Depending on when you are reading this but at the time of writing, grocery shopping is EXPENSIVE!  We are getting less for a much higher cost.  This is a category that a lot of people I coach struggle with, I mean we have to eat right? But, the cost goes up and then up some more.

A few ways to help combat this is 1) MEAL PLAN – This may take a little time but the savings will be worth it.  Before you go shopping, write out a menu for what you will be fixing for the upcoming week.  Look to see what items you need and make a list of them.  Then (and here’s the key) when you go to the grocery store only buy what is on the list!  For several of you this may be a struggle at first but it is very important you stick to the list.  2) CREATIVE COOKING-This one can be fun if you let it and also can be a fun way to include other family members.  Look at what you have in your pantry, first use this when you are meal planning.  Don’t go buy 3 days of food when you have food in your pantry.  So whatever you have to fix, put that on your menu.  Then see what items remain and get creative, what can you make using these items?  For instance, who says you have to only make spaghetti using spaghetti noodles – what about macaroni noodles?  Who says you can only fix a sandwich using sandwich bread-use buns; If you need toast and are out of loaf bread, use hot dog buns (or whatever other bread you have).  Fix everything you possibly can think of using items you have on hand then once you’ve exhausted all ideas now look at what is left and see what items you would need to buy to finish using up what you have on hand.  Now that you’ve used everything up….it’s time to go grocery shopping! Lol  The final tip is 3) ELIMINATE CHOICES-it took me awhile to learn this one but let’s get real…why do we need 5 different kinds of cereal, 4 different kinds of chips?  Think of the time it would save (and not to mention money) if we had 1 or maybe 2 at the most?? 

I’d love to hear what you come up with as you do some “Creative Cooking”….