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Cutting Costs in the Home

© Debbie DeSpirt

Do not let the holidays grab you and your wallet by surprise. Be prepared for this festive season with great gifts, food and decorations. This article will deal with cutting costs in the home to give you more money in the hand for gifts and decorations.

Cutting Costs in the Home

Grocery Bill

1. Make a list of one month of menu ideas for dinner. List the ingredients and spices. Check your cupboards for the necessary ingredients. Purchase only the missing ingredients. Try and stick to the meal plan, I have made considerable savings by not overbuying and being prepared for my month's dinner.
2. Budget the monthly food bill. Give your family a set amount of money for food purchases. This dollar figure includes weekly milk purchases, stocking up on sale items, convenience food and more. Stick to the budget. Always leave a few dollars for unforeseen food purchases.
3. Buy multiples of sale items on an item you use often. Our favourite bread is $1.57 but we only buy it on sale for 0.99. Be sure the sale price is a good price.
4. Reduce your meat intake. Buy regular packages of meat and cut them in half. You do not need a great deal of meat in spaghetti to get a great flavour. Go one day with out meat. Cook an extra chicken leg or two to make chicken pot pie or chicken fried rice for tomorrow's dinner.
5. Buy produce that is in season. Join a food coop. I receive organic produce twice a month. Some of the produce is not a usual purchase but I have found ways to cook a great meal from them. Last week I received turnips, I made a leek and turnip soup with a hint of maple syrup. The soup was wonderful to my surprise.
6. Buy organic. It is more expensive but you need less to have your required nutritional intake. With more people purchasing, organic the prices will go down. Stay away from convenience organic food, the prices is outrageous.
7. Make your own cleaning supplies. This has saved me plenty over the past two years. Buy cleaning rags that can be washed in the washer.
8. If bags are an extra, bring your own or use boxes to carry your groceries home.
9. Reduce dairy products. These are very expensive. Grate the cheese to use less in your meals. This is a difficult struggle in our home. Only use cheese that has no colour ingredients.

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