Last week I completed a video series on my 5 tips to Thrifty Thermomixing and how we as a family do things to intentionally reduce our grocery bills. Here is what was covered.
Planning the meals
We are so fortunate that on the TM5 & TM6 we have integrated Meal Planning in Cookidoo. This doesn't mean TM31 owners, miss out! You indeed can use this too, just without the functionality to get it to the screen of your TM31. The Cookidoo allows us to check in the fridge and/or freezer for the things that need to be used first, finding amazing recipes to use them in - this is when we search via one or two ingredients. Or alternatively, search for recipes that the family will enjoy, we want to try, or family favourites and plan the whole week ahead. From here, it can be added to the meal plan, shopping list created and even integrated with Woolworths to take it a step further if you shop that way. This saves so much money, not doing multiple trips to the shops, and only buying what is needed that week. This also allows for cost-cutting weeks where you can make amazing vegetarian meals (saving money on meat) like this awesome Vegan Mac & Cheese and using the hashtag search to find #budget recipes on Cookidoo. A favourite budget dinner at our home is the Chicken meatballs, mincing our own meat down in the TM with ease.
Prepping The Pantry
One of my biggest tips is to Prep the Pantry well so that if you need something to eat, you have the basics in there to whip it up in the TM in no time. I can not stress how much money this will save you. From TM muffins, scrolls, pizzas and so much more that you can whip up costing less than a few dollars and with the added bonus that it has no additives, preservatives or colours. If you are not sure where to start in the Pantry, download my Essentials List here.
When it comes to stocking the pantry, look into if you have any local bulk buying groups, or go to a whole food store that you can buy in bulk at a cheaper price than the main stores. Always check the per 100g or 1kg price to compare which is cheaper. We buy all our dry ingredients from Honest To Goodness (we try to buy organic as often as possible), put them through the freezer (to kill off any weavels that might come with any dried goods), and then store them in airtight containers in the cupboard until they are needed. 2 large dry goods orders a year is all we need to see us through and keep the pantry stocked.
When I planned the week ahead (above) for my family, and I ticked off all the items I already had in the Pantry, all that remained to create the snacks for the family for the week was butter and cream....that makes it a pretty inexpensive week to make those amazing snacks above.
One last Pantry tip is to have a rolling inventory - what goes out, goes on the list to come back in....then you know you will always be well stocked for any occasion. So stock up the Pantry, buy in bulk, and then if you need to be tight, you can still make amazing foods.
Buying On Sale or In Bulk
I have already mentioned the dry goods, but what about the other items? There are so many bargains that can be had if you shop at the right time (aka before closing), or head to the local markets on the weekend (end of day is good as it is when you can get boxes of unsold items cheaper then usual). Some of my favourite fruit and vegetables to buy in bulk are -
* Tomatoes - easy to cook into sauces
* Bananas - perfect to freeze
* Apples - Poach or Blanch & preserve for another time
* Carrots - You can preserve, blanch and freeze, or dice and freeze for adding to food later
* Celery and other leafy greens - great for the freezer for soups, stock & smoothies
If you are looking for a delicious budget dinner the Tomato, Thyme, and Lentil soup is amazing!!
Growing Food Yourself
Growing some of your own food can make a massive difference to your budget.This gives you the ultimate control and does not need to be costly. If you are new to the growing scene, we have all been there at some stage - me only just recently - but starting is the best step I ever took. We have a few veggie patches now, that are newly done and starting to grow capsicums, zucchinis, cucumbers, and tomatoes however my favourite things to grow are greens. I have now mastered how to grow microgreens (see my previous blog for this info) which means no more buying salad green ever again.
Now if you don't have the space for veggie patches, then growing in bags might just be for you. Check out how in 28 days you can grow your own lettuce leaves for less than $12 in the video below.
Growing some of our own food has meant that some weeks, with meal planning on Cookidoo, a well-stocked pantry, and fresh food coming in from the garden, we don't need to go to the grocery shops at all. If you haven't yet tried to grow something, then I would love to support you to do so, so reach out.
Let nothing go to waste at the end of the week
The fantastic thing about having a TM on the bench is that you can whip up the most amazing meal, with the sad-looking vegetables and fruit in the back of the fridge. This can mean that you can get another few days of not needing to shop and cook from what would otherwise end in the bin. The ABS reported that the average Australian household throws out at bin day, one in every five bags of groceries or 315kg per person per year. This equates to $2000-$2500 per household each year (ref). That is a massive opprtinutiy for not only saving money, but the enviroment as well.
I hope you enjoyed the Thifty Thermomix series. There are so many ways that saving can be had with the TM on the bench. If you have questions, or want to turn your TM love into a side hussle to give you more funds at the end of the day, reach out so I can invite you to an online information session. The Thermomix business has provided me and my family with so much Freedom and I would love for you to have this same opportunity. Happy Tmxing until next time xLisa
Comments