Essential Foods That Save You Money
Keeping a pantry stocked with essentials will save you money, full stop. Once you’re down to some sagging shallots and a can of refried beans, you’re going to be mighty tempted to call up for pizza. Or get some Thai/ hamburgers/ whatever.
Sure, it’s quick. It’s easy and it saves you the hassle of having to chop, peel and steam. But if it becomes a habit, you’ll end up costing yourself a huge amount of money.
And as Jessica Goh writes, you’ll then have to buy gym membership to work off the calories from all the extra hamburgers, costing yourself even more money. So stock your pantry properly, and you’ll save your thighs and your bank balance.
Pasta
Start with the alpha and omega of pantry essentials. Pasta is great for a quick meal, a big meal or- with the right ingredients- a delicious meal to serve when friends come over. Store-bought gnocchi or tortellini is super cheap and can be stretched to a couple of meals over a couple of weeks. It doesn’t require a stack load of ingredients to be delicious as well, making it a very cheap way to stay healthy and well fed.
Canned Tomatoes
A natural accompaniment to the above. Instead of spending on pasta sauce that tastes like the herbs are made of preservatives and plastic, why not whip out a couple of cans of tomato, brown some garlic and grab some basil from the backyard? It’s incredibly cheap and tasty, is good for you, and can be stretched from 1 person through to an unexpected family reunion.
Fish
Canned fish is one of nature’s essentials. It’s fantastic for a quick snack, especially if you need a bit of protein or Omega 3 (that’s right, the ol’ Omega 3). Or it can be brilliant for work sandwiches, avoiding the cost of lunchtime food to make yourself feel better. Or it can be part of a bake for dinner. So many uses, so little time.
Herb Garden
Not strictly part of your pantry, but the savings from a herb garden are not to be underestimated. Think about it, a herb plant costs maybe $2.50- 5. Buying a pack of herbs every time you cook is about $3, so you’ve recouped your costs after two meals. Buy rosemary, mint and parsley and they’ll go wild. If you can manage to rear some basil as well you’re onto a complete winner.
Frozen Veggies
Not optimum, health-wise, but in terms of filling out a plate, it’s great to have some frozen veggies permanently in your fridge for disasters. Buy fresh when you can, but frozen veggies are cheap and will have some of the nutrients you need. They’ll also mean that you feel well-fed so the urge to eat a late night snack is lessened, thereby saving you money.
Stock
Soup is my favourite form of food, so for me, the importance of stock cannot be underestimated. While the stock cubes are a lifesaver and are a great back up, if you’ve got the time to boil a chicken carcass (not something I’d choose to do for fun, but you do what you gotta do) and then freeze the stock, you’ll be set for the next couple of times you want to make soup or a stirfry. And you’ll get to feel completely old school, which is a feeling money just can’t buy.
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