The Best Money-Saving Hacks For Grocery Shopping

It’s no secret that the cost of things has gone up in recent months more than ever before. Perhaps that’s why so many people are looking to save money in any way they can? One of the biggest costs each month usually comes in the form of our grocery bill.

Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to worry about spending hundreds of dollars on food that might end up going to waste. The solution? Looking for some of the best money-saving hacks for our groceries - and they might not be so hard to implement.

Leftover mashed potatoes make for perfect potato cakes instead of getting wasted

Knowing what to do with our leftovers is one of the things that causes so many of us to waste food. Some things can be more obvious, such as heating up takeout the next day or enjoying soup later down the line. What about mashed potatoes? It turns out there could be a simple answer to make another meal.

If you have enough mashed potatoes left, turning them into potato cakes is an excellent way to avoid food waste. There are so many recipes on the internet that usually see us mixing them with flour and frying until they’re crispy. You can even add things like canned tuna and herbs if you want extra flavor.

Plan your grocery list around recipes for meals for the week

How do you like to go about your grocery shop? Are you someone who likes to have a plan, or do you prefer going to the grocery store and seeing what takes your fancy when you’re there? It could be time to shake things up, especially if you want to keep your grocery bills low. It all starts with planning.

The best thing to do is plan out what meals you need and shop accordingly. This means looking at what you need to buy to bring the meals to life and what you already have in the pantry. Once you have your list, be sure to stick to the food you need and not the things that catch your eye.

Be sure to stick to your grocery list or shop online to remove temptation

Something many of us are guilty of is grabbing things we like the look of when we’re at the store, even if we don’t need them. It could be a deal on something delicious or a new product that takes centerstage at the front of the store. Of course, grocery stores are designed to make us spend money on food.

Instead of letting yourself be tempted, be sure to stick strictly to your list and avoid anything you don’t need. Maybe you know you can’t avoid temptation? It could be time to switch to online shopping. While there will likely be adverts trying to get us to buy other things, they can be easier to ignore.

Slow cookers often make use of cheaper cuts of meat

There are so many reasons that slow cookers are great. For one, they’re brilliant if you want a home-cooked meal at the end of the day, but you don’t have time to spend hours slaving over a hot stove. They can also be good if you’re trying to reduce your bills, as they typically use less electricity.

Another reason that slow cookers are brilliant is that you can make use of cheaper cuts of meat without the worry of losing any taste. That’s because they spend hours slowly stewing our food, so cuts of meat that might usually be tougher should soften up throughout the day. It’s the perfect win-win situation for many.

Pre-chopped food could be costing us a lot more for no reason

Working, raising a family, trying to have a social life, and keeping on top of chores can often leave us wondering how we’re supposed to have time to cook dinner. That’s why many have been tempted to use pre-chopped food to save some time and cut some corners. Still, it could be costing us more unnecessarily.

Pre-chopped foods come with a higher price tag because they are more convenient for many. However, making some time once a week to prep all the food you need or adding a few minutes to cooking each meal could save plenty of money each week by one simple swap. Sorry pre-shredded lettuce, your days are numbered.

Always check what food you have in stock before going shopping

Let’s be honest; many of us live busy lives. That means we might forget what’s in our pantries or the things that have been tucked away in the freezer for weeks. While we don’t have to check once a week if we don’t have the time, it’s usually a good idea to check what’s already in our kitchens before shopping.

In fact, if you write a list of things you need from the grocery store, then looking at what you already have should mean you don’t accidentally end up buying more than you need. The best bit? You might find you get a bit of inspiration from things you already have lying around, meaning it’s a win-win situation.

Shopping at the store at the end of the day could offer up major savings

Some people prefer to put off heading to the grocery store for as long as possible, while others like to get the chores out of the way at the beginning of the day. There are plenty of arguments for both, but what if shopping at the grocery store at the end of the day could offer up some huge savings?

That’s because this is when many grocery stores are cleaning out their old stock and reducing prices to make room for more food the following day. Plus, there’s a chance many will feel more inclined to buy only what they need as they don’t want to spend the evening putting groceries away once they’re home.

