There are some things that we all need to add to our grocery list that kind of makes us cringe. Typically, dairy products are the culprits of practically robbing us of our grocery budget. I mean, it’s not fun when you’re paying as much as $4-$5 per gallon of milk. That can put a serious dent in your grocery budget, but you can’t just cut milk out of your daily diet. Instead, you have to figure out ways to cope with the price and work it in your budget.
Below, I’m going to list some foods that will really put a dent in your budget and I’m going to show you how to save money on them.
#1. Dairy Products
Milk is my arch enemy. If I can ever find milk for less than $4 bucks I’m usually a pretty happy camper. Sometimes, you can go in a CVS Pharmacy and find milk for as low as $3.70 and with a $1 Extrabucks back, you could get the milk for as little as $2.70.
Also, I would suggest checking some of your lesser-known stores in your area. Here, we have a Save-A-Lot that usually has some pretty good deals on milk. However, always make sure you check the expiration date. Sometimes they will leave milk in the coolers that are going to expire that very same day. This is your chance to haggle for a lower price on the milk and then you can take it home and freeze the milk for baking purposes.
Cheese is another dairy product that can really hurt your budget. What family doesn’t enjoy a pizza night? To save money on cheese I would suggest purchasing it in bulk and then shred it or cut it however you like.
#2. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
I love eating fruit and vegetables, but the prices on these items are absolutely outrageous sometimes. It’s always cheaper to buy frozen fruits and veggies, but sometimes you’re not going to beat the taste of the fresh versions. If you want some fresh fruit or vegetables at cheaper prices, you need to take note of which fruits and veggies are in season. After that, you should shop for the best deals.
#3. Meats
Meat, even when on sale, is always an expensive item. As humans, we can’t live without protein and my hubby surely isn’t going to go without some meat in his diet. Practically the only way to cut down on the cost of meat is to cut down on your consumption of it. Try halving some of your recipes. For instance, if you’re making some chili and you’re supposed to use 1lb of ground beef, you could use 1/2lb instead. Chances are no one will even notice.
#4. Brand Names
I know it’s tempting to go with brand names, but it’s not always the best decision, especially when you’re on a budget. Brand names come with a higher price tag and are typically no better than the cheaper, non-brand name alternative.
