Tips for Cutting Food Costs

The floods in Iowa will have devastating consequences for the rest of the country with regard to corn production; and with the loss of corn - along with the increasing gas prices - there will be more rises in food costs - especially those that contain corn. Just think about all of the food products that are affected: popcorn, corn on the cob, kernel corn, Fritos, tortilla chips, tacos, tostado shells, corn oil, corn muffins, and cornmeal.

Following these tips can save not only your food, but also the contents of your wallet.

Start being pro-active by stocking up on corn products now. Pay particular attention to items that have a longer expiration date like canned corn.

Take advantage of supermarket sales when they occur, and buy in bulk when it comes to non-perishables - especially canned goods.

Make the food you have last longer. You've probably seen the commercials for Debbie Meyer's Green Bags and thought it was an annoying infomercial, but these little bags could actually make produce last twice as long, which will be a big help when trying to save money.

Grow your own food. It not only saves money, but you know it's fresh if you grow it in your own garden. If you don't have a backyard don't worry, you can buy windowsill plants that will produce herbs, fruits and vegetables. Growing your own food is a great activity that everyone in the household can participate in, and it will encourage you to eat more healthily.

Share. If you dine out at a restaurant, you'll know that the portion sizes are extremely large in America, so consider ordering one dish and sharing it.

Knowing the portion sizes are going to be large when you eat out means you can plan ahead. Order something that you can easily re-heat and have for dinner the next day.

Eat like a kid. Restaurants often have a children's menu that has smaller portion sizes, but it doesn't hurt to ask the waiter if you can order from the children's menu. If they won't let you, then ask for a half portion from the adult menu. It will save you money and you won't be tempted to eat more than you should.