My Problem with Saving on Groceriesby Marily | More from this Blogger 11 Jan 2007 02:47 PM I have been working really hard to save money on groceries. For, that is one category of expenses that I have a lot of control over. But one thing seems to provide a hang-up for me over and over again. Really, the problem I have been having is that sometimes I don't spend enough money at the grocery store. I plan ahead for a week or two of dinners and create a grocery list of the things that I need to make them. I stick to that list pretty strictly, trying not to buy anything at the store that is not written down on my list. However, oftentimes I find that I am so busy making a list revolving around dinner menus that I forget about other items that I will need such as food for lunches or snacks. I tend to feel like buying any type of snack food is an indulgence. And I usually expect that there will enough leftovers from dinners to eat for lunch the next day. However, I do not always have the time to always make snack foods myself, and sometimes the leftovers run out. And what do I do when we are hungry and there is nothing quick to eat? Well, we unfortunately sometime opt for fast food. Also, I do not really have any snacks at home that I can take with me when I go out, and sure enough an hour or two into my errands, I get so hungry I can hardly think straight. The obvious solution at that point is to stop for an inexpensive hamburger. Plus, there are times when even if I wanted to stop my errands and go straight home, I would have a hard time finding anything convenient to eat when I got there. So?in my efforts to spend less money, I am flawed. But what is the remedy for this situation? Perhaps I could just face the reality and buy a few inexpensive snack foods or convenient meals. This would add a few bucks to my grocery expenses, but would likely save me money in the long run. Any other suggestions? How do you plan for snack foods inexpensively? Relevantfrugal tags User Comments  Mary Ann Romans (26791) 11 Jan 2007 06:13 PMFinding time is tough, so sometimes I get creative. Apples cut up with peanut butter is a good snack. Actually pretty much anything with peanut butter passes with the kids, from celery to leftover cold pancakes. And a cold glass of milk, of course. Also, I double and triple batch muffins and freeze them.  Julie Gentry (5915) 11 Jan 2007 10:58 PMI don't shop from a list, unless it's a list of what's on sale. For me, I've found that shopping from a list can be a lot more expensive. Instead, I buy large amounts of things on sale, think what I could make from them, and then fill in the holes. I snack on seeds a lot. Lately it's been organic pumpkin seeds. They don't seem frugal when you buy a small pack for $4, but they last forever because just a few satisfies. Mary Ann's muffin suggestion is good, too! You can make tons in advance. My sister keeps water bottles and homemade cookies in the car. Not tons, but four or five. Enough to stave off the hunger. I buy those cheese and cracker things when they go on sale, and keep one or two in the glove box for my husband. Same with Balance Bars. They don't fill you up like a meal, but they're enough to hold hunger at bay until you can have some soup at home.  Marily (836) 12 Jan 2007 02:16 PMThanks for the tips. I really like the idea of keeping some snacks in the car! Today, I left the kids with my mom for a couple of hours and went shopping. By the time I was done I was nearly shaking, I was so hungry. A small snack stashed in the car could have saved me the $1.59 I spent on a burger. Great idea, Julie.  Dawn (74) 12 Jan 2007 07:29 PMWe (my kids & I) are total snackers so I used to splurge on the snack bags that they sell at the grocery stores, like tiny bags of cookies, crackers, etc. I finally realized I could make them myself for waaaay cheaper and also make them healthier. Now when I go to the grocery store I buy inexpensive bags/boxes of various things and mix them into a baggie for each or my kids. I buy the Walmart brand of baggies and you can get 100 in a box for around 2 dollars. Some things I put in are: cereal (healthy or just fun), raisins, nuts, other dried fruit, fruit snacks, cookies, crackers, tiny marshmallows, and if I am feeling kind to my kids and if the weather outside isn't too hot (they melt), I give them m&m's (I don't give them candy too often). There are so many options for snack varieties! If you wanted to go even cheaper you could use reusable plastic containers and just wash them out. They might be more apt to spill though in a toddler's hands. And, don't beat yourself up if you have to buy a burger now and then! Sometimes you just gotta eat!!! When you go to the store try to find whatever is on sale and snatch it up! Dawn (74) 12 Jan 2007 07:59 PMI forgot to mention that these baggies of mixed goodies can be a life-saver in certain situations with a toddler. They can help prevent a melt-down in a really long line at the store, when at church, etc. If you have a "snack bag" in your purse/diaper bag handy to pull out at such times they can really be awesome! Dawn (74) 12 Jan 2007 08:11 PMAnother tip that works for me is "planning" lazy nights. You know they will invariably come so always have on hand things that save but are easy to cook for times when you have a meal planned but don't feel like making it or for times when you don't have anything to fix. Things like boxes of mac & cheese, frozen lasagnas or other family TV-type dinners that are quick to cook, etc. Find things that fit this idea but work for your family. If you want to do this more frugally then you could make a few lasagnas/casseroles ahead of time (in disposable bake-ware from the dollar store) and freeze them. Or, if you are making one for dinner or for a friend make an extra one every time and freeze it and you'll thank yourself later. Then you'll have them on hand for nights when you are tired and then you can just throw away the mess afterwards. It is great not to have to wash out a baked-in pan!!! Discuss this article
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