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Saving on food and eating

 

55. SWAP TAKEOUT FOR HOME MADE TAKEOUT

It can be just as easy to prep a homemade takeaway. For instance – swap takeout pizza for a frozen or fresh one from the supermarket – you won’t notice the difference!

 

56. BUY FROM CHEAPER SUPERMARKETS AND DON’T BUY BRANDED FOODS

Some supermarkets are more expensive than others, so when budgeting look for the best value for money for your regular shop – and try and buy the own brand options rather than the more expensive alternatives.

 

57. BUY LARGER POTS OF THINGS RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL SERVINGS

If you read the labels on the supermarket shelves they normally do the maths for you and give you a price per 100g or the appropriate measure – you may be surprised at how buying larger portions on what you use daily anyway may save money (yoghurts, milk etc…).

 

58. USE LEFTOVERS FOR A MEAL THE NEXT DAY – COOK WISELY

Have pasta with Pesto for tea? It works really well with a salad for a cold lunch the following day as well. What about roast meat for sandwiches – the list really is endless!

 

59. MENU PLAN – MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU BUY

If you plan your menu for the week then you can more easily use your food sensibly.

For example – you buy a large bag of carrots one day and use them for a casserole one night, then crudités for lunch the following day, and then as a side the day after. You use up all the food that may have been wasted if you planned for completely different meals each day.

 

60. DON’T ALWAYS BUY FRESH

Frozen fruit and veg is often more nutritious, you get less waste as you only cook what you need, and it costs less usually than its fresh equivalent – triple bonus!

 

61. GET BAKING

Do you buy cakes and biscuits a lot? Why not bake them for much less cost, and freeze ready for when you need them – much healthier too as you can pick what goes in them!

 

62. HAVE A SOUP NIGHT

Soup costs pennies to make – use up leftover veg, stock etc… and create a really nutritious meal once a week. It let’s you get creative as well!

 

63. BUY A FLASK

OK – so you are buying a flask and that will cost money – but if you make your morning coffee up before you leave the house you will spend a lot less over the course of a month on your coffee hit each day – it all adds up.

 

64. HAVE A MEAT FREE NIGHT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK

Meat is the most expensive part of the meal usually – so going without can make a difference to your spending. Try bulking your food up with lentils or beans instead.

 

65. SHOP FOR FRESH FOOD AT THE END OF THE DAY

Often, supermarkets and shops discount fresh produce at the end of each day – so you can grab a real bargain if you time it right!

 

66. DRINK WATER RATHER THAN JUICES ALL THE TIME

Water’s free – enough said!

 

67. DON’T BUY PRE-PREPARED OR READY MEALS

You are paying for the convenience – but in reality is can be just as easy to make batches of stew/bolognese etc.. and reheat those when you can’t be bothered to cook.

 

68. GROW YOUR OWN

If you can, try and grow some of your food yourself  even if it’s just a herb tray on the kitchen windowsill – it can save you loads!

 

69. MAKE A SHOPPING LIST AND STICK TO IT

Don’t get tempted by the special offers – if you didn’t have it on your list – you didn’t need it!

 

 

70. TAKE SNACKS WHEREVER YOU GO OUT

Whether it’s to work, the gym, for your children – whenever you are out and about ensure you have some snacks with you.

If you bulk buy in your weekly shop then the same product can cost significantly less than if you buy individually on the go (think multi packs of crisps, or packets of biscuits, or grapes and other fruit)

 

Food is a big category – and it is potentially the place where the biggest savings can be made – so pick one of those tips to try this week and see how you go.

We have now reached the last few tips – arguably the most effective – and these are based around clothes and general tips – so keep going as I am sure you will find some great ideas…