In many households, food is a big expense that takes up a good chunk of the household budget. Unfortunately, a lot of the food that’s bought each week ends up being wasted. It’s like throwing money directly into the trash. When you think of it that way, it makes sense to find ways to save money on food and stop wasting. Keep reading to learn more about the 5 best money saving food hacks. These hacks can help you save a lot of money over time, and that money can be used for other things.
1) Use coupons
Use coupons each and every time you shop. You can Swap coupons with friends and relatives in order to get the ones you use most. Whether you grocery shop at Walmart, Whole Foods, Wegmans, or somewhere else, using coupons is a must if you want to save money. Look over store sale papers, if you can combine coupons with sale prices, you save even more money.
2) Learn to love your slow cooker
Not only does using a slow cooker make dinner preparation easier, but it can also save you some money at the grocery store. Buy less expensive cuts of meat when you’re going to use the slow cooker. Even cuts that are normally tough turn out tender when they are cooked in the slow cooker.
3) Fill your ice trays
If you’re not going to use all of the broth that you made, freeze the rest in the ice tray. Once they’re frozen pop the cubes out and store them in freezer bags. The next time you need broth, you’ll already have some in the freezer. You can do the same with leftover wine that you’ve used in a recipe. Don’t leave it in the bottle to spoil, freeze it so it’s always on hand for recipes.
4) Learn the proper way to store food
If you don’t know how to store produce that you buy it will go bad faster. For example, are you storing onions in the refrigerator? That’s a big no-no, onions need to breathe, they need air and should be kept out of the refrigerator. Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark place to help them last longer. Do a quick search on how to store the produce you buy and you’ll see that it lasts much longer.
5) Freeze leftovers
If you’ve cooked more than you can possibly eat, don’t leave the leftovers in the refrigerator until it’s time to toss them out. Freeze the leftovers and you have dinner for another night. Pull out these frozen meal portions when you’re short on time, and you’ll have a quick, delicious home cooked meal in minutes. It will taste better than any frozen dinner you can buy in the store, and it will be better and less expensive than take out from the local fast food chain.
These 5 best money saving food hacks will keep your budget happy. You’ll be eating better, while spending less money, and that’s always great news for your bank account.
