I've spent a few years refining this technique, and I thought I'd share it with you all. Hopefully you find it helpful in reducing what you spend on food each month.
- Learn how to cook, and eat out rarely. The #1 way to reduce what you spend on food is to make it yourself. Start now, learn how, make it a hobby! You'll eventually reach a point where you can consistently cook food that's better than restaurant fare, which will majorly reduce your motivation to go out.
- Keep a pantry. This means stock up on items you use often. As you cook more and more, you'll find what these are. For me, it's oils/fats, spices/seasonings, certain vegetables (canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes), baking needs (flour, salt, baking powder, etc.), and dry starches (pasta, rice, etc.). My rule of thumb is, if I have an open container on the go, I buy a new one so I don't run out and have to go buy one at full price.
- Don't shop for recipes - shop to replenish your pantry. When you go to the grocery store with a specific recipe as your shopping list, you are obligated to buy ingredients a) for whatever price they are that day (probably full price) and b) in larger quantities than you need.
- ONLY buy things when they are on sale. It's possible. Let the sales dictate your menu for the week. Chicken is on sale? Looks like you'll base your meals this week around that. Cheese is cheap? Pizza night. Flour on special? Time to stock up if you need it. Nothing wrong with treating yourself, but follow this rule as much as you can.
If you follow this approach 90% of the time, you will see a major reduction in your food spending.
January 24, 2019 at 02:16PM
