Homemade food is coming back, and that’s good for your family and your budget! Still, it’s important to take advantage of the modern conveniences you have at your disposal. Make the most of your time in the kitchen by knowing what to make and what to buy!
Of course much of this is subjective. If you enjoy making something, then go for it!
What to Make
Salad Dressing
Salad dressing is truly one of the easiest food items you can make yourself, and making it yourself can save you a ton of money! Start with oil and vinegar and season to your liking. It only takes a minute or two.
Bread
With the popularity of the breadmaker, there’s no reason to not make your own bread. Once you find the perfect recipe for your family, it’s simple to just throw the ingredients in your breadmaker and let it go.
Applesauce
If you can find a few minutes to slice up a bag of apples and throw them in a pot on the stove or the slowcooker, you have time for homemade applesauce that is far better than anything you could get at the store. This is also perfect for using up fruit that is a little past it’s prime.
Ice Cream
An ice cream maker is an inexpensive appliance that can make the creamiest, most delicious treat you’ve ever had! As a bonus, this is a fun project to do with kids. This tip is especially true for those who eat dairy-free ice cream since you can pay up to $5 a pint for it.
Try Frugal Living Mom’s easy Sugar Free Chocolate Almond Crunch Ice Cream. It takes minutes!
What to Buy
Yogurt
Yes, you can make your own yogurt with milk and time. But it’s a labor-intensive process that may not yield the creamy yogurt you love. Find a good quality yogurt, buy it and spend your time elsewhere! If you are going to make yogurt though, I think these would be the easiest way to do it.
Crackers
It might seem like crackers are a good thing to make. But if you don’t get the dough just right, you end up with dry, tasteless snacks that no one wants. On top of that they are very time consuming for only a few crackers. In general, picking up a box of Ritz is a better bet in most cases!
Try our Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Chips for a fun new experience.
Butter
Making your own butter is one of those tasks that may actually cost you money rather than saving you money. It might be a fun one time thing, but it’s not going to save you money.
Cheese
Cheesemaking may be a fun hobby, but if you’re trying to save money and time, it may be easier to simply hit the cheese aisle at the grocery store.
What’s your favorite item to make at home? Is there anything you refuse to make?
This Post Contains Affiliate Links - Disclosure Policy
Comments