Running a household these days is harder because cost-of-living has risen; I am sharing seven ways to save money in the kitchen by stretching the dollar!
Seven Ways to Save Money in the Kitchen Video
Steps on Seven Ways to Save Money in the Kitchen
Use Cloth to Save Money in the Kitchen
Using dish and/or wash cloth to save money in the kitchen is not only Eco-friendly but, it is budget friendly.
Buying paper towels and disinfecting wipes clogs our landfills and are not saving you any money these days. I often will use old towels and t shirts that I cut up to clean my floors and windows to save a bit of money in the kitchen. Dish cloths and wash cloths are great for cleaning surfaces, spills and dishes.
Instead of using napkins or paper towels at meals using cloth napkins not only is it fancy but, cheap.
A good micro fabric cloth will clean dust and residue and helps to keep floors clean as well.
Just remember every time you are not using paper towel and disinfecting wipes you are saving a tree and lots of money.
Learn to Can or Freeze food to Save Money in the Kitchen
Learning to can or freeze food will save tons of money on food that may go bad therefore you will have to throw away. Buying unnecessary food and then throwing out is such a huge expense.
Learn to can, pressure can or even just freeze food to preserve for a longer shelf life.
Make Cleaning Products to Save Money in the Kitchen
Cleaning naturally is not only healthier but, will save you money. Simple ingredients such as vinegar, Castile soap and essential oils can make cleaning the kitchen toxic free and budget friendly.
I started a couple of months ago making my own homemade cleaning products and I love it. I just made my own dishwasher detergent with three ingredients and my glasses, silverware and dishes have never been cleaner.
Essential Oil Dishwasher Detergent:
- Large bowl for mixing,
- Large container to store the detergent
- 2 cups of washing soda
- 2 cups of borax
- 25 drops of grapefruit essential oil
First, add borax and washing soda and give a good mix. Next, add grapefruit essential oil to the mixing bowl and mix till everything is blended. Transfer mixture to your large container. Use two teaspoons per wash.
Note, add vinegar to the rinse cycle this will help prevent spots. Also, you can substitute the grapefruit essential oil for any citrus oil such as lemon essential oil.
HOMEMADE LIQUID DISH WASHING SOAP
- Large bowl for mixing,
- Large container to store the soap with a squirt lid
- 2/3 cups Castile soap
- 1 1/3 cups of water
- 3 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
- 25 drops of lemon essential oil
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
- funnel
First, add Castile soap, water, glycerin lemon and tea tree essential oil to the mixing bowl and stir well.
Now place the funnel onto of container with a squirt. Slowly pour in the homemade liquid dish washing soap; give a good shake.
Use 2 -3 squirts when washing dishes, counters or pots and pan.
Eat Seasonally to Save Money in the Kitchen
Eating seasonally to save money in the kitchen when preparing meals.
When eating and cooking with season fruit or vegetable will save money but, it will force you to think creativity. When you eat off season produce tends to not taste as fresh and cost more money because of the travel time it cost to bring off season produce to the local supermarket.
Overall, eating seasonally cost less money overall. Seasonal produce is often local and does not have to travel far burning energy.
Try to buy watermelon in the summer and butternut squash in the fall. Experience with produce either by eat cold and or in a new recipe.
Store Food in Reusable Containers to Save Money in the Kitchen
Storing Food in reusable containers to save money in the kitchen is a great investment. I use plastic bags, aluminum foil along with Tupperware and come to the conclusion after much research, I hate it.
Plastic storage is high in toxicity levels and made with petroleum that I do not want leach into any of my foods. With a small investment replacing plastic can save money and your health.
Many plastics have been linked to problems with ADHD, asthma, cancer such as breast and prostate furthermore there has been research linked to hormone manipulation.
If you prefer not use glass containers check all plastics in your home for BPA, if it is not BPA free toss immediately. Stay away from any plastic that has a #7, #6, #3 that contains BPA.
Do not microwave any plastic containers even if it says it is microwave safe. The heat of the microwave will break down the plastic and release chemicals into your food.
Wash all plastic in the dishwasher on the top rack only to prevent any chemical release. Do not pour hot liquids or food into plastic. Do use acidic food in your plastic container as well,
However, there has not been any prove that it is 100% safe so with that being said, one by one I replace all my older plastic containers with glass ones. I use Pyrex, mason jars and re use old condiment jars for food storage.
Make Stock or Bone Broth to Save Money in the Kitchen
I do not make bone broth personally but, the next best money saving tips and is delicious is Vegetable Broth that you can use in soups, casseroles and sauces.
This vegetable broth is easy and perfect for any vegetarian. Remember to save all your vegetable scraps in a freezer bag such as carrots, celery, onion, garlic and tomato.
When your freezer bag is full it is time to make your vegetable broth. Note, if you wanted to make a bone broth save all your bones in the vegetable bag.
First, prep and an added all vegetable scraps, bay leaves, water and peppercorn to a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- A freezer bag full of scraps of carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomatoes, leeks, parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 6-8 whole peppercorns
- 4 cups of filtered water
First, in a slow cooker I place olive oil, vegetable scraps, bay leave, peppercorn and water and stir.
Next, set the temp on LOW and cook ten to twelve hours.
Finally, in the morning pour broth through a fine sieve and discard all loose veggies. You can feed the used vegetable to your livestock if you desire.
Finally, store in refrigerator for three days or freeze for three months!
Clean your Refrigerator to Save Money in the Kitchen
Finally, my last tip is to keep you refrigerator in the best shape to save money in your kitchen.
Did you know that refrigerators suck up a lot of money using about twenty five percent of household income. If you are in the market to buy a refrigerator look for an Energy Star Label to save a few bucks each week.
Always clean up any spills and do not house items in your fridge that you do not need or are spoiled. To save money and keep it in tip top shape frequently clean and throw out rotting food.
Keep your refrigerator about seventy five percent full to ensure it runs to optimum efficiency.
Refrigerator grills, coils and space around it such and under cleaned and free from dust and debris. If the space under the refrigerator is not clean it could shorten the life of it.
Each season with a broom and vacuum cleaner clean the area, grills and coils.
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