Sticking to the outside of the grocery store should keep things cheaper and healthier

Grocery stores are designed to make us part with our cash. Sure, we need food to survive, but that doesn’t mean we have to spend hundreds of unnecessary dollars. Did you know that shopping around the outside of the grocery store could be where you find the best deals? No, we don’t mean heading around the back to the dumpster.

Instead, the healthiest options tend to be on the outer walls of stores. This includes the fresh meat sections, the bakery, and the fresh fruits and vegetables. As well as often being cheaper than other junk food found in the middle aisles, they tend to be the most cost-effective additions to a weekly grocery shop. Who knew?

Shop high and low when walking through the grocery store

Ah, the planning that goes into where things are placed in a grocery store. So much goes into food packaging and design before it even hits the shelves, but the selling doesn’t end there. Grocery stores typically place the most expensive things on the middle shelves, so they’re in front of our eyes and tempt us in.

Instead, try looking up and down to the higher and lower shelves to see the alternative products on offer. It might be easy to find alternatives to things, such as grocery store own-brand items or choices that we haven’t heard of before that have been hiding in plain sight the entire time. Just be sure to check the price tags.

Plant the end of your scallions to regrow them and save buying new ones

Did you know that you could grow your own food without having to buy seeds and get in touch with your green thumb? It turns out it could be as simple as planting some leftover additions you have at the end of cooking a meal. One on the list comes in the form of scallions.

Instead of throwing them in the compost, save the ends with the roots. All you need to do is push them into soil and give them some water every few days, and it shouldn’t be long before you have some thriving scallion plants of your own. Simply cut off the amount you need whenever it’s time to cook.

Avoid heading to the grocery store while hungry and overbuying food

It can be tough to do anything when our stomach starts to rumble, and we need food asap. Heading to the grocery store could be one of the worst things to do, especially if we want to save money. That’s right; grabbing any and every piece of junk food from the store could really be what’s eating into our budget.

If you need to head to the store, be sure to do so after a meal or have a snack before you go. This way, you should be less tempted to grab things that catch your eye. Plus, it can be hard for our brains to override our stomachs when we need something to eat - and spend more money.

Storing fresh herbs correctly should help them last longer

Saving money on our grocery shopping isn’t all about cutting corners and looking for deals in the store. Sometimes, it comes down to how we store our things at home to ensure they last as long as possible. If you’re someone who uses fresh herbs a lot, you might notice that they tend to go bad pretty quickly.

Thankfully, there’s a simple way to keep them fresh. Start by taking a glass of water and place your herbs in stalk first. From there, take a plastic bag - such as a Ziploc bag - and place it over the top. Secure this to the glass with a rubber band, and your herbs should last longer than ever.

Buying pre-packaged food could sometimes cost double the amount

There are so many ways that grocery stores try to make our lives easier - and often charge us for the privilege. Many might be tempted to grab a multi-bag of something if they need more than one for the week, such as a pack of onions or a bag of bell peppers. What if these are costing us more?

This is especially true if things are sold by weight individually, as multipacks tend to be one fixed price. One TikTok user seemed to prove as much when they weighed a pack of three onions. In the multipack, they cost £0.79 (approximately $0.91) but came in at £0.39 (approximately $0.45) as three onions sold separately.

Canned and frozen vegetables cut down on anything going to waste

Many have been led to believe that fresh fruits and vegetables are the only way we should be eating them. While it’s true that they are usually filled with the most nutrients, it doesn’t mean that all of them are lost when they’re frozen. In fact, frozen and canned vegetables can be a great way to save money on groceries.

That’s because they typically last for several months instead of just a few days. It’s even better if you grow your own vegetables at home. Each comes with its own best way to be prepared, such as blanching before freezing or how to prepare them to be pickled. Now, your produce should last for months longer.

Add kitchen towel to fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator to help them last longer

Learning how to store common groceries at home can make all the difference when it comes to saving money on our grocery bills. After all, what’s the point in buying something if it’s going to go off before we get to it and have to buy more to replace it? Thankfully, something simple could be all we need.

Things like lettuce, spinach, and other greens tend to go soggy after a few days. Even certain fruits, such as berries, can go bad in a short time. Start by washing your fruits and vegetables. Once they’re dry, simply add a piece of kitchen towel to the storage box to suck up moisture and keep them fresh.

