Stretching out your benefits from the food stamp program can be quite a challenge. However, following a proper food cost savings plan can help you cut down on grocery costs. Here are some useful tips on how to extend your budget:
Substitute expensive ingredients – Meat is probably the favorite filler for most people. Unfortunately, meat is also expensive, so it’s best to minimize your meat intake. You can try adding potatoes, mushrooms or carrots in meals that require a large quantity of meat. Some households even practice more extreme measures, such as going meatless once or twice a week. During these times, legumes, beans and lentils are used as meat substitutes.
Avoid canned or boxed items – It’s easy to pick up ready-made salsa in the grocery. However, it’s also easy to prepare salsa on your own, and it will cost you much less.
Always look at the price per ounce – Many assume that the bigger box is always “cheaper.” Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Always look at the unit price per ounce (by dividing the price by the number of ounces) to be sure. Bring a calculator when you do your groceries, if needed.
Buy products with minimal preparation and processing – A bone-in chicken preparation always cost less than the boneless kind.
Look down – In the grocery, items that are more expensive are usually at eye level. If you want to scour for cheaper buys, try looking at the lower shelves.
Settle for private labels – Private labels in your grocery cost much less than branded items.
Go green – Some stores offer you small discounts when you reuse their BYO bags.
Sign up on the box at the right for food stamp application guidelines, contact information for your state plus other sources of financial help available in your city.
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