Three

Guideline 3: Keep Track of Food Prices

Do You Know What A Good Price For Boneless Chicken Is?

1. Start a notebook and keep track of prices on foods your commonly use. 2. List the best sale price - This helps you create a goal for yourself 3. Include the size and unit price //Food sales cycle about every 6 weeks// Example:
 * Store ||  || Brand Name ||   || Retail Price ||   || Unit Price ||   || Best Sale ||   || Best Unit Price ||
 * Store A ||  || Store-brand Cheerios ||   || 16 oz. @ $2.24 ||   || $0.14/oz ||   || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">12 oz. @$1.00 ||   || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">$0.08/oz. ||

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Once you have a list, start creating goals for yourself. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Try not to buy an item for more than the best sale price that you have seen. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">This becomes your target to aim for

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">**COST GOALS** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px;">Snacks <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> - 10 - 20 cents per person/per snack <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Breakfast - 50 cents per person/per meal <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lunch - $1.25 per person/per meal <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Dinner - Budget meal for 4: $2 total, Average meal for 4: $4 total, Special meal for 4: $10+ total
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Only buy 1 family-sized snack item per week
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make homemade instead of store-bought
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Eat fruit and veggies with homemade dips
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Avoid or reduce use of boxed cereals and prepackaged mixes.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make homemade alternatives
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make breakfast items 1 or 2 times per month and freeze
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Avoid fast food and other restaurants
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make homemade sandwiches with lunch meat on sale
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Make homemade soups
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Avoid juice boxes
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Instead of individual chips and cookies, buy in bulk and put in plastic bags
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Use leftovers from other meals
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Avoid fast food and other restaurants
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stretch the meat with vegetables, whole grains, and beans