How do I stretch my money to pay for groceries?

Over the last two years, online shopping has resulted in significant savings for me. I shop according to a list and there are no impulse purchases while wandering the aisles. I have also found that buying from local growers (for vegetables) and focussing on foods that are in-season means that each meal served is budget friendly as well as nutritious.

In addition to this, I have found the following ways to save money while keeping meals healthy: Have a few meat-free meals a week or reduce meat consumption by adding pulses such as lentils to bulk up your meal dishes. Plan your weekly menu in advance and shop according to s strict list. If you have planned your meals in advance, you are less likely to have food wastage. Swap from cereals to cooked porridges such as oats - not only does this save money, but oats are a low GI food and will keep you satisfied for longer. Lastly, keep an eye out for special offers at your local store but remember that buying in bulk is not always cheaper.

Grocery bills have gone rocket high and we surely need to be more mindful of what we put in our grocery basket.
We buy all fresh produce from the local farmer market. It is cheaper, fresher and also contributes to the financial development of local farming. We make sure that we buy fruits, vegetables and herbs in such a quantity that these things do not go bad. On contrary, for certain grocery items, large packaging can be bought in better prices. We mostly prefer buying local quality brands.
Processed foods is more expensive, so we have gradually shifted to more healthy and cost effective whole foods. We avoid buying sodas and packaged juices. I always have chopped vegies and homemade sauces available so kids do not crave packaged snacks. Every month we make a meal plan to make sure that we create a balance between meats, lentils, vegetables and grains.
We make homemade granola and yogurt. We have grown fresh tomatoes, green chilies, coriander and mint in our kitchen garden. I also bake bread, buns and cookies at home. All these things help in getting grocery bill in control.

We have a large family with 7 children and being mindful of how we shop is essential. We have a repertoire of budget-friendly meals that we plan for and then make sure that we stick to the list when shopping. I try to bake muffins and cakes for snacks and my kids love things like homemade sausage rolls in their lunch boxes and they are really cheap to make. I do find that if we buy a lot of 'snack foods' such as chips and biscuits the kids will eat and eat and eat without getting full. Instead, we try to limit them to more filling snacks, such as fruits and vegetables. We also buy in bulk as much as we can so save money and use cheap cuts of meat, such as chicken drumsticks and sausages in meals. We also don't buy any drinks other than water unless its a special occasion.

Shopping from a grocery list and sticking to just the items noted is a good way to start. If I shop in a big box store like Wal-mart, I am tempted to buy "other" stuff such as toys, clothes, and household items. Although these types of stores are generally less expensive than smaller grocery stores, you have to go in with the mindset that you are there for only the necessities and stick to your resolve when cute decorations, plants, and holiday decor catch your eye. It is hard!

Also, shopping online may be convenient, but there is typically a slight mark-up in pricing for this luxury.

If you have a food outlet nearby, shop there first to stock up on the items that you can find. Supplies are somewhat limited, so you may have to make a second stop to your regular grocery store to fill in the rest of the items on your list.

A few more tips are shopping in bulk, cooking in bulk, and freezing for a future date.

Shopping at warehouse food clubs like BJs, Sams, and Costco can save you money if you know the secret to shopping in these types of stores. Beware that smaller items are not always the best price in a warehouse store. Stocking up on large, bulk paper items such as paper towels and toilet paper should produce savings. However, skip the meat aisle and perhaps the fresh foods altogether. Head to the frozen food aisle instead for the best food deals.