How to Buy Groceries

Tommy and his mother take a well-planned shopping trip. Budgeting is easier with a list; it requires advanced planning, buying specials, using coupons, trying house brands and utilizing the stores special services. The best buys are natural unprocessed foods, bought in season. Open dating on processed foods means less waste--always check the shelf life. Food labels enable the consumer to compare products for content and select the best value or most suitable product; for example, chunks are cheaper and can be used in soups or stews. Tuna fish is always a good buy in terms of nutritive value for money. Meat is always a big-decision--buy after looking at sales, not while ogling the filet mignon. Poultry has high protein and low fat. Nonfat dry milk can cut your milk bill by half. Better nutrition for less money is certainly possible by decreasing use of meat, fat, sugar, coffee and soft drinks, while increasing use of cereals, beans and dairy products.