Lifestyle, food and drink, and our family life and travel adventures.
Many of us live paycheck to paycheck, particularly at the moment and especially when we need to budget. For most households, food is one of the things we spend the most money on, and it can be hard to always budget for it with rising costs and busy lives.
With a bit of strategic planning, you can trim those grocery bills without sacrificing taste or quality. You can still eat well without spending a fortune.
Here are 17 savvy strategies to help you eat well without breaking the bank.
Make cheap meals like pasta and sauce, tacos, or fried rice regulars on your menu. What meals are family favourites and also affordable? Work these into your weekly meal plans and even make larger portions that you can freeze for another day.
Keep an eye out for coupons and sales in newspapers and online. Many shops offer discounts for things you often buy and reward programs, helping you save on your weekly shop.
Fresh herbs don’t last very long in the fridge and can be expensive at the supermarket. Buy fresh herbs and spices in bulk online to save money. Alternatively, consider growing your own herbs to cut costs further.
Spices can be pricey from the supermarket, but by buying in bulk online or from places such as Asian supermarkets where the quality and taste are better but the products are cheaper can help save you some money.
Eating out adds up quickly, especially if you have a large family. Even at McDonald’s, which used to be super cheap, you can easily spend £20 for a quick meal that may not even fill you up. And let’s be honest, the food isn’t that great for you. Eating out is best as an occasional treat or a chance to celebrate – not for every meal.
Opt for home-cooked meals instead to save money and allow you to eat more healthily.
While some people may prefer brand names, generic brands are less expensive and will offer the same quality. There are a few particular things I buy name-brand (I need my Yorkshire Tea!), but we mostly buy generic, and they’re usually fine, if not better.
Plan your meals around weekly store specials to maximise savings. Get the circular from the supermarket each week and plan meals around it. This can drastically reduce your grocery bill!
Avoid impulse buys by creating a shopping list and sticking to it. Online grocery shopping can also help curb last-minute splurges.
Start a garden to grow fresh fruits and vegetables at home. Not only is gardening cost-effective, but it’s also a rewarding hobby. If you don’t have much space, then growing herbs on a windowsill can still be a great way to save money and add flavour to meals.
Consider purchasing multi-purpose appliances like bread machines or an air fryer to streamline meal preparation and reduce costs over time.
Whether you’re saving herbs and spices, homemade bone broth, or frozen coffee, ice cube trays have so many uses and will save you time and money and reduce food waste.
Fill the trays with water and put them in the freezer. Place a label on each tray of what you’re saving so you’ll know which is which when it comes time to use them, and you don’t end up wasting food.
I freeze my herbs, homemade soups, etc, and then I take the cubes and put them into a labelled freezer bag for future use.
Changing the flavours of everyday dishes makes them more exciting. Add variety to your meals by incorporating different herbs, spices, or seasonings to keep things interesting without breaking the bank.
Travelling on a budget is possible! If you can camp in your vehicle or handle camping in a tent, you’ll save a fortune on accommodation. If you stay in hotels, be sure to find ones that have free breakfast (but always compare prices). You can grab extra bagels, bread, muffins, fruit, cereal, and other breakfast items for snacks or lunches.
If you can get approved for a credit card with rewards, you can use it to earn points or cash back on purchases, helping offset travel and everyday expenses. But always make sure you make repayments on time, or you could get into debt, and it can end up costing you more.
Stock up on snacks and essentials at warehouse clubs like Costco to take advantage of bulk discounts.
Take a bag for non-perishable items and a coolbox for perishables during travels to save on food costs. We always take a bag of non-perishables, snacks, etc., and then we also have a coolbox.
Packing a coolbox and buying a bag of ice to keep drinks in and stuff for lunches for a day or two is so much cheaper than eating out and purchasing drinks every day when you’re travelling.
Enjoy budget-friendly meals like soups with added ingredients like potatoes or beans to stay satiated without overspending.
Budget for occasional treats or dining experiences if you can afford to, to prevent food-related expenses from becoming a burden, especially when you’re travelling.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your grocery bill, it’s time to start menu planning, buying and cooking in bulk, and getting familiar with inexpensive staples you can work into your family’s mealtimes. What’s your best tip for saving money on groceries each month? Leave a comment below!
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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