Saving Money on Food: Get Rid of Your Bad Habits
When we hear about saving money on food, the first thing that comes to mind is eating less or getting hungry. Unless you’re on a diet (even if you are), the idea of cutting on food seems a dreadful idea. For most of us, food is one luxury we can’t seem to give up. After all, a hearty meal or even the unhealthiest form of food gives us a sense of comfort. However, you do not need to starve yourself just to save money around the house. What needs to be done is to change some habits that lead to waste. By doing so, saving money on food will become natural to you rather than a burden.
5 Tricks and Tips for Saving Money on Food
1- One of the worst habits most people have regarding food is waste them. And in case you are not aware of it, wasting your food means wasting your money as well. In order to avoid this, you have to get back to the reason why food is wasted. Are you checking out the expiration date on the food you buy, especially meat and other frozen food? Meat is probably one of the most expensive item in your grocery list and if you decide to buy in bulk, make sure that you will be able to use up all of them before the ‘best before’ date.
2- Another habit that leads to wasting food is throwing away leftovers. Instead of throwing them away, find creative ways how to cook them again differently by adding a few extra ingredients. For example, some of the leftover chicken you have can be used as a chicken spread by putting mayonnaise to it. You can also shred or cut them into small pieces for your vegetable salad. The more creative you are, the easier it is to be excited in preparing your meal. Who knows what delicious fusion you can concoct the next time you experiment on your next leftover.
3- Saving money on food can also happen if you plan your meals ahead. This will give you an idea what to shop for and avoid buying the unnecessary things. You can ask suggestions from the members of your family what they want to eat. Check your supply and list what needs to be replenished and missing. Once you make a list, stick to the list you have made and discipline yourself not to give in to the temptation of junk food. You can avoid this by heading straight to the sections of the food that is on your list. On choosing the things you buy, get the generic or store brand rather than the brand names as they are much cheaper. And do not forget the sale or the warehouse – shopping for items on sale or buying them in bulk means saving money on food.
Keys to Saving Money on Food
4- You can also save money on the house if you consider an alternative way of shopping – that is through the internet or the weekly farmer’s market. On the internet, you can find some food items that are priced much cheaper than your local grocery store. Shipping is usually free of charge for most of these online food stores. Farmers’ market, on the other hand, will allow you to buy fresh produce at a cheaper price. It also prevents you from buying snacks which can be tempting in a grocery store setting. Be careful, though, when using your credit card to purchase these items or you may end up excited shopping in the comfort of your home.
5- Finally, saving money on food is also possible when you eat out less often and cook your own food instead. Preparing your own food takes a lot of time and effort and just the process alone will let you cook less. Less frequent eating habit leads to bigger savings, so does avoiding your Quarter Pounder or the steak in your favorite diner.
***Thanks to College-Guide sk8geek and Josh Moody for the photos***
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely Mike! Until you find that you need a new pair of Nike running shoes… now that will cost you!
These are great. I find that being on a diet actually makes it harder to save money because you spend all this money on natural ingredients, etc.
I try and go to the store more often (sounds counter productive) and then only walk around the outside. I only buy as much as I can carry in my basket (not a cart) and I don’t buy any juices or beverages.
I drink water, buy fresh fruits, and only buy what I can carry. – Then I don’t have to worry about expiration dates. Granted if I’m cooking a special recipe I might go into the other isles, but once you have the basic rice, beans, spices, you pretty much have it all.
I agree 100% Cat. I find a diet change in mind of becoming fitter and training more keeps my bad shopping habits under control as well.
Hi Heidi,
Saving money is something that we should all practice.
Wasting food is one bad habit that people should know how to avoid.
Instead, let us strive to save food and save money in the process.
Eating leftovers and freezing stuff we might not get to saves us TONS of money! People really do throw out a lot of food for no reason! My wife is great about knowing expiration dates and planning out when things will be eaten so taht we almost never throw out anything moldy. It’s a good deal.
I hate wasting food, in fact it is one of my goals for the new year, to reduce food waste to an absolute minimum.
Throwing food is not only throwing the grocery money, but also the time you spent shopping and the gas money. It is easy to get a little practice and use all the things that are about to go bad.
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