Food. Whether it is from a supermarket or a restaurant, there is no getting around the fact that food must be bought and consumed.
Whatever one’s taste, be it for filet mignon or burgers, oysters on-the-half-shell or frozen fish fingers, mangoes imported from Australia or locally grown ones, it is not hard to reduce the food budget.
1. Collect coupons. Using coupons efficiently helps cut back on all kinds of expenditure – from food and clothing to cosmetics. Stick with coupons that offer value.
It is said some stores offer a coupon for a certain percentage off right after an increase in price on that particular item.
That is not to say they should not be used, but be sure to be aware of the weekly fluctuations in price of the items that are often purchased.
2. Make a list. Write down everything needed before going shopping. Be as general as possible, for example, write “vegetables” rather than “carrots”, “lettuce” and so on.
A particular vegetable may not always be available at an acceptable price. Consider taking advantage of a good deal on a different vegetable.
And consider this: scientific research has found that it is not necessarily true that expensive organic foods are best for health.
3. Do not overshop. Sticking to a list will ensure one stays within budget. Try not to buy anything that is not on the list – even if it has been greatly reduced in price.
4. Buy food for a whole week. Plan meals before hitting the supermarket and buy only the items needed for those meals. Be careful about selection. The choices made play the biggest role in how much will be spent or saved.
5. Do not buy pre-packaged or pre-prepared food. There is an extra charge for the added convenience. Don’t use premixed salads, choose the vegetables or, better yet, grow them at home. This will save money and maybe be the start of a new hobby.
6. Purchase spices and condiments in small quantities from bulk bins since just a little is needed and they tend to lose their flavour after one or two years. Buying a large quantity means some may be thrown away, which is a waste of money.
7. Always have staples on hand. There are some basic ingredients and products needed for nutritious meals, as well as staples such as rice, spices, oil, tinned food (tuna, beans, baked beans and so on), pasta and the like.
If possible, buy these in bulk and/or at a discounted price. Potatoes can come in handy as well.
8. Understand how to buy meat. Knowing how to buy meat can save money. A whole raw chicken costs less per kilogram than boneless chicken pieces.
Buy a whole chicken and cut it up at home. Look for bargains in the cheaper cuts that take longer to cook, for example, there is no need to buy steak for rendang.
Cheaper ground beef can be used in a variety of delicious dishes such as burgers (cheaper and healthier than buying them from a fast-food restaurant) and many more.
9. Buy seafood when it is reduced in price. Seafood is an important part of the diet and should be eaten twice a week to help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Frozen fish tends to be cheaper than fresh fish. However, buy fresh fish whenever possible as it is healthier.
Vegetarians must be conscientious about protein consumption. Tofu is (for a clever cook) a perfect ingredient for a very reasonably priced meal. Serve tofu rather than protein powders – it’s cheaper and more fun to eat!
10. Cook smart
Those who rely on eating out in restaurants, STOP! Michael Pollan, an American journalist and activist best known for his books that explore the socio-cultural impacts of food, such as The Botany of Desire and The Omnivore’s Dilemma says, “Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.”
Learn to cook at home and eat out only occasionally. An extra advantage of cooking one’s own meals is that one can get creative with the leftovers or staples at home, which is cheaper than eating in restaurants all the time. With some practice, one might even come up with gourmet restaurant-quality meals.
This article first appeared in The New Savvy
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