Methods to cut food costs

[bakasabo]

The best way so far I have found to cut expenses on food is to go shopping with a list. For me this is the only way to resist temptation of buying something tasty just to have it, when I already have a stock of something tasty at home. Also take basket but not trolley. Large and empty trolley will make you feel uncomfortable and you will fill it less needed food. That is one of the tricks marketers use.

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[Cryptomultiplier]

To go for alternatives aside from the regular choice one would normally make is one way to cut food cost.
One just has to seek out nutritional value first before price.
I also think vegetables have more cheaper rates compared to always eating meat or beef which is rather expensive.
The other one is to cook less quantity of food to prevent spoilage and wastage. Or it is better to refrigerate food one cannot finish instead of forcefully finishing it or giving it to someone to finish.

[bakasabo]

One just has to seek out nutritional value first before price.
I also think vegetables have more cheaper rates compared to always eating meat or beef which is rather expensive.

That depends from a country. There is such thing as seasons and climate. For example in north countries vegetables are always expensive. Here in Europe sometimes a 1kg of tomatoes can cost more than 1 kg of chicken or pork, especially during winter.

Seeking for a higher nutritional value isnt the best solution either. One of highest nutrition value products is salmon. I dont think that many can afford it as a daily meal for dinner and lunch. Another example - beans. They are also nutrient-rich, but would you be able to eat them all the time? several times a day, during week or month?

[Smartprofit]

Tips for saving food expenses
1. Buy raw materials as needed
2. Cooking yourself, because if you buy outside it will be more expensive
3. Collect coupons or vouchers
4. Find a food shop that is low

Besides having to choose the needs that must be purchased, you can also look for large discounts and promo prices. In my country discounts or promos are held only when there is a big event and weekend while weekday prices return to normal, therefore you should buy food ingredients for weekly to be more efficient. Whether it's happening in my country or in your country too?

Recently, I was with my girlfriend at a discount store where the prices of all products are half the price of regular grocery stores. 

We bought a bottle of milk there, sliced ​​sausage, sweet shortbreads (there was no bread in the discount store, unfortunately), tomatoes and greens.  The price came out very cheap.  We had a great picnic on the river bank! 

We also bought an excellent fruit marshmallow there - in a regular store it costs twice as much.  In my country, stores very often arrange sales of products with discounts (such products are marked with yellow price tags). 

You can also save significantly if you purchase a branded card of the store where you plan to make purchases.  This will save you a lot of money.

[GideonGono]

Actually it would depend if you live alone or if you're with your family.
If you live alone you should find a canteen that serves fresh cook meals and cheap because if you would cook for yourself the portion would be to much.
But if you live with your family buying ingredients in the market and cooking it yourself would be the most efficient way to save money on food.
Vouchers and coupon would only works on those who live alone and couldn't find a canteen.

[Mr.right85]

Actually it would depend if you live alone or if you're with your family.
If you live alone you should find a canteen that serves fresh cook meals and cheap because if you would cook for yourself the portion would be to much.
But if you live with your family buying ingredients in the market and cooking it yourself would be the most efficient way to save money on food.
Vouchers and coupon would only works on those who live alone and couldn't find a canteen.

How do you come to the conclusion that buying food from a canteen that sells cheap food is much economical than having to cook that food yourself while your living alone.
I think getting the ingredients and cooking your food yourself while living single or as a family is more economical than buy food where ever.

The only thing you have to worry about is storage. If you've got proper storage facilities, then you've got no issue. Besides, you get to eat to your satisfaction than you can do in any canteen.

You don't get to pay any transport fair or have to seek the sort of comfort you would have in your home. I doubt there would be any much comfort in a canteen that sells cheap.

[n0ne]

Actually it would depend if you live alone or if you're with your family.
If you live alone you should find a canteen that serves fresh cook meals and cheap because if you would cook for yourself the portion would be to much.
But if you live with your family buying ingredients in the market and cooking it yourself would be the most efficient way to save money on food.
Vouchers and coupon would only works on those who live alone and couldn't find a canteen.

