This post is a collaboration with Woolworths
Christmas is the time of the year when it's so easy to overspend on just about everything, so I thought I would put together a blog post sharing all my tips to keep your food budget in check this Christmas.
Plan out meals
Spend some time planning out all of the meals that you will need over the Christmas period. By spending a little bit of time planning this out now, it will help you create your shopping list and prevent doing those unnecessary "quick" shops where you end up buying things you don't need. I have a handy Christmas meal planner you can download for free and use to plan all your meals out.
Set a budget
Now that you have planned out all of your meals, set a reasonable food budget that you can stick to. I stick to a $500 budget for a family of 6, remembering we host our family Christmas party this year, but I'll be keeping costs low by creating this ultimate Christmas grazing table.
Make a list and check it twice
Always make a list when going grocery shopping. Having a list will ensure you get everything you need, and it will also help you stick to your budget without overspending. I never go grocery shopping without a list, EVER! You can write a paper list or pop a list in the notes section in your phone.
Shop online
Don't want to carry heavy bags? Shopping online is the most convenient way to complete your Christmas shopping and avoid the Christmas rush. If you can't get home delivery, don't forget the pick up option that Woolworths offers across the country.
Shop sales
Another reason to shop online is to search the sale items first. When you are creating your shopping list, make sure you check the weekly sales first and try and purchase sale items only. I love seeing how much I save each week by shopping the sale items only! You'll be surprised how quickly the discounts add up.
Start stocking up NOW
It's never too early to start prepping for Christmas. Start stocking up on non-perishable items such as the Gold All Butter Brandy Infused Mince Pies, Gold Rum and Pineapple Pudding, Gold Spiced Gingerbread Pudding and Gold Roasted Almond Shortbread now! You'll save a lot by gradually purchasing them in the lead up to Christmas when they are on sale. Just pop them in a separate section of your pantry, so no one eats or uses them.
Use rewards points
Woolworths Rewards has a fantastic option where you can bank all your Woolworths Rewards points earnt through the year to spend at Christmas time. I've been saving mine, and I'll be putting them towards my Woolies shop this Christmas!
I hope this post helps you SAVE money this Christmas! If you have any other tips to share, I'd love to hear them.
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