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We could save a fortune each month if we didn’t need to buy groceries. Unfortunately, that is not an option. Well all need to eat. Therefore, shopping for food is a necessity. While there isn’t a whole lot that we can do to avoid this expense there is plenty that we can do to save money every time we shop.

Here are just a few tips to help you get started on your grocery shopping budget.

1) Plan your menus: Whether you shop weekly, biweekly or monthly having your menus planned in advance will help you save both time and money. Check your pantry for items on the list that you already have. This will cut down on the unnecessary expense of purchasing an item you don’t need.

2) Keep your pantry organized: Organizing your pantry and checking expiration dates will help determine what you have and what you need to put on your shopping list.

3) Stick to your list: Be sure everything you need is on your list and stick to it. The only exception to this is if you find an unadvertised sale for items that you normally use.

4) Use coupons: Combining grocery coupons with weekly sales can really help you save money. Swap coupons with family or friends to save even more money.

5) Go vegan: One or two meatless dishes a week not only saves money, but helps you get your recommended daily allowance of vegetables.

6) Buy in bulk: Stock up on big packs of meat and poultry and divide into meal size portions to freeze.

7) Be creative with leftovers: You can save a ton of money by eating leftovers. To keep them from becoming mundane, find creative ways to prepare them a second time.

Cook for a month: There are several cookbooks that specialize in cooking in bulk. Set aside one or two days each month to prepare extra meals. Package these meals in freezer bags or air tight containers and store them in the freezer. This will save you money as well as much of your valuable time.

By using some or all of these tips you will definitely see a big difference in your budget each month. Start putting the money you save in the bank or use it to pay off your other debt.