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Being frugal in this economy isn’t just a desire anymore; it’s a necessity. When operating on a shoestring budget, you have little choice but to be thrifty. Yeah, we get it. Living frugally doesn’t sound like much fun at first. It may sound like eating a lot of beans and rice, as Dave Ramsey would suggest. But lucky for you, that’s not the case.
These suggestions can easily be added to your daily life without worrying about going broke to eat well. We’ll show you the ins and outs and the secret tips to delicious meals on a shoestring budget.
Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach
Heading to the grocery store on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. You will end up with a fuller shopping cart than you need and a lot of extras you hadn’t budgeted for. The National Library of Medicine calls these temporary cravings.
Instead, plan your shopping trips after meals or a hearty snack. You’ll stay focused while shopping and be less tempted by tasty treats at the checkout. Your wallet and your waistline will thank you.
Create a Shopping List
Creating a shopping list isn’t always easy at first, but just like being frugal, it’s a skill that improves with practice. When you head to the store without a plan, you’re likely to purchase items already in the pantry or buy a basket of items that don’t amount to balanced meals.
How often can you say you got home and realized you had enough garlic salt? Or that extra can of tuna but forgot the cheese?
Shopping lists don’t have to be on paper like in the past. Create a checklist on your phone. Download some great apps like AnyList, Shopping List, or Listonic that can make your experience fun and give you recipe ideas. The best part is that the more you use them, the easier it is to create lists based on your shopping history.
Find Coupons to Use
We’re sure you envision sitting at the kitchen table and cutting out coupons like you used to do when you were a kid. Luckily, finding coupons isn’t so cumbersome anymore. There are great coupon sites, such as Rakuten, Honey, and Shopkick, that you can add to your laptop or phone that automatically show you where to get savings.
Buy Affordable Vegetables
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to cut back on veggies. Some of the best cheap vegetables are broccoli, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. These vegetables can be prepared in various ways, so you’re sure to find something everyone can enjoy.
Experiment with recipes that include these vegetables to make your dollar stretch further. Also, don’t be afraid to prep veggies in advance to create homemade snack packs.
Get Locally Grown Organic Food
For those of us on tight budgets, hearing the word organic automatically makes us think of rich people getting out of their BMWs at Whole Foods stores. However, organic can be surprisingly affordable if you know where to shop.
Go to your local grocers or farmers’ markets and get quality organic food for usually half the price. Not only are you saving money, but you’re helping to fund other families trying to earn a living.
Cook at Home
Sure, not everyone’s a natural home chef, but there is no denying the savings from cooking at home over dining out. You’ll save on gas, vehicle wear and tear, and time and keep your food costs on budget. Save your restaurant meals for special occasions and celebrations.
You can also try recreating some of your favourite restaurant meals for a fraction of the cost. Imagine how much you can get at the store for the price of a $60 – $100 meal at a restaurant.
Savor the Food When You’re Eating
This one might seem silly, but we often forget the enjoyment of eating food. We’re so busy trying to eat quickly to clean the kitchen, get the kids to soccer, or rush out the door to our next class.
But if we learn to fall in love with the taste of food and savor it, we will find that we care more about how we shop and prepare food, saving us money in the long run.
Utilize Leftovers
Too often, we make too much and have to throw out leftovers. Buying in bulk and making larger meals is a good method for reducing food costs, but not if you’re throwing away the savings. A great trick is to package one or two meals in containers and put them in the fridge before you serve them. Then, you have ready-made meals for lunch the following day.
Drink Coffee at Home
Drinking coffee at home doesn’t have to be just plain old black boring coffee (unless that’s your thing, then, by all means, have your cup of joe.) The average cup of coffee is about $4.90. And that’s just if you don’t get anything fancy.
On Amazon, you can purchase an entire bag of coffee for $6.99, which will get you up to 21 cups of coffee. Invest in a nice coffee maker, get a few different flavors of coffee or syrups, and add the creams you love. Soon, people will ask you which cafe you frequent.
Experiment With Seasonings
Seasonings are some of the cheapest things you can purchase at the store for the amount you use and how long they last. In the right hands, seasoning can make a simple spaghetti or tomato soup night into the most exquisite food you’ve ever had.
Start with simple seasonings like salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to elevate your palate easily. As you gain experience, experiment with various flavor combinations and see which you like best. The different types of seasonings available are endless, so have fun.
Try Flavored Water Over Soda
Soda is another novelty food we all love and don’t need. If you can just drink water and enjoy it, then by all means, cut the soda out and enjoy the savings! But if you need some flavor or that refreshing carbonation, don’t worry—we got you.
Grab a few flavored drink mix packs such as Skittles, Starburst, or Crystal Light. Not only are they easy to carry with you on the go, but they are a hit with kids, too!
Cook in Bulk
We’ve heard of shopping in bulk, but what about cooking in bulk? Well, cooking in bulk saves you time and money in several different ways. You can get a lower price on ingredients by buying in quantity. You save time by cooking once rather than multiple times.
You can easily freeze a few meals to enjoy when you’re short on time. This can help in weeks when the money is tighter or you just don’t feel like cooking. It can also prevent unexpected costs of dining out for convenience.
Make Homemade Deserts
Everyone loves a good dessert. But popping down to your local bakery will cost you money you could use for other things. Find some great budget-friendly desserts like freeze-your-own popsicles, homemade chocolate chip cookies, or fudge.
It is cheaper than what you’d get at a bakery, and it can also feed the entire family for a few nights versus just one dessert night.
Grow One Thing in Your Garden
Growing a garden may sound daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Just start by growing one thing. Perhaps it’s a banana tree, a pineapple plant, or carrots. You’ll save money by not having to purchase these things and also feel better because you’re eating something you made over time.
Don’t be discouraged because you’re living on a shoestring budget! There are so many ways to eat well and enjoy the food you have. Grab the ones from this list you know you can do well, and start today!
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