It is staggering the amount of money that gets spent in supermarkets so I thought I would share some of my budget ideas when it comes to buying healthy groceries.

1.    If fresh vegetables are expensive buy frozen.  For example if broccoli is seven dollars a kilo then use frozen instead, these days the nutritional value of frozen vegies is very good.

2.    Buy a barbeque chicken at the end of the day when they are reduced in price; remove the skin, bone and stuffing then freeze chicken pieces to have at another time in a curry, stew or on sandwiches. Make sure you write on the packet what it is and the date. 3.    When fruit is in season buy in bulk! I also love to stew fruit, so when plums or apples or any of your favourite fruits are in season boil in a little water, drain well then freeze to have later in the year when they are more expensive to buy. Passionfruit are cheap when in season and freeze really well, just remove the pulp and freeze. Bananas also freeze well and are good for smoothies (See my delicious Banana Smoothie recipe in book 3) and banana cakes, leave the skins on, they will brown but the flesh is still perfect.
My tips for buying reduced price items:
•    When food items have a sticker saying ‘reduced to clear’ and there is still a good amount of time left on the use by date then grab as many as you can and freeze if necessary.
•    ‘Best before’ means it is better to use this food before the date on the packet but you can use it after that date.
•    When it says ‘Use by’ it must to be used by this date.

More Ways to save $$$
I often buy up big when meat is on special as it can be costly so when you see meat reduced at great prices load up and freeze.

Bread, rolls, bagels and wraps freeze successfully so when on sale grab as many as you can afford or fit into your freezer. Don’t freeze bread in the bags that they come in, it is better to put bread in a proper freezer bag if you want it to retain its quality.

Don’t waste leftovers and instead freeze them so that when you don’t feel like cooking you can reheat from the freezer rather than buying takeaway, much cheaper and healthier in the long run. Check out my Complete Recipe Index in book 6 to find out which of my recipes are suitable for freezing.

Another idea to help save you money on food is Menu Planning. By writing down what you intend to have for each meal during the week you will reduce the amount of food that goes to waste in the bottom of the fridge.