This is a sponsored post for the Visa Clear Prepaid program and the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card. However, all opinions and tips to help you stick to a grocery budget are my own.

With the rising cost of food, do you find it difficult to stick to your grocery budget? As a single mom, I have had my fair share of experience with a tight budget. Grocery shopping is one expense that can easily get out of control. I have learned that a little pre-planning and using a Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card can help me stretch my grocery dollars and stick to a grocery budget.

Tips to Help You Stick to a Grocery Budget

Make a shopping list. I never head into the grocery store without a list. It’s important to not only make a list, but also to stick to it. If you meal plan, making a shopping list is easier. Also, there will be some items that you buy every week that you keep on a master list. Start with those, then look at the store circular for items that are on sale and add those to your list. Shopping without a list, you are more likely to overspend and buy items that you don’t really need.

Buy items when they are on sale. Most grocery stores put out a weekly circular. Always take a look at the sales before heading into the store. You will learn that there are certain items that are on sale seasonally. That is a great time to stock up for later in the year. When more than one store has a good sale, it can even be worthwhile to shop at more than one store to take advantage of the savings.

Use coupons. Using coupons can save you a lot of money on your grocery bill and help you stick to your grocery budget. Couponing doesn’t have to be a part-time job. You can easily save money by using coupons that come in your Sunday newspaper. There are also plenty of coupons to be found online, as well as store coupons. Some stores offer to double the value of your coupon which can mean even greater savings.

Shop with a prepaid card. This summer I used a Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card to help me stay on track with summer vacation expenses. Using a prepaid card can also help you with your grocery budget.

An easy way to help you stick to a grocery budget and keep your spending where you want it, is with help from a prepaid card, like the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card, part of the Visa Clear Prepaid program. It allows you to spend only the predetermined amount you have loaded onto the card. There is no fear of overdrafts, the fee plans are easy to understand and your funds are still protected by the FDIC and Visa’s Zero Liability protection*, providing added security if your card is lost or stolen.

Using the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card to budget and pay for your groceries makes it easier to manage your money. Feeding your family is important. With a clearly communicated monthly fee plan, the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card means that confusing fees won’t distract you from what’s really important.

*Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S.-issued cards and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions, or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer.

The Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card can conveniently be purchased from a variety of nationwide retailers. There are several simple and convenient ways to load and reload the card. I load my card with cash at the store for a small fee. It is very easy. It was much easier for me to stick to a grocery budget thanks to the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card.

What are your tips for sticking to a grocery budget?