Stretching Your Food Dollar

Did you know that you can save 15% or more at the supermarket if you follow some simple rules? That's right 15%! Saving money at the supermarket means that you can feed your family more nutritious meals, have more variety, and manage your resources more effectively. Read more about spending less on healthy food.

There are many ways to save money on food. It just takes some knowledge about how the supermarket sells food, which foods are the best buy, and planning for your families' eating enjoyment.

1. So how do I save 15 % at the supermarket?
   
   ANS: The four rules of effective food shopping are:
1. using grocery store ads when planning to shop
2. completing a menu plan
3. writing a grocery list
4. using unit pricing to select the best buys
   
   
2. If I usually spend $65.00 each week on food, how much could I save?
   
   ANS: You could save as much as $9.75 per week, or $39.00 per month. Now, that's getting the most for your money.
   
   
3. I don't have time to make a menu each week.....what do I do?
   
   ANS: Making a menu, even a menu with just dinner meals, can be done fairly quickly and will save you lots of time in the final analysis. Consumers who make weekly menus typically only go to the supermarket once each week. Consumers who don't make a weekly menu find themselves making extra trips to the supermarket or convenience store to pick up food they've forgotten or need for a meal they've decided to have. Our cookbook, Quick and Easy Meals for Less has more tips.
   
   
4. Plan Inexpensive Meals
   
ANS: Save even more money when you plan you menus by planning meals with less expensive ingredients. Money Saving Meals can get you started. Searching for Ways to Keep Costs Down will help you cut costs when you have to buy fast food.


5. Are coupons a good way to save money?
   
   ANS: It depends. If you would normally buy that name brand item, then the coupon will help you save money. However if you are just buying that item because you have a coupon, you need to decide whether you need this item. If it is something you want, compare the cost of the name brand item minus the coupon discount with the store brand item. Buy whichever is less expensive.
   
   
6. Can unit pricing really help me save?
   
   ANS: Yes! Many foods are packaged in a variety of sizes. It is not always easy to decide which is the best deal. Usually the larger size is the less expensive, but this isn't always true. It is important to check the unit pricing. Most supermarkets list the unit price right on the shelf below the food item. The formula for determining the unit price is: unit price divided by weight. Look at some unit pricing examples in Labeled for Savings.
   
   
7. Is there an easier "rule of thumb" I can use?
   
   ANS: Yes! One of the easiest techniques to save money is to simply buy the store brand of an item, rather than the name brand. It's that easy!

You can learn more about saving money on food, as well as other money saving strategies by taking one of our short courses. All Nutrition Connections courses are available at no cost to income eligible New Hampshire residents. Below is a list of courses which include lessons on stretching food dollars. Contact the Nutrition Connections program staff in your county for course offerings.