Cutting Calories and Coin: How to Lower Your Food Budget

Though inflation remains low, it seems prices are rising for many consumer items. This is especially true with the cost of food. Every time you turn around it seems like the price of your normal groceries keeps rising. This makes your blood pressure escalate as well when you try to find ways to increase your food budget without taking away from other important items. Good thing there are some easy fixes to lower both your blood pressure and the money spent on groceries. Below are a few of them.

Buy in Bulk

Whether you have a big family or live solo, buying in bulk can save money weeks or months after the initial purchase. The simplest way to do this is sign up for a membership at a warehouse store like BJ’s, Costco, or Sam’s Club. Once the initial investment is made to join, you can stock up on everything from toilet paper to pork chops. The only caveat to this suggestion is not to buy any quickly perishable items. In other words, don’t purchase ten pounds of chicken breast if you don’t have the capacity to freeze them.

If you don’t feel a membership at a warehouse store is worth your investment, you can buy in bulk at your local supermarket with a good set of coupons, the weekly circular, and a bit of research and patience. With the right combination of coupons and sales you can purchase a number of the same items for a lower price. It’s best to confirm the supermarket’s policies on coupon usage and doubling before making the purchases.

Join a Co-op

There are many advantages to joining a food co-op if there is one in your area. First, prices may be the same or lower for many items. Second, what is sold at the co-op is determined by the community members. Third, many of the foods are natural and from local manufacturers, which means healthier and organic items that are better for you. In many cases the only payment to join a food co-op is volunteered time. Nevertheless, make sure you speak with a co-op representative to make sure there aren’t any additional fees.

Grow Your Own

A resurgence of home gardens began during the Great Recession and had grown even as the economy improved. Needing a small investment for seeds and tools and a bit of patience to water and weed, planting a garden is the least expensive way to generate fruit, vegetables, and numerous spices such as parsley and basil. You don’t even need a large plot of land in order to plant – a space as small as 100 square feet yields numerous vegetable and fruit varieties throughout the growing season. By canning and freezing what is produced, your harvest can last throughout the year.