Busy families shouldn’t miss out on the savings just because they have little time to cook. Home cooked meals are one of the best ways to save on the food bill. With a little knowledge, you can spend very little to cook at home, no matter how hectic your life is. Here is how.
I’m convinced that the crockpot must have been invented by a busy mom. If you don’t have this little appliance, run out right now and get one. Don’t worry about the expense. You can pick your first one up for a few dollars at a thrift store (I have two different sized crockpots that cost me less than $25 for both and have lasted ten years and counting).
With a crockpot, you can pour a few ingredients into it, set the machine and it will do the cooking for you. You can even fill the crock the night before, and then take it out of the refrigerator in the morning and set it then.
Get a good crockpot cookbook, or research easy recipes online.
Freezer Meals
Imagine always knowing that there was a good meal in the house? With freezer meals you can have that peace of mind, and the savings from not having to eat out. Just pull out your meal and stick it in the oven or the microwave.
Freezer meals can be flexible. Basically, you cook when you can, such as on a weekend, at night, early in the morning, a not-to-busy day, whenever it works for you. You then package and freeze the meals to use later. By doubling or tripling your regular meals on weeks that you can take the time to cook, you’ll quickly build up a stockpile of favorites to enjoy on crazy days.
Make It Work Meals
Gather a few easy make it work meals that can be prepared with simple ingredients that you already have at hand. These might include anything from pasta dishes to breaded chicken wraps that can be eaten quickly or eaten in the car. These times of quick make it work meals will save you from a stop at the drive in on your way to one activity or another.