Many people find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. Sometimes it is difficult to stick to a budget. For most families, food is one of the most expensive line items in the budget, so let’s talk about ways to reduce that.
These strategies for living on a budget will help you reduce your food costs without sacrificing flavour or quality. You can still eat well without spending a fortune.
Ways to reduce your grocery bill
Saving money on your food bill each month requires some planning.
Use cheap meals as staples. Spaghetti, tacos, fried rice, egg or tuna salad, breakfast for dinner, the list goes on. Which meals are family favourites and also affordable? Work those into your weekly or monthly meal plans.
Use coupons and look for deals. Many stores offer sales on items you need each week, like milk or bread. Check your area’s newspapers and the websites of major retailers for grocery specials. Some stores even have reward programs that award you discounts after spending a certain amount each month.
Buy herbs in bulk. Fresh herbs don’t last too long in the fridge and can be expensive at the grocery store. Buy these items by the bundle instead of buying them individually to keep costs down. Better yet, grow your own herbs!
Buy spices in bulk. Spices don’t last forever either and tend to be pricey at the store. Buy in bulk when possible or invest in a spice rack so that you can use up what is already on hand before purchasing more!
Eat out less often. 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 £30 for a meal. And let’s be honest, the food isn’t that great. Eating out is an occasional treat or a chance to celebrate – not for every meal.
Buy supermarket brands when possible. While some people may prefer brand names, supermarket brands are less expensive and will offer the same quality. There are a few things I buy name brands, but most we buy their own brand and they’re fine.
Buy what’s on sale. Take the circular from the store each week and plan meals around it. This can drastically reduce your grocery bill! If you are lucky, you may even be able to pick up some great yellow sticker bargains too!
Plan ahead for groceries. When you do your shopping, it’s best to create a list so that you limit impulse buys. Better yet, order your groceries online… that gets rid of last-minute impulse buys completely!
Plant a garden. It takes some work, but growing your own food is a great way to save money – and is rewarding in so many ways. Gardening can even be therapeutic.
Buy gadgets that make sense. Take a bread machine, for example. Package up baggies of all the dry ingredients needed to make various types of bread, put a label on them, and store them all in a container in the pantry. The Ninja Foodi is another example: it’s an Air Fryer, Instant Pot, and more… all in one piece of machinery that fits on the countertop.
Use ice cube trays. 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.
Fill the trays with water and set 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. I freeze my herbs, broth, etc and then I take the cubes and put them into a freezer bag for future use.
Spice it up. When you’re cooking staples like mashed potatoes, they can get boring if you don’t mix it up a bit. Add crushed red pepper, garlic, or even a little lemon. Changing the flavours of everyday dishes makes them more exciting.
Saving on food while travelling
Travelling on a budget is possible! If you can camp in your vehicle or can handle tent camping, you’ll save a fortune on lodging. 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 to eat as snacks throughout the day.
Use a rewards credit card. If you can get approved for a credit card with rewards, I highly recommend it. Some cards even have a 100,000 point sign-on bonus. That’s about £1,000 when translated to what you would spend in cash.
Shop at club stores. Stock up on snacks and easy meals places like Costco, you can get so much more for your money. Plus if you shop at Costco, you can take advantage of the cheap fuel!
Keep a pantry and a cooler. Use a tote (or two) to keep a “pantry” during your travels. We have one tote for non-perishables, snacks, etc and then we also have a cooler. Packing a cooler and buying a case of water instead of buying individual waters at the gas station will save you a fortune.
Become a fan of soup. Whether you’re making your own or eating it at a restaurant, soup is usually a cheap option. Add potatoes or beans, or a cheap protein like chicken, to stay full longer.
Allow for splurges. If you can afford to, allow for occasional splurges. Love visiting hipster coffee shops? Make your own coffee most mornings but once a week or so, check out a new coffee spot. If your family absolutely loves Italian food, save £100 or so for that once-a-month treat. Each option depends on your budget but don’t scrimp and save so much that you make travelling a chore.
Sometimes you might get a little stuck on ideas on cheap meals to cook, here are 34 cheap family meal suggestions with costings as little as £1 a head!
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!
