my weekly prep to save money and reduce food waste
hi lemon8! i've hit the point where i've decided to live more frugal so, in the spirit of that, i wanted to share a few money-saving habits i've been loving lately :)
☕️ making cold brew at home
cold brew is so easy to make at home! all i did was coarsely grind up the beans i had on hand, add 1 cup to this jar, and then i filled it with a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water. i anticipate this will be a stronger brew, so it'll definitely be watered down once the grounds get strained out. it'll make a few servings, cut down on time in the morning, and save money!
🥖 making homemade croutons
croutons are a perfect way of reducing leftover bread waste. my recipe is super simple: your oil of choice (mine is avocado oil), salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. air fry at 400° for 5-6 minutes and you get crispy, flavorful croutons that can last in your fridge for a while.
🍚 bulk buy rice (and other staples)
this isn't that new of an idea, but bulk buy any shelf stable foods you eat regularly! my boyfriend and i eat rice 3x a week, so we bought a 20 lb bag from costco. i keep that container filled with rice so it's easily accessible from the counter, but we won't need to buy rice for a looooong time with our current supply.
☕️ build a coffee bar
this feels more pricey than the others, but invest in a coffee station at home to stay out of coffee shops! a treat every so often is totally fine, if it's within your budget. however, building a coffee bar can be budget-friendly AND you get to make your coffee exactly how you want it. all of my syrups are from marshall's or tj maxx too, so each one was only $6-8 per bottle (and those bottles will last you forever!)
🍳meal prep a grab-and-go option
this last one is more for my corporate girlies, but i have fallen victim too many times to a quick wawa or starbucks run before work. everyone says it, but meal prepping is (unfortunately) a great hack for busy mornings. what i have pictured as my example are vegan high-protein egg bites, but any easy option works! i've also prepped overnight oats, freezer breakfast sandwiches, and salad bases to toss a protein onto the next day.
Living frugally doesn't mean sacrificing quality meals. One of the best strategies to save money is to plan your weekly meals in advance, allowing you to purchase only what you need and avoid impulse buys. Start by assessing what ingredients you already have and build your menu around them. Additionally, consider incorporating more plant-based meals, which are often less expensive and can be made from affordable staples like beans, lentils, and seasonal vegetables. Not only do they tend to cost less, but they also yield more servings, stretching your dollar further. Joining a local community pantry or sharing bulk purchases with friends can also significantly cut costs. By pooling together, you can buy in larger quantities—further reducing waste and ensuring a wide variety of foods. Lastly, keep track of your spending and adjust your habits as needed to find the balance between saving money and enjoying delicious, nutritious meals. This helps promote a sustainable routine that benefits both your wallet and the environment.