How do you come to the conclusion that buying food from a canteen that sells cheap food is much economical than having to cook that food yourself while your living alone.
I think getting the ingredients and cooking your food yourself while living single or as a family is more economical than buy food where ever.

The only thing you have to worry about is storage. If you've got proper storage facilities, then you've got no issue. Besides, you get to eat to your satisfaction than you can do in any canteen.

You don't get to pay any transport fair or have to seek the sort of comfort you would have in your home. I doubt there would be any much comfort in a canteen that sells cheap.

Not everyone loves cooking. For all that people who keep on spending on restaurants for their food need, switching to a canteen or to Home food provider is a better choice. Probably he/she will end up spending half the amount spend on restaurants and hotels.

Another choice we friends used to practice is have our food on the sharing basis. In Asian countries main dish with some side dish is consumed. The main dish used to be less expensive and the side dish used to be costly and we can see big volume. So we buy three main dish and a side dish to be shared within us. This used to reduce the cost on food when calculated individual.

[STT]

In the economics section I was thinking on a larger scale for entire populations so hydroponics and other similar ideas to increase production.  Without a doubt we have a food shortage for a growing world.   The tokens thing is great, I like it but its short term and so what they had people do in countries with failing currency, inflation is send home government employees for 1 day a week to grow their own food.  This was their pay in lieu as the people were desperately short of the money to buy the increasingly costly imported food; that's economics and the damage when it goes wrong.

[Hamphser]

Actually it would depend if you live alone or if you're with your family.
If you live alone you should find a canteen that serves fresh cook meals and cheap because if you would cook for yourself the portion would be to much.
But if you live with your family buying ingredients in the market and cooking it yourself would be the most efficient way to save money on food.
Vouchers and coupon would only works on those who live alone and couldn't find a canteen.

How do you come to the conclusion that buying food from a canteen that sells cheap food is much economical than having to cook that food yourself while your living alone.
I think getting the ingredients and cooking your food yourself while living single or as a family is more economical than buy food where ever.

The only thing you have to worry about is storage. If you've got proper storage facilities, then you've got no issue. Besides, you get to eat to your satisfaction than you can do in any canteen.

You don't get to pay any transport fair or have to seek the sort of comfort you would have in your home. I doubt there would be any much comfort in a canteen that sells cheap.

Not everyone loves cooking. For all that people who keep on spending on restaurants for their food need, switching to a canteen or to Home food provider is a better choice. Probably he/she will end up spending half the amount spend on restaurants and hotels.

Another choice we friends used to practice is have our food on the sharing basis. In Asian countries main dish with some side dish is consumed. The main dish used to be less expensive and the side dish used to be costly and we can see big volume. So we buy three main dish and a side dish to be shared within us. This used to reduce the cost on food when calculated individual.

Im guilty with this on which im not really that fan of cooking plus my wife does have that same job hours as mine and also busy as well where we do really sleep late at night and on the time morning comes then
it would really be that tiring on making some preparation when it comes to food cooking or whatsoever and this is why we do really decide on making up some breakfast on restaurants on which we could directly
able to eat with but if we do have the time then my wife do make out preparations.This is why we cant really be able to save up with this kind of set up and does really spend up money with this kind of style.
Its true that it is really that adding up on the expense but if it do really make things efficient in terms of your work related and not that time consuming then its still a considerable act
to be done.

[AnonBitCoiner]

Everyone thinks differently but I think that purchasing food item from restaurants are more expensive than cooking that food items in home and one more benefit is that home cooked food will be more healthy as compared to the ordered one from restaurants.

everyone cannot have access towards those areas where natural fruits and vegetables are grown so it will be better to occupy a small land and then grow some fruits and vegetables there so you will easily save your money and also time will be save by avoiding going out to purchase it.

[AndyGryffindor]

I built a rocket stove to save on cooking costs and it is fun hearing the fire rumble through. Mine was built using old fire brick, 3 square cement blocks, a metal plus sign made out of rebar to create an air space that a pan can sit on and the fire can escape out of the chimney, a metal screen to provide an air gap and to aid in starting the fire, a metal cooking surface for two of the pans to rest on and mud/clay to fill in the gaps.

