Grocery Shopping on a Budget: Our List of Helpful Tips

The price of food has gone up significantly in the past few years. Post-pandemic supply chain problems, historic inflation rates, and high import tariffs have contributed to this. Grocery shopping on a budget has never been more important. This article will explain how to do it and what you can do to supplement your food budget. Some key subjects we will cover include:

• Building a realistic grocery budget and meal plan
• Using available food assistance programs effectively
• Accessing local food banks and community support
• Reducing food costs without sacrificing nutrition
• Starting an emergency fund to deal with food-related financial stress

Budget before you shop

Comparing the prices on name-brand versus generic products when you’re inside the supermarket is not a budgeting strategy. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA), a low-cost food budget for an adult male should be roughly $70 per week. For females, it should be $60 a week. Those are your target numbers.

Add up everything you spend on food each week. There’s a good chance you’re over the target budget. You can adjust for that by eliminating junk food. Fast food should also be eliminated. If you struggle with time management, start planning meals that are easy to cook at home and meal prep for your work week.

Shopping monthly could save you money if you buy sale items in bulk. When meats are on sale, stock the freezer. Do the same with non-perishable items like rice and beans. Consider applying for a no-credit-check loan if you’re struggling financially. Using it for a bulk food order could help you organize your finances. We’ll get into more on that below.

Apply for food assistance programs

Federal and state governments provide food assistance programs to help individuals and families cover food costs. An example is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program for parents with kids under five years old.

These programs exist for people who need help, but pride sometimes gets in the way. There’s no shame in asking for assistance, especially when the alternative is taking out a payday loan for groceries, which can lead to a spiraling debt trap that worsens over time. Taking assistance until you get back on your feet is generally more palatable.

If you’re unsure how to apply for food assistance, visit the government websites for SNAP and WIC. You can also stop by a local government benefits office for help with the paperwork. Do it soon if you need financial help for groceries.

Visit community food banks and pantries

There are food banks and local pantries in almost every community. Feeding America has one of the largest databases in this category. Their food banks, pantries, and meal programs provide food and support to over forty million people. On a smaller scale, check with local churches and charities. Many of them have community programs for people in need.

Like food assistance programs, food pantries are often avoided because of the stigma attached to them. You don’t need to be broke and destitute to take advantage of their services. Working-class people across the country are struggling with rising food costs. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. The stigma is meaningless if you’re hungry.

If you’re uncomfortable accepting charity, there are several ways to give back to a food bank or pantry. One is to volunteer. These operations need people to keep the doors open, and their budgets don’t always allow them to be fully staffed. You can also give a monetary donation later when you get back on your feet.

How to budget for groceries

Food banks and assistance programs were created to help people get through tough times. Like social security, they were never meant to be a permanent solution. Use them if you must, but work on a budget for groceries that will work without them. Start by documenting your current spending. It will make you more price-conscious and less likely to overspend.

Your objective should be to balance cost and nutrition. Many foods are affordable when you’re broke, but they’re not good for you. Hot dogs and bologna are two examples. Sugar cereal is another. An ideal food budget should include healthier alternatives like fresh vegetables, fish, and chicken. You can afford those if you budget carefully.

Eliminate non-essential expenses in your food and household budget. Cancelling a few streaming channels could put extra money in your pocket each month that can be spent on rent or food. Apply the same principle to your extracurricular activities. Save your money and look for cheaper or free things to do.

Create a grocery emergency fund

It’s hard to imagine having money left over after you go food shopping, but it’s possible if you budget properly. Use the excess to start a grocery emergency fund to get you through future hard times. Our current crises will blow over at some point, so start this practice when you’re able. That’s why we made it the last item on this list.

Budgeting is the first step towards saving money. That’s true when shopping for groceries or buying a new car. Once you learn to do it, you can apply the same principles to almost every area of your life. With food, you’ll also eat better and live longer if you become more conscious about what you put into your body. It’s easier to do than you might think.

The bottom line

Grocery shopping on a budget takes planning, resourcefulness, and persistence, but it’s entirely doable. Explore financial help if you need it. Go to food banks and pantries when you have to. Most importantly, learn about your finances. Knowing what you can spend and planning how to spend it will make you more successful and well-fed.