grocery shopping Archives | Page 8 of 9

20 Dollar-Pinching Food Hacks

1. Squeeze every last drop of lemon, calamansi, and other citrus fruits by using a pair of tongs.

2. Savvy shoppers compare prices across the board. Do so by visiting the website called PriceTrolley. It gives transparency over different product prices in local supermarkets.

3. Plan your meals a week in advance and shop accordingly. Do not go beyond this list!

4. If you cannot handle the taste of tap water, get a water filter. It is cheaper to get a water filter and attach it on your faucet instead of purchasing purified water regularly. Lazada Singapore sells water purifiers for as low as S$12.

5. Reduce your intake of meat. Instead of consuming meat on a daily basis, you may reduce your consumption to five times a week. This act both save some cash and to be kinder to the animals.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

6. Use coupons in the grocery. Keep a watchful eye over coupons available in magazines and newspapers. You may also check couponing websites for codes that can be used while you shop online.

7. Invest on food containers or Tupperware. Use these containers to pack your lunch in your campus.

8. Not every due date is set on stone. Do not throw food out just because it is beyond the “best before” date. Inspect the product first.

9. Applying the same concept as a mystery shopper, you can become a mystery diner. Eat your hearts out while commenting on dishes in various restaurants. You get to enjoy a free meal while getting paid for your job.

10. Do not over serve your guests. Ask them to get more food, if necessary. This will reduce the wastes of uneaten food on a plate.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

11. Follow the age-old trick of First In, First Out. Use older products or produce first before moving on to others. An organized refrigerator will make this possible.

12. As mentioned above, you must organize the items inside your refrigerator. Plan out the products that you will actually eat and store them properly. Since the fridge’s door is the warmest part, it is the best place to store your condiments and non-dairy beverages that do not spoil easily.

13. Know how to distinguish what is freezable from what is not. Afterwards, freeze everything that is freezable. Maximizing the power of your freezer will save you money in the long run.

14. Spice up your basic popcorn by seasoning it with herbs. Before your herbs go bad, you may chop them up and mix them with olive oil or butter. Use this mixture to sauté your onions or to spread on a toast.

15. Dine out on your birthday. There are so many place that offer free meals, desserts, or giveaway to celebrants. I remember receiving a free ice cream cake and a free ticket to a contemporary museum during my birthday.

16. Wrap the stem of the banana in a plastic wrap to extend its life span. This will keep it fresh.

17. Cheese is a tricky product to store! Start by wrapping it loosely in a wax paper before placing it in the packaging. Then, partially seal the plastic. This prevents the bacteria and ammonia from being trapped inside.

18. To keep your brown sugar soft, toss a few marshmallows inside the packaging.

19. Absorb the moisture on your lettuce by breaking it apart before storing it. Do this trick to similar greens upon washing it. Then, store the greens in a resealable container with a dry paper towel. Replace the paper towel as needed.

Image Credits: pixabay,com

20. Do not throw your eggs in the rubbish bin right away! Do the “fresh test” by letting it float gently in a bowl of water. The eggs that will sink are still fresh.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

You’re Flushing Money Away With These Grocery Habits

Since most of us consume food at least three times a day, a weekly trip to the grocery store is unavoidable. We do it on a regular basis until our actions steer into autopilot. More often than not, we idly shove familiar items into our carts and neglect better judgement. It is time for change!

You are flushing your money away with these automatic grocery habits…

#1: NEGLECTING THE EXPIRATION DATES

Say you entered the nearby grocery store and noticed the flashy brand deals. Oh! It is surely tempting to see your favorite items in the “marked down” section. However, some brands lower their prices to get rid of items that are reaching its due date. This is why you must allot a few seconds to check the expiration dates of the items before placing them into your cart. Doing so will save you an additional trip to the store and prevent the buyer’s remorse.

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#2: SHOPPING WHILE YOU’RE EMOTIONAL

If you want to fill your cart with unnecessary items, shop while you are emotional. Grocery shopping when you are “hangry” (i.e., frustrated due to hunger) is a recipe for disaster! It will not only make you reach for more items, but it will also make you lean towards unhealthy ones. An empty stomach may puncture a hole into your pocket just to satisfy its cravings.

#3: FALLING FOR THE BRANDS

Many people stick to the same brands as these have worked for them in the past. Shopping with raging brand loyalty makes you miss out the competitive products of other brands. Other brands may carry the same product quality with significant improvements and attractive deals. So, shake things up every now and then. Do not be afraid to explore the store brand or the generics too!

#4: SHOPPING WITHOUT A PLAN

You will not be able to control your spending habits (and transportation costs) if you enter the grocery store without a plan. Customize a meal plan for the week to set the tone of your shopping list.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

When money is tight, you cannot afford to go to the store spontaneously. Trust me, it rarely works!

Sources: 1 & 2

7 Clever Strategies To Save Cash While Shopping Healthy

According to a study published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, consuming healthy food can save you money. The participants lost weight and reduced their grocery budget.

Mimic these effects by choosing healthier options and shying away from junk.

1. AVOID THE CONVENIENT

Salad sets containing assorted lettuce seems convenient but, these are a bit expensive. Individual greens can also be more vulnerable to turning wilted at a short amount of time. This is why it makes more sense to purchase the heads of lettuce, which are cheaper and usually longer lasting.

2. EMBRACE THE OATS

One of my go-to healthy fixes is the oatmeal. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber which helps lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Embrace the power of the a bowl of oats by topping it off with grated apples, almonds, or honey. Try the Quaker Quickcook Oatmeal Hearty Supreme that retails for only S$2.95.

3. BULK UP

Bulking up is applicable to some situations than others. For staples like oil and noodles, you can always stock up when they are on sale. Do not forget to compare the prices per weight of the bulk items as well as standalone items before you decide that the bulk section provides a better deal.

