As a result of the cost of living crisis, food prices continue to rise.
There are ways to save money on food staples and fresh produce without sacrificing the quality of your diet.
Reduce food waste
You may think this is a no-brainer, but by learning how to reduce your waste effectively, you will be wasting less money.
You might be surprised by how much more efficient and effective your kitchen will be if you follow the rule of first-in, first-out. Use it first if it was the first thing you brought into your kitchen.
Check the use-by dates of products that you have in multiples. If you’ve got ham on hand for a sandwich, but it’s going bad, don’t eat a chicken sandwich before.
Keep your Weet-Bix fresh by keeping it airtight. Also, keep your potatoes and onions in a dark and dry area of your pantry.
Freeze as much as you can
The freezer is a great way to stretch your budget. Frozen foods are cheaper than fresh produce.
A head of frozen broccoli can be half the price of a head. The same goes for frozen berries.
Prepare your meals in advance.
It’s not just the Instagram fitness gurus who do meal prep and batch cooking.
If you don’t like eating the same thing every day (and who does? ), then consider a variety of meals. You can cook in bulk and prepare ingredients really simply.
Fancy a curry tonight? You’re lucky you have a lot of frozen cooked chicken. Prefer a pot pie? You can cut your cooking time in half by using a ziplock bag.
You can also freeze leftovers.
Compare two
It’s a bit of a time-consuming task, but you can complete it with another person at home.
Compare the prices of two or more online supermarkets by writing down your weekly shopping list and putting it in each one.
Compare the prices of different products in supermarkets.
It’s worth the time and effort to plan your menus.
It may seem convenient to visit an inner-city grocery store on your lunch hour, but you will pay for this convenience. The same products are available at a lower price in suburban supermarkets.
Keep your pantry tidy.
Do you know exactly what is in your pantry right now? If not, it’s probably time to clean up.
You won’t buy more than you need or waste anything if you know what you have.
Tall bottles and containers should be stored at the back of the refrigerator, while short jars and jars that are open can go into the fridge to prevent them from getting stale.
Engage your children
The pain is real when parents prepare a balanced, beautiful meal for their children only to have them turn up their noses and demand something else. In those moments, gentle parenting is very difficult.
Plan your menus with your children and make sure you stick to them.
Keep a picture of some affordable options on your fridge if they are very young.
No surprises, no overspending, and no ” What’s for Dinner?”
The Big Things Grow
You can use food scraps in many ways and even grow them.
Do not throw away spring onions. You can put the roots in a glass of ice water for a few days, and you will see a little onion grow out of the top. You can either change the water frequently or plant the roots into a small pot of dirt.
You can grow some staples for the kitchen in even the smallest of spaces: herbs, tomatoes, and peas.
It is a great feeling.
How to store things correctly
It is frustrating to bring home fresh produce from the store and find it wilting and rotting in your refrigerator two days later.
Store things in paper bags. If you can’t find loose mushrooms, you could buy them and take the bags with you.
The paper will absorb most of the moisture from your fungi and increase their shelf-life.
You’ll be surprised at how much it helps keep your vegetables fresh.
If your avocado is very hard, but you still want to use it for tonight’s meal, put them in a bag, and they’ll be fine when it’s time to make guac.
Cleaning Products
The modern detergent is powerful. If you look at the ingredients in the box, they will be very similar, if not the same, to the more expensive, pretty one.
Add a few drops to your favorite essential oil if you enjoy the scent of freshly washed laundry.
When it comes to cleaning, white vinegar is the best option. Use it to soften fabric, kill mold, shine your mirrors and windows, and clean stainless steel appliances.
The same goes for lemons that have been used. They can be used in a variety of ways to clean.
This cleaner is better for the environment and your bottom line than most commercial cleaners.