Joan Hanson, test kitchen director for Hormel Foods, offers a few ways families can gain control over their food budget. By implementing these simple strategies today, families can save money in the long run.
- Reduce your supermarket stops. One of the most common financial mistakes when shopping is impulse buying, which can create havoc on your food budget. By limiting visits to the supermarket, you reduce this possibility and are forced to plan ahead.
- Create a meal menu. Plan your meals for the week, and concentrate on only buying items that you need.
- Build a budget. When you get home from the grocery store, multiply your bill by four and you will have a fairly accurate estimate of your monthly food costs. Stay within this price range every time you go grocery shopping.
- Search for sales. Check the Sunday paper or in-store fliers each week to stay informed of the sale items.
- Lavish your leftovers. Creating multiple meals from a dish saves a tremendous amount of money and shopping time. For leftover recipe ideas, check out www.HormelFoodsRecipes.com.