Betr On A Budget

Betr on a Budget

Make a Meal Plan: planning out your meals for the week will help you know exactly what you need to buy and make sure it fits within your budget.

Check Your Fridge/Pantry: Before heading to the store, take stock of what you already have. This will prevent you from buying duplicate items.

Determine Where to Shop: Farmers Markets sometimes offer lower prices than grocery stores. The produce is fresher, and you’ll be supporting local farmers too! Look for grocery stores that offer sales/coupons or have a rewards program you can sign up for to receive discounts. 

Some things to look for while shopping to save money:

Frozen fruit and veggies--Frozen produce has the same nutritional quality as fresh and can last longer since fresh produce can lose its nutrients quickly. Frozen produce not only lasts longer but is usually cheaper, too! Just ensure there are no added sugars or excessive sodium.

Low-cost proteins--Vegetarian/vegan proteins are usually sold at a lower cost than animal proteins. Some cheaper protein sources to look for would be chickpeas, lentils, eggs, and cottage cheese. If you want animal protein, some cuts to look for that are cheaper are chicken thighs, flank steak, chuck steak, sirloin steak, whole chicken, or ground meat or poultry.

Buy produce in season-- when produce is in season, there is a lot the grocer can sell, meaning it is usually sold at a lower cost and is at its peak for taste and nutrition! (To put level 1 produce in season)

Spring (March to May):

• Fruits: Strawberries
• Vegetables: Asparagus, radishes, spinach, lettuces, spring onions, celery

Summer (June to August):

• Fruits: Blueberries, avocados
• Vegetables: Cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes, green beans, okra, basil, kale, chard, celery

Fall (September to November):

• Fruits: Apples
• Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, fennel

Winter (December to February):

• Fruits: Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons)
• Vegetables: Cabbage, kale, onions, fennel

Buy in bulk what you need. Buying in bulk can help save money in the long run. However, it is most effective to bulk-buy foods you will use often rather than sparingly. 

Don’t Shop While Hungry: Shopping when hungry can lead to impulse buys. Try to go grocery shopping after a meal or snack. 

At home

Cook in Batches: Prepare larger portions of meals and freeze leftovers. This reduces the need for frequent cooking and prevents food waste.

Grow Your Own Produce: Consider growing some of your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs. This can be a fun activity for the whole family!

Limit Dining Out and Takeout: Eating out or ordering food is generally more expensive than cooking at home. Cooking at home will help you save money and stay on track since you can control what ingredients go in your meal and how it is prepared.