6 TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON FOOD COSTS

Looking to trim your monthly household expenses?

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Rising world food prices can lead to some significant challenges when it comes to cutting food costs. We’ve put together 6 tips to help you cut down on your monthly food costs.

INVEST IN A SLOW COOKER.
You can put on a cheap cut of meat with some tasty, fresh vegetables before you go to work and it will work wonders throughout the day. Slow cookers also cut electricity costs – and you can make your winter soups in your slow cooker as well.

FORM A BULK BUYING GROUP IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD OR FAMILY.
Buying cases of tins or multipacks of frozen foods are cheaper, and if there’s a good deal on perishables such as a 25kg bag of maize meal, rice or flour, you can share it among the group so it doesn’t get stale before you use it all.

BUY A WHOLE CHICKEN.
Instead of the more expensive chicken pieces, buy a whole chicken and cut it up. If there’s a butchery near you, use it – butchers often offer cheap cuts.

MAKE YOUR OWN STOCK.
Use your vegetable peels and meat bones to make stock for use in soups and stews.

ALWAYS CHECK PRICES PER KILO.
A bigger bag or tin isn’t always cheaper per kilo – sometimes you can save money by buying two small tins rather than one large one.

DIY GARDENING.
If you have space, establish your own vegetable garden. Even if you don’t have much space, containers can work if you have sunny spots for them. Old tyres make great containers. You can also swap seeds with your friends, family and neighbours.

Learn how to plan your meals like a pro – from shopping lists to what to do with leftovers.