Frugal Food Saving

Plan Your Lunches - Daily
By packing your lunches every day, a family of three can save about forty-five dollars a week or around $2,340 a year. This is based on a nutritious lunch that includes sandwich, water, fruit, carrot or celery sticks and yogurt. You will not only find yourself saving money, but feeling healthier and fuller.

Plan Your Home Cooked Meals - Weekly
Home cooked meals are great, and cooking them does not have to be an unpleasant task. One method is taking two hours on a Saturday or Sunday, cooking three main dishes and three vegetables. Then section the food into different microwavable containers to make separate meals. It’s usually enough to last three days. In the evenings instead of cooking or eating out, put a container in the microwave and within seconds you have a home cooked meal. You end up cooking about two or three time per week. You save time, money, and get variety.

Plan Your Road Trip Snacks
When you go to the park, visit friends, the movies or just away from home -bring our own snacks. It saves an average of twenty to thirty dollars a week or $1,300 a year. Also, when visiting family and friends you don’t inconvenience them by having them feel like they need to feed you, and you know your food was prepared with clean hands in a clean place.

Plan Your Dining Out
When you do eat out, plan and budget for those occasions. By planning ahead and allowing for the cost of the meal, you find yourself able to enjoy it more and not worry. Do try to limit these outings to once a month as they can add up quickly. One dinner for four could easily cover a week’s food budget for the same family.

Related Posts:

  •  Six Traits of the Frugal Shopper
  •  Frugal Rules
  •  Frugal Gift Baskets
  •  Frugal Indoor Kid’s Activities
  •  Frugal Gifts for the Housekeeper
  • 49 Responses to “Frugal Food Saving”

    1. Rye McKeever Says:

      Planning your meals for a week+ at a time is great advice. When I do that, and post the “upcoming menu” on the fridge, it really helps keep things on track.

    2. Psychic Advice Says:

      Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.

    3. Erin Says:

      If only I could make our meals ahead of time. Sadly, my fiance refused (REFUSES) to eat leftovers of any kind–even ones that haven’t actually had a first go-round the table!

    4. optimizasyon Says:

      which food are you most like HomeExploreLoginSign
      UpAllBlogForumsReviewswhich food are you most like Try this App. The guidance states that food products from the offspring of clones from any
      species traditionally consumed for food are suitable to enter the food and feed supply. Those who use
      only organic food and suggest we’re being poisoned by “normal” food are using that argument as a smokescreen for their real pretension.

    5. Abdominoplasty New Jersey Says:

      Great hints…I think cooking for the week ahead is definitely the way to go.

    6. Melanie Says:

      Thank you for this advice. I know of another blogger who is cutting back on food costs right now and she would really appreciate this information. I will forward this post to her. Thanks for the great information!

    7. Anthony Says:

      Cheers for the info dude, its really helpful!

    8. Angular Cheilitis Says:

      Wow I didn’t know I was saving so much because I pack my lunch! I just told my roommate and we are both flabbergasted by the amount. We are feeling pretty good :)

    9. shepherdfamilyvalues Says:

      I Plan our meals for a month at a time. When I am pushed for time there is always something healthy to eat.

    10. shepherdfamilyvalues Says:

      Planning this way is good. There is always something healthy to eat.

    11. buy vinyls Says:

      I never usually plan my dinning out as it comes right about anytime when I am out. So maybe I need to make it good this time.

    12. Lotus Notes Workflow Says:

      Planning your meals for a week+ at a time is great advice.which food are you most like HomeExploreLoginSign
      UpAllBlogForumsReviewswhich food are you most like Try this App.Thank you for this advice. I know of another blogger who is cutting back on food costs right now. I didn’t know I was saving so much……Thanks for the post…

    13. Free Charity Says:

      Planning out your meals a week in advance is an excellent idea! I would make a big pot of food (chilli, spaghetti sauce, etc) and section it off into separate containers. Because I know exactly how much of each ingredient I put into the pot, I knew the calorie + fat content so I could make each meal just the right size. It’s a good way to not accidentally eat too much!

    14. color Says:

      te?ekkürler i?ime yarad?

    15. Dating adviser Says:

      I got a little busy this days but I always make sure that I plan my meals weekly. I also, recycle my left over to avoid wasting food and money. You just need to be a little bit creative for the recipe. Nice article, it helps us a lot, keep posting.

      John Simon

    16. Mike Huang Says:

      I just saved a lot of money by switching to the 99cent only store :P

      -Mike

    17. Bethany Gifted Says:

      Thanks for this it has given me some motivation and inspiriation to sort out my meals on a weekly basis and save me money! thanks

    18. Gary Cave Says:

      Hey I’m cutting back on food costs as much as I can, I’ve saved $50 a month by not buying famous brands but generic ones. I’d recommend you try it.

