5 Easy Ways to Save in the Kitchen

These tips will save you time and money in the kitchen. Both of these are so very important to homemakers. Frugality is my middle name, and saving time means I have more time with my family. Win-win!

 

1. Use quality trash bags. In the name of frugality, I once tried cheap trash bags, and I regretted it! There are some products that I simply must have a certain brand. Hefty Ultra Strong bags are one of these products. They are an outstanding quality and even have a new, lower price.

Not only are they strong, they mask icky garbage odors. There’s a scent-free option if you’d rather, but I like my trash not smelling well, like trash. They are super strong, so no leaks, which means no clean up from messes.
{Stock up on Hefty trash bags and save $1.00 off one box!} 

2. Read the recipe thoroughly before beginning to cook. Preferably, you’ve done this when making out your grocery shopping list. This will ensure that you have all of the necessary ingredients available when you are ready to prepare the dish. Also, you can determine if the dish could be adapted to cooking in a slow cooker or toaster oven, to save money on energy costs. Or if you can combine dishes in the oven (doing double duty for the same energy cost.)

3. Save leftover bits from meals in a freezer bag to turn into another meal. The pieces of celery, carrot, etc that aren’t quite up to par for serving fresh, the spoonful or two of green beans or corn from supper will all make a great soup! Chop these bits into bite-size pieces so that they are ready to use. When the bag is full, it’s time to make soup or stew. These will be just like the store-bought frozen vegetables that you buy, only they are “freebies!”

4. Make sauces & stocks ahead of time and freeze them. You can do this by purposefully making soups and sauces in one day, or by doubling what you are making for supper. If you’re making a pot of spaghetti sauce, for example, make two. Serve one, freeze one! A quick supper is simple when you have spaghetti sauce or soup in the freezer. Simply thaw the bag enough to pour the contents into a slow cooker to simmer all day, or into a pot to heat up quickly for supper.

5. Clean as you go. A few hours spent cooking can mean a ton of dirty dishes to contend with. Instead, fill one sink with hot, soapy water before you begin cooking. As you use cutting boards, mixing bowls, and other items, wash them and allow them to air dry. Dry them completely when your tasks are complete. The only remaining dishes will be those used to consume your meal. This makes for a much easier post-meal clean-up time!

 

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.