Finding out you are pregnant can be a really scary thing – especially if it wasn’t exactly planned. While you have a mixture of emotions, one of the biggest stressors is often finances. One of your questions may be, ‘”How will I support and provide for my baby?” This is understandable, and that’s why we are here to help!
While Daybreak provides a variety of different FREE resources from baby clothes & diapers, maternity clothes, toys, formula and other necessities, you may still be wondering how you can cut back on other areas so you can have more money to go around. In this blog, we will share some tips for saving money on groceries!
1. Meal Plan
Planning your meals in advance saves you time AND money, plus there are ways to customize meal planning for your lifestyle. For example, you can simply have an idea of what you want to cook for the week when you go to the grocery store. This will help you only purchase what you need! Or, you can go all out. For example, you might prepare the meals in advance, store them in the fridge/ freezer, and then stick the prepared meal in the crockpot!
Food waste is a huge contributor to wasted money on groceries, so get a plan together and save your hard earned money!
2. Make use of frozen fruit and veggies!
Fresh veggies and fruit can expire quickly, so using frozen veggies and fruit can make your groceries last longer! You won’t have to waste as much, and they are just as nutritious.
3. Always shop with a list!
Similar to meal planning, a grocery list helps you stay on track! Wandering around the store placing things in your cart that look good can leave you without a crucial ingredient you may need later. Write down your grocery list before you go, and then you can avoid all the aisles you don’t need anything from!
4. Use a rewards app to save money on groceries
Yes – it’s a real thing! You can search for different apps that allow you to earn points simply for uploading your grocery receipts. (For example: Fetch Rewards App)
5. Find cheap meal ideas that you (and your family) will love!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Grilled cheese
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Soup
- Quesadillas
- Casseroles
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Spaghetti
6. Replace expensive snacks with cheap ones
Snacks can quickly add up in your cart, so find ways to incorporate your favorite snack and save money. For example, eat popcorn instead of chips, apples instead of fruit cups or apple sauce, cheese cut up yourself instead of string cheese.
We hope these tips help reduce your grocery budget! If you need more financial assistance, you can make an appointment at Daybreak, and we can talk to you about other resources available. Give us a call at (803) 771-6634.