There will always be mouths to feed – including your own – but you might not always have money to buy food. That doesn't mean that you should sit around and do nothing to ease your starvation. Hunger can sometimes be a powerful motivator. Here are some frugal prepping tips you can use to feed your family even when you're working on a limited budget. (h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com)
Find out the most cost-efficient places to shop
You'd be surprised how much you can get the same item for different prices at varying stores. Not all grocery stores and supermarkets are created equally. Find the least expensive stores in your area and do all of your shopping there. If you can, try to learn when certain products go on sale, so that you can get the most out of your buck. Remember, each dollar that you save counts towards a larger goal. Shopping trips may require more time and effort now, if you want to save on expenses. Plan your shopping trips ahead of time by listing down what you need to buy and prioritizing accordingly. Stick to your budget, avoid impulse purchases, and always buy within your means. There may be times when the food you buy might not be the healthiest option, but it's still going to be better than nothing.
Grow your own edible garden
Since fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy and well-balanced diet, you can supplement your food supply by growing your own edible garden. This can allow you to take your first step towards self-sufficiency. Even if you don't have any money for grocery shopping, you can easily go outside, pluck some fresh fruits and vegetables, and have a light but healthy meal ready within a few minutes. With the rise in popularity of vertical gardens and other space-saving gardening methods, growing your own produce isn't that hard to do nowadays. If you have children with picky tastes, letting them grow their own food is also an excellent way to get them invested in eating their veggies. All in all, growing an edible garden is a great way to save on both time and money. (Related: Compare and contrast: Just how much money can be saved by growing your own food as opposed to buying from the supermarket?)
Learn how to cook from scratch
If you have a limited budget, eating out might not be an option. In order to save on expenses, you will need to learn how to prepare meals on your own. You will also need to make do with whatever ingredients you have available. It won't be easy, but like with any skill, cooking from scratch can be learned. You can look for thrifty meal recipes on the internet, or even watch tutorial videos. All the knowledge you need is within your grasp; you just need to put in a little effort in finding it and applying it in real life.
Stretch your ingredients and leftovers
Just because your food is no longer fresh, that doesn't mean it is only fit for the trash can. Sometimes, a little creativity is all it takes to make your table scraps go a long way. Leftovers shouldn't go to waste, especially when every last bite matters. If you know how to properly repurpose certain food items, you can turn them into perfectly good soups, stews, and casseroles. This is no time to be picky. No matter what kind of extra food you have, you can learn to improvise. Not only will you end up with a full belly, but you will also end up feeling fulfilled at learning a new and useful skill.
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