How can I save money on food expenses?

With rampant inflation showing no signs of letting up, saving money has become increasingly difficult. Expenses have been rising steadily, and the forecasts are not encouraging. Inflation in Portugal exceeded 10% in October, according to the INE (National Institute of Statistics ), reaching 10.1%. In light of this data, our article offers 7 tips for saving money to help reduce food expenses. However, it's important to note that we are experiencing the highest price increases since 1992, with energy and food products accounting for a large portion of the price hikes.

The INE (National Institute of Statistics) also highlights how the price increase is felt in food products. During the last year, food prices have suffered a sharp rise, with inflation reaching 18.6% for food products.

The annual price increase for food in October 2022 is strongest in oils and fats (30.9%), but, according to IBGE, the second category includes 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 concerns the potential perpetuation of inequalities created among consumers. According to the newspaper Público , it is people with lower incomes who are most exposed to escalating 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 guarantee the food needs of those who need it most. Last month we created a partnership with the Marvila Parish Council, with the goal of feeding 80 families in need of food every week.

Also last October, we were able to provide 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'd like to give you some tips on how to save money on food expenses. Let's go?

Saving Tips

1st - Eating at home

It's normal to give in to the idea of ​​eating out or ordering takeout. With the tiredness and hustle and bustle of daily life, it becomes tempting to choose this option, but if you think about how much you could save by making these meals at home, you'll gain extra motivation to move from the sofa to the kitchen. Furthermore, a healthy diet can start more easily in our own kitchen than anywhere else.

2nd - Plan meals

Master meal prep ! Meal prep is a term adapted from English, meaning meal preparation, plain and simple. Meal prep consists of taking a few hours to prepare weekly meals so you always have food ready. This is the best way to avoid arriving midweek tired after work, craving takeout.

Meal planning is essential, not only to avoid food waste, but also to help us stay in control of 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 for this. Sunday doesn't necessarily have to be the best day; you can use 1 or 2 hours during the week for it. Also, if you're cooking dinner, take advantage of it and double the portion to have lunch the next day. If you're cooking soup, prepare all the vegetables you have and freeze the leftovers so that the process is quicker and easier the following week, for example.

The goal of meal prep doesn't have to be to have all your meals for the week ready, especially since 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 leftover portions for the rest of your meals that week. That way, you'll only have to think about the main course 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.

3rd - Make a shopping list

To help with planning, one of the most important money-saving tips is to make a shopping list. This saves time at the supermarket while allowing you to buy the right amounts, avoiding waste. Our advice is to always note down the products needed for meals on the list, preferably when they run out (so you don't forget). In addition, we suggest you consider whether or not you really need to buy that product, since we often end up buying things on impulse.

4th - Beware of impulse purchases!

One of the biggest mistakes of all time, regarding weekly or monthly grocery shopping, is going to the supermarket on an empty stomach because suddenly everything looks delicious! One of the best money-saving tips is to eat something before you go there. Grocery shopping isn't 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 appealing at the moment.

5th - Check the prices in the brochures.

Nowadays, accessing supermarket flyers is super easy and quick. This is one of the best money-saving tips you can practice. It's usually through these flyers that you can find the best product discounts and quickly compare prices with other supermarkets that may be offering lower prices on certain foods. This allows you to buy more than one of your favorite more expensive products when they're on sale, keeping your pantry stocked with those items you love.

6th - Freeze, freeze, freeze!

Freezing is one of the best tips for saving money and avoiding food waste. Did you buy an Equal Food basket and don't know when you'll use certain products? Peel them, cut them, and freeze them! Did you make 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; just let the meal defrost overnight. But our 7th tip, and the biggest money-saving tip of all, is undoubtedly to choose to buy your fruits and vegetables at Equal Food!

Our options are up to 50% cheaper than supermarket prices, benefiting not only your wallet but also your health, with a variety of high-quality products. Furthermore, we are an option for those who prefer to support small businesses, as we help regional farmers sell their products that would otherwise end up in the trash.

Besides the lowest price, quality, and variety, we help you save time since we deliver to your home, and with a subscription you don't even need to worry about ordering again, because you can choose whether you want a weekly or bi-weekly 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 undecided, you can take a look at our basket options here and figure out which one is most convenient for you. We have different options, varying in weight and variety! What are you waiting for to start saving?