Groceries is one area that can get waaay out of control if you don’t set yourself limits. Especially if you have some very hungry, growing kiddies. We can’t deny our children food, but there are a few ways we can reduce food costs and eliminate food wastage that will result in helping you to keep under budget at the grocery store checkout.
1. Make a meal plan
Meal planning would have to be my biggest tip to save money. Then, create a grocery list adding everything you need for the week ahead. So you only have to visit the grocery store once.
This magnetic meal planner is available in my shop to purchase here.
2. Stop buying bottled water
Invest in a refillable drink bottle and fill it every time you and the kids leave home and work so you always have water on hand. Tip: make sure your bottle fits nicely into the cup section of your car.
3. Plant a vegetable garden
To enjoy fresh and seasonal herbs, which are super easy to grow, try a vegetable garden. The three herbs I use the most from my garden are basil, parsley and mint. It saves me so much money at the grocery store check out.
4. Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables
I love strawberries, but when they aren’t in season they can be very expensive. Choose produce that is in season, as they are cheaper, or try and use frozen over fresh.
5. Store your fruit and vegetables correctly
Storing your fruit and vegetables correctly will help improve their lifespan. Surprisingly, many keep their potatoes in the fridge when they should be stored in a cool, dark place. I’ve always stored mine in my pantry.
6. Make your own salad
Don’t buy pre-packaged bags of salad. They are overpriced and don’t last very long. If you can take a little time cutting up your fruit and vegetables after you get home from the shop, you can quickly whip up a salad in minutes.
READ MORE: How to organise the fridge and keep it tidy
7. Grate your own cheese
Grated cheese can be purchased conveniently from the grocery store but if you buy a block and grate half yourself and chop the rest into bite sized pieces for the lunchbox, you will be making a great saving.
8. Freeze bread
I consider myself a bread snob. I love my fresh bread way too much. But did you know if you freeze your bread the day you purchased it, once defrosted again it is just as fresh as the day you bought it!? I make my kids lunches the night before. I butter frozen slices of bread, add the ham, salad, etc., slice it, put the sandwich into their lunchbox and then store in the fridge overnight. It’s always defrosted and fresh for the next day. This will prevent food wastage and save you running out of bread and needing to run to the shops. Bread usually only takes a few minutes to defrost or you can pop frozen bread straight into the toaster.
9. Empty your freezer
If you have a deep freezer, food can easily get lost. Create a freezer inventory and base your weekly meal plan on what may need using up from the freezer.
10. Make two silversides/roast at the same time
I can fit two silversides into my slow cooker. I use one for dinner and shred up the other to place on sandwiches throughout the week.
11. BBQ Roast chickens
Roast BBQ Chickens are delicious and convenient but consider making homemade poached chicken to add to your dinners and pasta bakes in replace of a BBQ chicken. Check out my quick tip to shred the chicken, it’s genius!!
12. Organise your pantry
Sort and organise your pantry to make it easier for you to see what you have in there so then you don’t purchase duplicate items. When organising the pantry, bring the oldest items to the front so you can use them before they expire.
13. Buy your meat at the deli.
Prepackaged lunch meats that you can find in the cold section at the supermarket are usually double the price of the same meat you will find at the deli. Same goes for chicken breast, I find them cheaper at the deli compared to those packaged up in the meat section.
14. Shop smart for your fresh fruit and vegetables
Sometimes the grocery stores have higher prices for their fresh fruit and vegetables compared to local farmers markets or the fruit and veg shops. Take the time to compare the prices for your best deal possible.
15. Bonus TIP – Use a grocery list!!!
If you don’t make shopping lists, I encourage you to start and experience a more efficient, effective and stress-free way of shopping!
AVAILABLE HERE: Shopping Lists – notepads + downloadable options
