The most important and the most expensive meal of the day is breakfast. If you want to cut your grocery bill, look for ways to provide a wholesome meal for less.

There are so many options for breakfast these days. Kids can choose from hot cereals, cold cereals, breakfast bars, eggs, bacon, sausage, frozen meals, and the list goes on. Breakfast is packaged fast and convenient for the busy consumer. Unfortunately, fast is not cheap.

Decide a week at a time which options you will offer your family. Serving the same things every week or two at a time cuts down on what needs to be purchased. Each weekend, break the monotony by fixing a breakfast meal composed of all the favorites your kids don’t get during the week. (If you need some help with meal planning, check out Dine without Whine.)

Of course, when buying cold cereal, the best way to save money is to purchase store brands. You don't need to pay the namebrand tax to have your favorites. Most stores will have their own version of well-established cereals.

Whenever you can, purchase your breakfast staples in bulk. Instead of buying a box or can of oatmeal for four dollars, purchase a ten or twenty pound bag of rolled oats for a dollar more. A box containing five dozen eggs is more economical that buying a dozen eggs four times a month.

Visit the local farmer’s market to buy your fresh vegetables and fruits. Adding fresh vegetables to omelets provides flavor and texture to the breakfast meal. The farmer’s market sells dried fruits which make a healthy quick breakfast for you and your kids when time is short.

If one is available, buy breakfast meats at the butcher shop. The price is better and you can have the meat sliced for free. This way you can see what you are getting and choose the best cuts to keep your family happy and healthy.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. A little elbow grease and advanced preparation will provide even the busiest families with a hot breakfast each morning.