Food Budgeting

Menu planning goes hand-in-hand with creating a practical budget for food. Unlike some of the other things we spend money on, food is a necessity. Having a big enough budget to buy groceries is worth it.

If you have never set up a budget for food, get started by following the steps in the table below.

woman's hands holding money next to a notebook

Food Budgeting Tips
Keep track of all your receipts from the store and anywhere else you buy food for one month. This will help you know how much you spend on food each month.	Divide the total amount for food by 4 or 5, depending on how many shopping weeks are in the month. For example, if you shop on Sunday and there are only 4 Sundays in the month, your total budget will be divided by 4.
Compare how much you actually spent to how much you wanted to spend. If you went over the amount you wanted to spend, consider ways to cut costs. Two easy way to cut food costs include: • Cooking at home more than eating out, getting take out, and buying prepared meals. • Removing foods with few nutrients from your cart, like candy, soda, chips, ice cream, and other treats.	Place the weekly amount, or write the amount, on 4 or 5 envelopes, one for each shopping week. Save receipts from all food purchases throughout the month. At the end of the month, compare the amount spent to the budget. If you went over, look through your purchases to see where you can cut costs. If you were under the budget, you could set it aside to save, carry it over to the next month, buy sale items, or stock your pantry.
At the start of the next month, figure out how much money you have and want to spend on food. Include SNAP, WIC, cash, checks, debit cards, and any other resources for food.

Shopping Smart

After creating a menu plan and food budget, the next step is writing a grocery list and going shopping. A grocery list is essential for shopping smart because it is your road map through the store.

It can be easy to get off budget and side tracked at the store. Sales, displays, and clever advertising can persuade you to buy items you don’t need. Being hungry and shopping with others can also get you off track and filling your cart with foods that aren’t healthy or a good buy.

One way to stay on track is by using these 10 tips for shopping smart.

10 Tips For Shopping Smart
Get the best price Before going to the grocery store, check for deals happening at the store and for coupons for the items you need. Remember that store sales and coupons are only useful if you will actually use the items. Avoid stocking up on food you won’t use or that will go bad quickly.	Stick to your list By sticking to your list, you can avoid impulse buys while making sure you get all the food you need for the week. To help you navigate the store, organize your list according to the layout of the store. This will help make your trip faster and less stressful.
Avoid shopping while hungry You are more likely to buy convenience foods and products with little nutritional value, like candy bars and chips, when you are hungry. Instead, try to shop before you are hungry.	Stock up on staples Staples, like flour, sugar, spices, and canned goods, have a long shelf life. If these items are on sale or if you have a little extra money in your budget, it is smart to stock up on them, if you will use them.
Make fewer trips to the store The more trips you take to the store, the more likely you are to buy items you do not need. Going to the store several times a week also takes a lot of time.	Buy in season One of the easiest ways to save money on fresh produce is to buy what is in season. In-season produce is usually less expensive and more available than produce that is out of season.
Shop the edges of the store In most stores, food with the most nutritional value at the lowest cost is around the edges. Aisles tend to be filled with packaged, premade, and unhealthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grains are often found around the edges of the store.	Compare and contrast Use the unit price to compare and contrast brands and quantities of similar items. Choose the item with the lowest unit price that fits your needs. It is also a good idea to compare the Nutrition Facts Labels on similar products to make sure that you are choosing foods that maximize healthy nutrients.
Pay less for more ingredients Pre-made meals, packaged mixes, frozen dinners, and pre-cut fruits and vegetables are usually more expensive than simply buying the ingredients and doing it yourself. While these items may be easier to prepare, they are harder on your budget. Convenience is more expensive.	Compare brands Store brands are often less expensive than big-name brands. The packaging may look less inviting, but don’t be fooled by the advertising. Store brands are usually just as good and have comparable nutritional values as big-name brands.

Meal Management

Menu Planning

Simply Cent$ible Nutrition Online Cookbook

Save Time & Money 3 – food budget

Food Budgeting

Shopping Smart