5 Smart Ways to Save Money on Food
Food is definitely one of the household expenses that most of us spend more than we need to on. We buy pre-packaged fruit and veg, ready meals, takeout, and store-made sandwiches.
However, if you just took a bit of time to make things from scratch, you could end up not only saving money but eating much more healthily too. In this article, we’re going to explain five smart ways to save money on food.
1. Use the Whole Chicken
Many of us buy a whole chicken, eat what we want on a Sunday and then throw the rest out. However, this is a huge waste of money. Instead, look at ways you can use the chicken in multiple meals. For example, you could have a roast chicken dinner, a chicken salad, a chicken casserole, and chicken stock from just one rotisserie chicken.
2. Learn to Love Eggs
Eggs are a cheap ingredient, but they can be used to make many different meals. Poached, fried, scrambled, omelets – the choice is yours. Eggs go well with chips, vegetables, or just a slice of toast. They are a really versatile ingredient, but one that most of us don’t consider for meal ideas. Plus, as one medium egg contains around six grams of protein and 100 calories, they’re great for those looking to save money on food while on a diet.
3. Buy Large Cuts of Meat
This may sound counterproductive as a large cut of pork will obviously cost more than two pork steaks, however, hear me out. If you buy a large cut of meat, you can stretch it out over multiple meals. Download the budget-friendly menu plans on pocketchangegourmet.com and plan your meals. You can even batch make them in advance and freeze them if you want to. This tip works with all kinds of meat from pork and chicken to mince.
4. Buy Frozen Fruit and Veg
Most of us are drawn to the fresh grocery aisle when buying fruit and veg, but it’s often cheaper to buy frozen fruits and veggies. Not only is it cheaper to buy, but frozen foods taste just as great as fresh when cooked correctly. You can find everything from broccoli and spinach to berries in the frozen aisles. This is an especially good tip for those who like to make their own smoothies.
5. Avoid Impulse Buying
Before you head out to do your grocery shopping, create a list of the items that you need and stick to it. Impulse buying can easily add an extra $50 to your shopping bill, and half of the items you buy will probably end up being wasted. If you are prone to impulse buying, a good piece of advice is to eat before you head out. This will stop you from being tempted by all the sweet treats you see as you walk around.
Saving money on food may require a lifestyle change, but it’s definitely worth it!
