Saving money on food costs
Thinking of trying to downsize your food expenses? Then you should read the following tips. They will give you some starting ideas on how to go about it reducing your grocery bill. This is not an exhaustive list, but somewhere to begin.
Do you drink coffee?
It can be a good idea to re-use your coffee grounds one more time. Using coffee grounds two times will not greatly affect the taste of the coffee and try to do this using a filter permanent or re-usable filter system. Keep the grounds refrigerated until you need them the next time. (If you're not a purist, use regular dried coffee, it's cheaper!)
Or tea?
Loose leaf tea will usually give you more bang for your buck than tea bags. Use a simple stainless steel strainer with your loose leaf tea.
Bread at a good price
Grocery stores will often sell bread that was made the day before at a reduced price. This bread is still fine to eat and if you freeze it, you can just thaw out however many slices you want at a time. Day old bread makes good toast and toasted sandwiches. If you have a lot of space in your freezer, consider buying a few reduced loaves at a time to freeze.
In the grocery store
- Make a list before you go and stick to it. Prioritize basic goods and avoid buying extras.
- Check out the prices on the displays at the end of the aisles.
- Remember, branded products cost considerably more than store brands.
- Check the price per unit, or per weight when comparing products.
- Look for reduced items. If you find a good sale on an item you use, stock up, especially if you can freeze items that are close to their use-by date.
- Check your receipt. Make sure what you paid is what is advertised on the shelf price. If you have been over-charged, go back and tell them, sometimes this results in getting the item free.
- Eat before you grocery shop, so you're not tempted by your hungry stomach.
- Use coupons if they apply to the items you normally buy.
Things you may not know you can freeze
Cheese, butter, milk, yoghurt (it thaws out a bit runnier though...good for smoothies), meat of course, deli meats such as ham and salami, juice, bread, bread rolls, croissants, pocket breads and fresh produce of all types.
Buy in bulk
Often it is cheaper to buy a large container or bag of a product, then divide it up into smaller serves. Don't buy pre-grated cheese or pre-sliced baby carrots, it is easy enough to do this yourself and will cost you less if you do. Keep your eyes open for 'buy two, get one free' deals.
Pack a lunch
If you regularly are out of the house for lunch, consider packing a lunch to bring with you. It will generally be healthier and cheaper than purchasing lunch every day. If you're out with the kids, bring snacks and drink bottles so you don't need to stop and buy snacks when little people are hungry.
Bring a drink
Always bring a drink bottle with water in it wherever you go. Or keep a stainless steel water bottle in the car (s/steel won't taint the taste of the water if left in the car for a while.) If you forget a drink, just wait till you get home. It's ok to be thirsty for an hour or so while you shop
Eating cheaply does not necessarily mean eating poor quality food. Look around and you might be surprised at the options there are to choose from. Take time to consider your choices so that not only will you save money, but you and the family will be eating healthily as well.
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