How to Save on your Groceries (3 simple changes)
it's as easy as 1, 2, 3...
For years I was spending $120-160 a week on groceries for TWO adults. Isn’t that insane?! Many years later I have cut that IN HALF to around $45-65 per week and you can too!
Read on for my three tips on how to save on your grocery bill
1.
change the way you meal plan
Start by taking a quick glance at your fridge and seeing what items you need to use up before they go bad.
Selecting 1-2 recipes to use as your “baseline”.
Your baseline is the list of ingredients that you already have and need to use ASAP combined with ingredients from your first two recipes that you won’t use up completely. You’ll base the rest of your recipes off of these ingredients.
For example, if you have one recipe that calls for ¼ cup chopped cilantro, pick additional recipes with cilantro as an ingredient.
This ensures that you will use everything you have purchased instead of only a fraction of it. By using this method, you’ll to cut back on waste, and ensure that everything purchased is used up entirely.
My grocery lists went from being 35+ items to sometimes only being ten!
There will be an adjustment period and a little more time in the beginning, but I assure the savings is totally worth it. Then it will become second nature as you’re planning.
2.
store produce properly
Keep your produce dry!
Line your produce drawers with paper towels and change them out every few weeks.
Bananas: store on a countertop, away from other produce (banana’s will ripen other produce faster). If you notice these getting too ripe, peel them and toss them in any container and stick them in the freezer for smoothies.
Avocado: store on a counter away from bananas unless you’re trying to ripen them. Once avocados are ripe, store in the fridge, they will last about a week after ripe in the fridge.
Celery: If it goes floppy, it’s NOT BAD! Rinse and cut it up and put it in a dish with ice water, stick it in the fridge for an hour or two and it will be good as new.
Green Onions: stick them in a jar on the countertop or in the fridge with filtered water, they’ll last for months just trim as you need them.
Lettuces and herbs: wrap with a paper towel or two inside a plastic bag. Rinse and reuse the ones from the grocery store or try these reusable keep fresh green bags that are amazing.
Spinach: stick a paper towel in the package and change every few days to soak up excess moisture. If you see your spinach starting to wilt stick it in the freezer, you can still toss it into stir-fry or smoothies and it will be just fine.
I have are tons of other tips for this, let me know if I should create another post dedicate to that in the comments.
3.
eat less meat
Yes, I said it. Try going meatless one day per week, when you get comfortable with that try a couple of more days.
Replace animal proteins with eggs, lentils, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and protein powder.
You’ll feel better and your bank account will thank you! You’d be surprised how much of your grocery bill comes from meats if you’re eating it 5x+ a week.
For example, a package of chicken thighs can run from $4-8 per package depending on size, if you’re buying chicken for five meals that’s $20-40 a week. Imagine cutting out $40 from your bill with just that one simple change.
what will you do with the extra savings?
Get a gym pass? Go on a hot date night with your significant other? Treat yourself?
Let me know it in the comments!
