Digging through your monthly expenses and trimming the fat is a great way to save money. Have you taken a look at your food bill yet? We bet you’ve been spending more than you realize. Cut down on food expenses without sacrificing nutrition or how much you eat with these strategies.
Saving on food costs isn’t as difficult as you might believe. You can easily cut down on costs by purchasing cheaper ingredients and investing in the right kitchen equipment. Continue reading for more information on saving on food, as well as cheap and delicious recipes easily prepared right at home!
Slash Your Food Bill With These Simple Strategies:
Buy Generic
There’s no good reason to only buy name brand products, especially if you’re trying to save money. Sometimes the quality is a little higher, but the generic version is essentially identical. Generic products are typically made in the same factories that name brand items are, so you’re not missing out on much (if anything).
Spices That Go With Everything
Everyone has different preferences with herbs and spices, so this is not a one-size-fits-all list. Garlic, onions, and scallions naturally fit in many dishes. Parsley and cilantro are also excellent if you prefer mild flavors. Purchase fresh herbs and spices, especially if they’re on sale. Herbs like oregano and basil are also delicious, though dried is better if they’re infrequently used.
To store fresh herbs long-term, chop them and sprinkle them into a dash of vegetable oil; pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Thaw a cube as needed to dress up dishes.
Invest in a Slow Cooker
There are a million kitchen gadgets out there, but very few are worth having. Slow cookers are not among that list. They’re extremely versatile, long-lasting, and affordable, and they make cooking at home super lazy mode. Smaller sizes will work just fine for a single person, but opt for a larger one if you’re cooking for anyone else, too.
Breakfast
This is the most important meal of the day. It isn’t really an option to go without, but hey, mornings are hard, busy, and rushed. Preparing food while you’re still groggy doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few easy meals to prepare in the morning:
- Oatmeal and fruit. It’s simple, easy, and quick. Add in a little salt, brown sugar, and your favorite fresh or dried fruit for a meal to get your day started.
- Eggs. Learning how to work with eggs is one of the more useful skills you can learn. Try scrambled or fried eggs with toast or over easy and over medium eggs to refuel on protein. Or, boil your eggs and spend the time it takes to boil them attending to other tasks.
Rice Dishes
Rice is a great staple food. It’s cheap, easy to cook, and fast to make. Dishes with rice start simply; just add frozen veggies and soy sauce. Other flavor and nutrient improvements include eggs, garlic, onion, and olive oil to make fried rice. Preparing rice bowls with veggies or meat is a great way to bring out your creative side.
Rotisserie Chickens
Small rotisserie chickens make for amazing meals, particularly if you’re cooking in a crockpot. With a little preparation, you can make two meals by adding some veggies to the slow cooker. You’ll also create fresh stock to turn into soup later!
Soups and Stews
Throw some vegetable stock, veggies, meat, and whatever else you want into a pot and let it sit for a few hours. Soups and stews may take a while to cook, but it’s a low-effort way to make tasty and healthy meals. Use your slow cooker to prepare a stew while you’re at work or school.
Reducing your monthly food bill is easy. All you need to do is put in a little time to prepare your own meals and find ways to spend less on ingredients. These small changes will enable you to eat healthy and save money at the same time!
