It’s easy to save money on holiday groceries, and still provide your family with hearty, healthy meals.
Discover how to save money on groceries in just a few minutes with these handy tips from Title Tree. We’ll show you how to make the best choices for your family and budget, so that you all feel satisfied without breaking the bank. Eating healthier foods is a hidden benefit, and that’s a trend you can keep going into the New Year to take care of several resolutions at once.
Start saving money on your holiday groceries today:
Save at the grocery store when you purchase the right cooking supplies.
Sometimes the easiest way to save money begins with spending your money on the right things. People who spend the most on food are the ones who eat out the most. If you have family visiting for the holidays, you’re especially likely to let McDonald’s do your cooking for your regular meals. Those burgers really add up. Instead, prepare ahead of time by purchasing a few handy kitchen items you can use to make affordable meals big enough for many people.
Cut your grocery bill just by switching your gadgets.
Crockpots, stockpots, roasters and large baking dishes will make it easy for you to cook from home, and now is the perfect time to buy them. Department stores and big box stores alike have these items on big discount during the holidays for exactly this reason. If you don’t have them already, you’ll also want mixing bowls, a hand mixer, reusable melamine plates and plenty of silverware. While these items can be used for your big holiday meal, they’ll also allow you to stretch the rest of your food dollars throughout the season.
Try out new (cheap) recipes and save on groceries.
For example, recipes compiled by The Simple Dollar site are cheap, easy and filling. Sticking to simple recipes is best when you first start, both to keep your motivation going and because complicated recipes increase your chances of your groceries winding up in the garbage. You might want to cook a small batch first to ensure you’re investing in meals your family will enjoy or at least consume without too much complaint.
Homemade food cuts grocery bills.
Replace prepackaged favorites with less expensive homemade varieties. Sadly, we live in a world where preservative-packed, prepackaged foods often cost less than fresh ingredients. However, there are a few exceptions, and they give you plenty of opportunities to save. Bread, pasta sauce, yogurt and baby food are just a few examples. You can even make your own carbonated beverages, and all it takes is yeast.
Choose new kitchen equipment wisely.
You may find kitchen devices capable of making these jobs faster or easier. These items aren’t necessary, but if you use them a lot they’ll wind up paying for themselves over time. Unfortunately, making these purchases before you know whether your family will eat homemade bread and other items could wind up being a big waste of money. Make sure you try out a few recipes first before buying non-essential equipment.
Build weekly menus around grocery store specials.
Most grocery stores have one or two items each week priced especially low to draw in new business. Find out when your favorite shops update their prices, and keep an eye out for their weekly deals. Then, build a menu around those items, and get to the store in time to stock up. Many items can also be frozen and stored for a later date, so don’t be afraid to buy in bulk.
Aren’t sure what a particular deal might be used for? Use apps to benefit your grocery budget. Epicurious is available for free on iTunes and online; FridgeCheck (free for Android) helps you find recipes based on sale items plus what you already have on hand; and FreshBox ($1.99 on iTunes) helps you use all your food before it goes bad.
We hope these tips will help you save money on groceries. If you need help before then, we’re able to assist you in that as well.
Visit your nearest Title Tree store for more tips on spending less – or if you need a little help making ends meet right about now.