Shopping every other week will likely cut down on how much you’re buying

How often do you head to the grocery store? Plenty of people go once a week. Others go a few days a week, depending on how much they need. Did you know that shopping every other week could be enough to cut down your grocery bills once and for all? Yes, it really could be that simple.

That’s because we should be more likely to only buy the things we need if we have to carry inside and store away enough food for two weeks. It could also push us to use up things we already have in the pantry if we forget an ingredient. After all, cooking is a great way to experiment with new flavors.

Buying a generic brand usually comes with tons of savings without losing anything

Words such as “premium” and “luxury” usually mean one thing - more expensive. While they might boast of being better produce than the rest on the shelves, there aren’t always times that we need the best of the best. After all, food staples - such as pasta, rice, and flour - might not necessarily need to be premium.

Swapping out one or two premium items for the cheaper options might only save a few cents each week, but they all add up! In fact, swapping everything you would usually buy the premium version of for a cheaper brand could save plenty of dollars throughout the months. All of those savings could soon add up to something major.

Set a grocery budget and track your spending to avoid going over

Many of us budget for all aspects of our lives. Our grocery shopping shouldn’t be any different. While it can be tempting to buy things as we need them and see how we get on, it could lead to overspending and leaving us low on budget for the rest of our lives. It could be time to change that.

Start by thinking about how much you need. Then look to see if that’s a reasonable amount of money to spend on groceries a month or if you need to lower the budget. Once you have a figure in mind, divide that by how often you need to go shopping and track whatever you spend to stay on track.

Take advantage of points and store cards if they’re free

If you’ve ever been to a store, there’s a good chance you’ll have been asked once or twice about whether or not you want to sign up for their rewards points system. These work in different ways. Many are free and allow us to earn points for every dollar we spend or things we buy in the store.

Others you need to pay to get access to their discounts. How much you spend and how much you get off the full price should decide if they’re worthwhile. However, if they’re free and the points can be used on money off your groceries, then why wait? Even saving a few pennies here and there can soon add up.

Storing garlic in the dark should stop it from sprouting

Garlic is used in so many meals that plenty of us end up with a plethora of the stuff. After all, it’s usually sold in bunches and doesn’t often cost too much. This is especially true if you buy bulbs of garlic instead of jars of pre-crushed garlic. Still, storing it incorrectly could quickly see it turn bad.

What’s the best way to store garlic? Somewhere dark and room temperature, such as at the back of the pantry or cupboard. It should also be kept in something with good air circulation, like an open paper bag or a box without a lid. Simply place your garlic bulbs inside and use them as needed throughout the week.

Avoid shopping at the gas station or minimarts if you can

There are arguments for and against shopping in minimarts. Some claim they support small businesses, which can sometimes be true. However, they can also be part of a larger chain and merely there to be convenient for shoppers on the go. The same goes for gas stations. They’re usually for convenience, not a big weekly grocery shop.

Sadly, if there’s one thing many people have learned, it’s that something being convenient means it usually costs more. While it can be tempting to grab something from one of these places, we could end up paying for it in the long run. Perhaps there’s time to go to a grocery store to get what we need instead?

Growing your own herbs could save a lot of money if you use them regularly

Fresh bags of herbs are some of the first things that seem to go bad each week. What is it about them that makes it feel impossible to keep them at home? While learning to store our fresh herbs correctly can help them to last longer, there might be an even better option that means we still get our herbs.

Why not try growing them at home? After all, they take up little room and can be grown on the windowsill without too much effort. All you need to do is invest in some plants or seeds and water them every few days. From there, simply pick off the leaves as you need, and you should have an endless supply.

Pack lunch instead of buying it each day

Let’s face it; there are days that plenty of us want to spend an extra 20 minutes in bed and not think about getting up to prepare lunch for the day. It can be tempting to head to the store on your lunch break or order takeout to be delivered to your desk without having to move.

Do we need to discuss why that might not be the best option? Of course, buying your lunch every day instead of making it at home will quickly add up to a considerable portion of your grocery budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to save money, such as meal prepping each week or making and freezing lunches.

