Save Money On Your Grocery Bill With a Freezer

Because the holiday season is just around the corner, many people may be paying closer attention to their finances. With holiday parties to attend and Christmas gifts to shop for, finding additional ways to save money may help with dwindling bank accounts and maxed out credit cards. However, many people may not realize that they experience substantial savings by simply paying attention to the contents of their refrigerator or freezer.

The average American household spends thousands a year on groceries, with 25 percent of that amount on fast food. While some people may keep detailed notes on every grocery item they regularly purchase and routinely note the price fluctuations at the stores they frequent, clipping coupons and tracking grocery prices is sure to give most people a headache. Fortunately, by making a few relatively small investments, the average family can save over $200 a month on groceries.

Many home economists and frugal shoppers can attest to the merits of a standalone freezer and an inexpensive vacuum sealer. Freezing food allows you to buy items in bulk, cook an entire week’s or month’s worth of meals at once, and eliminate impulse buys, therefore saving you time, and yes, money.

Buying in Bulk
Many warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club can offer amazing deals, but buying in bulk in an attempt to save money doesn’t have to necessarily involve a membership to one of these discount stores, as you can easily stock up on great deals during sales at your local grocery store. If you don’t want to clip coupons, simply keep an eye out for weekly sale flyers from the bigger chains or look for these in your Sunday paper. Many savings can be had when purchasing items like meat and cheese, and these items are very easy to freeze.

Menu Planning
Shopping for groceries without a list (or on an empty stomach) can wreck havoc on your wallet. Instead, sit down once or twice a month and create a complete meal plan with an attached grocery list. Planning your purchases and menus greatly lessens impulse shopping and prevents you from purchasing costly and unhealthy convenience items such as frozen dinners and mixes. After your pantry is full, spend one or two days a month cooking your meals according to your menu plan, and place them in the freezer. When mealtime comes around, simply reheat and serve. Because your meals are already pre-cooked, this will save you both time and money, as you will also be less inclined to rely on fast food or delivered pizza.

Choosing the Right Size Freezer
In order to choose the right size freezer, consider what you plan on freezing and the size of your household. If you want to freeze a whole side of beef, then you may want a large 14 cubic foot freezer. However, for the average family, a compact freezer like the affordable Sunpentown UF-310W will be suitable. Keep in mind that a cubic foot of freezer space holds about 35 pounds of food, and some manufacturers even recommend calculating 1.5 cubic feet of space for each person eating at home. For even more savings, keep the freezer at least 2/3 full to conserve energy, but if this is not possible, freeze water in leftover milk containers and place them in the freezer. Also, if you are thinking of purchasing a second-hand freezer, consider buying a new model versus an older one, as the newer ones tend to be more energy efficient.