Sixty percent of families I asked don’t have any form of a written household budget.

Of the 250 families who participated in an online survey, more than half spend more than they think they should on groceries every month. Of course, if you spend more than you make, you should take immediate steps to get things under control.

But what if your income is such that even without a budget, you do OK? Does it matter how much you spend?
The average American family spends more on food than anything except housing. That’s a lot of shopping, which means a lot of opportunity for overspending — or saving.

Every time you head to the store, odds are good you’re going to grab more than one item that wasn’t on your list (assuming you use a list). As a result, you check out with more in your cart than you intended.

Does God really care how much you spend on groceries? Is it possible to have money left each month and still mismanage your spending? Absolutely.
The Bible tells us that all things belong to God. We are simply stewards of what he gives us. That includes our grocery money. With this in mind, shouldn’t we plan, shop and save money in a way that he would consider proper?

Sometimes this is easy to see: Spending money to help a family in need does the Lord’s work and brings glory to him.

Sometimes, though, it’s not so easy to see: There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself every now and then, but if occasional splurges become the norm, is it possible you’re wasting money?

Could it be you’re overindulging in certain areas of your budget when you could be using that money to build God’s Kingdom? Could you be donating to orphan care charities or supporting a missionary? Not only would such generosity bring glory to the Lord, but it would be wise stewardship.

Taking control of your grocery budget doesn’t have to be arduous.You can take specific steps to help you spend wisely, and you don’t have to clip a single coupon to do it — although that certainly could help:

• Get organized: Whether you have a large walk-in pantry to store several weeks of groceries or a few small cabinets that hold just a few days’ worth, develop a system that works for you.

Do you know what’s in your freezer?

An unorganized pantry or freezer may not seem like a money problem, but if you constantly buy things only to discover you already had several of them, the price tag really can start to add up.

• Plan ahead: Let’s face it, being prepared to feed a family three meals a day and snacks in between can get pretty tiring. But not being prepared can get downright expensive!

Using a menu and creating a shopping list from it not only eases the stress of not knowing what you’re going to fix for dinner, it also saves money on unnecessary splurges because you weren’t prepared to fix anything.

The next time you get ready to head to the grocery store, spend some time planning out at least a week’s worth of meals. You’ll be surprised how much easier you find staying within your grocery budget.

• Don’t shop when you’re hungry: We’re far more prone to buying junk food or the “quick fix” when we’re hungry. This can really add to your bill.

• Buy generic: Amazing savings available here.

• Don’t buy prepared foods: Usually, the more a food item has been processed, the more expensive it is, and the processed foods are never as healthy.

• Buy on sale: However, don’t fall into the “It’s on sale, so I have to buy it trap.” If it’s on your list or you know you really will need it soon, then buy it and buy it in bulk. Many things (like cheese) can be frozen.

Also, much of the time you’ll find name-brand items on sale, but the store brand will still be cheaper.

• Avoid buying something just because it seems cool: Any time an item’s main function is geared toward convenience (single-serving mac and cheese, for example) or a cool appearance, that item will cost you more.

Simple steps, when put into action, can make a big impact on how well you steward your money. God does care how much we spend on groceries, so be sure you spend wisely!

KAREE BLUNT attends the Skagit Valley Church of Christ in Burlington, Wash., with her husband, Rodney, and their five children. She co-founded www.BuildaMenu.com, an online menu planning service. Contact her at Karee@BuildaMenu.com.