How to Cut Food Costs During the Holiday Season

As the holidays come upon us it is imperative that we cut as many costs as possible in order to provide a good holiday experience for our families. This is to not to say we need to eliminate those things that our families want and expect for the holidays. It is to say that there are simple ways to cut costs that are virtually unnoticeable by others.

Shop at a "bag your own" grocery store:

This sounds simple enough and perhaps you already shop at one of these stores. But if you don't, the cost saved really adds up. True, it may only be cents saved on any one item but when you take into consideration the fact that you most likely will have a huge cartful of items, those pennies add up in a hurry. And if you can save even more money by bringing your own bag, do so. Many people find it an easy habit to get into to store bags emptied in their cars and reuse them when shopping. The savings do add up and make the difference when viewed in the long term.

Buy your meat at a meat market:

If the idea of a meat market does not appeal to you simply because it is another stop in an already busy shopping day, think again. Shopping at meat markets not only save money in terms of pricing with unadvertised sales being the norm, but the mere fact that you can pick and choose your cuts of meat, thus eliminating fat and excess will make those savings stretch even farther. And if you are in the position to purchase a package deal of meat do so, the savings there will oftentimes be up to 30% off that of a regular grocery store price and will also eliminate impulse shopping down the line when your freezer is full of options.

Shop with coupons:

Yes, this is a no brainer but many people ignore the fact that coupons do save money if used wisely. The secret to coupon shopping is simple. Only cut those coupons for items you use and don't ignore the 25 cent and 50 cent off items. Remember, it only takes 4-25 cent off coupons to make a dollar and a dollar adds up quickly in long term savings. Some of my favorite sites to find printable coupons are fatwallet.com, coolsavings.com and slickdeals.org. They also have links to coupons which can be used at retailers other than grocery stores, which when printed can save you a bundle. Also, never pass up the chance to sign up for coupon alerts to be delivered to your inbox. These can make a huge difference when it comes to shopping both for groceries and for other household items as well.

Buy milk in bulk:

As anyone with children can attest, milk seems to be the first thing in the kitchen to run out necessitating a trip to the store. The problem is most people cannot leave with just a gallon of milk, thus falling victim to "impulse shopping". The solution is simple. Purchase a gallon of milk whenever you are at the store whether your milk is running low or not at home. With an expiration date of at least one week from the time you purchase it, the milk will more times than not be used and you will save money in the long run by eliminating those quick trips to the store. And if you do find yourself with milk that you are not using....freeze it or prepare a dish using it. There are so many ways you can use milk and the health benefits alone are worth the extra effort.

Watch for after holiday sales on meat

Believe it or not, the best time to shop for a Christmas (or even after holiday) turkey is right before or after Thanksgiving. With one holiday over and another on the horizon, most grocery stores will lower the price on the turkeys they have displayed for Thanksgiving. As long as these turkeys are frozen, there are bargains to be had not just in whole birds but in turkey breasts, drumsticks and other turkey related items. Grab a couple if your budget allows and be ahead of the game for upcoming cold months. And don't forget the frozen pumpkin pie! Most frozen pies are also discounted after Thanksgiving and as long as you check expiration dates, they are fine to stock up on.

These are but a few ideas on how to cut pennies when it comes to your holiday meals. Remember that sales after a holiday tend to be great ones so hit the stores in the first day or so after the holiday ends. With a little careful planning, some killer coupons and an idea how your family will respond to your purchases, you can stock up on some great items and save money all at the same time!