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4. KEEP IT GROUNDED

Ground or minced beef has a reputation of being budget-friendly as compared to its other counterparts. To get the maximum benefits for your health, go for the lean ground beef. Use it as an ingredient to your tacos or spaghetti. You may also make some patties with lettuce as its buns.

5. DITCH THE SODAS

If you are looking forward to trimming your belly before the December festivities, ditch the sodas. Sodas are not only high in calories but they also contain carbonated bubbles. These bubbles can accumulate in your belly and add a bulge. Stick to water or tea as much as possible. Try the Sea Dyke Oolong Tea for S$1.10 or the Dilmah Green Tea for S$3.85.

6. BIGGER IS BETTER

What is better than a piece of carrot? A bunch of them, of course!

You can save more money by cutting your own “big” carrots into smaller bit-sized sticks instead of purchasing the prepackaged “baby” carrots. It is best to cook these carrots to get most of the beta-carotene as these root veggies can be internally hard to break down. Moreover, carrots are full of Vitamin A, Vitamin B8, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Potassium.

7. ALWAYS COME PREPARED

It always pays well if you come to the store prepared. Nutrition expert Katherine Tallmadge encapsulates this concept when she said: “Take inventory of what you have on hand so you don’t overbuy. Create a detailed shopping list based on your needs and weekly menu plan, and take into account how you plan on using leftovers.”

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Moreover, you may bring your last grocery receipt along as a guide.

Sources: 1 & 2

Budget-Friendly Pregnancy Diet Tips That Experts Recommend

Whether you want to admit it or not, pregnancy is a costly ordeal. Aside from your hospital, maternity clothes, baby gears, and prenatal vitamins expenses you must consider your pregnancy diet.

As you plan a healthy and safe pregnancy diet, try to embrace the changes necessary and consider these expert recommended tips:

1. PLAN CAREFULLY

Planning your grocery list for the entire week can make or break your budget. This is why you must meticulously plan your meals for the week while browsing through several cookbooks such as Eat Yourself Pregnant and What to Eat When You’re Pregnant. Equip yourself with this list while shopping and do your best to stick with it.

2. AVOID THESE

Melinda Johnson, a registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, warns pregnant women against soft cheeses and cold cuts. Soft cheeses such as blue cheese, feta, and Brie as well as non-heated deli meats (e.g., sausages and hams) can increase the risk of developing the food-borne illness called listeriosis—a. So avoid hospitalization expenses by staying away from these food beforehand.

3. PREFER GREENS

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene. If possible, buy the leafy greens that are not prepackaged because they are cheaper.

4. BUY YOGURTS

Yogurt is a great and inexpensive source of calcium. According to experts, any type of yogurt (as long as it is pasteurized) is safe and healthy for a pregnant woman.

Your growing baby needs substantial calcium in order for his or her bones and teeth to develop properly. In fact, the author of “Go Green, Stay Lean” – Kate Geagan says that the calcium in the mother’s bones can deplete if she does not take in enough calcium because the limited amount will only go to the baby.

5. GO ORGANIC

Growing your own food is the best way to avoid the harmful effects of pesticides. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. Aside from being domestic, you can also save more money if you buy produce of the local supermarket’s brand (e.g. S$2.20 Mixed Vegetables by FairPrice)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Tried and Tested Home Saving Tips Taught By Moms

The legendary Stevie Wonder once said:

“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.”

The great things we learn from our mothers are more than just tips – they are well-kept traditions, family secrets, and wonderful memories that we must treasure.

That said, here are 6 Tried and Tested Home Saving Tips As Told By Moms…

In cleaning:

1. RE-USE YOUR OLD SOCKS

I still remember the days when my cousins and I would slide through the slippery floor that we splashed with baby powder. Hit LIKE if you have done this fun activity too.

It brought us countless minutes of happiness but the mess scattered through the floor and furniture was the enemy our mothers had to face. Fortunately, you can save several bucks on furniture dusters by using your clean old socks. Simply slip a piece in your hand, spray the cleaning solution, and start cleaning!

2. KEEP THINGS NATURAL

Using DIY natural cleaning products will not only reduce the risks of toxins and environmental damage but also save you piles of cash. Make your own glass solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of dish soap, half cup of white vinegar, and 3 cups of distilled water in a bottle. Then, spray it directly to the windows and mirrors.

You can also use the mom-approved “microfiber cloth” to clean practically anything from rugs to glass, granite to stainless steel. Just damp it with water and you are ready to go! This magical cloth costs about S$15 you can get it for only S$5 at Qoo10.

In cooking:

3. SPRINKLE SOME SALT

One of the best cooking tips you can get from the mothers online is to sprinkle some salt to boiling water. “Why?” you may ask. Salt is a great and inexpensive way to add flavour to the broccoli, pasta, or anything you are boiling.

4. SAVE YOUR BACON FATS

Another way to add a wonderfully strong flavor is to cook with bacon fats. After frying the strips of bacon, you can save its fats for later. After which, use it to saute your roasted potatoes or vegetables.

In grocery shopping:

5. BUY THE IN-HOUSE LABEL

As much as possible, buy the store’s brand products for home items such as rice, sponge, bleach, and sugar. And if a better deal comes along, check the price tag and compare it with the in-house label. Doing the maths can go a long way!

6. MAKE A LIST AND STICK WITH IT

Instead of going with the flow, make a list of the items you need for the week and stick with it. This is an age-old trick used by my late grandmother. She plans the weekly menu first and sets a budget accordingly. If there is excess cash, we can buy the stuff we want such as ice cream. Who doesn’t love ice cream?

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3,4, & 5

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