Feeding a Family of 5 on $300 a month

First, I am committed to the health and well-being of my family!  I don’t believe in sacrificing taste or nutrition!  We are a single income family, so I am also committed to using ALL of my resources in the best possible way–and that requires effort on my part.  I believe that part of my “job” as a stay-at-home mom is to ensure that I am spending our money wisely.

I have been doing this for almost 20 years (since I first got married), so I have really perfected what works for my family.  Not every suggestion will work for every family–use what you can, file the rest for later, as your life changes, so do your needs. 

I think the first step to saving time and money in the kitchen is to throw out all of your preconceived ideas about cooking and shopping that are holding you back from trying something new.  Too many of us are locked in the notion that we have to be faithful to our “favorite” grocery store.  Trust me, your grocery store is only concerned with making a profit and will employ any technique possible to keep you shopping there!  Very rarely are you going to find a single store with the best possible prices on every item that you need. 

I think it is also helpful to get rid of a sense of “entitlement” within your family.  Just because your family loves mangos and they are healthy does not mean you always “have” to have them.  If they are running $2 lb instead of $.79 lb is this really the best use of your money?  Instead, try something new like maybe the kiwi on sale for $.59 lb, who knows, your family may have a new favorite! 


Below is an excerpt from my book ShortCut Cooking with some of my best shopping strategies:  
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Shopping Strategies 
  
-How to get the most out of your money! 

-Start a price book and keep track of what is the best price on items you most commonly buy. Knowing your prices is your biggest asset to saving money! Prices can vary depending on where you live, so know what is the best price on an item in your area. 

-Always check the ads! Try planning your meals around what is on sale. If it is convenient, stop at more than one store to get the best deals. (note: if you live in a rural area, this is not always practical- work with what you have!)  

-Buy as much as possible on sale!  

-Consider buying generic or off brands unless there is a name brand that you just can’t live without. Most of the time I will buy whatever is on sale or the best price, but there are a few items that I cannot find an off brand I like, my theory is that I am saving enough on everything else that my budget can afford a few splurges, and I still try to buy on sale.  

-Use coupons (if inclined). I personally do not use coupons and still manage to keep my grocery budget low. I am not opposed to coupons and know people who do amazing things with coupons, I just don’t find many coupons for the items I need and feel that they take up more time than I am willing to spend. If you are using coupons, be sure to know the store policy. Some stores will allow you to use a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon, doubling your savings! Look on the internet for more coupon tips, tricks and ideas.
  
-Buy bulk when possible and practical. Warehouse stores are a great source for case prices on meat that often cannot be beat by store sale prices. If a case is too much meat for your family, consider splitting with a friend. Be careful to check prices, just because something is in a large container, does not make it cheaper!
  
-Shop Farmers Markets and Pick-Your-Own farms for great deals on fruits and vegetables. Often towards the end of the day, you can get great deals because the farmer does not want to haul it back home. A lot of farms allow you to pick your own produce which can often offer a savings over store bought produce. Just be sure you have a plan for all the excess produce that you purchase, if you throw it out, it is not a bargain. 

-Shop discount grocery stores. There are some great bargains and everyday prices to be found at certain discount stores. Again, knowing your best price can let you know what items to stock up on.
  
-Shop in out-of-the-way or non-traditional stores. Sometimes the local discount store, dollar store or even big box store can yield the greatest deals. 
I don’t necessarily go out of my way to shop in these stores, but if I happen to be in one and spot a deal I will stock up. I once found spaghetti noodles on a clearance rack in a discount store for $0.11 a box because they had changed the packaging. Needless to say, my $2.20 investment lasted my family 6 months! 

-Shop restaurant supply houses for bargains on large quantities and cookware. Because they supply restaurants the containers seem to be bigger than at the store, but can yield some great bargains. Also, check the clearance racks.  

-Shop online retailers. There are some amazing bargains to be had in cyberspace. Beware of shipping costs, which can often negate the initial bargain. Watch for free or flat rate shipping. Because many online retailers do not have the expense of a large staff or building, they can offer up some BIG savings. If there are minimum orders, try splitting packages and expenses with a couple of friends.  

-Consider joining a food co-op. A food co-op can offer some big savings, especially on natural and organic ingredients that may be hard to find in other places. Some co-ops might have a work requirement, so you need to consider the benefits versus time spent. I buy most of my flour, sugar, oats, and grain through a local co-op and the prices cannot be beat. Before you join, ask to see a price list or catalog and be sure that it will benefit your family. Be aware of joining fees and upcharges when you are making your decision.  


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For more information, check out the Shortcut Cooking tab on the top of the page.