More often than not, you save money in the long-run when you buy in bulk, so if you have the space to do so it might be wise to super-size your healthy purchases. You can cook up large quantities of a meal and freeze the leftovers for an easy dinner on a night when you’re too busy or can’t be bothered to cook. Stock up on ingredients that won’t go off quickly, such as chickpeas, tofu and quinoa. These non-animal protein sources are still packed with protein and incredibly filling but cost far less than meat. Also, don’t be quick to judge frozen food as these items are cheaper and can sometimes be fresher than their fresh food aisle counterparts. This is because frozen produce has often been frozen as it has been picked or portioned.
One meal that is a great, cheap option is soup. With lean meats and big bags of value vegetables you can save a fortune and look after your family’s wellbeing at the same time. Value vegetables are often cheap just because they are misshapen or unattractive, but none of that matters with soup as you’re chopping them up or blending them to a pulp. The same goes for veggies in the discount sections that are close to going off, as long as you blitz and eat or freeze them on the same day. You can also find great meat and fish in the discount sections at heavily reduced prices, as long as there’s space in your freezer for them!
Finally, you can save money before you even leave the house by simply planning your week’s meals in advance and write a list of the ingredients you’ll need before you go to shops. This will stop you from impulse buying pricey or unhealthy items, and you won’t waste anything you purchase that week. However, remember to be a little be shopping-savvy. You can often save money by buying a large joint of meat instead of a smaller one, and if you don’t finish it, it can be re-used in soups, salads, pies, pasta dishes and more.