- PLAN your meals for the week. We have pretty laid back personalities, and we didn't always plan out our meals in college. However, we have learned that planning helps save money on groceries because you aren't buying as much unnecessary food. We have been sitting down to plan our dinners on Sunday nights so we can stop by the grocery store the next day, and it has been extremely helpful. For lunches and breakfasts, we usually eat cereal, sandwiches, leftovers, and salads, so those meals are pretty easy.
- Eating less meat saves money. Since meat was the bulk of our grocery spending, we decided to make at least 2 days per week our "vegetarian days," using eggs, rice, and beans as our protein source for those days. Originally, we tried to only eat meat on the weekends, but it was not providing us the energy we needed to live an active lifestyle.
- Buy food in bulk when possible. We purchase food that we eat the most in bulk, including rice, peanut butter, pasta noodles, bread, and beans. When there is a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" sale on bread, we grab 2 loaves of bread and put them in the freezer (we don't eat bread every day, so this helps it last at least a month, if not more). We have also learned that Kale goes a long way when a little is combined with the cheap iceberg lettuce for salads, so Kale ends up being just as good as spinach. We also like buying spinach in the large box instead of the bags because it lasts longer.
- Find local produce, meat, and eggs. Buying in bulk also works for produce, but we would really rather get our fresh fruits and veggies at the Farmer's Market or from our new job at E.A.T. South. We do buy meat at Wal-Mart and Publix because of their prices, but we love to find local meats as well. The Auburn University Meat Lab is a great place to get fresh local meat AND eggs in bulk. You can get 2 1/2 dozen eggs for around $4 there! In the long run, fresh, local foods are better for your health, especially when you know where it is coming from. And local honey helps with allergies:)
- Plant a backyard garden! We love using herbs, tomatoes, leafy greens, peppers, squash, strawberries, and any other fresh foods we can grow. It saves money on herbs, and you have the satisfaction of watching your plants grow into yummy food-producing machines.
Here are a few of our delicious (and sometimes random) meals from the first two months of our marriage:
 |
| Strawberry-picking at Dempsey's Farm: $10 for a huge bucket that could last 2 weeks |
 |
| Flatbread Pizzas with Jesse's parents |
 |
| Omelette for lunch… with bacon and avocado, of course. |
Happy eating!
~Jesse & Sara