How To Save Money In The Kitchen (20 Simple Tips)
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Here are 10 frugal kitchen tips to help you save money in the kitchen. These simple tips will help you save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars per year!
In many homes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Probably because (like it or not) we spend a lot of our time in the kitchen. Unfortunately, it’s also far too easy to spend a lot of money in the kitchen.
Between the food we prepare, the products we use, and the appliances we keep in it, the kitchen is one of the most expensive rooms in the entire house. But it doesn’t have to be!
Easy Ways To Save Money in the Kitchen
Follow these budget-friendly tips to save money in the most expensive room in your home.
1. Meal Plan
I’m sure you’ve heard this one many times before, but you really do save (loads of) money simply by planning your meals out before you go shopping. You can save even more money if you plan your meals based on what’s on sale.
Yes, it takes time to meal plan. But not as much as you may think. Especially if you draft up a master list of meals ahead of time which you can refer to when planning each week’s meals.
2. Do Your Dishes
Why in the heck am I listing “do your dishes” in this list of ways to save money in the kitchen? Think about it. Do you really feel like cooking when your sink is full of dishes and you can’t even find your countertop? That’s what I thought.
Dirty dishes are a sure sign that a trip to the drive-thru is in your near future.
3. Eat Those Leftovers (and like it)
I’ve met so many people who simply don’t like leftovers. What’s up with that? As the solitary person in our home who prepares all of the meals for 4-5 people each and every day, leftovers are a life-saver! In fact, I’ll frequently cook double batches of food in order to avoid having to cook the following day.
It’s entirely possible that you (or someone you live with) are a ‘leftover hater’ because you’re going about the art of leftovers all wrong.
You see, eating leftovers does not mean you have to eat the same exact thing several nights in a row. For example, a large batch of taco meat could be taco salad one night, taco stuffed peppers another night, and Mexican beef and rice yet another.
You can even eat ramen for an entire week and never manage to eat the same dinner twice!
Using up leftovers is one of my favorite ways to save money on groceries.
Mix things up and get creative with your leftovers. I promise, in the long run, it will save you a ton of cash!
4. Go Paperless
The average family spends just under $10 per month on paper towels alone. Now, add in the cost of napkins, paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic utensils, and you’re looking at some serious pocket change being wasted over the course of a year.
My friend June, at This Simple Balance, has written a great post about going paperless in the kitchen.
5. Ditch The Single-Use Gadgets
How many times have you fallen prey to those “as seen on tv” single-use kitchen gadgets? You know, the ones that promise to give you perfectly sliced tomatoes, toasted quesadillas, and stemless strawberries in no time.
The truth is an ordinary kitchen knife will slice tomatoes (and a bunch of other stuff), you can toast quesadillas in a skillet (which most kitchens have), and you can scoop that strawberry stem right out with a teaspoon.
If you really want to save money in the kitchen, choose reusable kitchen items whenever possible. You’ll have to put out some extra money in the beginning, but in the long run, you’ll save tons of money.
Here are a few of my absolute favorite reusable kitchen products:
- Reusable bamboo ‘paper’ towels
- Reusable food storage ‘baggies’
- Silicone & stainless steel washable straws
- Beeswax food wraps
Speaking of single-use gadgets, I have been able to replace a slow cooker, rice cooker, a couple of pots, and steamer supplies with just one awesome Instant Pot. I seriously love this invention!
6. Stay Out Of The Stores
I have found that the best way to save money is to stop going to stores. Novel idea, huh? Unfortunately, our family still runs out of basic necessities and my pantry still needs to be stocked.
Which is why I use Amazon Prime. With Amazon Prime, I get free two-day shipping on all things Amazon plus I get (free) access to Prime Pantry, so I can have frequently purchased items automatically shipped to me on a reoccurring basis.
You can try Amazon Prime FREE for 30 days here >>>Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
7. Use Money-Saving Apps
There are a ton of money-saving apps to choose from but my two favorites are super easy to use and often contain the same instant rebate offers (which means you get double the savings!). The best way to save money in the kitchen is to use Ibotta.
- Find the offers you want to use located in the app
- Buy the products at the store listed (save your receipt)
- Redeem the offers by taking a photo of your receipt
- Get cash added to your account (which you can later transfer to your bank/Paypal)
8. Shop The Dollar Store
Gone are the days when the dollar store was only good for cheap party supplies. Shopping at the dollar store (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, etc.) can save you a bunch of money on kitchen supplies (and food) such as:
- Plates
- Cups
- Utensils
- Spices
- Dish Soap
- Sponges
- Cloth Napkins
- Dish Cloths
- Cleaning Supplies
- Disposable Baking Pans
- Measuring Cups/Spoons
- Potholders
- Bread
- Canned Goods
*Surprisingly, purchasing paper goods at the dollar store will cost you more than buying them in bulk/using coupons. Who knew? (Well, I did and now you do too!)
PS. You can even decorate your entire home using items found at the dollar store!
