COMPLETE COVERAGE:

COMPLETE COVERAGE:
Twilight: New Moon

°

Homepage / Money
Text Size

Save Big On Next Month's Grocery Bill

Planning Can Help Cut Costs

UPDATED: 11:55 am EDT June 30, 2008

This year, a trip to the grocery store may hit your wallet as hard as a stop at the gas station. Food prices are rising along with gasoline, and the results are leaving many Americans struggling to find any extra money come the end of the month.

Is your grocery bill causing you and your family more anxiety than usual? Follow these tips to save on your bill.

Get Into Gardening

Though the task may seem daunting, tending a small garden in your backyard will generally pay for itself with the first harvest. Americans are planting fruits and vegetables at home in record numbers.

One tomato plant, according to Bankrate.com, can save you $60 on your bill if you harvest 30 pounds of product over time. The cost of the plant, fertilizer and water to care for it might total around $3.05.

Other expensive fruits and vegetables that will save the average consumer plenty of money if grown at home include mushrooms, green peas, asparagus, blackberries, cherries and strawberries.

Choosing those plants that you enjoy most and those that are easiest to care for will ultimately save you hundreds. Just make sure you get the garden guru next door to show you the ropes of planting before you throw those seeds in the ground.

Plan Meals Ahead Of Time

Although it may seem like a lot of work, planning the week's meals ahead of time, and buying food accordingly, can shave plenty of money off of your grocery bill. Simply taking the time to buy only what is needed, and nothing more, will remove impulse purchases from the equation and ensure that no perishable items go uneaten.

Store Perishables In Freezer

When meal planning falls short and the meat in the fridge will go bad before you have time to eat it, freeze it as soon as possible to enjoy later. Make sure the meat or other food product is packaged properly; it's generally safer, and will make the end product better, if the product is placed in an airtight bag or other packaging.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raw meat is better than cooked meat when freezing because cooking removes moisture from the food. Although freezing your foods will keep them safe from additional bacteria and allow you to store them for far longer, they may not taste quite as delicious as they would when fresh.

You can cut costs without scrapping nutrition. With a little planning, grocery shopping doesn't need to be stressful. Reap the benefits -- and the vegetables from your garden -- while saving money.
Text Size
Text Size
The views expressed are not those of ClickOnDetroit.com, WDIV or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum. (Please note the 'Like' and 'Report' tabs.) By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

If your credit is shabby, you'll need to shore up your score to convince a lender you're worthy. Here's how to boost your point total. More

Acupuncture, massage, or other complementary therapies could manage your type-2 diabetes. Find out whether they can help you. More

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More

Most Popular

Marketplace

  • AutoClick to Expand

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • 7 Killer Cover Letter Mistakes

      Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter.

    • Why Having Fun At Work Matters

      If people are having fun, they’re going to work harder, stay longer, maintain their composure in a crisis and take better care of the organization.

    • Ten Tips To Boost Your Interview IQ

      Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies to enhance your interview IQ.

    • Learn How To Deal With Pay Cuts

      If you’re about to take a pay cut, find out how you can go about dealing with it and stay proactive about your salary.

  • WomenClick to Expand

    • Healthy Living In Your 40s

      Your guide to looking and feeling your best.

    • Manage Stress, Find Balance

      The idea of living a balanced life may seem like an oxymoron. Yet working toward balance and self-care is key to feeling in control and more joyful at home and work.

    • Weight & Exercise: The Right Mix

      Being healthy is related to how well you take care of yourself. But it’s never too late! A woman can learn new, healthy habits at any age.

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • Your LifeClick to Expand

Question Of The Day

Do you have plans to see the new Twilight; New Moon movie this weekend?

Sponsored Links