I love food. I like to eat, I like to make it, and with a family of 4 to feed I've learned a few things about eating well on a budget. Here's my Top 10 Food Tips!

1. Don't underestimate the power of "generic." You can save a ton of money by buying generic. That being said, do not buy generic everything. On my "generic ok" list are...

  • canned fruits and vegetables
  • frozen fruits and vegetables
  • flour and sugar
  • pasta
  • rice
  • milk, butter, cream cheese, and yogurt

More importantly, on my Don't Ever Buy Generic list are...

  • cold cereal (the knock-off brands are nasty!)
  • tomato soup (I don't know why, but Campbells is tthe only kind I think is edible.)
  • pop-tarts
  • spices

2. Invest in your Protein: I spend the bulk of my grocery money on meats. If I can buy fresh, all the better. It really does make a difference. If I really don't have a lot of money I buy Barilla Protein Pasta (which is more expensive) but contains about the same amount of protein as a chicken breast.

3. Grow your own herbs. You can grow herbs in pots in your kitchen all year long, just like you do house plants. I don't have a green thumb, but I love fresh herbs. They make a boring meal fresh and bright and growing them yourself will save you a ton of money in the long term.

4. If you are tight on cash make lots of dishes where the bulk of the meal is a starch. Stock up on different pastas, rices, potatoes, and beans. Eggs are also a great way to eat on a budget and get some great protein.

5. Make your own soups, dips, and sauces. Making a pot of soup costs a fraction of the cost of canned soup and not only does it taste a whole lot better, but it isn't full of preservatives and sodium, so it's much healthier for you. Salsa and dips are the same way. Fresh salsa is cheaper and a whole lot tastier. Plus stop buying prepackaged ranch dip, bean dip, and queso. Grab a packet of dry ranch dip mix and a carton of sour cream. It's simple, but trust me, you'll thank me later. Here's my favorite soup recipe, salsa recipe, and the marinara sauce I make.

6. Don't ever buy pre-shredded cheese. I learned this lesson the hard way. The pre-shredded cheese is coated in a waxy substance and it's more expensive as opposed to buying a block of cheese. Again, make the switch and you'll thank me later.

7. Buy butter not margarine. Margarine is nasty. Yes, you can "believe it's not butter." Everything in your life will be better when you start buying regular butter! I promise.

8. Make semi-homemade meals. It's amazing how with a little effort you can make a blah meal so much better. My best example is adding pesto to tomato soup. You take very plain, average, boring soup and make it something special.

9. Use whole milk (or at least 2%) and chicken broth instead of water. Hence the example of the tomato soup above. Tomato soup made with water is nasty! I will never forget being pregnant and craving tomato soup all day only to find my sweet husband had made our last can for me with water! I sat on the floor and cried. If ever given the option, choose milk over water. Same with chicken broth. Try cooking veggies or rice in chicken broth. Again, it's life changing folks!

10. Eat at the table and eat dinner as a family as often as possible. I know first hand how hard it is. You have soccer practice and dance recitals, and Dad has to work late, but do it when you can. You'll find yourself actually talking to your family. That's my favorite thing about food, it brings people together.

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