Money Saving Tip of the Day by SavingsNut.com

 Buy less of those processed foods that are pre-cooked or packaged for convenience, rather than thrift.  This has become a favorite at grocery stores and convenience stores. Those pre-packaged salads and oven-roasted chickens are nice, but they do come at a cost.  And all those frozen pre-cooked foods that you just pop in the microwave are not really cheap, when you start adding them up.  Same goes for foods that are packaged in small portions or individual serving packages for convenience.  Does your child really need a single serving “lunchable” bought at the grocery store, or would a nice sandwich and piece of fruit be better and less expensive?  Wouldn’t it be cheaper to put a few cookies in a plastic bag (or in some foil) for a snack, rather than buying small individual bags? You might think you are saving money by reducing waste and preparation costs, but your per meal cost is considerably more expensive with prepared foods and convenience packaging.  So, try to buy ingredients instead of meals or conveniently packaged small portions and save.  And try to avoid the “junk” foods altogether. Homemade snacks are usually healthier and cheaper.