Spending on Food – Ways to Reduce It

The three things we spend the most time thinking and talking about at my house are fitness, food, and finance. When my husband and I started tracking our money more closely, we were shocked by how much we were spending on food each month. We were determined to cut costs without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Here are the changes that have had the greatest impact for us:

Cook More Meals at Home

My husband and I noticed that we were spending quite a bit eating out. Most of the meals were not part of a “date night” or because we just had to try a restaurant someone was raving about. We were dining out because it was convenient, we were too tired to cook, or we’d become bored with the dishes we were serving ourselves.

If we wanted to eat the vast majority of our meals at home, we’d have to feel like going out was (barring a few exceptions) a downgrade. There was a steep learning curve to keep boredom at bay. We certainly wouldn’t be where we are now without a few truly helpful websites and YouTube channels.

To fund our updated home menu, we took half of the money we were spending on dining and added it to the grocery budget. In the beginning, the rest of what we’d been spending eating out went to recipe books and kitchen appliances. Now, we pocket it!

Bring a List & Stick to It

Have you ever gone to the grocery store with someone who doesn’t have a list – bonus points if they were hungry at the time?

It’s easy to overspend when you go in without a game plan. Make a list and stick to it! I use an app on my phone. Whenever I realize we’re running out of a staple, I add it. Then, as I shop, I check items off.

I used to decide to cook something, check for ingredients I already have, then add the others. Now, I check to see what I have before deciding what to fix, if I can make a meal from what’s already there, I do.

Shop Around!

Sometimes, you want what you want, and that’s fine. For those items you’re less picky about, be sure to compare prices. But don’t stop there, compare stores also.

I shop at nearly every grocery store in town (not all at once). When I go to the most expensive one, I only get those ingredients that aren’t available elsewhere. There are a few that I visit if I’m looking for something specific, such as local honey. Knowing where to find the best deals has dramatically cut our spending.

Substitute Out Expensive Ingredients

One of my favorite cookbooks provides three variations of each recipe. I started to see patterns in which ingredients could replace each other, and it wasn’t long before I was searching for substitutions for uncommon or pricey items. After a while, I realized how often I could make use of something I already had on hand.

Ditch the Recipe, Create Your Own Meals

Recipes are wonderful. They can take you from zero to hero! But, if you’re not careful you may find yourself spending a small fortune on obscure, expensive ingredients that you won’t use again anytime soon.

Eventually, I stumbled upon the elements of flavor, the essential principles of cooking, and the science of seasoning. I discovered that, with this new knowledge, I could lose the training wheels and design my own dinners. One of the main advantages of doing this (besides feeling proud when you’ve created a masterpiece) is that it can dramatically cut your costs.

Do It Yourself

When I started making my own dressings, sauces, and spice mixes, I was surprised by how easy it was. I honestly felt a little duped when I realized I’d been paying top dollar for sauces that only had two or three ingredients and were simple to prepare.

Out and About? Bring Your Own Beverage

Do you work with someone who shows up with a Starbucks in hand every morning. Or, perhaps you are that person? Did you know that:

People spend an average of $15 per visit to Green Mountain Coffee; $12 to visit Starbucks, McDonald’s and Peet’s Coffee.
Here’s How Much Americans Are Spending on Coffee –
And Smarter Ways To Use That Money Instead

You might be surprised by how much you can save by making your own drinks. Or, by replacing your (insert favorite beverage here) with water.

Meal Prep

Preparing food ahead, rather than eating out while at work, could have a significant impact on your monthly budget. We actually started doing it for health reasons, but certainly noticed the reduction in spending. If you’re already cooking most of your meals at home, bulk prep may save you more time than money (which is just as valuable).

No Need to Overhaul – Take Baby Steps

Food costs can add up quickly, and they eat away at money that you could save or invest. People are often unaware of just how much they’re spending on food, in part because we eat multiple times each day.

Making a few small changes in key areas can have a large impact on our finances, as well as our health. Start your new food habits today!

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