9. Turn Off The Heat
As with any appliance that utilizes a heat source, you’ll spend more if you set your dishwasher to “heat dry”. (About 15% more according to experts). In my experience, dishes dry just as well when I leave them in the dishwasher on the “air dry” setting overnight.
Did you know, when it comes to hot water usage, using a dishwasher (versus handwashing) actually saves you more money? Also, if you have a fairly new dishwasher, there’s no need to rinse your dishes before you load them.
Simply scrape the dish off into the trash/garbage disposal and load. BOOM! I just saved you about $.63!
And another thing, the time of day you run your dishwasher can also help save you money. Run it at night for the most energy savings.
10. Use It Up
It drives me bat-poop crazy when my beloved hubby opens up a container of whatever before the old one is completely gone! My grandmother taught me that you always take one of those rubber spatula “thingys” and scrape every last bit out of everything. She would even use her finger to scrape out the inside of eggshells.
Cause, you know that once you open a new one you forget all about the mostly-empty old one. Until you notice mold growing in it!
11. Buy in Bulk
When you buy in bulk, you can often save money by getting a lower cost per unit. This is especially true for non-perishable items like rice, pasta, and beans, which you can store for long periods of time.
Just make sure to only buy what you will actually use, so you don’t end up wasting money on excess items.
12. Use Coupons
Coupons can be a great way to save money on groceries. Look for coupons in flyers or online, or check if the products themselves have coupons attached. You can also use coupon apps like Ibotta or Honey to save even more money.
Use coupons only for items you were planning to buy anyway. This way, you don’t end up spending more money on unnecessary items.
13. Cook From Scratch
Cooking from scratch can save you money because pre-made or processed foods are often more expensive. Even better, it allows you to control the ingredients, so you can make healthier meals.
You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to cook from scratch. Start with simple meals like pasta or stir fry, and work your way up to more complicated dishes. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also develop a valuable life skill.
14. Freeze Food
Freezing food is a great way to save money and prevent food waste. You can freeze leftovers or extra portions of meals for later use, which means you don’t have to buy as many groceries or order takeout as often.
Make sure to store food properly in freezer-safe containers or bags to prevent freezer burn. You can also freeze fruits and vegetables that are about to go bad, which you can then use later in smoothies or soups.
15. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products is a simple and effective way to save money. It also allows you to customize the scent and strength of the cleaner, so you can use it for specific tasks around the house.
You can use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice to make all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and even laundry detergent. Not only are these ingredients affordable, but they are also environment-friendly and non-toxic.
16. Use Reusable Containers
Investing in reusable containers like glass jars or silicone bags can save you money in the long run. Instead of buying plastic bags or containers, you can use these containers over and over again.
Reusable containers are also great for storing leftovers, snacks, and pantry items. Glass jars are especially useful because you can see what’s inside, which means you are less likely to forget about food and let it go bad.
Plastic bags are often single-use and end up in landfills, so using reusable containers reduces your carbon footprint and helps the environment.
17. Grow Your Own Herbs
Growing your own herbs is an easy and cost-effective way to add flavor to your meals without spending money on expensive fresh herbs from the grocery store. You can grow herbs indoors or outdoors in a small garden or container, and they don’t require much maintenance.
Herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint are easy to grow and can be used in a variety of dishes. Plus, having fresh herbs on hand can inspire you to cook more and experiment with new recipes.
18. Use Less Meat
Meat is often the most expensive item on any grocery list, so reducing the amount of meat you consume can save you a lot of money.
Try using less meat in your meals by incorporating more vegetables or substituting with cheaper protein sources like beans or tofu. You can also buy meat in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it for later use.
Not only will reducing your meat consumption save you money, but it can also be healthier for you and better for the environment.
19. Buy Generic
Generic brands can be just as good as name brands and often cost less. Give them a try and see if you can save some money.
When buying generic, check the labels to make sure the ingredients are the same or similar to the name brand. Sometimes, generic brands are even made by the same manufacturer as the name brand but with a different label.
You can start by buying generic versions of non-perishable items like flour, sugar, or cereal and then work your way up to other items.
20. Avoid Food Waste
Food waste is not only bad for your wallet but also for the environment. Make sure to use up all your groceries before they go bad by planning meals around ingredients that need to be used up. You can also freeze or preserve any leftovers for later use.
Before going grocery shopping, check your pantry and fridge to see what you already have, so you don’t end up buying duplicates. Additionally, try buying fresh produce and perishable items in smaller quantities to prevent spoilage.
Saving Money in the Kitchen
There are many easy ways to save money in the kitchen without sacrificing taste or quality. By following the tips we outlined, you can make small changes to your shopping, cooking, and storage habits that can add up to big savings over time.
Planning meals, buying in bulk, using coupons, cooking from scratch, and freezing food are all simple ways to save money on groceries and prevent food waste. Making your own cleaning products and using reusable containers are also great ways to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
Additionally, incorporating more plant-based meals, buying generic brands, and avoiding food waste can all help you save money on your grocery bill. With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can enjoy delicious, healthy meals while also saving money in the kitchen.
What are some of your favorite ways to save money in the kitchen?