Convenience foods such as premade pizzas, frozen dinners, or refrigerated mashed potatoes make life easier. The question is: are they easier on our food budgets? You might be surprised to learn that convenience foods are actually more expensive. Here’s how cooking from scratch can save you money.
Yes, it’s true that many people have given up cooking and baking from scratch in favor of store-bought convenience foods. And while they may help you get dinner on the table quickly after a day out and about, they pale in comparison when you look at nutritive value and bang for your buck. The truth is cooking for scratch is better for your health and your pocket book.
* Plan your meals ahead of time and you can save time and money. You’ll be able to make a grocery list based on your meal plan which will enable you to get everything you need for the week. This will keep you from running back to the store when you don’t know what to fix or run out of something.
* Buy in bulk. Items bought in bulk always come out cheaper per unit than buying them pre-packaged. Most stores have identification cards showing the cost-per-unit price. Take a look and you’ll see it costs less to buy the big bag of rice rather than boxes with just enough for a few servings.
* Prepare for more than one meal at a time. Here’s an example: You plan on making spaghetti with meat sauce for dinner. You have five pounds of ground beef. Instead of taking out just what you need for the meal, go ahead and cook all of it at once. You can freeze what you don’t need for use at a later date. Remember to mark on the freezer container what the item is, when it was frozen, and a suggested use-by date. This can be done with many foods – casseroles, meats with or without sauce, and desserts.
* Use fresh when possible. You’ve probably seen the little bags of pre-chopped vegetables. They make it easier when you need them, but there’s no reason you can’t make your own rather than spending a good bit to have the chopping done for you. Buy the vegetables when they’re cheaper, chop them up all at once, and then freeze what you don’t need.
* Don’t forget your crock pot. If you know you’re going to be rushed one day, there’s no need to head for the nearest drive through. Planning ahead and cooking from scratch can easily be accomplished in your crock pot. Chop needed vegetables, pre-season meat, and get as much done the night before if you know you’ll be rushed in the morning. Put everything in the crock pot before you leave for the day and you’ll return home to a hot, home cooked meal your family will love.
* Use what you have. Be sure to look through your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what you already have on-hand. This will help you to use items before they expire, let you know what you need to purchase, and allow you to save money on your grocery bill on those weeks money is tight.
It’s not hard to learn how cooking from scratch can save you money. The more meals you cook from scratch, the more money you can save on your food budget. Cooking from scratch also enables you to know exactly what went into the meal so you don’t have to be concerned about additives and preservatives.
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