I find that besides paying my rent each week, I spend a lot more money on food than anything else. Since I have moved out of home, I have had to start shopping a bit smarter so that I can afford to buy all of the food that I need as well as pay all of the my other bills. Here are some ways that I have managed to spend less money on food.
1. I used to buy individual microwavable packets of vegetables so each time I had vegetables with a meal, the vegetables alone would cost be around $3. Now I buy a bag of peas, a bag of carrots some brocolli and pumpkin and I have enough vegetables to last me for a week or two.
2. I wait until foods go on 'special' or 'promotion' and then buy them then. For example Uncle Toby's Oats came on special for 3.99 (for a 12 pack) today so I bought 3 boxes. Hopefully they will last me until the oats come on special again. If I paid full price for the 3 boxes it would have been like $18 instead of $12.
3. I never throw out any food. I eat every slice of bread out of a loaf and if I dont think I will be able to use the whole loaf before it spoils I will put some in the freezer to defrost and use for toast if I ever need it. Ido the same with meat or even muffind/pudddings.
4. If something has reached it's best before date, often the food is still perfectly ok. If I have yoghurt or biscuits or something that has recently reached it's best before date, as long as it smells and tastes ok, I still eat it anyway. I would not do this if the date was a 'use by' date however 'best before' dates are only supposed to be used as a guide.
5. I always think ahead. If I don't think I will be able to eat all of a food before it spoil, I don't buy it. I hate throwing away foood as see it as a massive waste of money. In fact, I cant remember the last time I threw out any food at all. I always eat everything I cook and therefore never have any left overs.
6. I always wrap things up really well once I open them so that the food inside doesn't spoil. I get extremely annoyed when people leave packets open and the air gets to the food and makes it inedible. I also keep things in the fridge whenever I can as usually this prolongs the life of food.
7. Making foods from scratch is generally much cheaper than buying them in packets and food made from scratch is also much healthier too. This is something I know I still need to work on as I still eat foods from packets far too much as I find it much easier to track the calories in packet meals then when I make them myself.
8. I always take packed lunches to work or whenever I leave home. Not only does this mean that I know I am always reaching my calorie target, it also means that Ido not need to by lunch or snacks each day which is much more expensive. Occasionally it is good to eat out however if this challenges your eating disorder.
9. I find buying groceries much cheaper whilst I am following a meal plan as I only buy things that I know I eat each day and therfore nothing I buy is uneccesary or goes to waste. This also means that I very rarely buy something thaat I ddon't like as all I know that all of the things on my meal plan I enjoy.
10. Before I go shopping I try and write a shopping list and stick to it as best as I can. If I do spot something whilst I am at the supermarket that I do not need, I always ask myself, 'Do Ireally need this' and 'Do I already have something similar to this at home already.' If I don't need the item I generally put it back on the shelf.
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