Budgeting is difficult, but it's even more challenging during times of inflation. When everything costs more, but you're still making the same amount of money, you must prioritize taking care of your family's basic needs above all else. Inflation has been hitting families hard, especially when it comes to groceries. But making the right choices can help keep you fed while keeping costs down.
Above all, try to make healthy choices as much as possible. As long as you're smart with your shopping strategies, you may be able to fight against inflation while still feeding your family well. We've put together a list of ways to help you stay on budget with your groceries.
More from CafeMom: The Best Foods to Pack for Healthy Lunches and Snacks
Plan Meals
When you plan your meals out, you'll ensure you only buy enough food for what you and your family will eat — and it shouldn't go to waste. You won't buy whatever you see to fill up your pantry and fridge because you'll have an exact idea of the meals you want to make for the week.
Families that plan out their meals can save money, but they're also healthier than families who don't plan out their meals. You can even plan healthy lunches and cook them in batches for your whole family.
Track Spending Habits
It’s no secret that food prices have been skyrocketing lately. In one study, individuals reported spending 50% more on groceries in 2022 compared to 2021, as well as 45% more on fast food. In 2023, grocery prices are expected to rise even more, with eggs and butter among the worst offenders.
While you might not want to look at the damage on your grocery receipt every week, it’s important to know what your biggest expenses are. You might not even realize which items have increased in price dramatically. You don’t have to give up eggs and butter entirely, but you can be more cautious about which brands you buy or keep an eye out for coupons for those higher priced items.
More from CafeMom: 12 Money Management Apps Every Family Can Use
Analyze the Household's Needs
When you have children, food is always a top priority in your house. Whether it’s planning meals for picky eaters or having after-school snacks readily available, your grocery list is likely to be long each week. While you can’t sacrifice too much when it comes to feeding your family, you can take some time to evaluate what you actually need.
If you buy bananas every week but they go untouched, it's time to give up the fight and focus on foods your kids actually eat. Diversifying their diet is great, but you don’t want to waste money on food that’s going to rot on the counter. Take note of what gets eaten to be more realistic when you go shopping.
Eliminate Food Delivery Services
Sometimes, it feels all too easy to sit on the couch and order something from an app and have it delivered right to your front door. For less effort, you pay more in fees — which can set your budget back significantly if you're not careful about your spending.
Whenever you don't want to cook, aim to leave the house to pick up your food. The extra effort might convince you to cook after all — if it doesn't, you still won't have to pay the delivery fees.
Know How to Use Coupons Effectively
Coupons can seem like a hassle to sort through each week, but it’s often worth the effort. As previously mentioned, you can look for coupons for items like eggs and butter to help bring down the cost of items most impacted by inflation.
Be cautious of what the coupons require, though. Sometimes, you might only get a discount if you buy items in bulk. If you don’t need as much as the coupon requires, don’t waste your money for $2 off.
Look Into a Meal Kit
Compare how much you spend on a week's worth of groceries to how much a meal kit would cost your household. Purchasing a subscription that allows you to make wholesome meals with simple ingredients might be more effective. You may even spend less time cooking with this option.
Meal kits aren’t always the most cost-effective option, so they will only work for some households. Families of two or three might benefit more than a family of four or more.
More from CafeMom: Mom-Approved: HelloFresh Simplifies Family Dinners Every Night
Factor Treats Into the Budget
If you restrict yourself too much, you'll only want to buy more — being too frugal could be a detriment to your family in the long run. It's OK to allow yourself to spend a little extra as a treat. If you cook six of your family dinners at home, you might choose for your family to go out to a restaurant one night a week.
Since 2020, about 1 in every 6 restaurants has closed down due to the pandemic. If you have family-owned restaurants in your town, make sure to support them. When you and your household go out to eat, consider getting food from a local restaurant rather than a chain.
