With inflation running rampant, it has become increasingly difficult to save. Spending has been getting higher and higher, and the forecasts are not encouraging. Inflation in Portugal exceeded 10% in October, according to the INE, standing at 10.1%. In the light of this data, we've come up with our article with 7 savings tips to help you cut down on food expenses.
However, it should be noted that this is the highest price increase since 1992, with energy and food goods making up a large part of the price increase.
INE also highlights how the rise in prices is 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 most marked in oils and fats (30.9%), but according to INE, the second category is 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 between consumers. According to the Público newspaper, it is the people on the lowest incomes who are most exposed to rising food prices. This is why the inflationary crisis could make inequalities in Portugal more glaring.
Being aware of this, Equal Food wants to respond with ways of getting around this situation. In this period of uncertainty, we want to ensure the food needs of those who need it most. Last month we created a partnership with the Marvila Parish Council, with the aim of feeding 80 families in need every week.
Last October we were also able to offer more than 2 tons of fruit 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 on food costs. 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 in. With tiredness and the hustle and bustle of routine, it's tempting to opt for 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. What's more, healthy eating can start more easily in your own kitchen than in any other.
Savings tips: 2nd - Planning meals
Do a meal prep! Meal prep is a term adapted from English, meaning 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 not to arrive in the middle of the week tired after work with a strong desire to order in.
Meal planning is essential, not only to avoid food waste, but also to be in control of our food costs.
And how can we build an optimal meal prep routine?
The first step is to choose the best time and day of the week to do it. Sunday doesn't necessarily have to be the best day, you can use 1 or 2 hours during the week for this. Also, if you're cooking dinner, take advantage and double the portion so you have lunch the next day. If you're cooking soup, prepare all the vegetables you have and freeze what's left over so that the following week the process is quicker and easier, for example.
The aim of a meal prep doesn't have to be to have all the week's meals ready, because 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 for the rest of the week's meals. That way, you'll only have to think about the main part of the dish on the remaining days.
Planning meals for the week makes it easier to manage our pantry and finances, 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 with planning, one of the most important money-saving tips is to make a shopping list. This makes it easier to spend time in the supermarket and at the same time allows you to buy the right quantities, 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 need to buy this product, as we often end up buying products on impulse.
Savings Tips: 4th - Watch out for impulse buys!
One of the biggest mistakes we always make when it comes to shopping for the week or month is to go into 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. Food 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 really need that product or whether you're buying it just because it looks good at the moment.
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's usually with them that you're 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 more expensive product that you really like is on sale, you can buy more than one and thus keep your pantry rich in the more 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 a basket Equal Food and don't know when you're going to use up certain products? Peel them, cut them up and freeze them! Did you make dinner and have food left over 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 a few hours away, just leave the meal to defrost overnight.
But our 7th tip, and the greatest savings tip of all, is to buy your fruit and vegetables from Equal Food!
Our options are up to 50% cheaper than supermarket prices, with advantages 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 help regional farmers to sell their products, which would otherwise end up in the garbage can.
In addition to the lower price, quality and variety, we help you save time by delivering to your home, and with a subscription you don't even have to worry about having to order again, because you can choose whether you want weekly or fortnightly 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 convinced, you can take a look at our basket options here and see which one suits you best. We have different options, varying in weight and variety! What are you waiting for to start saving?