Take your own reusable bags to avoid paying for new ones at the store

The world has come a long way in recent years. One of the biggest changes plenty have noticed is the move away from single-use plastic and into a more sustainable way of life. One of the many things that have changed is swapping out grocery bags for paper ones or charging people to use plastic ones.

While many of us have forgotten our bags and needed to buy some throughout the years, it could be time to make sure we remember them. Not only will we be doing our bit for the planet, but we could also save ourselves extra dollars. After all, all those few cents on bags each shop can quickly add up.

Bulk making and freezing lunchbox treats cuts down on costs

Do you find yourself spending plenty of dollars each week on lunchbox treats? This can be especially true if you have a sweet tooth or little ones who want something sweet at the end of the meal. Buying premade versions from the store can be more convenient, but they might not be the cheapest option.

If you have a spare afternoon, it could be time to cook up some of your own. Things like cereal squares or brownies are usually quick to make and only require a few ingredients - many of which can be bought in bulk. Once baked, freeze the ones you don’t need and simply grab them from the freezer as and when.

Using sales to buy in bulk can save money in the long run

There are times that buying in bulk can seem off-putting. After all, what are we supposed to do with all of something, and how do we get the money to buy so much of one thing at once? While it can seem more hassle than it’s worth, it could be time to think about buying in bulk if we can.

That’s because one larger purchase should save us a lot of money in the long run - so long as we store it properly or know we’ll use it. Dry products or things we can freeze are great bulk-buying options. If you can get these bulk items when they’re on sale, you could be looking at even more savings.

Keep on top of stock rotation in your cupboards to avoid food waste

Heading to the grocery store can often feel like more work than it should be. It can be tempting to grab the things we bought and shove them in the pantry without putting too much thought into it all. In fact, taking a moment to organize how we put things away could save money in the long run.

Taking out the older tins, packets, and food from the pantry and placing the newer things at the back of the shelf should mean that things closer to their expiration date get used up before stuff that should last longer. Just be sure to check dates on items if you’re unsure so things are always in rotation.

Leave little ones at home to avoid spending more

There are times that many parents need to take the little ones to the store, even if it’s usually easier to leave them at home. However, leaving them in the care of a trusted person might be a better idea if you can because they can end up costing us more each time we head to the grocery store.

Little ones usually love to grab things off the shelves and ask for a treat here and there - and it can be tough to say no. This is even tougher if it’s around meal time and they’re already hungry. Want to get in and out of the store without spending too much? Shopping without children might be the way forward.

Take a list with you - and stick to it - if you need a top-up shop

What is a top-up shop? These are the ones that come in between the big runs to the grocery store when we need a few things, such as more milk, bread, or items we might have forgotten. Plenty of us are bound to need stuff along the way, but our memories might not be the best way forward.

We might end up forgetting things and having to go back again or buying more than we need because we see something and feel tempted to add it to the basket. Instead, write down what you need while you’re at home or as things come to mind throughout the day, and stick to your list once you’re in the store.

Freezing bread and removing slices as needed stops it from getting wasted

Bread. It’s the base of many great meals, can be eaten on its own as a snack on the go, or used to create a host of dishes. However, one thing many of us have had to deal with is bread going stale or moldy before we have a chance to use the entire loaf. Thankfully, bread can be frozen.

The best bit? You don’t have to worry about defrosting it for hours before you need to use it. Instead, many microwaves have defrost settings that can see our bread ready to go in less than a minute. If you want toast, why not use the defrost setting on your toaster and save time? Storing bread has never been easier.

Growing your own vegetables doesn’t have to be as challenging as it seems

Are you someone who loves to get in the garden and experiment with different plants? Maybe you have some spare space in the yard or on the windowsill? Whatever the case, there are plenty of ways we can grow our own food at home - and they don’t have to be as challenging as they seem.

Things such as lettuce, onions, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and hot peppers are all brilliant additions that can be grown just about anywhere and need little work to help them thrive. This way, we have constant access to produce we can use whenever we like without having to spend more than what it takes to set up.

Learning a few classic dishes means we can experiment without spending too much

Some of us love nothing more than experimenting in the kitchen. While it can be great to come up with new flavors, it can sometimes come at quite the price tag to get creative. Thankfully, there could be a simple answer. All we need to do is learn a few classic recipes that use basic ingredients.

