Save Money With A Family Food Budget
By Judy Turner

Did you know that by creating a family food budget you can cut down your shopping costs dramatically? Whether you have just one child or five, coming up with meals plans that everyone likes is difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible. Then there are the costs associated with cooking something different each night to please everyone.

Unfortunately many of us don't plan ahead for dinner and find ourselves staring in the fridge at 5:00 pm. But by planning your meals ahead, your family food budget can be estimated and adjusted - and you no longer have the stress of trying to come up with something that the family will enjoy on a moments notice.

In today's society, convenience foods have become the norm. Most foods are now packaged and labeled to lead us into thinking they are healthy. Although something says "low fat" on the label, one look at the sugar or salt content would have you gasping for air. The reality is though that most people simply don't read food labels and the manufacturers know this. Rather than picking up fast convenience foods, plan your family's meals in advance and create a family food budget that will allow you to both eat healthy and eat without breaking the bank.

Your family food budget should include the following:

1. Breakfasts 2. Lunches 3. Snacks 4. Dinners 5. Desserts

ALL types of food and meals should be in your budget, not just dinners. Desserts can even included as an occasional treat. One mistake that many consumers make is not planning for all meals. It is all well and good to prepare 7 nights of dinner but if you have not thought about the other times of the day that you must eat you will often resort to unhealthy eating habits. If you wish to have last night's leftovers for lunch, then plan to cook more than is needed and buy some microwave safe containers for storing food in.

Desserts and snacks can be made in advance. Stock up on occasional treats such as ice cream when on sale and make it go further by serving in cones. It is also much cheaper to prepare desserts and snacks such as quick breads, cookies and cakes at home. Not only will you save money but you can choose healthier ingredients. Experiment a little. Whole wheat flour is great for baking. We especially like using it for cookies and quick breads such as pumpkin or zucchini.

These are just a few ideas for keeping your family food budget in check. It will take some practice and pre-planning but in the long run you will not only save time but your whole family will be eating much healthier.

Family meal planning can really stretch your budget. Visit Eating On A Budget for simple tips to save at the grocery store as well as your overall household budget.