    19. Bhelle Says:

      Helpful post indeed.Here, we are really budgeting a week’s menu every weekend.Thus making me assured that my family eats healthy food and at the same time on budget.

    20. Render Says:

      Planning this way is good. There is always something healthy to eat.

    21. Rikud Says:

      great steps :)

    22. bartolomo Says:

      Good ideas. Another thing I try to do when taking any kind of a trip–take drinks and snacks with you. A case of water costs $4. At a convenience store, or highway stop, 1 bottle will cost $1-2. It doesn’t take long to come out ahead.

    23. Jordans Says:

      “By packing your lunches every day, a family of three can save about forty-five dollars a week or around $2,340 a year.”

      not only that they dont eat junk food only.

    24. Free Proxy Says:

      Planning out your meals a week in advance is an excellent idea! I would make a big pot of food (chilli, spaghetti sauce, etc) and section it off into separate containers. But Which food do you like most?? Anyway thank you for your advice.

    25. Brain Games Says:

      I think planning your meals daily and preparing them on weekly basis is very effective. You can do the cooking during Saturdays or Sundays and pack them carefully on containers or plastics and just put them on the fridge and reheat them later on. By doing this you were able to save money and time plus it gives you assurance that the food you are eating is healthy.

    26. Nicholas Says:

      It’s crazy how much extra food can cost if you don’t plan. I save about $50 dollars a week bringing my sandwich to work. Good tips though.

    27. Air Jordans Says:

      This is a good idea! I will try it. Thanks.

    28. Chris Says:

      This is absolutely true! Start yourself a garden - even a simple backyard one (or pots on the porch!), and you’ll save even more (during summer, anyway). Then you can store and can your veggies for winter!

    29. Prue Says:

      It’s really amazing how much you can save by looking at the little expenses. Detailed information and great idea, Thanks !

    30. Discount Cigars Says:

      You really can save a lot by bringing food to work and not eating out. Not only that, it’s a lot better for you typically because fast-food is such junk. I started eating at home with organic foods (as much as possible) about a year ago and I feel like a completely different person. I have a lot more energy and I’ve developed an immune system that could take on AIDS if need be. (joke). It’s win-win!

    31. Victor. Says:

      ¡Hi!
      Hola, saludos desde Guayaquil - Ecuador - Sudamerica en:
      http://www.laplegariadeunpagano.com
      Un abrazo…

      Victor.

      Pd: Thanks to use “dofollow”, please visit my blog and commenting too.

    32. seviyeli sohbet Says:

      Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.

    33. Jesse W. Says:

      planning lunches is extremely important in helping me save money. I spend WAY too much eating out!

    34. Jocuri cu mancare Says:

      Thanks for sharing !

    35. Marc Says:

      Going out to eat for lunch is so expensive! I think it’s time to bust out the old lunchbox.

    36. Freewarehoney456 Says:

      This is the best tip I have gotten so far when it comes to saving up from food consumptions.

    37. Ski Snowboarder Says:

      I like to buy in bulk and use a Foodsaver to preserve food for a long time. It helps stretch a dollar a little bit more.

    38. DP Chamel Says:

      These are tough times, and any good and acceptable way of savings is welcome. Your article on savings through planning your lunches and weekly food are indeed very practical and worth adopting.
      Add to this, the reduction that is possible by using more of public transport system whenever possible without losing your time and dignity.

    39. Balaji Says:

      Kudos to you for the great info. This is a great strategy for bachelors especially. They can save a lot of money.

    40. Rambo Radu Says:

      Thanks for the info buddy. Taking snacks along with us to our relatives house makes them also feel happier. By following this hygiene and health are guaranteed.

    41. Tony Phillips Says:

      Very well sad about the food saving i like very much. You really can save a lot by bringing food to work and not eating out. Not only that, it’s a lot better for you typically because fast-food is such junk. I started eating at home with organic foods (as much as possible) about a year ago and I feel like a completely different person.

    42. The Fitness Diva Says:

      I seriously need to start doing this. Wasting far too much money on take out these days.

    43. nana Says:

      wow wat a good piece of info……………i think from now on its money saving time………

    44. Ola B Says:

      Well I’m g’ing to try that, hope It works.

    45. Webdesign web design Says:

      Thanks for the tips! Very useful.

    46. Cheap Last Minute Ticket Says:

      Thanks for sharing that !

    47. Dara Says:

      Smart tips. It’s absolutely amazing how much money you can save by simply cutting restaurants out of the budget. We now go just once a week, as a weekend special meal, and cook the rest of the nights. It’s been a great money saver.

    48. visoka pica Says:

      now that’s some good stuff you wrote Brigid. it gives the cash disposal for other things to reinvest.

    49. Matthijs Says:

      Also keep on eye on what kind and how many meat you put in a dinner. Chicken and vegetables are much cheaper and taste great.

    Leave a Reply