5 Strategies to Feed a Big Family on a Budget

big family food budget

Saving money takes an enormous amount of forethought, but it’s not impossible. During holiday times, a lot of families begin to tighten their spending so they don’t experience any financial hardships. These kinds of things can cause a lot of stress for people who are trying to raise their family in peace, but it doesn’t take that much to shave some cash off your food bills. Here are some easy ways to feed a big family on a budget.

Make a Plan

The first step towards achieving your money saving goals would be to have a plan. Planning your meals allows you to be able to calculate the costs of everything. Once you know how much it costs, you decided which ingredients are essential, and those that can be left out. Now that you have a plan, you can also do your shopping accordingly. It might also be a good time to find out when you’re going to use that blank can of meat.

Buy in Bulk When Possible

When you buy in bulk, there’s usually a reduced price for the items. Many perishable items are easily frozen without ruining them. You can then divide the food up so that it can be cooked more easily. Ideally, use portions so you only make what you need with few leftovers.

Get It All in One Trip

Be sure not to forget the total cost of a shopping trip. Making multiple stops and trips adds driving, parking and checkout times not to mention the headaches if bringing along small passengers. If you make sure to get all of the things you need in one trip, then you’ll save time and spend less money on gas.

Buy Food to Go with Ingredients You Already Have

Basically everyone has things around their house that they simply refuse to eat. Instead of letting it continue to sit there, try getting some ingredients that you can put with it for a new meal. The less food you waste, the more money you will have.

Put Away Your Plastic

When you use cash to pay for food, it’s easier to keep track of how much money is actually going out. The convenience of being able to go to the store can make you feel less attachment to the money you make. Getting cash cuts spending back a bit.