The National Retail Federation reports that parents are expected to spend an average $673 on key back-to-school items like clothes, electronics and supplies. That’s a five percent increase from 2013. As families fall back into the routine of school, we wanted to offer up some budget-friendly ways to save on the most important meal of the day: breakfast.
Time, convenience and nutritional value are the most important factors when it comes to breakfast. Peanut butter fits the bill for all three and it’s also a valuable and nutritious bang for your buck. While peanut butter prices have decreased, the most recent Consumer Price Index showed an increase in ham and bacon prices.
Here are three tips that will help make breakfast part of your back-to-school routine without breaking the bank:
Prepare breakfast for the week.
While breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, it gets the least amount of time. According to NPD Group Inc., the average American only sets aside 12 minutes a day for breakfast. On a hectic morning before school, time is even more precious. Planning and preparing a nutritious breakfast recipe that can last throughout the week helps to ensure you have something readily available. These Funky Monkey Muffins bring together peanut butter, yogurt, whole grains and can be enjoyed throughout the week.
“Follow” for sale alerts.
Social media, websites and mobile applications are great tools that will allow you to keep up with the latest sales. You can also compare the costs of your favorite foods to see which store offers the best price before you begin your shopping journey. This virtual “pre-shopping” can help save you the hassle of visiting multiple stores. Follow or sign-up on the websites of your favorite grocery stores and brands.
Save with ingredients that can be used in multiple ways.
The good thing about peanuts and peanut butter is that they’re versatile ingredients and can be used as part of a variety of recipes. You can easily convert a recipe you’d typically enjoy during snack time into a delicious breakfast treat. For example, these Get Up and Go Peanut Crunch Bars offer up 6 grams of protein and are a tasty way to get going in the morning.