With rampant inflation continuing to rage, it has become increasingly difficult to save. Spending amounts have been rising, and the forecasts are not encouraging. Inflation in Portugal exceeded 10% in October, according to the INE , standing at 10.1%. In light of this data, our article with 7 savings tips to help reduce food expenses has emerged.
However, it should be noted that we are experiencing the highest price increase since 1992, with energy and food goods accounting for a large part of the price increase.
The INE also highlights how the price increase is being felt in food products. Over the last year, food prices have risen sharply, with inflation set at 18.6% for food products.
The year-on-year price increase in October 2022 for food is more pronounced in oils and fats (30.9%), but, according to the INE, in the second category are vegetables, with a positive variation of 26.2%, followed by milk, cheese and eggs at 22%.
One of the biggest problems related to rising food prices is the potential perpetuation of inequalities created among consumers. According to the newspaper Público , people with lower incomes are the ones most exposed to rising food prices. This is why the inflationary crisis could make inequalities in Portugal even more glaring.
Being aware of this, Equal Food intends to respond with ways to overcome this situation. In this period of uncertainty, we want to ensure the food needs of those most in need. Last month, we created a partnership with the Marvila Parish Council, with the aim of feeding 80 families in need of food every week.
Also last October we managed to offer more than 2 tons of fruits and vegetables to needy families with our October Without Hunger campaign.
In addition to everything we already do, today we would like to give you some tips on how to save on food expenses. Let's go!
Savings Tips
Savings Tips: 1st - Eat at home
It’s normal to give in to the idea of eating out or ordering food home. With tiredness and the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it can be tempting to opt for this option, but if you think about how much you could save by making these meals at home, you’ll have extra motivation to get off the couch and into the kitchen. Besides, healthy eating can start more easily in our own kitchen than anywhere else.
Money Saving Tips: 2nd - Plan meals
Get your meal prep on track! Meal prep is an adapted term from English, which means meal preparation, as simple as that. Meal prep consists of taking a few hours to prepare your weekly meals with the aim of always having food ready. This is the best way to avoid arriving in the middle of the week tired, after work, and with a great desire to order food.
Meal planning is essential, not only to avoid food waste, but also to help us control our food expenses.
And how can we build a great meal prep routine?
The first step is to choose the best time and day of the week to do this. Sunday doesn't necessarily have to be the best day, you can take advantage of 1 or 2 hours during the week to do this. Also, if you're cooking dinner, take advantage and double the portion so you can have lunch the next day. If you're cooking soup, prepare all the vegetables you have and freeze the leftovers so that the process will be quicker and easier the following week, for example.
The goal of meal prep doesn’t have to be to have all of your meals ready for the week, as it’s important to vary the foods you eat. For example, choose your side dishes for the week, such as quinoa or rice, and prepare portions that will be enough for the rest of your meals for the week. That way, you’ll only have to think about the main part of your dish on the remaining days.
Planning meals for the week makes managing our pantry and finances easier, preventing us from buying too much or too little food, which can often lead to eating out.
Savings Tips : 3rd - Make a shopping list
To help you plan, one of the most important tips for saving money is to make a shopping list. This will make it easier to spend time at the supermarket, while also allowing you to buy the right quantities, thus avoiding waste. Our advice is to always write down the products you need for your meals on the list, preferably when you run out (so you don’t forget). We also suggest that you think about whether or not you will need to buy this product, as we often end up buying products on impulse.
Savings Tips: 4th - Beware of impulse purchases!
One of the biggest mistakes we make when shopping for the week or month is to go to the supermarket on an empty stomach because everything suddenly looks delicious! One of the best money-saving tips is to eat something before heading there. Grocery shopping is not an extreme sport, but it does require some physical and mental preparation, especially in times of inflation. Think twice about whether you will actually need that product or if you are buying it just because it looks appetizing at the time.
Savings Tips: 5th - Check the prices in the brochures
Nowadays, accessing supermarket leaflets is super easy and quick. This is one of the best money-saving tips you can practice. It is usually with these leaflets that you are able to find the best discounts on products and make a quick comparison with other supermarkets, which may be offering cheaper prices on certain foods. This means that when that most expensive product that you really like is on sale, you can buy more than one and thus keep your pantry full of the most expensive products that you like the most.
Savings Tips: 6th - Freeze, freeze, freeze!
Freezing is one of the best tips for saving money and preventing food waste. Have you bought an Equal Food basket and don't know when you'll use up certain products? Peel them, cut them up and freeze them! Have you made dinner and have leftover food that you won't need for lunch the next day? It's time to freeze it! When you don't have time to cook again, you'll have food ready in a few hours' time; just leave the meal to defrost overnight.
But our 7th tip and the biggest of all savings tips is, without a doubt, choosing to buy your fruit and vegetables at Equal Food !
Our options are up to 50% cheaper than supermarket prices, with benefits not only for your wallet, but also for your body, with varied and quality products. We are also an option for those who prefer to support small businesses, as we support regional farmers to sell their products, which would otherwise end up in the trash.
In addition to the lowest price, quality and variety, we help you save time, as we deliver to your home, and with a subscription you don't even need to worry about having to order again, because you can choose whether you want a weekly or biweekly delivery! With Equal Food you have the opportunity to consume seasonal products, which is not only better for the environment, but also for your body.
If you’re still not sold on our baskets, you can take a look at our basket options here and see which one is best for you. We have different options, which vary in weight and variety! What are you waiting for to start saving?
