Do you need a food budget that works? Getting a realistic handle on what you spend versus what you need means spending a little time going over your expenses and available income. Check out these tips to help you create a food budget that works for you and your family.
Know How Much You Spend
Do you how much you spend on food? Creating a food budget that works starts with knowing your expenditures. If you still have receipts from the last month, grab them and look them over. If not, then you will need to try to remember how much you spent for food last month.
When figuring out how much you spend, don’t forget to include eating out and buying a snack or a drink here and there. All of those items should be included in your food budget.
Know How Much You Need
Before it’s time to go grocery shopping, sort through your pantry freezer to get an idea of what you already have. Write a create inventory of everything you already have on hand before you decide what you need to add to your supplies.
Break It All Down
Instead of creating a food budget that is a large amount for one month, figure out how much you need to spend each week. Breaking your budget down into a weekly budget will help you fine tune the expenditures and result in food that will be eaten instead of taking up space on a shelf in your home.
Create Menus
Don’t go grocery shopping haphazardly. Make the time to create menus and meal plans for every week. Create a menu for each meal for the coming week then look at your current inventory to determine what you need to buy to finish out the meals. Don’t forget to include lunches and snacks that need to be taken to work or school as well as special treats (like a dessert once or twice a week) for your family.
Always Shop With a List
Shopping from the hip results in coming home with things you don’t need and forgetting to buy things you do need. Use the menus you’ve created to make up your shopping list.
Know Current Prices
Knowing the current prices of things can help you plan your budget for your shopping trips. When you make out your shopping list, write the approximate prices of each item on the list. This will help you stay on track with your budget. Use sale ads from the Sunday newspaper to help you with prices. Keeping track of the prices can help you decide upon your budget amount then rearrange your list so it fits your budget. {Check out the Favado App to help you find the best deals.}
Keep in mind that your food budget will require adjustment here and there. Prices fluctuate and you may have more funds available to spend on different weeks. Save your receipts and use them to help you make adjustments and allowances.
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