#10. Buy more at once.
As a shopper you can often score discounts by buying items such as beans, pasta, and rice in bulk. Just be sure to store the food in a safe spot to avoid waste.
#9. Compare prices.
This is important. Don’t just buy off the shelf without comparing the prices to other supermarkets (and even the nearby kiosk if possible).
#8. Plan ahead.
Writing out a meal plan for the week and shopping ahead of time not only helps avoid last minute eating-out, but it also helps make the most out of leftovers. For example, a roast chicken one night can become chicken sandwich the following lunchtime.
#7. Save some for later.
By treating your fridge like a fast food restaurant, you can whip up easy meals quickly. Pasta dishes and soups freeze well and can also be stored in individual-size containers for future meals. Don’t throw away what can be eaten later.
#6. Minimize meat.
Meat tends to be the most expensive part of a meal, so skipping it can generate big savings. That doesn’t mean doing without protein, though: Eggs and beans make great substitutes.
#5. Visit food blogs.
There are a few of these around now and they give useful insights on where to get the best deals on ingredients for meals (aside for the ideas and recipes) and the restaurants to look out for.
#4. Substitute wherever possible.
For many recipes, you can substitute pricey items for cheaper ones e.g. fish such as salmon or tuna can be substituted with with cheaper options such as tilapia or nile perch.
#3. Make it yourself.
Why buy pizza when you can make it yourself? You can have as much as you want without anyone (except your gym instructor if you have one) judging.
#2. Think pasta.
Starch, such as rice, noodles, or other grains, can really bulk up a dish. For example, adding noodles to a soup, or rice to a casserole, can turn a side dish into the main event.
#1. Shop your fridge.
You might already have enough for a meal or two and not even know it; a can of baked eans and some salsa can turn into chili (with the help of onion, garlic, and other seasonings); similarly, sad-looking vegetables can become a hearty soup.
Adapted from: usnews.com