Dumpster diving for some sweet trash can...dy...

[Iroh]

Actually it would depend if you live alone or if you're with your family.
If you live alone you should find a canteen that serves fresh cook meals and cheap because if you would cook for yourself the portion would be to much.
But if you live with your family buying ingredients in the market and cooking it yourself would be the most efficient way to save money on food.
Vouchers and coupon would only works on those who live alone and couldn't find a canteen.

Buying in bulk and cooking your own food is cheaper and more convenient. It’s also healthier. Supposing the canteen where you normally eat cheap fresh cooked meals suddenly doesn’t open for the day or the week, you’re going to have to go hungry or go on a new journey looking for another canteen that suits your tastes and needs.

If you’re single and have to cook for yourself, Have you thought of cooking a small portion? Just enough for yourself. A better option is to get a good place where you could store perishable food items. I heard a freezer does a good job of keeping food items frozen and ready for whenever you would need them.
But you could always do whatever works for you.

[Lida93]

Coupons and promo codes



Image link:  https://i.ibb.co/NpcLm8f/promo-code.jpg

There are many websites on the internet offering promo codes and coupons for items in stores.


Student Discount



Image link:  https://i.ibb.co/CMNcQZn/student-id-discount.jpg



Foraging in the wild

There are places in the wild where fruits and vegetables grow naturally. Some are located close to official hiking trails and natural landmarks like waterfalls.

All of this is a dependant of your location. You don't expect someone living and schooling in the city to be privy things like this. OP Can you find waterfalls and wild areas on the modern cities of today?

Working part time in the food industry

The food industry is known for sometimes giving away free food and cost benefits. Bakeries and restaurants and known for throwing food away. Which employees sometimes are allowed to have.

No matter how cost effective getting food from food industries and restaurants may be painted to look like it still can't be compared to preparing the food yourself if you actually want to save cost cooking at home does much savings as you would have to have it in both quantity and quality.
Some of those foods being giving away by the restaurants are foods that are close to getting spoilt or expiration and it could be detriment to a persons health that keeps on consuming such kinds of food all in the context of saving cost.

[bakasabo]

Buying in bulk and cooking your own food is cheaper and more convenient. It’s also healthier. Supposing the canteen where you normally eat cheap fresh cooked meals suddenly doesn’t open for the day or the week, you’re going to have to go hungry or go on a new journey looking for another canteen that suits your tastes and needs.

If you’re single and have to cook for yourself, Have you thought of cooking a small portion? Just enough for yourself. A better option is to get a good place where you could store perishable food items. I heard a freezer does a good job of keeping food items frozen and ready for whenever you would need them.
But you could always do whatever works for you.

We can debate a bit about bulk buying and the fact that preparing own food is cheaper.

Of course buying in bulk saves you a lot of money, but that also force you to stick one and the same meal for a long period. Suppose you buy rice, beans, chicken breast. How long you will be able to eat that on 3 times a day for few weeks? With time, you will be fed up with that taste and go to eat outside, just to change routine, and that will kill part of savings.

Cooking own food is cheaper, when there are few ingredients. All restaurants buy flavoring, ingredients in bulk for a much lower price than normal people pay in shops. Where you buy a small can of sauce, small bags with pepper and other stuff, they buy it in huge 1-5l cans and in kilograms. If you will run out of flavoring ingredients faster than they. Faster = more money to be spend.

As to cooking a small portion - that isnt cost effective imho. Imagine how much you will spend gas, electricity and water when frying, boiling, washing + time, if you prepare meals 3 times a day vs preparing a huge pot with meal for few days.

[Smack That Ace]

Buying in bulk and cooking your own food is cheaper and more convenient. It’s also healthier. Supposing the canteen where you normally eat cheap fresh cooked meals suddenly doesn’t open for the day or the week, you’re going to have to go hungry or go on a new journey looking for another canteen that suits your tastes and needs.

