Tips On Controlling Your Food Budget (The Secret Is In The Planning)
Boomers, did we expect to spend so much, ever, once the kids were gone? I don’t think so. It has taken some effort to re-train ourselves on grocery shopping and meal preparation as we return to where we started – meals for two. Notice I mentioned grocery shopping and meal p-r-e-p-a-r-a-t-i-o-n. Eating out frequently can make big dents in our otherwise manageable cash flow and sabotage our efforts to save for an emergency, but the secret is in the planning, e.g., a meal plan and grocery list (and possibly some coupons) in hand at the store.
I remember my Daddy’s spin on money after seeing his father lose everything in the Great Depression and we kids actually laughed. But that was a long time ago and I’m not laughing today. I get it. Why, I remember preparing our week’s meals on less than $15.00/week!! Now I am sounding like my father, but we ate so much tuna casserole I still have fins and to this day can’t bear to look at a can of cream of mushroom soup.
Having a meal plan in place also allows us to set aside smaller portions in disposable freezer containers which can be delivered to someone who is home from the hospital or an elderly friend or family member whose diet is questionable. More personal and much less expensive than stopping by a local restaurant.
I am now re-inspired to be a better planner — both for myself, my family and for others.
Becky Hopkins, Realtor®, SRES, GRI
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company
Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
http://www.50andholding.info
Leave a comment