Our expenses for commodities are increasing, which is why we all look for ways to save money. One of the most popular ways is to do things ourselves. There are DIY greenhouse kits, furniture, clothes, and a whole lot of do-it-yourself ideas out there.
Others would also give tips, such as recycling items, reusing your belongings, and cutting down on items you don’t need.
These pieces of advice apply to running our kitchen, too.
If you search for or ask around about money-saving tips in the kitchen, here are what you would probably get:
- Plan your meals. If you do this, you’ll know what ingredients to buy for the entire week or month.
- Make your own food. We all know that restaurant food is more expensive than home-cooked meals.
- Use coupons or buy items on sale. More discounts mean more savings.
- Reduce meat consumption. Meat is relatively more expensive than vegetables, so reducing meat intake will save you more money.
- Eat clean leftovers. Whether you are merely reheating them or cooking up something entirely different using the leftovers, it’s money saving.
- Buy food in their season. Fruits and vegetables out of season are generally more expensive, so you need to wait until they are in demand again.
All of these can help cut down on your expenses, but we forget one fundamental part:
Growing our own food
Meal planning, using coupons, cooking your own food won’t match up to growing your own produce. These practices still require you to spend money. Doing the latter means you get to eat for free for the rest of your life. Books and the Internet will tell you how it’s done.
Make your own garden
If you have enough space in your backyard for a garden, then plant your own vegetables.
Just be mindful of the soil type and climate in your place. Some vegetables are sensitive to certain climate type, so you better do some research beforehand. There are climate zone maps available online if you are not sure about the type of climate you have in your area.
Use empty pots or cans
Urban dwellers may find backyard gardening a bit of a challenge because they don’t have a backyard, to begin with. A good alternative is window gardening using empty cans or pots. Just take note of what you can plant in a small space. Some plants, particularly root crops, require bigger containers because they grow underneath.
Use DIY greenhouse kits
If you live in a place with unpredictable weather, a greenhouse is what you need. The temperature in a greenhouse is controlled and is not much affected by external factors. Some greenhouse kits also offer solar self-sufficiency, making it easier for you to raise sun-dependent crops in cold weather.
Another advantage of getting a greenhouse is that your plants are protected from pests and other harmful elements. In contrast, you can keep friendly insects inside the greenhouse. They help your plants grow healthier.
Cutting down on expenses in all aspects of our lives is essential. But why settle for discounts when you can get a lot of things for free? Gardening at home is one of the best ways to save money. In addition, you’re assured that you’re getting the freshest ingredients for your meals.
