Keep Your Grocery Bill Low & Still Eat Healthy
There’s a common — and unfortunate — belief that healthy eating costs too much money to be sustainable. That an entire paycheck is required to foot the bill for a diet made up of real, whole foods.
Well, I’m here to tell you that eating healthy is totally attainable, millionaire or not. Here are some of my favorite tips to keep your grocery bill low and even save money on your meals.
1. Track your spending (Work from a List and Stick to It; Set aside a specific amount of money you’re willing to spend on food for the week. Withdraw that amount and store it in an envelope.
2. Run a “kitchen sweep” (Know your Inventory; Every once in a while, I hold a “kitchen sweep” week. I don’t buy groceries, instead using up what I have left in my kitchen)
3. Buy in bulk (Stores often have great deals on buying foods like grains, nuts, legumes and spices in bulk)
4. Shop the sales (Pay attention to sales, local deals and coupons, and take advantage when you’re able. Stock up when non-perishables are cheaper so you have them on hand for later use. Meats, herbs, fruits and vegetables often freeze well)
5. Buy frozen (It’s OK to by Flash Frozen Fruits & Veggies; Not only is frozen produce often less expensive than fresh, it’s often flash frozen to retain more nutrients than fresh fruit or veggies would)
6. Plan your meals (Before you do your weekly grocery shopping, make a plan for the week. By thinking ahead to what you’re going to cook for each meal, you’re way more likely to stick to only the ingredients you need and not spend money on unnecessary items and impulse buys. Take stock of what you already have on hand so you’re only buying exactly what you need)