Nov 22, 2008 10:45 pm US/Eastern
Simple Steps To Help Save 20% On You Food Budget
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
These days the grocery bill can take a major bite out of the family budget, and loading up for Thanksgiving will cost even more. "Oh, probably a quarter of my money goes to food," one shopper told us.
"You have to watch what you spend every week," said another.
Now some shoppers are finding help in an unusual place -- the grocery store. Stop & Shop is offering affordable food summits at stores across New England to teach customers how to get the most out of every dollar. "We feel like we should be part of the solution," said Andrea Astrachan, the consumer advisor for the grocery chain.
She says there are a few ways to keep costs down.
First, plan menus for the week and buy only those ingredients. Astrachan says that will help you cut down on impulse buys which can kill your budget.
Another way to save is to keep the plastic at home. Astrachan says if you use cash, you are forced to stay within your budget. Stop & Shop has hand-held scanners that will keep track of your total as you go so there are no surprises at the checkout.
You can also make a list on their
online shopping site before you head to the store. That way you'll know exactly what you're buying and exactly how much it's going to cost.
Astrachan also advises customers to stick with corporate brands rather than the national brands. "You can save a significant amount of money," she said.
We tested out this theory with the ingredients for eggplant parmesan. The national brand total came to $25.08. Then we bought the same ingredients opting instead for the corporate brands. This time the total was $17.92, a savings of $7.16. "That's just one meal during one week so you can imagine how that could add up," said Astrachan.
Online coupons Wasted food is another budget buster according to Astrachan. She says shoppers often buy all kinds of fresh produce hoping their family will eat healthy, but often those good intentions end up as wilted broccoli in the crisper. Astrachan says, buy frozen. "Frozen are just as good and they pack as much nutrients," she said.
Finally, go vegetarian. One meat-free meal a week will help you save. "Eggs are a wonderful source of protein," Astrachan explained. "They're a great substitute for meat."
Most of these tips will work at any grocery store and with a little effort; Astrachan says you can save 20 percent off your food budget.
Other stores like
Wal-Mart and
Home Depot are also offering different programs to help consumers save money.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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