There are plenty of tips for cooking good dishes even if you have budget constraints. In this article, we are going to talk about the five simplest tricks that help you still cook up delicious meals on a tight budget.
1. Making A List Of Pantry Items You Need
To avoid doubling up in your pantry, you need to have a list of items you have in the kitchen.
Moreover, list the perishables on the top of the list, so you know to use them up first. Other things like sauces, dried herbs, and condiments can be part of your menu planning.
You can also use what you already have at home first. This will reduce things that you may have to buy when you are grocery shopping.
Another benefit of this list is to see how often you purchase the same item, and perhaps it will be better to buy in bulk.
Below, you’ll find 10 effective list-building strategies.
- Always clip coupons.
- Print your grocery list or write it out on paper.
- Organize your items by aisle.
- Take inventory at least once a week.
- Be specific about the quantity you need.
- Make sure you don’t leave your list at home – I always keep the running in my handbag and make sure to return it when I’m done adding items.
- Break down your list according to the store you need to shop in.
- As you shop, check off the items purchased as you go.
- As your partner or a friend to check your list for unnecessary items you really don’t need.
2. Menu Planning For The Entire Week
Planning what to cook for the week can be a fun event if you involve the whole family in the process. Ideally, meal planning means preparing meals for the entire week in one fell swoop.
You can turn meal planning into a fun game as well. You can draw lots from a hat with all the suggestions or put meal ideas to a vote. Another benefit of having a meal plan is that you can see patterns and shop for sales in advance.
For example, if your family loves pasta night, stocking up on pasta when it’s on sale will save you money. Or you might make your own pasta and see how the cost differs between store-bought and making it from scratch. When it comes to cooking delicious meals, it doesn’t matter if they are homemade or store-bought!
3. Growing Fresh Fruits And Veggies At Home
When cooking delicious meals, fresh herbs and veggies are the best and you’ll save lots of money DIY’ing it too!
You can bring the outdoors inside with an indoor herb garden in your kitchen. There are many videos that show how you can grow herbs and vegetables.
More so, you can grow them from the parts that you will not use in your cooking. You can then reuse them when they mature in your garden. Consider a vertical or windowsill garden if you lack the space for a conventional one.
4. Planning Your Meals Follow The Season
Eating according to the season is the best way to eat nutritious and delicious meals on a budget. Some fruits and vegetables are available in abundance during certain times, and it means that they will be cheaper to buy.
Planning your meals according to what is available in the market will help keep you within budget, and still enjoy the best choices Mother Nature has to offer. At times, lots of folks don’t think about doing this but if you are on a tight budget it’s a great way to save money.
5. Involve The Whole Family
When cooking meals for the family, obviously, the audience matter. Listen to feedback from your loved ones to know what works.
Eating well on a tight budget is easy when you know what works in your family. When you understand what your family wants during meals, you can incorporate the knowledge when you plan your next menu.
If you have other tips for cooking delicious meals that save money, please share them below!