Budget Ideas

If you are anything like me, you probably spend too much on food and well everything really!

There are times when I have to reign it in as well, so how do you spend less, but still have a balanced and healthy diet? Well there are a few ways that I have discovered and learnt over time.

1. Buy in bulk, yes buy a tray of tomatoes from the market or from a local supermarket, at the end of the supermarket day and make sauce, soup, freeze, use in salads or make food for several days. One of the cheapest options!.
2. Buy from a local grocery store, this seems like an expensive option. When I first started doing this, I definitely noticed that some things are more expensive than the supermarket, however, I also notice how much money I actually save. In the supermarket, I spend so much more on ‘other stuff’, basically either junk food or stuff I do not need. So now I shop local maybe once every three weeks. Not only does it help the local economy, which makes me feel good that I am helping local businesses, but it also helps me stop over spending! There is also a different choice in vegetables, which makes cooking much more interesting.
3. Cook in bulk, stops you wasting so much food. I really try not to waste anything now.
4. Think of meals at the beginning of the week, so that you only buy what you need for those meals. Make a list of meals you are going to make for the week.
5. Plan, that is my main way of saving money, ensure you plan everything, if you buy a cauliflower, what are you going to use it for, will you have some left over after making cauliflower cheese, then make a soup for the week as well. I try to use the same vegetable, so that I do not throw it in the bin, using only a portion of it for one meal.
6. Forage, pick your own apples, pears, mushrooms, nuts, blackberries, whatever you know is actually edible and not poisonous!!
7. Grow your own, even if you do not have a garden, you can still grow your own herbs, try growing chilli’s or garlic in a pot.

There are so many ways to save money, but I hope this gives you some ideas on how to stop spending so much on food, yet still enjoy interesting and different ingredients to cook with. Do not let the cost of food, stop you from making amazing choices for different ingredients and recipes.