Top 7 tips for your food budget when you struggle with debt

According to a report by Oxfam, it has estimated that in the coming 20 years food prices are going to increase by 120% to 180%. In this view, those families who are already struggling with maintaining their food budgets would be worse off.

Although a household may have two people working full time, there is the need to manage a food budget in a way which provides healthy eating for everyone.

What is the key to keeping a healthy budget and diet?

Once you decide on what your family need for a healthy eating into your budget, you can plan your family's monthly food expenditure.

Below are steps which can be followed weekly for a healthy, budget friendly shopping list and the food cupboard:

1. Sunday night is menu night.
   Make a list of 7 meals for the week. Once you decide on your weekly meals, workout the ingredient and make a list.
2. Never succumb to the takeaway.
   Takeaways always come with an expensive price tag. Avoid them to save money for more important things.
3. Cut unnecessary expenses.
   Stop spending money on crisps, sweets, cakes and chocolate. This will help you save money.
4. Stick to your grocery list.
   The more prepared you are when you get to the store the less impulse purchases you will make.
   So write out a grocery list and stick to it.
5. Cook large portions ahead.
   It saves time to cook once and eat multiple times. One idea is to make a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week and this makes a nutritious but inexpensive lunch or dinner anytime.
6. Avoid processed food.
   Packaged or processed foods contain high levels of hidden sugar. Satisfy your family with naturally sweet food such as fruit, peppers, and sweet potatoes.
7. Search out the farmers' market.
   Farmers sell food directly to you, often at a lower price than what you would pay in the grocery store.