Shopping the Right Way
Always make a list, be sure to plan your meals for the week first then make a list of what you need for the week. If you can use a computer, check on line for various offers and plan your meals around these offers. Special offers only save you money if they can be eaten as part of your weekly meal plan. If they aren’t on your list, they are extra to your requirements and will end up costing you money NOT saving you money.
Never go shopping whilst hungry you are more likely to pick up more food than you require, as your stomach tells your brain to stock up! Buy in bulk, you can save money by buying food which stores well in bulk, for example, tins and jars and items which can be kept in the freezer. Own brand products can save you money for example own brand beans and frozen goods can save you money and often tastes just as good! You tend to spend less when you shop online. It’s much easier to keep to your list, you are not tempted by the sight and smell of produce that were not on your original list and you can take the time to compare supermarkets special offers to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. However there is a delivery charge but if you are a late owl its much cheaper to have your shopping delivered late at night and if you are at home during the middle of the day again its cheaper again, but try to avoid early evening this is the most expensive time to have your shopping delivered. |
Ethnic supermarkets can be a great place to pick up cheap but traditional and original ethnic ingredients.
Check out www.frugal.org.uk for some more great ideas! |
Utensils
When living on budget your best friend is your freezer.
A bread maker can also save you money, however it tastes better if you use it to only make the dough, cook it in a conventional oven - its half the price as bought bread, look for used bread makers on ebay or car boot sales. A slow cooker is also great as it makes even the cheapest of meat incredibly tender again the best place to get these from is ebay or car boot sales. Food processors are great of making bread crumbs using the metal blades and the same for making pastry if you have warm hands. Juicers are great for making use of over ripe fruit and they also make useful blenders. |
Essentials
Fruit
Always buy fruit when it’s in season this is the time of year it is at its cheapest. Most fruits freeze well so buy more than you need and put the surplus in the freezer. A lot of councils are planting black berry bushes near roads and in parks, picking black berries can be fun and they are free! Again either make some jam with them or place them in the freezer to use at a later date either in a trifle or with some other fruit on top of meringues and cream. They are also great with some apples in an apple pie or crumble. Quite often local farms and small holders sell surplus fruit at the side of the road. Peel them add some sugar and water and cook then freeze them. Fish There is a little known fish called the Vietnamese River Cobbler. It’s very similar to Cod but is a fraction of the price. However there is some controversy over the way this fish is farmed and the flavour can be a little bland but with a good sauce it can make a great meal. Tinned chopped tomatoes These can be used for sauces, casseroles, curries, chilli’s and Soups. Stock up on them when they are on special offer which they often are at the different supermarkets or buy own brand. Pasta Great for filling up hungry people. Cous Cous Quicker to cook than rice. |
Vegetables
Always buy vegetables when they are in season and freeze if necessary. Quite often local farmers and small holders sell their surplus vegetables on the side of the road, you can pick up some great bargains. Mashed Swede and carrot are great cooked and then frozen and don’t forget the good old potato, its full of nutrients and if you can find a local grower they will often sell you a large bag for the fraction of the price you would pay at the supermarket. If you keep your potatoes in a cool dark place such as a garage, shed or under the stairs they will last a long time and are incredibly versatile. See the British potato council website www.britishpotatoes.co.uk. Eggs Eggs are very versatile and good for you and here’s a tip whether making an omelette or a cake add a teaspoon of hot water for every egg you use and it will make omelettes and cakes extra fluffy. Sugar Caster sugar, light brown suger and jam sugar are always useful to have. You can buy small packets of these and they store well. Jam sugar is always useful to turn over ripe fruit into a jam or a few red chillis into a sweet chilli sauce. Rice Always a staple requirement. The cheapest rice you can buy is always great for Risotto as it has more starch and makes it stickier. |
Spices & Herbs
Spices
It’s always a good idea to have a selection of these in the cupboard but often cheaper to buy them from an Asian supermarket or deli.
~ Ground Cinnamon
~ Dried Bay Leaves
~ Ground Coriander
~ Ground Nutmeg
~ Hot chilli powder
~ Curry powder
Herbs
It is much cheaper to buy herbs as plants, watering them either inside in the winter or outside in the summer means that by letting them continue to grow you save money as they will keep reproducing for you. However if you are not particularly green fingered when you buy a pack of cut herbs, if you don’t use them all, put them in a plastic container and freeze them, they are great to take out frozen and add to a stew, curry or soup.
Example of herbs you should stock up on are:
~ Basil
~ Rosemary
~ Thyme
~ Mint
~ Parsley
~ Chives
~ Coriander
It’s always a good idea to have a selection of these in the cupboard but often cheaper to buy them from an Asian supermarket or deli.
~ Ground Cinnamon
~ Dried Bay Leaves
~ Ground Coriander
~ Ground Nutmeg
~ Hot chilli powder
~ Curry powder
Herbs
It is much cheaper to buy herbs as plants, watering them either inside in the winter or outside in the summer means that by letting them continue to grow you save money as they will keep reproducing for you. However if you are not particularly green fingered when you buy a pack of cut herbs, if you don’t use them all, put them in a plastic container and freeze them, they are great to take out frozen and add to a stew, curry or soup.
Example of herbs you should stock up on are:
~ Basil
~ Rosemary
~ Thyme
~ Mint
~ Parsley
~ Chives
~ Coriander