Yes, cooking from scratch certainly saves money; but there’s still plenty of money to be saved, even if you don’t cook.
The best way to pay less for food without cooking is to educate one’s self on the best local prices for the foods he purchases regularly. There are other money-saving concepts, as well; such as shifting away from name brand foods, ordering fewer courses when dining out, and stretching take-out foods by providing side dishes from the supermarket.
Read on for 15 strategies that will help you hold on to more of your money, without being chained to the stove.
Table of Contents
- Eating Less – The Ultimate Food Moneysaver!
- Eat Balanced Meals for a Balanced Budget
- Buying Beverages Waters Down your Savings
- Find Cheaper Versions/Brands of What You Currently Eat
- Save More by Eating Foods that Cost Less
- Eat Convenience Foods Instead of Restaurant Foods
- When Dining at a Restaurant, Order Only your Main Dish
- Combine Generous Restaurant Takeout with your own Sides
- Eating Vegetables First Saves Money and your Health
- Get Everybody to Pitch in on Make-Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches
- Stretch Convenience Foods to Feed More
- Know Your Prices to get the Best Buy on Everything
- Shop the Specials and Stock up on Savings
- Change Your Supermarket: you’ll be Pleasantly Surprised at the Savings
- Resources for Further Exploration
Eating Less – The Ultimate Food Moneysaver!
The most obvious way to save money on food, without cooking, is to eat less. I realize that sounds like a cheeky answer, but most people really do eat more than they need, and would feel better if they ate less.
I’m not suggesting a diet, because dieting often ends up costing more! Food manufacturers are required to list the portion size on the package (under “Nutrition Facts”). Start by checking the portion size on the food products in your cabinet and refrigerator. If you find these portion sizes laughable, you are probably somebody who could save a lot of money simply by eating the suggested portion sizes.
One Portion Size Fits All. Not.
I find that suggested portion sizes are just about right for women and teenage girls. Kids tend to do OK with half a portion. Men need about a portion and a half, with the exception of teenage boys. They often need a double portion. This is how I’ve always fed my family, which has earned me the title, The Underfeeder. Nonetheless, everybody’s weight is good and they feel good, as long as they don’t stray too far from this plan.
You may wonder how you’ll save money, if the men and teen boys are eating 50% – 100% larger portions; but the fact is, they are probably currently scarfing down quite a bit more than that. It’s the consistant portion control which saves money. Even if you can get some family members to do it, you’ll save money.
Eat Balanced Meals for a Balanced Budget
This is a really healthy, economical way to eat; and the concept has really gotten lost in a swirl of government infographics, like the Food Pyramid and “Eat 5.” It’s gotten so confusing, that many people just eat whatever they feel like eating, until they’re full or the plate is empty.
This leads to “meals” that consist of a couple sandwiches and a pile of chips, or huge portions of meat and French fries. Then, because the body didn’t really get nourished, it’s not long before the snacking starts…and snacking is very expensive.
The Square Meal: it still works
A nutritious meal, on the other hand, fuels the body better, and then the hunger is really satisfied. The first nutritional push was The Square Meal. I always thought this was a 20th century concept; but I’ve found references to square meals going back, at least, to the 1800’s, according to Food Timeline. The typical American Square Meal has one serving each of the following food groups:
- Meat
- Vegetables or fruit
- Starch
- Dairy
The Square Meal concept may not be perfect, but people were a heck of a lot slimmer and healthier when they ate that way…and they had more money left in their wallets, too.
Plus, you have to admire it’s simplicity. It’s easy to remember the four components, instead of all the Pyramid nonsense. I’ve adapted the Square Meal concept in a way that makes even more sense:
- 1 serving of protein
- 1 serving of starch
- 1-2 servings fruit/vegetables
- a glass of milk for the kids (adults should try to get some dairy, even if it’s not with every meal)
If people ate like this all the time, there might not be so many who have digestive problems and food sensitivities. This plan makes it easy to incorporate a lot of variety into your eating. It also helps that some foods belong to more than one group – For example, nuts, beans, and dairy foods are high in protein.
Buying Beverages Waters Down your Savings
When you buy beverages, you are paying a huge amount of money for something you can get for free – Water. According to Harvard Medical School,
Most people need about four to six cups of water each day.”
Harvard Medical School
Since your body requires so much water every day, buying all your beverages is a guaranteed way to drain your wallet.
Drink water from your tap, instead of buying soft drinks and expensive cafe drinks. Order a glass or cup (not a bottle) of water when dining out.
Keep Milk in your Budget
An exception is that your kids really need milk. They do not, however, need juice, so crossing juice off your shopping list is another way to save a lot of money.
You can brew your own coffee and teas at home, using a coffee maker (not a Kuerig). It’s not free, but it is much cheaper than buying pre-made versions, and it tastes better.
