When it comes to the family budget, food is one of the easiest categories to make some significant savings. Whether a family consists of parents and children, a married couple or even a single person, spending less on food doesn't have to mean going hungry.

Get Help

Some families who need to save money on food actually qualify for assistance. Check with local nonprofits, government programs or church programs to find out what is available. If a family can get help with basic and nonperishable food items, it can purchase more fresh foods from the grocery store.

Clip Coupons

Coupons are available in newspapers or shoppers guides, online coupon sites and manufacturer's websites. In addition to coupons, store fliers can help shoppers plan meals based on what foods are on sale. Be aware of which coupons expire and when. Coupons can save considerably on groceries, but only if used wisely. Sometimes shoppers will purchase something they don't need or wouldn't ordinarily get just because they can save 30 cents. Overzealous coupon clippers can end up spending more than they would without the savings if they aren't careful.

Make A List

Make a list of needed food before leaving the house. Think about upcoming meals and find out if any ingredients are already in the pantry. It is frustrating and wasteful to purchase an item, just to discover that it's already in the cupboard. Without a list, many shoppers will wander through the aisles, picking out whatever looks good. This often results in unnecessary purchases and wasted food, as well as forgotten items.

Eat at Home

Cut back on dining out. Restaurants offer a fun treat for an occasional splurge, but in excess, they can drain a budget. Even fast food joints that boast an inexpensive menu aren't as frugal as eating at home. At sit-down eateries, tack on drinks, tax and gratuity and the bill can be much higher than expected.

Bang For Your Buck

Make the most of foods by planning for leftovers, or making foods where a little goes a long way. Meals like soups and stews are hardy and filling, but the ingredients are relatively inexpensive. Crock pot or slow-cooker meals are similar, usually resulting in a lot of food. Leftovers can serve as lunch the following day. Do not make more food than necessary if nobody in the house will eat the leftovers. Use recipes that don't require the most expensive cuts of meat. Can't afford steaks? Make beef stew or steak sandwiches using an inexpensive cut of beef. Try leaving out meat altogether in some meals. Meat is probably the most expensive part of a home-cooked meal, but it isn't always necessary. Find a good vegetarian cookbook or website and make a satisfying meat-free meal a few nights a week. Most fruits are larger than an actual serving size. Purchase smaller fruits, which will cut down on the cost of produce that charges by the pound.

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Save on Groceries

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