Families from all the world are experiencing a lower availability to spend money for goods. Lighters wallets even for food. So the ordinary shopping is the first victim of cuts in household budgets. This does not mean, however, necessarily the taste should miss on the table!
Here there are some simple tips which might protect the family budget, meanwhile preserving the joy of eating!

Seasonal products
Always choose seasonal products: they are cheaper, allow you to change the course of the diet food because every month there is a large variety of different fruits and vegetables available, but also have better organoleptic and nutritional characteristics than products planted in the greenhouse. Fresh garlic, asparagus, broccoli, artichokes, beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, chicory, onions and fresh onions, turnip greens, chard, fava beans, fennel, leeks, potatoes, turnips, radishes, rocket, celery , spinach and zucchini are the vegetables of April. Lemons, apples, pineapples and bananas, and even oranges, kiwi, grapefruit and the first strawberries at the end of the month will be the fruit which will lead us into summer.

Offers and promotions
Pay attention to the products on offer, and buy only the stock that you know will be quickly consumed by your family. Often, loyalty cards give access to regular discounts on a weekly basis. Furthermore, go and check to more than one store in your district: search “the deal” suitable for you.

Daily shopping
Avoid shopping once a week, or maybe once a month. This practice leads to make unnecessary purchases, which fill the pantry of products that should be thrown away. It is better to schedule a daily shopping, buying fresh products ready to cook and eat, rather than buying a huge amount of food once in a while.

Full stomach
NEVER go shopping when you are hungry! you risk to fill the basket of crap, bad for your health and wallet!

Shopping list
Last but not least, leave your house with a written shopping list: do not leave the right path and you won’t fall into temptations.

written and posted by Marta Chiaraluce