As a Low income family of 4, staying on a budget for food is essential. I have tried and failed many a time, but I think I finally have an effective system, which I will now pass onto you. As a mommy with a very busy schedule I know the temptations of fast food, but I am hear to tell you NO MORE! It has probably been about 6 months now since being strongly convicted not only by the amount of money that we were wasted in buying fast food but the mentality and example I was teaching my kids. I found that anytime I went out all my kids would think about or ask for was chicken nugget and french fries. What had I taught my kids? Well for one they started becoming very selective eaters and second I was aiding my kids into becoming obese adults. Since my epiphany I have created a new system for grocery shopping and some helpful tips for staying on Budget.
1) Create a Food Budget. Mine for our family of 4 is $200 a month
2) Create a Monthly meal plan Calender. I Bought a Giant $4 Calendar from Walmart and attached magnets to the back of it a stuck it to our Refrigerator for everyone to view. This allows my Husband and I to be on the same page as far as events going on in our life as well as keep me on track and aware of what our daily meal plan is going to be.
3) Go into the grocery store with a WRITTEN grocery list and stick to it!
4) You need to Create constants ei: Friday Nights are always Pizza Night, Mondays are meatless Monday etc.
5) Design your Meal plan to keep you and your family intrigued in what the are eating. If you always eating the same old same then you and your family will both get bored with what you are making and it increases the likely hood of you grabbing fast food and spending more then budgeted.
6) Keep goodies/snacks in the car. This keeps you from being tempted to stop as you pass one food place to anther on the road.
7) Make Things from scratch. Its always better for you and cheaper, and you tend to get more for money.
8) Don't be afraid to make larger amounts of food at a time. You can always just freeze leftovers or use them for lunches.
9) Last but not least Send your hubby/yourself off with breakfast and lunch. I can not tell you how important it is for our bodies to have breakfast it kick starts our metabolism and keeps you from starving and over doing it at lunch time, when your most likely to go out to eat and spend unnecessary money.
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