Feeding a family every month resembles more and more of juggling and performing magic tricks with a half-empty wallet. Prices are increasing day by day, so the sacrifices are growing. Some of the proven tactics should at least and to some extent help us to save on costs for food, in order not to affect the quality of our nutrition. The largest part of the consumers’ basket consists of food products that recorded the highest increase in prices. However, there are ways to organize better your shopping and thus save some money.
Buy Cheaper Products:
The first way to save money is definitely buying cheaper products. In addition, apply the concept of so-called intelligent shopping – plan your meals in advance and before purchase, check home inventory, and bravely resist buying unnecessary products at attractive, sale prices when you are in a store.
Freezing food can be significant if, for example, at some point you obtain larger quantities of meat at sale prices, or you decide to freeze fruits and vegetables obtained at seasonal prices. Almost all foods can be frozen for later preparation, weather it is for cooking or reheating. What we need to consider is for how long certain foods can be stored in the freezer, but without losing the texture and taste. Also, if you prepare a huge meal for several people, don’t throw leftovers. Put those in a fridge and there you have a decent meal for another day. Pay attention to meals containing milky products, since those cannot be preserved for a long time.
Buy Products in Season:
Pay attention to the purchase! One of the ways to reduce daily expenses, but also to eat healthier is to follow the season. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables because it is always the cheapest. During the season, buy a larger quantity of different fruits and vegetables and leave it in the freezer for the next months. You can blanch vegetables and then freeze it. Some sorts, such as tomato and corn for example, are healthier cooked than fresh. Instead of eating meat for every meal, which is expensive and isn’t healthy in larger quantities, eat more rice, beans and soybeans, which are available at low prices. Use cash and avoid cards because when paying by credit card you do not feel like spending money but in reality, you spend it more. The solution is to spend exactly as much as you have in your wallet.
Cook Smart- Use Less Electricity:
When cooking, cover the pot, because in that way you shorten the cooking time and use less energy. In a covered pot, you will preserve the steam and heat, taste and aroma of dishes you are preparing, and all with less energy and less time. If you cook in a larger pot on a small hotplate, you will make more food with less electricity. When cooking, adjust the hob to a lower temperature because it uses less energy. The pressure cooker is the best friend in the kitchen, because the food prepared in an ordinary pot is ready for about an hour and in a pressure cooker, it is prepared within ten minutes. At the same time, in addition to energy, it also preserves the nutritional value of food. The same goes for quality cookware. The microwave is a great saver! It is great for a quick, convenient and inexpensive defrosting and reheating meals, suitable for households when someone gets home from work or from school and wants a quick meal.
If you cook more food at once, you will save time but also money spent on electricity or gas. Then divide the food into portions and save it in the freezer. When you want to eat something hot, a healthy meal will be on your table in no time. Create new meals from food residues. Make a tasty dish with some basic foods and spices from the rest of the cooking. Prepare different meals with meat leftovers combining it with rice, pasta or vegetables.
If your supermarket has spices sold per grams, it is recommendable to buy them, not those packed in bags or “fancy” glass packaging from the manufacturers of famous brands. You would not believe how much you can save by buying spices in this way. The same applies to dried fruits and nuts. Compare prices next time you go shopping and you will see the difference.