We all want to live well and enjoy ourselves. For lovers of fine food and wine, this may involve dining out and sometimes spending more than we can afford on exceptional produce. Due to the ongoing global economic crisis, the cost of living has become a daily struggle for many. However, tightening the purse strings doesn’t mean you have to miss out on life’s pleasures and experiences - you can still indulge in your love for excellent cuisine while sticking to a budget. Read on for some top tips.
Planning ahead and making a budget for your monthly food shopping is essential. Start by analysing your monthly income and outgoing expenses - this will grant you insight into how much you can afford to spend at the supermarket, as well as eating out. You can then tailor your regular grocery list to suit your budget, making swaps and omitting unnecessary items where possible. For instance, you may find that switching to store-branded foods saves you a considerable amount. Moreover, shopping online may also save you money, even with shipping costs - this is primarily because you won’t be enticed by last-minute deals and items you may have otherwise not factored into your budget.
Buying in bulk may seem counterintuitive as it may have an immediate negative impact on your finances, but it can save you a lot in the long run. Firstly, bulk purchases mean you don’t have to pay for excessive packaging. Secondly, many companies offer discounts on bulk purchases, as offering products in bulk means more sales, increasing revenue. Finally, buying in bulk can reduce the frequency of your shopping trips, saving you money on gas or public transport.
Local, seasonal produce isn’t just better for the environment, but it can also benefit your bank account. Seasonal food grown locally is distributed over shorter distances; therefore, there are fewer import costs, and retailers are able to sell produce at a lower price. You can generally source fruit and vegetables at a much lower price at a local market, as opposed to one of the many big brand supermarket chains, although this often depends on your location.
Excessive food waste could be burning a hole in your pocket. Not only is it bad for the environment, but letting large amounts of food go to waste is a poor financial decision. Instead of throwing out your leftovers, freeze them for another day, or get creative in the kitchen. For example, if you’ve made too much pasta sauce, reserve it as a soup base or marinade for meat. You can also save your vegetable scraps and meat bones to create your own nutritious and versatile broth.
Although it is wise to be wary of some deals, as you could end up going way over budget, others are akin to striking gold, many of which can be found online. For instance, if you tend to buy sauvignon blanc wines at a local wine merchant, you may be able to get a bottle of your favourite beverage at a fraction of the price online using a discount code. Plus, cheap wine is not strictly bad wine, as discussed in this article. It is also worth signing up for discount sites granting you access to new deals and vouchers every day.
Use-by dates are put on food for the health and well-being of consumers. However, in the spirit of minimising food waste, they should also be taken with a grain of salt. After all, fresh produce bought from a farmer's market seldom features use-by dates - instead, consumers must use their senses to determine whether or not an item is safe to eat. If something looks, smells and tastes fresh, chances are, it's safe to eat - despite what the use-by date might say.
While you may be a strident omnivore, you could save a considerable amount by reducing your meat consumption. You don’t have to switch to a strict vegan lifestyle immediately, but by having just a few meatless meals throughout the week, you could see a positive impact on your finances. Numerous studies have shown that a plant-based diet is cheaper, so provided you don’t blow your budget on pricey meat alternatives, going flexitarian could benefit your health and your bank account.