If you’re single and have to cook for yourself, Have you thought of cooking a small portion? Just enough for yourself. A better option is to get a good place where you could store perishable food items. I heard a freezer does a good job of keeping food items frozen and ready for whenever you would need them.
But you could always do whatever works for you.

We can debate a bit about bulk buying and the fact that preparing own food is cheaper.

Of course buying in bulk saves you a lot of money, but that also force you to stick one and the same meal for a long period. Suppose you buy rice, beans, chicken breast. How long you will be able to eat that on 3 times a day for few weeks? With time, you will be fed up with that taste and go to eat outside, just to change routine, and that will kill part of savings.

Cooking own food is cheaper, when there are few ingredients. All restaurants buy flavoring, ingredients in bulk for a much lower price than normal people pay in shops. Where you buy a small can of sauce, small bags with pepper and other stuff, they buy it in huge 1-5l cans and in kilograms. If you will run out of flavoring ingredients faster than they. Faster = more money to be spend.

As to cooking a small portion - that isnt cost effective imho. Imagine how much you will spend gas, electricity and water when frying, boiling, washing + time, if you prepare meals 3 times a day vs preparing a huge pot with meal for few days.

Currently, I am on a business trip, and these days I eat out because I am not good at cooking and do not want to spend a lot of time cooking. I agree with what you said, cooking ourselves and small portions don't save us much. But another advantage when cooking for yourself is that you can eat the food you like, and more importantly, it is more hygienic than restaurants and sidewalks. I've had to eat out for 3 weeks, but I still haven't had a meal that really brings my appetite, and that makes my body sick and tired.

[romero121]

~
Currently, I am on a business trip, and these days I eat out because I am not good at cooking and do not want to spend a lot of time cooking. I agree with what you said, cooking ourselves and small portions don't save us much. But another advantage when cooking for yourself is that you can eat the food you like, and more importantly, it is more hygienic than restaurants and sidewalks. I've had to eat out for 3 weeks, but I still haven't had a meal that really brings my appetite, and that makes my body sick and tired.

Cooking ourselves will surely cut cost, I've personally experienced it. If you've got few more people to support, then surely it'll bring down the expense and the work load(if cooked) drastically. When consumed outside as a group we'll get variety as well as price will be low. I've travelled abroad once, and during the travel whenever I eat seperately atleast $5 is required. When we eat as a group of 3-4, it doesn't exceed $2 to $3. Unlike the location and quantity preparation of food cuts cost.

[xSkylarx]

~
Currently, I am on a business trip, and these days I eat out because I am not good at cooking and do not want to spend a lot of time cooking. I agree with what you said, cooking ourselves and small portions don't save us much. But another advantage when cooking for yourself is that you can eat the food you like, and more importantly, it is more hygienic than restaurants and sidewalks. I've had to eat out for 3 weeks, but I still haven't had a meal that really brings my appetite, and that makes my body sick and tired.

Cooking ourselves will surely cut cost, I've personally experienced it. If you've got few more people to support, then surely it'll bring down the expense and the work load(if cooked) drastically. When consumed outside as a group we'll get variety as well as price will be low. I've travelled abroad once, and during the travel whenever I eat seperately atleast $5 is required. When we eat as a group of 3-4, it doesn't exceed $2 to $3. Unlike the location and quantity preparation of food cuts cost.

If there are 3 or more people eating, then cooking is really best because you can cook more than buying the food already cooked. But in our case, we are only a family of 3, meaning 2 adults and one kid, so it is somewhat possible to save for cooking at home, but we can also buy some food outside, even if the serving is small as we are a small family. But what is best about cooking at home is that you still have food in the later part of the day, unlike buying it outside, which is just enough for one meal to eat.

[BRINIRHA]

The best way so far I have found to cut expenses on food is to go shopping with a list. For me this is the only way to resist temptation of buying something tasty just to have it, when I already have a stock of something tasty at home. Also take basket but not trolley. Large and empty trolley will make you feel uncomfortable and you will fill it less needed food. That is one of the tricks marketers use.

