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Money Saving Articles

7 Tips to Save Money on Food

7 Tips to Save Money on Food

Grocery shopping is a huge expense and while coupons can save you money on packaged foods, what about the basics like meat and produce? Here are some ways to save money on food that don’t involve coupons or deal shopping.

Go to the Markets

Meat markets and farmers markets are two great places to shop for meat and produce. Ask your local butcher about inexpensive cuts and daily specials. Find out when certain items are going to be on sale so you can plan accordingly. You can get a much better deal on larger quantities of meat and produce, especially compared to prepackaged meat at the grocery store. Markets also provide you a chance to haggle with vendors to get a better discount.

Grow a Garden

A lush garden isn’t going to be an option for everyone, but a small herb garden can work for almost anyone. Herbs are fairly easy to grow in a window and there are many tutorials available online. The more you produce on your own, the less money you have to spend at the store. If there is one vegetable or herb you use a lot, it is worth the effort to grow it yourself.

Creative Bulk Buying

Buying in bulk gives you a better unit price, but can lead to storage problems and a need to use products quickly before they expire. Instead of buying 6 dozen paper towel rolls for just you, split the bulk with a friend or family member to get more savings and save space.

Seasonal Buys

If you want to buy strawberries in February, expect to pay two or three times as much as you would in June or July because they are out of season. Plan ahead and make large buys during season to save the most money. If you need to stretch your seasonal produce, keep reading.

Get into Canning

Canning is a great way to deal with excess bulk produce to make your seasonal buys last all year. While it takes some effort, canning can save you a lot of money. You can make everything from canned tomatoes, to pickles and relish, and jellies.

Make your Own Condiments and Sauces

Instead of buying Heinz ketchup or Hellman’s mayonnaise, make your own. There are thousands of recipes online to make ketchup, mustard, mayo, different kinds of salad dressings, barbeque sauces, and plenty more. If you buy it in the store, there is a homemade recipe floating around that can save you a pretty penny.

Find a Substitute

Sometimes a recipe calls for a small portion of a single ingredient that you won’t use again for six months. Instead of wasting most of the item, see if there is another item you can substitute that you have on hand. Or, find another recipe you can make that also uses that ingredient.

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