Keeping Control of Your Food Budget - Money Saving Advice

Let's face it, food is expensive but you have to eat to live.  I have been often asked how to eat well on say $50 a week for a family of four.  People seem to be under the impression that it's not doable but I disagree when the question is posed to me.  The most common mistake people make is putting a dollar limit on their food budget with no additional planning after that.  It's impossible to stick to any budget without a plan.  For instance, we all have some idea of what our electricity bill will be and how to lower it by turning off lights, making sure the clothes washer and dishwashers are doing only full loads.  We know how to keep control over phone bills by calling when rates are lower and talking less.   Your food shopping budget is no different.  It requires a plan just like your other expenses.  It just isn't possible to create a plan after you shop, it must be done before.  

Any special dietary requirements aside, let's take a look what is needed in order to come up with a workable meal plan on a budget:

MEATS:

Think of meat more as an ingredient rather than a main individual course.  Casseroles and soups come to mind immediately with this idea.  I'm not talking about a box of Hamburger Helper.  I'm talking about making your own casseroles.  Having a box of Hamburger Helper in the pantry is something I recommend to keep on hand for busy nights but as a staple in your diet, no.  Casseroles and good soups can be made in the evening for dinner with leftovers for lunch the next day.  They are double duty meals and that's very important in your meal and food shopping plan.  Anytime you can get two or more meals out of one is a great way to stretch out your food and your food dollars.

With meat as a main ingredient, you can still stretch it out quite nicely.  If you are making a whole chicken for Sunday dinner, use leftovers for chicken salad for lunch the next day or a chicken casserole or soup in the same week.  For a nice meatloaf, you can do sandwiches the next day or use the leftover meatloaf in chili or spaghetti sauce.