My family consists of five persons: my wife and I, and our three children. When the financial crisis hit us, and we ended up “upside down” on our home mortgage, we knew we had to create a spending plan with a personal finance app that included low-cost but nutritious food. We quickly found out that feeding our family on a budget would call for proper groundwork and restraint (on my wife’s part). 

Fortunately, I received some good advice from other dads who are feeding their families on $100, $50, and as low as $45 per week. I’m happy to share these ideas with you!

3 Tips on Going Grocery Shopping for Less

Use a personal finance app to determine how much budget you have to work with

Establishing your weekly budget bill is the first step in your quest to save on grocery shopping. Ensure this figure is well-matched with your general family budget and also practical when you take into account your family’s size and dietary needs. If you’re making healthy eating for your family a priority, it is vital to allow adequate space in your budget for purchasing items for healthy meals and snacks, because fruits and vegetables are more costly than chips and cookies. 

Eat at home frequently

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey shows that US families typically use 41 percent of their food budgets outside their homes. You could be risking health problems while thinking you’re saving cash eating from the dollar menu because the cheapest junk food is frequently laden with sugar and fat. Adjust your online money planner to include more fresh fruit and vegetables on your shopping list – these foods should make up at least half your plate, but they may be difficult to locate or no longer in their natural state when you purchase them at fast-food restaurants, so in the end, you’ll save money while eating better if you prepare foods at home.

Meatless Mondays

Opting to serve a meatless meal once a week is good for your budgeting at home and for Mother Earth. It’s also great for your waistline – people who eat a plant-based diet weigh an average of 15 percent less than meat-eaters. Going veggie one day a week can save a family of four more than $1000 per year. Many families are choosing to go meatless on Mondays, but you can do it on whichever day works for you.

Of course, you can also help your financial budgeting drive by being a smart shopper: buying foods that are in season, shopping when there are sales, and buying the store brand.

An online personal finance app can track your money now and in the future.  Download the CalendarBudget app from Google Play or the App Store.