How did our debt get so big? This is a common question when someone finally realizes that he is up to his neck in debt. They generally did not buy any expensive items such as travel or furniture. It’s just constant over the life limit for years and when you add it up, it really adds up!

One of the most common reasons credit card debt has gotten so high without you knowing it is that you spent it on food. Going out to eat constantly adds up quickly, especially if you eat breakfast on the run, eat lunch out, and grab something to take home for dinner. Let’s say $4 for breakfast, $7 for lunch, and $10 for dinner. That’s not expensive for eating out, but it’s still $21 per person. For just 5 business days, that’s $105. Most monthly grocery budgets are $200 for one person. Make a plan to eat breakfast at home, bring your lunch or allow yourself to eat out one day, then eat at home every night or just one night without cooking. You will be surprised how much money you are saving.

Another problem with food shopping is letting food go to waste. You can count your pennies, stick to a budget, but let the vegetables rot before you use them. I don’t know how many bags of moldy lettuce I’ve thrown out of my fridge. I used to go grocery shopping and just buy things on sale or get things that I thought I would use to do something. Note that I said something, not a particular food. In other words, he had no plan. So I wasted my food money, I bought without having any idea. Now I determine the recipes that I will make for the week, then I go out and buy the food that I don’t have to make those recipes. I know what nights I’m going to cook, what leftovers will be available for lunches, and what days I can eat out. Food is no longer wasted.

Don’t get sucked into joining those big thrift chains like Sam’s Club if you can’t use that amount of food before it goes bad. He used to belong to Sam’s Club and buy apples in five pound bags. I had enough of the apples before I got to half the bag. Those huge bags of salad were a great deal, but not when it got gross before I ate half the bag. I can shop at those places because the amount of food you have to buy is too much.

Learn how to check weekly grocery store specials or coupons for your grocery budget. I used to think coupon clippings were for housewives or middle-aged women, but then I realized how much money I could save by using coupons or buying things on sale. But I only bought what I needed on sale, not just because it was on sale. There is a difference!