![](\"https:\/\/www.creditaid.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Build-Learn-Save-1.png\")
<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
A recent joint report between Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph states that \u201cThe average Canadian family is going to spend $411 more to fill the grocery cart.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a huge increase in your household budget – equivalent to receiving an extra heating bill or two.\u00a0 Many people believe that this is a relatively fixed cost and that they would have a hard time reducing it without sacrificing greatly at the dinner table.\u00a0 We don\u2019t think that\u2019s entirely true. Here are some things you can do to reduce the cost of feeding your household next month:<\/p>\n
Cook at home instead of eating out<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the number one, most effective way to reduce food costs.\u00a0 Dining out, whether fast food or fine dining, cost a lot more than preparing your own food.\u00a0 As a bonus, you\u2019ll likely be healthier, and when you prepare your own meals, you always know that they\u2019re made to your liking.\u00a0 You might miss the convenience of fast food, but after a few weeks of home-cooked meals, you won\u2019t miss the food.<\/p>\n Take your lunch to work<\/strong><\/p>\n This is an extension of the above rule – buying lunch at an average cost of ten dollars per day will add up to over $2000 per year to the budget.\u00a0 That money can buy a lot of sandwiches, and perhaps pay down debt. When you\u2019re preparing your own meals at home, it\u2019s possible to cook a little extra every night for lunch the next (or even the following) day, which will help you reduce your costs even more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trade Out Meat<\/strong><\/p>\n Meat is often the most expensive part of your meal.\u00a0 Consider swapping it (for even one night a week) for a more economical form of protein, like beans or eggs.\u00a0 The North American diet tends to include an abundance of meat, so it\u2019s possible you\u2019ll welcome the change.<\/p>\n Shop Wisely<\/strong><\/p>\n There are a lot of things you can do to keep the cost of your grocery cart down.\u00a0 Choose a grocery store with good prices on foods you like, and forego as many \u201cfrills\u201d as you can.\u00a0 Use reusable grocery bags and don\u2019t go to the store without a list. Make sure that you actually need all the items you buy.\u00a0 Buy store brands whenever possible, and use coupons to purchase items that you regularly use.<\/p>\n The way you eat, and the way you shop, can have a huge impact on your monthly budget.\u00a0 Costs for food items and dining out are always increasing, so adopting a proactive approach will not only save you money now but will help to \u201cfuture proof\u201d your budget against rising costs.<\/p>\n A recent joint report between Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph states that \u201cThe average Canadian family is going to spend $411 more to fill the grocery cart.\u201d That\u2019s a huge increase in your household budget – equivalent to receiving an extra heating bill or two.\u00a0 Many people believe that this is a relatively … <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"