As the cost of food keeps going up by the day, most households find that they can no longer eat many of the foods they really enjoy. Just look at how the price of eggs has jumped in recent years. Dairy is another line that has increased by almost 25 percent this decade alone. If you are at your wits’ end trying to find tasty dishes that won’t break your household budget, there are some tricks and tips which could save you literally hundreds of dollars on your grocery bills.
Shopping Tips for Eating on a Budget
While you normally are cutting back on eating steaks and seafood because they are simply cost prohibitive, there are ways to get around that as well. If you learn how to shop frugally, you just might have enough money left on your food budget to buy that fresh cod or New York strip making your mouth is watering. Try buying everything else in bulk or generic. Store brands are often just as tasty as name brands and at much less the cost. Stores like WinCo on the West Coast where you can buy many staples in bulk are a budget-saver for shoppers from all walks of life. Learn to save where you can and there will be money left for those delicacies you’ve been denying yourself for far too long.
Stretching Meats in Recipes
Some recipes can get by with less meat, saving a considerable amount on your grocery bills. For example, you don’t need to use the entire pound of ground beef for a box of Hamburger Helper. You will find that one pound of meat actually works well for two boxes and so you can get twice as much for your money. Of course, Hamburger Helper isn’t a meal fit for a king, but you can use this same trick with other dishes as well.
Homemade soups can be just as tasty with less meat as well. Use beef, ham, or chicken base for flavor while adding more veggies or potatoes. Also, when making roasts, choose the kind with bones because you can use the bones for soups and stews. In this way, you get two meal out of one piece of meat. Look for recipes on pocketchangegourmet.com and you will see that there are ways to make gourmet feasts out of leftovers. One roast for three meals? It’s possible if you choose the right cut of meat!
Cook Less and Eat More
The key to eating better is in finding ways to cut expenses. Some families find that by cooking one day of the week, they cut their electric bill by enough each month to enable them to buy that occasional sirloin steak or London broil. Bake all your casseroles and cook down your soups and stews on Sunday, for example, and you will simply need to freeze and heat as the week goes on.
Any money you can save will free up that little bit extra you need for the pleasure foods you’ve been denying yourself. It really is possible to put together meals fit for a king on a pauper’s budget if you can find inexpensive recipes, shop wisely, and utilize every last morsel. It takes some thought, but it can be done.
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