Something like tomato pasta sauce usually doesn’t need much to bring to life. Still, once you have it down, you can quickly spice things up, add new tastes, and try combining different flavors to create fresh meals without having to spend too much. This is especially true if you already have jars of spices sitting in the pantry.

Don’t be scared to shop at more than one store if it leads to savings

One of the best things about having so many stores is they all have their own offers. The chances are one will have a deal on something while another is selling it for full price. Some also take pride in the fact one section of their store - such as the vegetables or meat - is cheaper than others.

While it’s usually convenient to shop in one grocery store, we could be spending unnecessary dollars. Shopping around could save us a ton of money in the long run, so long as the gas we need to get to each store doesn’t outweigh the benefits. Oftentimes, it pays to do a little shopping around before buying.

Roast dinner leftovers can be used to make a host of meals

Cooking a roast dinner is a great way to spend time with loved ones. It can also be something that uses a host of food in the kitchen and leaves plenty of leftovers. While some things are more obvious to use again than others, that doesn’t mean that everything left has to go to waste once we’re done.

Meat can quickly be shredded and added to things like stews, curries, or sauces. Those vegetables? One of the best things to do is add them all to a food processor and get blending. Add some juice if needed, such as vegetable stock, cream, or sour cream, and serve it up as delicious soup for another meal.

Cook double and freeze half to save time and money on meals

Batch cooking has been enough to see plenty of us roll our eyes. Why should we spend all afternoon in the kitchen making meals for the rest of the week? Won’t it take away from our precious weekend? Not necessarily. There’s a way to do it that means we don’t have to spend more time over the oven.

Instead, take whatever recipes you’re already making for the week and double them. After all, you’ll already be in the kitchen making these meals. This way, you can portion out the extra half, wait for it to cool, and store it in the freezer. As well as saving money on ingredients, you can save plenty of time down the line.

Buying diverse ingredients should mean our pantries are always fully stocked

Diverse ingredients doesn’t mean food that pushes you out of your comfort zone. In fact, it means food that can be used in a host of different ways, such as rice, pasta, or canned tomatoes. These are the kind of things that usually have long shelf lives and can be used for multiple meals in a hurry.

These are great for times we need to make a meal in a hurry. They can also be used for weeks when we have an unexpected bill and need to save even more money on our grocery bills. If you’re someone who likes to be spontaneous, then diverse ingredients mean you can play around while keeping costs low.

Investing in a filter or drinking tap water could save a lot of money

Okay, not everywhere has tap water that’s safe to drink straight out of the pipes. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s the case everywhere. Plenty of places have safe tap water, which could save us plenty of dollars each month on our grocery bills. After all, why are we still buying single-use plastic bottles of water in today’s climate?

If your tap water is safe, you can grab it straight from the sink or use a bottle to keep some cool in the refrigerator. If it’s unsafe, why not invest in a water filter? While it’s a one-time purchase - with perhaps a few replacement filters - it should work out much cheaper than buying water bottles.

Wonky fruit and vegetables are becoming more common and save money

Plenty want to include as much fresh fruit and vegetables in their diets. While it can be cheaper than other food on the market, it can quickly add up. If you want to combine cutting costs in your grocery shop with helping avoid waste, it could be time to start looking for wonky fruits and vegetables.

These are the ones that don’t look like perfect additions many of us are so used to seeing. More and more grocery stores are starting to sell them at lower prices to help cut down on their own food waste. If your local store is yet to catch up, you might find wonky produce available at local farmers’ markets.

Check multibuy offers to see if they save you money or cost you more

Many of us have seen them. You know, the multibuy offers that means we get one and another free or money off the next purchase if we buy a certain item. They can be great for things that we use all the time. However, they might not be the cost-effective grocery shop many believe they are on the surface.

Be sure to check if you need something or if you’re spending more money purely because getting the second is cheaper. Plus, will you have time to use it before it goes bad, or will the extra purchase go to waste? It could also sometimes be more effective to spend more money on a larger alternative than one on offer.

