Feed a family of six on a budget.
Feeding a family of six really challenges the pocketbook. If you have a large family, food takes up a significant portion of your budget. However, you can save money without sacrificing nutrition or taste. And you don't have to spend all your time cooking, either. Try these strategies to feed your family on a budget.
Instructions
1. Make a plan and shop for a week or more. Jean Chatzky, author of "Pay It Down," says that shopping each day wastes money as well as time. Plan your menu for the week, survey your pantry and write a shopping list. Then stick to it.
2. Save money with a price book.
Find the best stores for everything you buy. Amy Dacyczyn, author of "The Tightwad Gazette," suggests making a price book for items you use regularly. Over a period of a few weeks, visit each store in your area. Write the name of each store, the item and the price in your book. Then shop at the best stores at least once a month to stock up. Cookbook author Ellen Brown, author of "$3 Meals," recommends including dollar stores, farmer's markets and ethnic markets in your bargain-hunting.
3. Decide for yourself whether coupons are worthwhile for you. If you have the time, clip newspaper coupons and go online for others. Just be sure you are actually saving money.
4. Cook from scratch. Buy basic ingredients and prepare them at home. This does not take excess time if you cook bulk meals in advance. Do your own baking and freeze homemade baked goods as well.
5. Save on meat. Braise less-expensive cuts of meat until they are tender. Brown suggests buying whole chickens and cutting them up at home. Try traditional ethnic dishes that use only a little meat. Make vegetarian meals based on legumes and whole grains.
6. Stock up when the price is low. However, don't buy more than you can use.
7. Make your own convenience foods. Amy Dacyczyn provides recipes for mixes you can make yourself. Make large quantities to save time.
8. Use everything up. Don't throw away your celery ends and chicken bones. Ellen Brown shares stock recipes that save money and make your food taste better. Make your own soups and sauces.
9. Make cooking easier so you don't feel tempted to buy expensive prepared foods. Use your food processor and a slow cooker or two for large batches. Brown says you should cook only a few times a week. Get other family members to do their share of the cooking. If you plan ahead and use your resources properly, you can feed a family of six on a budget.
Tags: family budget, best stores, each store, Ellen Brown, price book, save money