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[H1576]How To Save On Food

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For coffee drinkers
It is a good idea to re-use the grounded coffee once. Using coffee grounds two times or more will not greatly affect the taste of the coffee. It is highly encouraged to do this using a filter that is permanent and avoid the paper variety. Keep the grounds refrigerated until using it the following day.

For bread lovers
Grocery stores sell bread that was made the day before at a much lower price. There is nothing wrong with eating bread that was made the day before since it still is good to eat. If you have a lot of space in your refrigerator, store a lot for bigger savings. If you will eat the bread, you can defrost it using your microwave oven. Re-heat it every 30 seconds to prevent the edges of the bread from getting too hard.

When buying from the grocery
Before going to the grocery, you should have already made a list of all the things that you really need. Prioritize basic goods and avoid buying things that you do not really need. Observe the prices indicated on the displays. Remember, branded products cost considerably more than store brands.

It is also a good idea to keep the receipt of your previous trip to the grocery and make it as a basis for your purchases on your next trip. To have higher savings, buy more of the product. You can always store it in your refrigerator or in the house to minimize your trips to the grocery store.

When eating outside
If you are going to eat in a pricey restaurant, the best time for you to go there would be during lunch. Food during lunch usually costs less and this will be to your advantage. When staying at the hotel on your trips, it is a good idea to check if they also include breakfast in your total room charge.

You should also find out where the locals eat. Chances are, they will eat where the food is great and the price is even better. When going around, carry with you some snacks. A chocolate bar, chips, and cookies will go a long way while strolling around.

Eating cheaply does not necessarily mean eating bad food. Look around and you will be suprised at the options you can choose from. Take time and consider your choices so that you will not only eat a lot but save some money also.

Now you might think that this is a very poor strategy to reduce debt, after all how much could you possibly save on food shopping that could seriously reduce your debt. But I think you'll be surprised at how many actual dollars you can accumulate towards reducing debt by doing this. And that's the key, doing it but let's deal with your skepticism first, after all I want you to get on board here.

It's my mission to help you reduce debt and to at least begin to imagine what it might be like to live a life totally free of debt. But of course we have to start with reducing the debt you have. So the plan is to get a bit of success under your belt and then you can start thinking about the holy grail of budgeting – debt free living – yes, that's right debt free living. First reduce your debts, then kill those debts off one by one, it can be done.

OK, here's some tips and tricks to help stem the flood of money when you go to the store. Each of these things will seem pretty insignificant on their own but once you combine them the effect is quite startling. The leakage in my budget here was phenomenal, and when I talked to my friends it seemed we were all guilty of it to some degree or other. Once I started doing these things not only did I have some extra dollars which I put towards debt reduction, my stress levels dropped, and I found I had some spare time in my week.

Here's the plan - have a master list of all the food items you buy, it will take a little time to create but is fantastic for planning out what you need. This helps you avoid the ‘Oh no I forgot…' which then results in a quick trip to get it, and 6 other things you didn't need! Part of this cunning plan is to plan to go to the store only once a week, you may need to make a quick visit for a few fresh veggies during this time, if you do then just go and get what you need and then LEAVE. No cruising the aisles or getting something nice from the bakery…remember the goal – reduce debt!

Plan to Reduce Debt

Plan your meals for the week and plan around what you and your family are doing. This again helps to avoid the rush to the store to get things for an extra guest, or for a special occasion, and again you'll get 6 things you don't really need. This also helps with avoiding waste for those nights that family members are out.

Also by knowing what meals you're going to cook for the coming week you won't buy fresh veggies that you end up throwing out because you haven't used them. Plan your meals around the most economical buys at your store, and only buy what you're going to use, so know what you're going to cook, and how many you're cooking for. Such a lot of detail I know, but keep your eye on the ball – remember, reduce that debt – when you see the dollars you'll save you'll realize it's all worth it.

Don't Forget Reduce Debt

Plan your meals around the cheapest cuts of meat, and try to get two meals for the price of one by buying bulk packs of meat. Reducing debt has never been so easy has it, just cook a big casserole and freeze half of it, how much easier can it be? But don't eat the second half of the casserole as snack food unless you planned to do that. I have to freeze things very quickly as anything edible in the fridge goes straight into my 16 year old sons mouth. We call him the food opportunist as he will eat what is in front of him, but wouldn't bother if he had to make it himself. And if I talk to him about debt reduction he goes into a kind of trance, solution – quickly freeze the leftovers.

Being Hungry Doesn't Help To Reduce Debt

Nearly there, when you're making your list check what's already in your cupboards. Check your freezer and then check your plan, and finally check your master list. This all helps to ensure you get what you need and you don't need to go to the store again. The petrol you save will also help with dollars for debt reduction. Before you go to the store one last thing – eat something. Everyone knows this old trick but do you actually do it? If you don't you'll be tempted to buy things simply because you're hungry and they look or smell appetizing. Spending $5.00 on something because you didn't have a quick sandwich at home (which would have cost very little) is not a good debt reduction strategy.

Be Organized To Reduce Debt

OK, final few tips. I've already talked about eating before you shop, also do your best to avoid shopping when you're tired or depressed. Try not to shop when the store is at its busiest and also do your best to shop alone. Family members coming to help usually don't help with your debt reduction goal. They pop things in your trolley that you don't know about and also encourage yo to impulse buy, leave them at home. Remember this is about being organized and creating extra dollars for debt reduction. Good Luck.

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Sue Young has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Medicine and Legal Matters. Sue Young of income-while-you-sleep.com has coached many people in the skills of ‘How To Reduce Debt', she knows that increasing income packs a powerful punch in this process. To learn how you can earn 5 separate income streams visit. Sue Young's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.