Today I am going to share some fabulous ideas to help you save money when you shop.
- Firstly, plan your week’s meals in advance, before you shop. Match meals with busy nights and special occasions. This means you won’t have to resort to buying breakfast on the way to work or school, or fast food on the way home. If you can, it’s a great idea to shop with a list – also, if you have time, shop around, sometimes meat from the butcher and veggies from the greengrocer can be much better value!
- Secondly, make some small changes to your eating habits. Take snacks and your lunch to work rather than buying them! Use spray oil when you are cooking, it will be better for the waist line, and for your pocket too! Sticking to water really is the healthier option all round, also, it can save a heap of money compared to the price of fizzys and fruit juice. On the topic, of drinking, you guessed it...alcohol! Drinking is an expensive habit, so reducing the amount you have is best all round!
- Thirdly – think about how much you waste – throwing away food can be a very expensive addition to your week! Make better use of your freezer – unused wine, lemon juice, stock, tomato paste and pesto can all be frozen in small portion in an ice cube tray or ziplock bag. Leftover pasta sauce and coconut milk freeze well, too. If you have extra dinner left over, be creative and make something with it. Roasted veggies are great in a salad, a casserole can be topped with mashed potato and spag bol is a great topping for a jacket potato.
- My fourth idea is to cook smart! Look at replacing one meat based meal a week with a pulsed based meal – that including beans, lentils and chickpeas. You can make great vegetarian casseroles, lentil bolognaise and salads with mixed beans. As well as going meat free for one night a week, try making your mince go further. Adding cooked red lentils to dishes like bolognese, chilli and meatballs will make the meal healthier by boosting your fibre and reducing your fat intake and save you money. Shopping smart is also wise – buy seasonal fruit and veggies – and make the most of frozen veggies
- Another great ideas is to go DIY in the kitchen! Try growing your own veggies and herbs – all year round you have a fresh supply of healthy homegrown food to add interest to your cooking. Even a tiny apartment can be a garden – all you need is a balcony and a pot. Making your own soups is much more economical than buying them and with pizza, salsa, sauces and seasoning mixes – don’t be afraid to try making your own!
- Lastly, shop smart! Don’t shop too often as you might buy more than you need. Use discount cards if they are available and if it suits you, maybe try shopping online.
For more ideas of how to save money when you are shopping for food, ... go to healthyfood.co.nz, or pick up a copy of Healthy Food Guide magazine, only $5.50 from supermarkets and bookstores.
