Smart Food Shopping
It can be tricky to meal prep and stay within budget, but these tips will help you make the most of your money and food stamps.
Making a shopping list will help you only buy the food you need and budget how much you can afford.
Before making your list, budget how much you can spend.
Note what you already have to avoid wasting food.
Plan your meals at the beginning of the week. This way, you can eat leftovers and make sure to use all of the food you buy.
When meal planning, take into consideration when you will be able to make food.
Think of what you will eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Pre-packaged food is convenient, but it can be very expensive over time.
Buy in bulk whenever possible, as long as you know you will eat it before it goes bad.
For example, instead of buying one-serving snack packs, buy a bag of nuts, a block of cheese, and dried fruits to make them yourself! You will get a lot more food for how much you spend.
Buy cheap and healthy foods that do not expire quickly but will keep you full. Examples include
- Beans
- Lentils
- Nuts
- Brown rice
- Peanut butter
- Canned tuna