The way you do it is exactly what I usually do. When my husband will go shopping for weekly needs, I will first make a shopping list for him to bring. And it also makes us more effective in spending money, especially in shopping.
But for the types of vegetables and fruits, I personally have a habit of planting them at home. when our family is on holiday, we have fun planting together. So that we can find plants such as tomatoes, chilies, onions, cabbage, kale and many other types such as spices around the house without having to buy them from the market. and it is our frugal method in terms of food stocks. but we didn't grow much. just enough for our family.

Another way to cut food costs is to cut back on ready-to-eat meals. because actually ready-to-eat food is quite expensive compared to the raw materials that we have to cook first. it takes extra effort but it's effective in saving.

[Smack That Ace]

~
Currently, I am on a business trip, and these days I eat out because I am not good at cooking and do not want to spend a lot of time cooking. I agree with what you said, cooking ourselves and small portions don't save us much. But another advantage when cooking for yourself is that you can eat the food you like, and more importantly, it is more hygienic than restaurants and sidewalks. I've had to eat out for 3 weeks, but I still haven't had a meal that really brings my appetite, and that makes my body sick and tired.

Cooking ourselves will surely cut cost, I've personally experienced it. If you've got few more people to support, then surely it'll bring down the expense and the work load(if cooked) drastically. When consumed outside as a group we'll get variety as well as price will be low. I've travelled abroad once, and during the travel whenever I eat seperately atleast $5 is required. When we eat as a group of 3-4, it doesn't exceed $2 to $3. Unlike the location and quantity preparation of food cuts cost.

I agree, if we talk about cooking for ourselves and we have 3 or 4 people together, it will save us a lot of money as well as save cooking time. But if you are a busy person and live alone, you can compare cooking for yourself to eating out. You won't find the cost much different, but the cooking will take longer. But like I said, in return, cooking will ensure the safety of the meal, and we also easily choose our favorite dishes. I'm a married person, I always eat the dishes my wife cooks, and only when traveling on business, eating out is my choice.

[bakasabo]

~
Currently, I am on a business trip, and these days I eat out because I am not good at cooking and do not want to spend a lot of time cooking. I agree with what you said, cooking ourselves and small portions don't save us much. But another advantage when cooking for yourself is that you can eat the food you like, and more importantly, it is more hygienic than restaurants and sidewalks. I've had to eat out for 3 weeks, but I still haven't had a meal that really brings my appetite, and that makes my body sick and tired.

Cooking ourselves will surely cut cost, I've personally experienced it. If you've got few more people to support, then surely it'll bring down the expense and the work load(if cooked) drastically. When consumed outside as a group we'll get variety as well as price will be low. I've travelled abroad once, and during the travel whenever I eat seperately atleast $5 is required. When we eat as a group of 3-4, it doesn't exceed $2 to $3. Unlike the location and quantity preparation of food cuts cost.

I agree, if we talk about cooking for ourselves and we have 3 or 4 people together, it will save us a lot of money as well as save cooking time. But if you are a busy person and live alone, you can compare cooking for yourself to eating out. You won't find the cost much different, but the cooking will take longer. But like I said, in return, cooking will ensure the safety of the meal, and we also easily choose our favorite dishes. I'm a married person, I always eat the dishes my wife cooks, and only when traveling on business, eating out is my choice.

Also depends a lot from a location. In Europe, it is hard not to find a meal that will suit your taste and expectation. And you need to try hard to find a den when meals arent save and you will have stomach problems. Easters cuisine is different; my stomach isnt used to species they add everywhere. Eating and saving while in a business trip or simply abroad is hard if not impossible. For that cases I prefer McDonalds, because it taste everywhere the same, and they care about their reputation. Hard to get poisoned in McDonalds. And it is also cheap. For example, in my town, if you eat out, a portion of meal will cost 3-5 EUR + garnish + salad + drink and you will end with 7-10 EUR in the end. And you pay 4-5 EUR for a average meal in McDonalds (burger+drink+chips).