Times are hard and by all indications it’s going to be more difficult in the future. We have to save as much as we can these days. We might not notice it but the little things that we spend money on, which we forget about, can add up to a significant amount when added together. Another huge drain on the budget is the amount that we spend on food. While I agree with the view that we should never be stingy when it comes to the food that we buy for our family, it is also my view that we spend an extraordinary amount on food stuff that we don’t really need. The most effective way of saving some money when it comes to food is to come up a plan or a weekly budget.
I have known some families who are very strict when it comes to this budget and as far as I can tell their budget is very effective. From what I have seen from them, I know that it is perfectly possible for an average sized family to thrive on a $150 food budget per week. That might sound like a little low for you but believe me that when you know what to shop for, you can get real value for your money. Here are some examples of meals that you can use. These are inexpensive yet very filling.
1. A soup made from black beans paired with corn bread. You can use left over cornbread as a breakfast meal by mixing it with milk.
2. Fruits, and milk paired with oatmeal.
3. Burritos made from whole beans.
4. Your own veggie pizza recipe.
5. Omelets with vegetable pieces.
6. Casserole.
7. Roast chicken and potatoes. Leftover chicken can be used in a variety of ways and different meals.
8. Tuna sandwiches and any other type of sandwich that uses inexpensive meat.
9. Pancakes.
All of these meals are healthy and inexpensive to prepare. There’s nothing fancy about them but they offer variety which is an important factor in meal preparation. In order for your $150 food budget per week to work out you also have to follow some simple steps that can be very effective:
1. One of the most effective shopping practices that you can follow when shopping for food is to use coupons. Coupons can reduce the price of a product a considerable amount. You can download coupons from the Internet.
2. Make a habit out of using leftovers. A lot of food gets wasted when it doesn’t get eaten right away and is just thrown out. Study how you can use leftover food for preparing new dishes.
3. Refrain from dining out. Your $150 will not last for two days if you keep on eating out. Remember that it is always cheaper not to mention healthier to prepare your own food.
You don’t have to subsist on instant noodles and other instant meal treats that your dog won’t even smell. It is possible to live on a budget and still eat well, it’s just a matter of planning.