6 QUICK TIPS TO REDUCE FAMILY EXPENSES ON FEEDING

It is not out of place to say that the cost of living is increasing this day all over the world. This is particularly true in African countries where the sizes of families are fairly large, the populations are high and the per-capita income is very low. The economic recession all over the world tend to worsen household troubles. The challenge confronting every family now is how to use the small resources at their disposal to achieve maximum satisfaction without resulting to borrowing and debt.

The following tips will result in drastic reduction in family expenses while ensuring that maximum satisfaction is derived from every dollar spent:
1. Budgeting Family Expenses: Governments all over the world usually prepare a budget of the income and expenses for a whole year. If a government with almost unlimited resources could do this, nothing stops families from having a monthly budget of how they intend to spend their incomes. The major advantage of budgeting is that it helps the family to maintain focus and it thus ensure that family financial resources are optimally used.
2. Buying of Food and Other Household Items in Bulk: The practice of buying things in bulk has the advantage of reducing the unit price of the items purchased.
3. Avoiding Impulse or Spontaneous Purchases: The family resources should be concentrated on buying the absolutely necessary items while leaving out the ones that are not urgent or necessary. Efforts should be made to stay within the budget for the month.
4. Making Effort to spend less than the amount actually budgeted: In African countries, where majority of people are farmers, food items are usually cheaper during the harvesting season. These food items should be purchased at this time, which results in less expense.
5. Avoid wasting Food: With experience, one should be able to know the quantity of food that is enough for the household. The practice of cooking more food than necessary should be avoided, except if the excess can be re-used again.
6. Avoid Credit Purchases: From my own experience, buying things and paying cash is relatively cheaper on the long run. Therefore, buying in cash is more economical.

If you have really enjoyed reading this article, your comments and observations are welcomed. Thanks.