| By :
Molly Wider
If we only didn't have to eat at all, we could put a big chunk of change in the bank, and save ourselves a lot of time, too. But until we can get by without food at all, we can sure cut back on our expenses with a few money saving tips and a bit of frugal spending. First, what's in your fridge already? Knowing what's there can help you save money by not buying duplicates and building meals around what you've already got at home. It's often the strangest things in the cupboard that don't get eaten-so go online and google pears-in-light-syrup and almonds and see what dinner items you might come up with. Then buy the complimentary ingredients and poof!-stewed pears in white wine. Serve it with sautéed asparagus with toasted almonds and a bit of tenderloin. Yum. Put a price cap on your groceries. Don't allow yourself to spend whatever you want. Determine a reasonable amount for your groceries-some estimates suggest about $40 per week per person. That will vary depending on where you live, of course, but it's a good starting point. If you limit the money you spend, and track your spending as you shop, you can make cheaper choices so you don't exceed what you allocate. Price shop. Local corner stores compete with the big boys with at least one item that's cheaper every week. Go in and get it-bananas at five cents a pound? You bet. Just don't get sucked into buying anything else there-hit the big superstores where the cheapest prices and best selections can generally be found. Look for no-name brands, and look down. It's a war for aisle space in the supermarkets, and the losers get stuck on the lower shelves. That's a win for you, of course, because now you know where to look for the cheapest prices and best bargains. So keep your eyes on your toes, and your nose to the floor. Eat before you hit the supermarket. This might be a golden rule of food shopping. Never go to the grocery store hungry. Not only will you eat your way through the store, you're much more likely to veer off your shopping list, overbuy on everything, and splurge on items your starving tummy is crying out for. So be sure to eat your Wheaties before you shop. Use a shopping list. This will not only save you money at the store, but it will also save you money because you'll know what you're eating every day of the week. This helps avoid last minute impulse buys and pre-made dinners like pizza on your way home after work. It may even help your waistline because fast foods or instant foods are almost always higher calories than what you prepare from scratch at home. Leave the kids at home. Taking kids to a shopping mart is the quintessential recipe for disaster-and overspending. And supermarkets know it. Every isle is filled with teaser items that just scream for little hands to reach out and touch, play, or eat, especially at the checkout counter. Leave the kids at home. Only a few changes to your grocery-buying habits can result in huge savings at the supermarket that can add more mileage to your budget.
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