Money Magazine - Tips to save money on food

Saving when becomes habit, increases your bank balance steadily and after a while makes you wealthy.  Savings have many forms but saving on food is somewhat different.

No one seriously thinks about saving on food as no one saves on necessities. But a few smart ways can save you a considerable amount in this department.

Below are few money saving tips on food:

Saving on purchase of food ration.

Set the Budget: For setting a right budget, one must know in advance what to buy and how much. For that you must have on your hand all the inventory of the food stuff at the end of month. This will help you to prepare a buying list along with the required quantities.

Buy online:Online purchase of grocery is convenient, easy and most of all cost effective. It lets to compare before buying anything. You may get a few items costlier on an online store than the traditional store, however, the overall billed amount will be less as most of the items are offered at a discount. Also, there are many discount coupons available, so don’t forget to use them.

Make a right choice on foods: Healthy food full with vitamins, minerals, nutrients could be much cheaper than the food with fats, calories, cholesterol and unhealthy substances. Why pay more on unhealthy food when healthy food is available at lower price. Yours eating habits decide the money you spend.

Grow your food:

It sounds funny but actually working on growing vegetable can save you money. You need not work very hard. There are many easy growing vegetables such as tomato, lemon, etc. Once planted, plants need only water to grow. So this could save a lot when calculated for the whole year. But yes, you need some land and soil for it at backyard. 

How to Save When Eating Outside?

Look for Online Menu: If there is no preference for any specific restaurant, then checking the online menu would save you a few bucks. Just put the right zip code on the relevant website and you will get the menu for several restaurants on a single click. Making a choice then is much easier. You could also look for the discount coupons.

Limiting the Appetizers: At times appetizers work as a full meal and you find yourself full even before a meal arrives.  So limiting the appetizers could save Big Bucks.

Don’t Drink: Dining outside is costly, drinking outside is costlier. When eating out, if possible, skip the hard drinks.

Happy Hours: If you enjoy your drinks, it is better to hit the bar during the happy hours. That would keep you and your pocket both happy.

Expensive desserts at restaurants: Forgo the dessert at the restaurants and try somewhere outside as desserts cost unusually high at restaurants.

Saving on Cards: Your Credit Cards may offer cash back and other discounts while dining out. It is better to use them instead of waiting for their expiration.

Lunch Box: If you eat office lunch outside then change the habit and carry your lunch box as this would save a lot. When calculated yearly, saving could be in thousands. Moreover, it is good for health.

Try the above ideas, they are easy and simple to use. They would make you happier and richer.