Peeling ginger with a spoon should mean we get more from our addition

One of the best ways to get the most out of your groceries is learning how to prepare food in ways that have little waste. Ginger is a staple in plenty of meals and adds some real bite to dishes if it’s used in the right way. Did you know the best way to peel ginger is with a spoon?

That’s right; it’s time to put away the knife, which usually leads to cutting off more of the outer peel than necessary. Having more ginger to use could mean we have more than we actually need. Thankfully, ginger can be grated and frozen for later use - or you can add it all in if you want some more spice.

Crunch unit prices to ensure that you're getting the most for your money

Trying to save money on groceries can see some people scan the shelves for the cheapest option and go for that. While it can come out cheaper at the time, it might not save money in the long run. Instead, it's best to crunch the unit prices and see how much you're getting for a certain weight of food.

Most stores should have a price per certain amount on the label, so it's easier to compare the price of things to each other when they're different weights or amounts. That's right; spending more could mean that you're getting something for a cheaper amount overall and get more from your groceries in the long run.

Swap using fresh lemon juice for bottled juice to save on waste

Lemons. They’re great, right? They can be used to add a dash of flavor to most things in our lives, but they can be a wasteful part of our grocery shop if you only ever need a little juice for a recipe. While learning how to store lemons successfully is one thing, what about an alternative?

Don’t worry; we don’t have to give up our lemon juice just yet. Instead, it could be time to buy bottled lemon juice instead. As well as cutting down an extra cost each grocery shop, lemon juice typically has a long shelf life. This means we can use as much as we need before adding it back to the pantry.

Cheaper ingredients can be used to bulk up meals and make them go further

Some of us love nothing more than experimenting in the kitchen. Sadly, some new meals might not offer up a plate that keeps us full for the rest of the day. That’s where getting creative and adding in some bulking agents could be all we need. Carbohydrate-rich ingredients are usually a good shout in these cases.

Adding things like rice, pasta, or potatoes to meals can quickly make them more filling without costing too much extra. We can even add these kinds of ingredients to meals like soups to bulk them out. The best bit? They can often be bought in bulk and typically come with long shelf lives, so they shouldn’t go to waste.

Canned tomatoes can stand in for just about any sauce

Canned tomatoes are something that can be easy to overlook, but they might be the very thing we need in our lives. That’s especially true if you want to make your own meals at home without breaking the bank. All you need are a few cans in the pantry each week, and you have the base for a huge spread.

Pasta sauces, curries, soups, dips - there’s no end to the number of things that canned tomatoes can bring to life. The best bit? They’re one of the cheaper things on offer at the grocery store. They can also be used in a host of cuisines, meaning you shouldn’t have to change your diet too much.

Eating food while it's in season should make it more affordable

It might be no secret by now that buying things out of season usually costs a whole lot more. This is because things have to be shipped across the country, if not the world, which quickly adds up to higher prices. Shopping from local farmers' markets tends to lead to cheaper deals on in-season produce as they're usually grown locally.

If you can't head to the farmers' market and need to go to the grocery store, the chances are that in-season produce should still be cheaper as it's more in abundance at the time and easier to find. To top it off, the produce should be a lot tastier as you're buying it while it's thriving.

Adding beans to meals can add plenty of bulk without costing a fortune

When you think of beans, are baked beans the first thing that comes to mind? You’re not alone, but they’re not the only ones on the market. Instead, they come in all shapes and sizes, and all add their own spice or flavor to a meal. Of course, they’re also some of the cheaper things found in the grocery store.

Another great thing about beans is they’re great at bulking up meals, meaning you should feel fuller by the time you’ve finished your meal without having to spend too much more. All you need to do is drain some tins of beans and stir them into things like sauces and stews to add some bulk for a dime to two.

Try plating up portions instead of allowing people to serve themselves

If you live with teenagers or people who tend to have eyes larger than their stomachs, you might have noticed a meal you planned to stretch to so many people seems to disappear quicker than expected. You’re not alone. So, how are we meant to make those meals serve as many people as we planned?

One of the easiest things to do is to plate up portions instead of letting people take as much as they like. After all, it can be disheartening to see food go to waste if someone takes too much on their plate. Controlling portions should put an end to all of this and get things back on track.

