Spend Wisely, Eat Well

With inflation on the rise, how does one satisfy the demands of hungry mouths around the table while sticking within the monthly budget? It can be a tricky terrain to navigate. The husband loves his T-bones. The children hesitate when it comes to their broccoli. And you just want to please everyone, right? But it can be so exhausting to make one and all happy at dinner-time when prices are on the rise every time we visit the grocery store. Here are just a few handy tips to keep you keeping on with a can-do attitude in the shops and in the kitchen.

Avoid the impulse purchase.

It is wise advice to hit the shops on a satisfied belly, and with sugar levels in check. The more depleted or hungry we feel, the more those unnecessary purchases will find their way into our trolley. You may think you want those macadamia choc-chip cookies and cheese curls now, but your budget may not be thanking you later.

Cut back to splurge.

There can be few things more delicious than a plate of watermelon or a spoonful of granadilla in season. Spend more on items that truly bring you and your family joy and cut back on other items like ready-made pasta sauces that can be a little over-priced. A bottle of tomato passata with a little brown sugar, balsamic and Italian herbs will do just as well as a jar of ready-made at double the price. Just add a dash of long-life cream, if you really feel like being a little decadent!

Bulk up.

Don’t underestimate a tin of beans or chickpeas in your larder. A tuna salad with boiled eggs can be bulked up with a humble tin of butter beans. Drizzled with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of fish spice, a simple salad with some ciabatta on the side makes for a wonderful dinner alternative on nights you don’t feel up to the task of cooking!

Spend now to save later.

When you see a special on an item that can be stored in the freezer or last on the shelf, find the extra pennies and the space in the pantry. Items like butter or tinned tuna are ever on the increase and every saving counts. So make the most of a special that will serve you in the long-term and seize the moment with both hands!

Indulge.

Once all is said and done, everyone deserves a treat now and again. Don’t be cheap when it comes to making yourself feel special. You will only regret it later when you have dealt with the consequences of denying yourself altogether. So find money in the budget for a delicious dark chocolate slab (whether with sea salt or chilli or candied orange… find your favourite!). Enjoy a morsel once in a while rather than gorging on the cheap sugar-loaded alternatives. Make yourself a salmon linguine from scratch, and get the hubby to knead the pasta dough as you add a splash of vodka to the creamy sauce, ready for a romantic night together. If you do not indulge your whims once in a while, you will no doubt find yourself spending twice as much at your nearest Italian restaurant!