At the moment, most of us are looking for ways to save money and reduce our bills. Over the last year, many of our day-to-day groceries such as bread, milk, and wholegrains have massively increased in price, and many people are struggling. Some are turning to cheaper, less healthy options, to reduce costs, but this can lead to health problems and weight gain. The good news is, there are some easy ways that you can reduce your shopping bills. Here’s a look at some of the best.
Get Some Help
There are a few ways that you can get help with grocery costs. Your employer might be able to offer a benefits card for assistance with grocery bills, you could be able to get support from your local government, or you might be able to save with coupons and loyalty cards. Make sure you explore any available support.
Make Meal Plans
Meal plans are a fantastic way to save money, as they mean that you never go into a shop not knowing what you need to buy. Meal planning can also help you to eat a healthier and more varied diet while avoiding food waste. Spend a little time each week writing a meal plan for the days ahead, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks for the biggest savings.
Keep Old Plans
Writing meal plans can be tough. You might spend far too long trying to think of different things so that you aren’t always repeating the same boring meals, or spending more than you need to on extravagant options. Keeping old meal plans in a file to look back on can make this much easier.
Write Shopping Lists
A meal plan is great, but chances are you don’t need to buy every single ingredient for every meal, every time you make it. Writing lists helps you to identify what you need and reduces bills and waste even further.
Cook from Scratch
Cooking from scratch is often much cheaper than buying prepared ingredients or ready-made meals. Find some simple family recipes and try to do as much as you can yourself.
Make the Most of Leftovers
Cooking from scratch also gives you the option to cook in bulk, or larger meals, so that you’ve got leftovers for another day. Look for recipes to help you to create new meals from leftovers, freeze extra portions, and add things like beans to bulk meals out when there isn’t much left. Reducing waste in these ways is one of the best ways to save money, while also doing your bit for the environment.
Eat Less Meat
Meat is an expensive ingredient, so it’s no surprise that eating less of it can reduce your bills drastically. Try meat-free Monday, experiment with meat-free meals, and when you do eat meat, try to use less, and add extra veggies and pulses instead.
There’s no denying that food, like many other things, has gotten more expensive. But where other things can be cut, food is essential. Fortunately, with these tips, you may be able to reduce your bills, without having to eat less or switch to less healthy options.
