10 Tips on How to Make and Use a Grocery Budget

Times are tough for people all over the United States. Some people have had to let go of precious items to pay bills or get food on the table. But, what if there was a way to create an efficient budget for your grocery needs? Here's a few steps to get you started on your new food savings.

1.) List out everything you need.

And if you can, find out the price for it, and write it down next to it. Also, make sure to put how many of each item you need. Be sure, though, not to include anything you don't necessarily need. I found myself putting hairspray on my list the other day, and trust me, I don't need that right now.

2.) Math it up.

Add all the prices together, coming out with what you can expect to spend before taxes. If you want, add your respective tax to give you a better idea.

3.) Look at your income.

Take your bills, add them all up, then take the remaining amount and subtract the amount you anticipate to pay when you go shopping. That's how much you'll have left after your big necessities are out of the way.

4.) Pick a number out of your remainder to set as your limit.

I highly recommend taking into consideration any other big things you need to take care of (car repairs, unavoidable home improvements, etc.) before selecting this number. Keep it low if you've got any extra decisions that require your money. There's ways to stay in this low budget.

5.) When shopping, remember: expensive doesn't always mean better.

Speaking of ways to keep a low limit, there's usually a cheaper item you can get instead of the usual ones you purchase. Try to take this into consideration if you're picky. Also, maybe consider shopping a store that generally has lower prices.

6.) Bring your list when you shop.

And stick to the list. It'll tell you everything you need without buying extra. If you don't have it, you could think you need something, but it wasn't even on there to begin with.

7.) Stop sometimes to add up what you do and don't have.

You could easily have everything you need, yet are still on track. This can be very helpful when you have kids, who want sweets or things you don't have written down. It'll help you know if you can get a few extra treats, or if you need to head to checkout.

8.) Use what's in your pantry.

In between trips, get creative with what’s already sitting in your cabinets. It helps keep you from spending more money to make certain dishes. It all adds up at the end.

9.) When you get home, log how much you spent.

I also suggest to take note of the date you went shopping so you can spread your trips a little further out. It's also a good idea to take note of how much each thing you purchased costs. This can also help you in setting up future budgets. If you don't want to do every single item, then do the ones that you buy the most.

10.) It takes time.

It literally took me three months to effectively stay on budget. It can be hard, but it's completely doable. So if you go over for the first few trips, it's okay. It's just a matter of staying vigilant with it and consulting your list. Eventually, you'll learn what can wait for the next trip, and what you can make stretch until then.

Just remember, a small budget is better than no budget. Make your money and your groceries last. Hope this helps!

Thank you.