If it’s getting harder to find space in your grocery budget every week, then you need these ten hacks to help stretch your food and make the most of every visit to the store.
1. Remember the Incredible Edible Egg
The well-deserved title of the incredible edible egg is all thanks to how versatile they are! While the price of eggs has increased throughout the year, they’re still a budget-friendly way to add some quick heft and protein to many dishes.
2. Bulk up With Beans
Beans are healthy, inexpensive, and a great filler, especially if you need more protein. Canned beans are always an option, but dried beans are highly cost-effective if you have the patience for them.
3. Buy Whole Cuts of Meat
Instead of buying individual cuts like chicken breasts or legs, you’ll save a lot more by buying an entire chicken. You can also save the bones for broth, which will come in handy for a later tip.
4. Buy Less Meat
You could also stretch your grocery budget by cooking less meat. Start with a Meatless Monday challenge and see if you can get creative with veggies and carbs!
5. Pre-Portion Your Meals
Pre-portioning your weekly meals gives you much more control over how you distribute your groceries. It’s an excellent way to ensure you’ll have enough to get through the week while simultaneously having you think of ways to make sure things stretch.
6. Don’t Fall for the Pre-Made Trap
Pre-made food might be convenient, but it’s incredibly costly. If you want your grocery budget to go further, skip the pre-made foods and find some time for meal prep instead.
7. Learn To Get Creative With Substitutions
One of the best ways you can stretch a grocery budget is by learning how to substitute in recipes. The more confident you get with your substitutions, the more you’ll realize you have everything you need in your pantry to make the recipe you’re eyeing up. Almost.
8. Clear Out Your Pantry Before You Shop
Speaking of your pantry, shop there first before you even bother making your list. Many people overbuy canned and dry goods because they don’t consult their pantry first. This is also an excellent time to consider your substitution options for the week, like swapping out types of beans or vinegar in a recipe instead of buying something new.
9. Love Your Leftovers
Leftovers are a blessing, and you’ll likely have them pretty much any time you cook. Make the most of your leftovers by repurposing them in imaginative ways. Even if you don’t have the drive to do that, store them properly and eat them promptly so you aren’t wasting food.
10. When in Doubt, It’s Soup for Dinner
If budgeting is on the brain, then soup should be on the stove. The hack of taking basically everything fresh in your fridge leftover from the week and making a minestrone soup has been a staple in the frugal community.
Beef up the soup with some beans from the pantry, make a broth from the bones from that week’s meat and give it a facelift with fresh herbs or citrus to make it unique without being too expensive.
