As Americans, we are used to the convenience of going to the local supermarket and picking up everything already prepared and ready to eat. But have you ever thought about how much money you spend at the grocery store on things that you could be making instead? Entrepreneurs like Don Gayhardt understand the value of a dollar saved, and the dollars that are wasted on easy-to-prepare food items add up fast. This money could be going to more important things than consumables. Try your hand at a DIY alternative to buying packaged foods. You might surprise yourself in the difference in quality and taste.
Sauces
Many of the sauces that you buy in a jar or bottle are very few ingredients and can be made for cheap. It’s all a matter of simmering and seasoning to fit you and your family’s tastes.
*Barbecue sauce.
Sweet Baby Ray’s might have your heart, but in all honesty, making it yourself is just as tasty and is so simple. A basic recipe is only half a dozen ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and fridge.
*Spaghetti and pizza sauce.
A can of tomato sauce is so versatile; it can turn into many different things, your favorite Italian dishes not excluded. Flavor your $.69 can with seasonings like parsley, rosemary, garlic and onion powder in lieu of jarred sauce and serve over pasta. If you’re unsure of portions, you can always look up a recipe for reference.
*Pesto.
If you have a food processor or even just a blender, this recipe couldn’t be easier. Combine fresh basil with olive oil, garlic and pine nuts for that fresh, nutty flavor you love.
Breakfast
Eggo Waffles and Pop Tarts are convenient, but let’s be real: They’re ridiculously unhealthy and their cost adds up quickly. Instead of buying your breakfast staples and guessing what’s inside of them, make them at home to ensure their freshness and quality.
* Instant oatmeal.
Quaker instant oatmeal packets are delicious, but the truth is that you’re paying a lot of money for something that you can make so easily at home. Use a large container with a sealed lid to mix instant oats with brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The secret to a perfect texture is to blend a cup or two of oats into dust and mix with the rest of your ingredients.
* Pop Tarts.
It takes some prep work, but these flaky treats are as easy as a basic five-ingredient pie crust and a jar of fruit jam.
* Waffles.
Whipping up a batch of these grab-and-go breakfast necessities requires a little bit of time, but once you’ve made a stack you can pop them in the freezer and they’re ready when you need them in the morning.
The do-it-yourself alternative to buying food items has so many choices. Once you start to notice the foods that you can make yourself instead of purchasing them, you will start to see a slew of other things you should be making instead. Keep the money in your wallet by spending less at the grocery store each month.
