ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

DON'T BLOW YOUR FOOD BUDGET DURING THE HOLIDAYS
 
 

AUBURN, NOV. 19---During the holiday season, some people have a lot of trouble staying within their food budgets.

Dr. Barbara Struempler, an Extension nutritionist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers some ways to trim food costs while shopping.

• Look over ads and shop seasonal sales. Plan menus to avoid needless and overpriced items. Who says turkey or ham are once-a-year items? Buy an extra one, then use it in pot pies, casseroles, sandwiches or stew later in the year.
• Spend your money where it's most likely to show. When buying cheddar cheese for a sauce, rather than buy a national brand use a local store brand that is as good and costs less.
• Eat before going to the mall. Eating at a mall's food court can get expensive, especially if you're feeding a family.
• Double-batch the family's favorite recipes and freeze in individual portions. With everyone going in different directions during the holidays, family members will appreciate the convenience of simply microwaving a frozen entree. This can add up to big savings. It also gets you out of the "call for a pizza" habit.
• Buy prepared food when you need to. Sometimes it's not worth cooking something from scratch. If time is a factor it may be better to buy prepared food from a deli.

• Use grocery items as Christmas presents. If you have a good sense of value, you can assemble all sorts of theme gifts. For example, create a spaghetti dinner kit (pasta, bottled sauce and garnishes in a serving bowl or strainer), a coffee break (coffee beans and fancy sugar cookies with a mug), or a sweet dreams package (favorite candies with a new book). These make great gifts for someone who seems to have everything.

SOURCE: DR. BARBARA STRUEMPLER, Extension Nutritionist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-2217