How to Save Money on Meat and Bread
Money Saving Ideas for Groceries that are Essential
Nov 29, 2008
Parents facing tough times may be forced to cut back spending on groceries for their families. A shrinking grocery budget does not mean that kids can’t have the food they need for good health. Follow these tips to save money on groceries without giving up what is important for kids.
Save More Money on Meat
Some people simply cannot stand this idea, but it is a great way to feed a family on a tight budget when meat is needed. Consider going to the grocery store and hoping to buy chicken breast for $1.99 per pound. Upon arrival the chicken breast is $1.65 but it has to be used or frozen in the next day or two.
That is exactly what happens when buying reduced-price meat: The meat is on sale but it must be used. If the grocery store did not mark the meat down it would be offered at full price until it had to be discarded. The sell by date is not required and it is not a safety date. It is safe to use reduced-price meat as long as its appearance is of good quality and it has been properly handled. It can be frozen immediately and used at a later date.
Pay attention to see if meat is typically marked down on a certain day of the week after a large shipment arrives or if there is a large number of packages with the same sell by date. It may be worthwhile to check back later in the week.
Save Money on Groceries with Markdowns
Pasta, beans and bread are easy ways to stretch a meal further. When kids get tired of buttered noodles or picky eaters will not eat beans, turn to bread to supplement the meal. Look for marked down bread items in the grocery store to use to add on to dinner. A package of marked down rolls or loaf of French bread may add just enough to make a full meal.
Reduced bread can also be used for lunch sandwiches. There are often many different types of bread marked down so it is possible to add variety instead of serving the same item until the family is bored. Bread freezes very well so it can be frozen if the entire package or loaf can’t be eaten before it goes stale.
Money Saving Tips for Meat and Bread
The freezer is the biggest tool to help save money on groceries like meat and bread. That’s because the most important rule for saving money on groceries is to make sure there is no waste. Pouring out spoiled milk, unused vegetables or spoiled meat is like throwing money in the trash.
For this reason, any item that can be frozen or divided into individual portions is a blessing to a family trying to keep food on the table. Portion out enough food for dinner from the large serving package and only use that unless more is needed.
Anticipate leftovers for another dinner and plan on using them. Or use leftovers as a warm lunch for children at home during the day. Freeze anything that cannot be eaten immediately and have a mix-and-match dinner once or twice a month.
Parents facing tough decisions about money don’t need to eliminate meat and bread from their children’s diets. Being flexible and using the freezer can really make a difference in grocery bills. Eliminating paper products from the kitchen and saving money on milk and vegetables can also free up more money for the essentials.
 |