Find Cheaper Versions/Brands of What You Currently Eat
Store brands are usually much less expensive than their name brand counterparts; and these days, most of them are quite good! There are even some products of which I prefer the store brand.
Many products also come in cheaper brands, or local brands. A good example of this is Royal Pudding Mix, which is about half the price of Jell-O, and I can’t tell the difference when I eat them.
This is not true 100% of the time, so be sure to compare prices. This takes more time, at first; but you get very quick at it, after a while. Sometimes, the name brand is on sale for less than the store brand.
Save More by Eating Foods that Cost Less
People often mindlessly buy the same foods all the time. If this describes you, you could definitely save money by swapping out some of your favorites for cheaper alternatives.
For example, if you usually order seafood when dining out, and you start getting chicken instead, you’re going to automatically save dollars at every meal.
Kids can Help with the Money-Saving
Giving your kids free reign with the menu can really get your credit card smoking. Check menus online ahead of time, and look for inexpensive foods that your kids like. Online menus are a good tool for teaching your children about making financially responsible decisions when dining out. It’s likely that they have never bothered to explore a menu, let alone its prices.
This may sound odd, but before you order, check in with your child to find out if he’s hungry. This is something parents often do not realize, until the child is picking at his very expensive plate. If this is the case, he may be very happy with just a cup of soup (extra crackers, please).
Making sandwiches? Bologna and American cheese cost considerably less than ham and cheddar.
Organics: some are more important than others
If, as a rule, you buy all organic produce, consider bending that rule. Some things are grown “cleaner” than others. If fact, the Environmental Working Group lists the following foods on which you can save money right now, because their non-organic versions have such ‘low pesticide residues:’
“The Clean 15 (2021)
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Onions
- Papayas
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kiwis
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melons
- Cantaloupes”
(Source: Environmental Working Group)
Eat Convenience Foods Instead of Restaurant Foods
Next time you want to grab a pizza on the way home, skip the pizza parlor and head for the supermarket. There, you will find several options that cost a fraction of a restaurant pizza. The cheapest of these is frozen pizza. Aldi, for example, has very well-priced pizzas in their refrigerator case.
Some stores even have hot, ready pizza at a bargain price. They also may have other offerings, from rotisserie chicken to submarine sandwiches.
Frozen fried chicken is cheaper than KFC, and makes the whole house smell good while it warms in the oven.
My personal favorite is Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese. Chances are your kids would like this better than whatever you brought home from the takeout.
Frozen “fresh” pasta is another great option to save money without any actual cooking. Heat jarred sauce in the microwave while you boil ravioli.
When Dining at a Restaurant, Order Only your Main Dish
Nothing runs up your bill at a restaurant more than ordering multiple courses. I know, it’s so tempting; but the fact is that you could order one thing only, and leave full (maybe even with leftovers).
We’ve already gone over the high cost of beverages; but appetizers, sides, and desserts will multiply the bill by many times.
When to get the “Package Deal”
There are ways to get around this, and still have a wonderful meal. In fact, you can order one thing, but still get multiple items. Always check to see what is included with your menu item. “Dinners” usually come with a salad or soup, a starchy option, and a vegetable.
I’m a big fan of sweet potato fries. I get them for about 1/2 price or less by asking if they will substitute them for the French fries that would come with my dinner. I have yet to find a place that won’t do this for a dollar or two more, or even for free.
Fast food “value meals” are an exception to this. They may cheaper than buying each thing separately, but would you really have ordered that much food?
Combine Generous Restaurant Takeout with your own Sides
Italian, Chinese, and some pub restaurants are known for their generosity, serving enough food in one “serving” to feed two or more people. Here are a couple of examples:
A large container of chow mein is only a few dollars, and will feed a family, if you add your own extras at home – Rice, vegetables, and even meat. A microwave rice cooker is a wonderful, simple gadget, and it doesn’t take long to fill it and get it into the microwave. You can also microwave frozen stirfry vegetables or green beans. If you want more protein, add a can of chicken or slice up some ham.
Pasta and meatballs is often a very generous dish. You can add a supermarket baguette ($2) and a bag of salad. You can feed two adults, and 1-2 kids this way. To stretch it further, boil up additional pasta and jarred sauce – All the restaurant taste, with minimal cooking!
Eating Vegetables First Saves Money and your Health
Eating your vegetables first is a great way to improve your health, as well as save money. The vegetables will fill you up, so that a smaller portion of that expensive entree will satisfy you. You’ll feel better later, too; because you won’t feel stuffed for hours afterward.
Another plus – vegetables taste better when you eat them first, while you still have a really good appetite.
Get Everybody to Pitch in on Make-Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches
Sugary cereals and frozen breakfast foods are horrible for your wallet and your health. Put together your own without even cooking.
You can even do this on Sunday night for the coming week.
