Eat At Home

Dining out is easy and fun, especially with our busy schedules - but it’s also expensive. To save money on your food budget, try to eat more of your meals at home.

Here’s the tip of the day:

For many people, preparing regular meals at home is easier said than done. Many households have two working parents, and there are after school activities, church and community obligations and late work nights. But if consumers can eat more meals at home, they will save money in the long run. It’s also healthier for your family.

If you need assistance with your meal planning, check out www.foodieview.com. The site has more than one million recipes, and even allows visitors to search for recipes based on a list of ingredients they already have at home.

1. Plan a menu – If your family knows what meals to expect, then dinner time will become routine in your home. Maybe you could get your family’s input and try to plan meals that everyone will enjoy.

2. Prepare food ahead of time – It’s easier to prepare food during your time off from work, so cook your meals on the weekend and simply warm them for leftovers. You can also freeze pre-cut ingredients for another week and simply thaw them out when it’s time to cook them.

3. Be creative – Rather than wasting your leftovers, perhaps you could find a recipe that allows you to incorporate them.

4. Family affair – If you need help in the kitchen, try to make preparing dinner a family activity. Get everyone involved to reduce your workload – even if it’s only for cleanup. This will also teach your children responsibility.

How do you make meals at home exciting and affordable? Write in to The Pinch to let me know.