Big Bite: 8 ways to cut your grocery bill

Calgary Eyeopenerfood guideJulie Van Rosendaal isa wizard in the kitchen, butknows how to save big on her groceries. Home economist Sue Spicer also understands how to stretch your food budget.

Here are theirsurefire ways of making sure the food you buy goes a long, long way.

• Big Bite: How to cut your food costs as prices go up
• Big Bite: How to combat high food prices

Learn how to cook

Van Rosendaal says if you really think a$30 cut of meat isextravagant, don't forget that youprobably spendthe same amount or more taking your family to dinner atWendy's.

She says you can save if youlearn to cookand don't take shortcuts.

"You end up spending more on pre-packaged foods pre-grated cheese, pre-chopped vegetables. Doing it yourself adds up to big savings."

Planning ahead

Home economist Sue Spicer says it's also important to getvalue for your money at the store.

Saving on your grocery bill is all about planning

9 years ago

Duration 1:00

Home economist Sue Spicer shares her experience to get more value for your money at the store.

Don't waste

Dairy products are always the first to go bad, so Van Rosendaal suggests youplan your meals so that you use up your milk and yogurt quickly.

• Food waste costs Canada $31B a year, report says

And ifyour kale or herbs start to wilt,don't be so quick to toss them.

"Cut the ends off and put them in a glass of water like a bouquet and they'll freshen right up," she said.

Alternatively, Van Rosendaal sayscan use them up in astew because "they're fine when they're cooked."

Bulk bin

Sue Spicersays knowing the virtues of whole food, shopping times and the bulk bin is a must.

Save by bulking up your shopping cart

9 years ago

Duration 1:02

Sue Spicer discusses the virtues of whole food, shopping times and the bulk bin.

Shop seasonally

Eating in season also helps.

"Andright now apples are a dollar per pound,especially if you buy them out of the big farm bins," said Van Rosendaal.

She adds thatbeans, rice and potatoes are always cheap.

"A stuffed baked potato is a wonderful thing it makes great use of leftovers, stretching a small quantity to feed a larger number of people. Try it with beef stew, curries, crumbled sausage, even leftover cooked broccoli or other veggies, topped with cheese."

Save on protein

Meat prices have skyrocketed, but home economist Sue Spicer has a few tricks up her sleeve so you don't have to become a vegetarian.

Saving on protein

9 years ago

Duration 0:50

Meat prices have skyrocketed, but home economist Sue Spicer has a few tricks up her sleeve so you don't have to become a vegetarian.

Use your leftovers

Here is a recipe for that leftover butter chicken, or other items left in your fridge,to makestuffed potatoes.Russets make the best twice-baked potatoesdue to their floury innards and thicker skin.

Wash and dry your taters, rub them with a little oil, poke with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack at about 350F for an hour. (If you want to give them a head start, pop them in the microwave for a few minutes first.)

To make a stuffed, twice-baked potato, cut as many baked potatoes as you want in half lengthwiseand scoop out the inside with a spoon, leaving about a quarter inch shell.Next putthe shells on a baking sheet and the baked potato bits into a bowl.

Add whatever ingredients you like:leftover veggies, bits of meat, crumbled bacon, cheese, sour creamor leftover butter chicken, with all its sauce.

You can mash the potato, or leave it in rough chunks, but stir everything together well don't worry about quantities, it doesn't matter as long as it tastes good! Spoon the mixture back into the shell, top with some grated cheeseand slide back into the oven for about 20 minutes.

Spicer also has some ideas forputting your cheese grater and leftovers to work.

Save on shopping: Cheese and sides

9 years ago

Duration 0:53

Here is how putting your cheese grater and left overs to work can make it easy on your pocketbook.

Shop around

Spiceralso knowsshopping around, and a little effort, goes a long way when you're pinching your pennies.

Salad dressing, fruit and pancakes

9 years ago

Duration 1:01

Home economist Sue Spicer shows how shopping around and a little effort goes a long way when you're pinching your pennies.