With inflation still at record highs, food costs seem to be getting more expensive every week. If you’re still feeling like your dollar doesn’t stretch quite as far as it used to, you’re not alone. According to the most recent numbers from the Consumer Price Index, food prices are still up nearly 8% from a year ago due to continued labor and supply chain shortages, which has millions of Americans wondering about the best ways to save money on food.
Nowadays, a simple food shopping trip can feel like trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle — how do you plan for meals that are good for you, that don’t take hours of prep, and that don’t break the bank? And after checking all of those boxes, how do you make cooking at home actually feel fun so it becomes a habit rather than a chore? (Because as we all know chore = ordering takeout.)
Ellie Krieger, host of “Ellie’s Real Good Food” on PBS and host of the podcast One Real Good Thing — which HerMoney CEO Jean Chatzky made an appearance on recently — joined the HerMoney Podcast to discuss how to make quick, healthy, fuss-free meals that will help you save time in the kitchen, and that are easy on your wallet.
READ MORE FROM OUR INTERVIEW: Yes, We Can Eat Healthy and Save Money At The Same Time!
Listen in as Ellie and Jean discuss the best ways to use leftovers, and why Ellie can’t live without her ice cube tray. And if you’re wondering what to do with that half a can of pasta sauce that’s going bad in the fridge? Ellie says freeze it! When she wants to make a homemade French bread pizza, she “pops out one of the cubes and adds mozzarella and bread.”
We also go over her favorite tips for making quick and easy one-pan meals that will 1) help you save money on food and 2) won’t make your busy day even more stressful. Ellie recommends using lentils, eggs, and canned salmon to make a light meal even more filling, and pack in a serving of protein. (Although we saw the price of eggs skyrocket in the last few years, egg prices fell a whopping 13.8% in May, which is the largest monthly drop since the early 1950s.) One of Ellie’s favorite ways to combine eggs and leftovers is to make a frittata. She recommends adding whatever leftover veggies you have in the fridge and a side salad for a quick lunch that feels gourmet.
READ MORE: Inflation and the New Way To Buy Groceries In 2023
In Mailbag, we hear an update from a listener about what happened after she got laid off, and Jean offers tips we can all use for navigating a layoff. We also hear from a listener who wants to take the plunge in starting a small business but can’t seem to get on the same page with her partner. In our money tip of the week, we discuss the cost of taking your furry friend to the emergency vet and how to save money on your vet bills.
More from HerMoney:
- Pantry Items to Stock up on to Stretch Your Food Budget
- The Foods You Need to Buy in Bulk to Save Money
- How to Cut Out Food Waste and Save Money in the Process
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The HerMoney podcast is supported by
All advisory services offered through Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA), a federally registered investment advisor. Results are not guaranteed. AM1969416
