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Buying Groceries on a Budget: How to Determine a Budget

June 27, 2012 by Lisa Park + 3 Comments

How to Buy Groceries on a Budget This past month, I spent a lot of time preparing to teach a class about “Buying Groceries on a Budget.” I received many comments from those who attended about how informative it was. So over the next few months, I will be posting a series of articles on this topic to hopefully encourage and help all of you too. This week, we will begin with how to figure a grocery budget for your family.

Determining a grocery budget will save you money and frustration. Without a budget, all of the work you do to find deals and clip coupons will NOT save you money. You might be purchasing a lot of amazing deals out there, but in fact, you might be spending more money in an effort to save money.  Rather than spending money freely, a budget controls your spending. Here are some simple steps to take on how to determine your grocery budget.

 

Buying Groceries on a Budget - How to Determine a Budget Final

1)Evaluate Your Spending
First, look at what you have spent on groceries over the last four weeks and take an average. Eventually, you are going to cut down your budget, but don’t cut it in half right now.

2)Be Realistic
Don’t place excessive pressure on yourself by coming up with some extremely low figure for your grocery budget. Set realistic expectations so you won’t get discouraged and give up. You want to be able to persevere and see the long-lasting benefits.

3)Pay Attention to How Much You Waste
Are you throwing away more than you are eating? If you are, then you are throwing away money. Try cutting back on those food items you are throwing away or find a creative way to use them.

4)Slowly Lower Your Budget
It takes time and practice to reduce your original grocery budget fairly significantly. You are not going to cut your grocery bill in half this month. However, slowly challenge yourself to slowly start cutting 5% here and 5% there from your grocery budget. Within 8-10 months, it’s possible to have lowered it by 30-50% or more.

5)Try a Cash-Only Budget
It is easy to justify over spending when you are using a debit or credit card. With each paycheck, take out the amount of cash you will need for the month to buy groceries, and place it in an envelope. Then calculate how much you can use each week. Paying with cash forces you to stick to your budget and you’ll quickly see how easy it is to overspend. You will be more likely to carefully evaluate every purchase or great deal you find, and you’ll begin to ask yourself, “Is this in the budget?” and “Do I need this?”

A good rule of trying to determine a budget for your family is about $100 per person per month. Our family of five has a grocery budget of $400 a month. I usually only spend about $300 a month at the grocery store, and with the rest of the money, I use it when there are case lot sales or to pick up bulk items at Sam’s Club or Costco when the sales don’t come around soon enough. If you have teenagers or family members who have food allergies, your budget will probably need to be more. Remember that each family is different, so determine a budget that will work for your family.

Other Posts in the Buying Groceries on a Budget Series:

  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: How to Determine a Budget
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Couponing Misconceptions
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Where to Find Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organizing Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Find Sales & Stack Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Valuable Tips to Prepare for the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Tips During the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: 8 Additional Tips When Shopping at the Grocery Store
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organization & Patience

Filed Under: Buying Groceries on a Budget, Money-Saving Tips

Trackbacks

  1. How to Cut Your Grocery Bill Without Using Coupons - Saving Cent by Cent says:
    November 6, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    […] You might also be interested in reading the Buying Groceries on a Budget series. […]

    Reply
  2. Tips to Build Your Food Storage + The Ready Store Giveaway ($300+ value) - Saving Cent by Cent says:
    September 24, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    […] When you don’t have a lot of extra money, the way to build up your pantry and food storage is little by little. Most people don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend just to build up their food storage. It takes time, but even $5 extra in your grocery budget will help you to get a few extra cans or boxes of food that you can rotate through and use for meals. One way I save money on groceries for my family each month is to purchase items on sale so I don’t have to pay full price for them. And while I shop, I try to always buy a few extra items to add to my food storage. You can read more about how I Buy Groceries on a Budget here. […]

    Reply
  3. Top 5 Money-Saving Tips from Saving Cent by Cent – My Blog says:
    May 31, 2017 at 4:59 am

    […] Another big way to save money on groceries is to watch for a sale on a product, preferably when it is at its rock-bottom price which is the lowest price you’ll see it, and then purchase it using a manufacturer coupon and/or an in-store coupon. For those of you not big into couponing, another way to save is to price match weekly grocery deals at Walmart and Target.  To learn more ways to save money on groceries, read my Buying Groceries on a Budget Series here. […]

    Reply

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #
The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #
The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #

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