Break out sandwich bread, cheese, deli meat, peanut butter, or whatever your family likes on sandwiches, along with a roll of plastic wrap. Make enough sandwiches for everybody, working assembly-line style. Wrap and label each, and lay them out on a cookie sheet. If you freeze them this way for a few hours before storing them in large, plastic bags, they won’t get squashed. Warning: mayonnaise and wet sandwich fillings don’t work with this concept.
Start the Day with Savings
You can do something similar with breakfast – Roll into a tortilla a brown-and-serve sausage or two and some shredded cheese. Roll snugly, plastic wrap, bag, and freeze. This microwaves in less than a minute. Alternatively, you can place sliced cheese and ham on a split English muffin. Wrap and freeze the same way you did for the sandwiches.
Another cost-effective item is to put together some breakfast oats. Simply put 1/4c oatmeal, a spoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, and about 1/3c of milk or yogurt. Don’t forget the add-ins: cinnamon, dried fruits, and nuts make it more fun and nutritious. These are good in the fridge for three days. They can be eaten as is, or heated in the microwave for a minute. Be careful it doesn’t boil over. That can happen very quickly with oatmeal.
The two great things about all of these ideas is that you can customize them for every taste, and putting them together is a happier way to spend family time than everybody sitting with his face in a screen.
Stretch Convenience Foods to Feed More
This tip is my personal favorite, because it sort of feels like you cooked. “Stretching” is when you add more of the ingredients already in the food, to make it feed more.
For example, a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew would hardly feed more than one person; but it makes a great topping for egg noodles. Then, it feeds two or three.
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup is more of a snack than a food, until you “stretch” it. Again, egg noodles can come to the rescue; except in this case, you do not even have to boil them first. Simply bring the soup to a boil and add them in. To make the soup feed more people, add 6 oz. of water and a bouillon cube for each additional person. Any kind of cooked chicken will add protein, whether rotisserie, canned, or leftover from a previous meal.
Making the Most of Mac & Cheese
Another not-so-nutritious food that everyone loves is boxed mac and cheese. Improve the flavor and the nutritional value by adding three slices of American cheese. A can of tuna is good, too, and adds more protein. If you find you’re not getting quite enough food out of one box, add 1/4c. – 1/3c. of small macaroni, such as orzo or even alphabets, and additional milk. I always cut the butter in half. Butter is expensive, and nobody needs that much fat. One money-saver I decline, though, is substituting margarine. It just doesn’t taste right, in this food.
Know Your Prices to get the Best Buy on Everything
A really great way to save money without any additional cooking at all is to know your prices. Do you know the best price in your area for each of you preferred foods? Do you know which store has the best price for each?
Even if you shop at the market that is, generally, the cheapest, no store has the best price on everything. I have five markets in my area that I like for different things. I buy my coffee at one, chicken at another, produce at a third, and so on. I can’t claim credit for this concept – My mother used to hit three markets a week, back in my little hometown. I live in a more rural area now, so I can’t get to stores that often. I make up for it by stocking up, which brings me to the next topic – Shopping the specials.
Shop the Specials and Stock up on Savings
If you’ve never checked those colorful weekly flyers from your local markets, you’ll want to start. Every week, each store offers great prices on dozens of items.
Not every price in the flyer is actually a bargain, which is why it’s important to know your prices (see previous section). Some, however, are the lowest prices in town. In fact, they always have a few “loss leaders,” products priced so low, the store actually loses money on them; but they get us into the store, where we go on to spend more money.
Making the Supermarket Flyer Connection
No need to shuttle around to every market, every week, to pick up the latest flyers- They are posted online, with many stores willing to drop them into your email.
Scan the flyers weekly. Whenever you find products you love at an unbeatable price, make the trip to stock up.
Be careful not to fall into spending traps, like buying more than you can use, or grabbing impulse items while at the store.
Change Your Supermarket: you’ll be Pleasantly Surprised at the Savings
I am amazed how many of my neighbors shop the same handful of overpriced markets nearby. Some of them have even tried the cheaper stores, but “don’t like them.” I have one neighbor who even food-shops at the local village store (*gasp*).
If you want to save money, may have to suffer some minor inconveniences, like driving a little further, shopping in a lower-class area, or in a less trendy store.
Shopping Out of the Box – The road not taken
By that last, I’m not being sarcastic. Many people simply refuse to think out of the box. They want to drive to the nearest store, grab their stuff, checkout, and go home. Period. They would not find it worth the bother to re-figure their shopping in the ways we have talked about here….and that is their priviledge.
Think of it this way: if everybody did these hacks I’m teaching you, they wouldn’t work anymore – For stores to offer you such great discounts, they need a large pool of group-thinkers, who are perfectly happy to pay full price.
Investigate all the supermarkets in your area. At each one, you are likely to find savings you can use.
