- Meal plan! Meal-planning saves time and money and helps make the most of what you buy. I don’t schedule the meals to a specific time: Each day I decide on whatever sounds good from my list.
- Use what’s in your pantry first. Some weeks, I’ll go to my canned goods and pick meals that will make the best use of those foods.
- Plan a meal or side around any food in your pantry or fridge that is close to expiring. This keeps food you've already purchased from going to waste.
- Always grocery shop with a list. Be sure to make this list after checking your pantry, and do your best to stick to the list!
- Don't shop hungry! I've been guilty of this a few times ... and I come home with foods I never eat, but they sound good when I'm starving!
- Get creative with leftovers. Instead of eating them the same way, use the meat in another dish. For example, instead of eating roast with rice and gravy a second time, you could shred the meat and eat it on hoagie buns.
- Freeze leftovers. This is a great way to not throw away extra food. It also helps later to be able to defrost and eat a fully cooked meal.
- Keep a few ingredients on hand for one or two easy meals. My favorite go-to is spaghetti in my instant pot, and I always keep the items I need to make it.
- Avoid buying convenience foods. While they are definitely true to name in the fact that they are convenient, they often cost much more than making the meal from scratch.
- Go meatless! Meat is usually the most expensive part of any meal. By switching to one meatless meal a week, the savings add up quickly.
Do you have any tips on making your food budget go a little further? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook!
