If you’re the chef of your family, there’s a lot to think about. It’s your job to find recipes the whole family love. You’ll also have to make the food budget stretch. Feeding a house of people is no easy task at the best of times. That’s especially the case when you have a set budget to work towards. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to make your money go further. All you need to do is learn a few tips and tricks. This list will help get you started!
SHOP AROUND
Do you head to the nearest store, instead of shopping for the best deal? When time is of the essence, it can seem easiest to head to wherever is convenient. But, have you ever considered that might not be best for your budget? If you want to get the most for your money, shop around. You don’t have to travel to each shop to do this. All you need to do is take to the internet. Find out about prices from sites like http://allcakeprices.com/walmart-cakes-prices/. The more research you do, the better equipped you’ll be to make your money last. Money match schemes are another fantastic way to see where you could save money. So, don’t hesitate to start paying attention to where you shop!
WRITE A MEAL PLAN
Writing a meal plan is good for many reasons. It’ll make your life easier to see what you plan to make each day. It also means you can write a list of what you need each time you go shopping. This will ensure you stick to a set budget! Don’t allow yourself to stray. Buying extras could result in wasted food and additional costs. Find out more about meal planning on sites like http://www.thekitchn.com/collection/mealplans-472. Instead of picking up what you see, take the time to look through recipe books. This may not be the best chore, but it’ll make shopping easier. You’ll be able to whizz around the shop with your list in hand. And remember, only pick up what you need!
DON’T BE AFRAID OF CHEAP BRANDS
Brand snobbery is a major problem. For some reason, there’s a lot of stigma about cheaper brands. If you can get past your brand bias, you’ll save yourself a lot of money. Don’t be afraid to buy things that are cheaper. Often, there’s a pound or two difference between brands. And the shocking thing? They’re often the same products! There are some things you won’t be able to cut corners with. Meat is a good example. Even so, there are many products you can cut costs on. If you’re unsure, give it a go and see what you think. Chances are, your family won’t notice the difference. If it’s your family that is experiencing brand bias, don’t tell them about the change. Let them eat the food, and then reveal what you used. If they liked the meal, they won’t be able to change their opinion at your revelation!
