As part of our continued expansion here at Simply Budgeted, we wanted to make sure that we take opportunities to share with you our simple tips, techniques, and tools that make life a little easier, a little cheaper, and a little more healthy. These could show up anywhere on the blog. So we decided to join other bloggers out there by calling this new feature “Two Cents Tuesday.”
This week’s tool: The handy kitchen scale.
You may or may not have one of these. If you do, you probably don’t use it nearly often enough. If you don’t, you should strongly consider getting one. They can save you a lot of money and keep you eating healthier.
Big box stores, like Sam’s Club and Costco, sell huge packages of shredded cheese. Instead of trying to use up all of that cheese before it goes bad, measure out smaller 1 lb. portions into freezer bags and freeze them. Pull one out a day before you need it and it’ll be fully thawed, ready for whatever you need it for at a significant savings over the 1/2 lb. bags at the supermarket.
Those same stores also sell large cuts of meat. A large beef tenderloin could set you back a few bucks. If you eat beef on a semi-regular basis, however, that purchase could save you a lot on your monthly grocery budget. These stores normally sell these cuts for around $10 a pound. A 4-oz filet mignon (so a 1/4 lb piece of the same meat) can cost more than that on it’s own. So if you cut and weigh these right, you can more than pay for the entire piece of meat with only the small half of it.
As a bonus, the scale let’s you weigh out the portion size. If you try to eyeball it, you’ll almost always overestimate, costing you money and calories. Shoot for a 4-oz piece of meat, freeze on a sheet tray, and wrap up in plastic and the meat should last for a couple of months in the freezer. Use the rest of the meat for tender, succulent steaks and skewers and use the scraps for a yummy stir fry or stew.
Don’t be afraid to weigh out your food. It’ll help you eat a little healthier and it can ease that burden on your budget. Leave us a comment telling us how you use your scale.
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