While taking back in a lowes build and grow can net you a new skill or hobby, but how about trying your hand in cooking instead? That is something that I wished I had more of a passion for, otherwise I wouldn’t have spent countless dollars on carryout in my single days and always opting to go out to eat with the family if we are short on time during the week. The food budget can be a significant portion of the monthly expenses, but it doesn’t have to be quite as high as you think.
Avoid Going Out to Eat
Sure, it’s great to stop for coffee and a bagel in the morning, grab lunch at the cafeteria at work, and stop for dinner on the way home, after all, someone cooks and cleans up afterwards, but is the cost worth it? If you take a look at last month’s credit or debit card statement to see what you spent on food, you could be surprised. Even if you can cut back to only getting appetizers when you go out after eaten before you left the house, that would save you some, but it’s going grocery shopping that will really help.
The Grocery Store is Your Friend
It certainly can be overwhelming to go in the grocery store, but just think about the money savings, let alone dropping a few quick pounds by eating healthier options. If you can do a little meal prep at home you can have your breakfast ready for the car ride into work, even have your coffee already brewed and ready, lunch packed, dinner ingredients, and even a healthy late-night snack. Sure, it will take a little extra work and light cooking, but it will be worth it.
Never Leave Without a List (or an Empty Stomach)
You always hear of those that go into the store for a gallon of milk and eggs and come out with a whole shopping cart full of groceries. It can be easy to do, especially if you’re not prepared. Going in without a list leaves you open to the risk of impulse purchases so it’s a good idea to take stock of your refrigerator and pantry before you go, even trying to categorize the list so it’s easier to maneuver through the aisles looking only for your listed items. Everything can look good when you’re hungry, so try and eat before you go. Your wallet will thank you.
Know When to Shop
If you’ve been to the grocery store on the weekend or even right after work during the week, the parking lot is full and the aisles are packed. While you can save your sanity by going shopping mid-week after dinner, you can also find additional sales during that time that you wouldn’t see on the weekend, after all, why would the grocery store have to put additional items on sale when there will already be a crowd anyways. No matter when you go, take a look for digital coupons that you can load directly to your shopper’s card to save additional at the register.