a budget to prepare healthy and delicious meals. Getting organized, being creative and learning about what foods are in season are some great ways to feed yourself or your entire family on a small budget.
For Families
A larger number of people to feed means that more planning is necessary to feed a family on a budget. Families can use many of the same strategies that couples can like menu planning, buying sale produce and being creative in the kitchen.
One advantage families have is that more people in the household means that you can buy in bulk to save money. Compare the unit prices of items in larger versus smaller packages and you will often find that larger packages are cheaper. Families can also Stock up on items when the price is low or there is a great coupon.
Here is a sample menu a family might use to eat for a day:
Breakfast: Home made pancakes topped with fresh fruit (More Brekfast Menu Ideas Here)
Lunch: Turkey and Melon sandwiches (make these when melons are in season because they can get pricey at other times) (More Lunch Menu Ideas Here)
Dinner: Bulgur and Lentil slow cooker dinner (Use your crock pot and have a healthy, filling and budget conscious dinner waiting for you in the evening)
Snack: Smoothies (Use in season fruit and yogurt)
For Couples
The first step is to start planning your shopping trips. Read the weekly sale flyers from your local grocery stores and visit local farmers markets to compare prices. Planning your menu for the week around what is on sale is the first step to saving money on groceries.
Buying local in season produce from the grocery store or a local market might also save you money on healthy fruits and vegetables. Being flexible and creative is also important. If a meat you are unfamiliar with is on sale, consider trying it out with a recipe you already like that you usually make with another kind of meat; you might be pleasantly surprised.
Some ideas for healthy and budget friendly meals:
Breakfast: Yogurt and fruit parfait (Use in season or on sale fruit)
Lunch: Chickpea Salad (Legumes like chickpeas are budget friendly and nutritious)
Dinner: Eggplant Parmesan (Make enough for four, rather than two, so you can eat leftovers for lunch the next day).
Snack: Vegetables and Hummus Dip
Saving money on groceries does not have to mean depriving yourself or your family. Eating on a budget can mean trying new foods and recipes you might not have tried otherwise. If you are creative and flexible, you might learn to love budget friendly eating.