Consider a recipe box if things work out cheaper

Hearing the words “recipe box” can be enough to cause many of us to see dollar signs. After all, they gather all the food we need, often offer up delicious cuisines that we wouldn’t usually have a chance to try, and ship it directly to our homes. That means they’re an expensive option, right? Not necessarily.

While they might not be the most cost-effective solution for every family, they could be a huge reduction in bills for many. Take a minute to figure out how much you’re spending on groceries and how much it would cost to get a recipe box each week. Then, compare the two and see if it’s time to consider a change.

Leftover gravy makes for a brilliant base for stews and casseroles

Gravy is something much like many other things in our lives - it can often be impossible to know how much we need for a meal. Perhaps you’re now used to pouring it all away once the meal is done? Hang on a moment; you could be pouring money, and a meal opportunity, down the drain.

What if we told you that leftover gravy can be used to make stews and casseroles? After all, it already has the flavor we need and can simply be stretched by adding some more stock or water if needed. Plus, leftover gravy is easy to keep in the refrigerator if you don’t need it until later in the week.

Leftovers can be bulked up or used as lunch for the next day

It can be easy to say don’t waste food, but how is someone meant to do that? A great way to ensure that your meal goes as far as possible is to make the most of any leftovers. There are times that we might not be as hungry as we thought or unexpectedly have some food left over.

If there’s enough, why not freeze it for later? If not, it can be taken for a smaller lunch the next day. Even if there’s not enough to make it into a full meal, it can quickly be turned into something else or bulked up. Adding a few extra ingredients or certain leftovers to wraps can be great options.

The reduced to clear bin can be filled with some real bargains

Each store has its own way of rotating food, and now, it could be time to learn what your local store does with food that’s about to hit its expiration date. Many go through their items late in the afternoon and mark things as “reduced to clear” to ensure they sell while they’re still safe to eat.

Hitting this section could see huge discounts on food, sometimes several dollars, on things we can still use for days. A lot of things can be stored in the freezer to make them last longer, while others can be used if we have days out planned and need some snacks, making the clearance section the place to be.

Cooking from scratch is usually the cheapest way to do things

Ready meals are something plenty of us have grabbed in a rush. However, if you want to save money on your groceries, you might want to leave them in the grocery store and start cooking things from scratch. Sometimes, that could mean spending a spare day here and there making meals to keep in the freezer.

Other times, it could be learning how to make basic additions, such as pasta sauces and soups. These are staples for so many meals and can be spiced up and down as needed. As if that wasn’t enough, creating a huge batch of pasta sauce before storing it in the freezer means we’ll always have some to hand when needed.

Going vegetarian once a week could cut costs on weekly meals

One thing many people have noticed is the cost of meat is creeping up as food and farming costs continue to rise. Numerous people have turned to vegetarian or vegan lifestyles in recent years, but not everyone is willing to make the full switch. Still, it could be time to cut meat out once a week to lower grocery bills.

Thankfully, there are so many wonderful vegetarian recipes on the market that taste just as good - if not better - than meat-filled plates. This also means we can take full advantage of ways to get more vegetables into our diets. Hopefully, one day a week won’t mean that anyone in the family notices too much of a change.

Couponing could save plenty of money on the weekly shop

Couponing used to be something many of us believed only our grandparents did. Have you ever thought about why they spent so much time going through all the offers? It saves money on grocery bills! Thankfully, we don’t have to spend hours going through all the local magazines and online offers due to the number of money-saving apps and websites.

These usually put all the offers in one place, so we can simply go through and pick which ones work for our family. Just be sure that you don’t end up spending more than planned by purchasing things you don’t need just because they’re on a deal. Sometimes, we need to ensure we’re being refrained while looking to save money.

Turning overripe bananas into banana bread is delicious and cuts down on waste

Ah, bananas. What is it about the fruit that often sees them turn bad before we have a chance to enjoy them? For one, they release chemicals as they ripen that speed up the ripening process of other fruits, including other bananas in the bunch. Still, that doesn’t mean they have to go to waste if they turn brown.

One of the great ideas for overripe bananas is to turn them into banana bread. The best bit? You only need a few ingredients to make some delicious banana bread in all shapes and forms. From low-sugar options to those with some chocolate drops for an added sweet treat, it seems there’s no end to the possibilities.