Food costs are a large part of anyone's budget, so keeping those costs in check is a priority for those with limited budgets. Following a few simple steps will make your meal nutritionally complete and financially responsible. Here are some tips for keeping your food budget in line.
Instructions
1. Take stock of what you have. Always go through what you have on hand before going to the grocery store. This will eliminate overbuying and possibly wasting money on spoiled food.
2. Avoid eating out. Big busters are dine-in restaurant costs, take-out and . A meal for even a small family at a fast food restaurant can top the 20 dollar mark when you add up all the extras. Keep your money in your pocket and get much better nutrition by fixing a quick sandwich at home.
3. Freeze meals. You'll be less tempted to grab the local pizza joint's menu if you have a ready-to-bake meal in the freezer when you don't feel like cooking. For convenience sake, make the meal complete by adding your protein, vegetables and a grain, such as couscous, in the same dish. Make sure to add extra water to cook the grain.
4. Grow your own produce. Here is where the big savings come in if you can perfect the art of growing food from seed. The start up costs are far less than the value of the food you will produce from your own garden.
5. Make your own baked goods to lower food costs. Baking bread is easier than you might think, and you can freeze the bread dough you make, then just take it out in the morning to thaw and rise. By evening it will be ready to bake and you'll have fresh bread without all those preservatives and additives you find in store-bought bread.
Tags: fast food, food budget, what have