7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
June 14, 2016
Although I absolutely love cooking meals for my family, I do like to be efficient and economical in the kitchen. Saving time & money is always a good thing, if you ask me! Today, I’ll be sharing 7 different ways you can save time & money in the kitchen. From Hefty Ultra Strong trash bags to freezing herbs for later use, keep reading for smart tips!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
1. Hefty Ultra Strong trash bags:
When it comes to containing the everyday mess in a strong, durable bag, nothing compares to Hefty Ultra Strong! I love its scent and affordability! It’s even offered at a new, lower price now!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Did you know that Hefty Ultra Strong trash bags contain Arm & Hammer odor neutralizers? Plus, the lovely, invigorating scents really help keep odors at bay. There’s also a scent-free option if you prefer that!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
These trash bags feature tear-resistant technology so they’re more durable than ever!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Be sure to head to Walmart or Target to pick up some #HeftyUltraStrong trash bags. Before you head out, be sure to take advantage of this fabulous deal via Ibotta! You can earn $1.00 cash back via Ibotta after purchasing one box of Hefty trash bags- click here for the details. Or you can print coupons online at Coupons.com here to save $1.00 off one box of Hefty trash bags!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
2. Freezing herbs:
How many times have you needed some mint (or another herb) for a recipe and only used a little bit of it? Then, you forgot about it and it spoiled in the refrigerator. Avoid that fate by always freezing your herbs. You can freeze them in oil or water. I recently bought a bunch of mint to make Mint Lemonade. I simply chopped up the mint and added a small amount into little ice cubes.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
I topped it with some water and popped the tray in the freezer.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
A few hours later, I had mint ice cubes. I can place these inside a zippered freezer bag and always have mint available!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
3. Meal Planning:
We love planning our meals whenever possible. We usually only plan meals on weekdays and leave the weekends off for some variability and spontaneity. On a weekend, we might eat out or visit family or friends. Planning out your meals only takes a few minutes and then when you go shopping for the week’s groceries, you can be sure to buy what you need for the week’s meals.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Bonus Tip: To save even more money, consider planning out your week’s meals according to your supermarket’s sales circular. Is tilapia on sale this week? How about some Spicy Fish Tacos? In this way, you will save even more money by buying groceries that are on sale.
4. Re-growing veggies:
Creating a vegetable garden in your yard is a great way to have an abundance of fresh produce at your disposal. You can grow everything from lettuce to tomatoes and more. However, if you have no room for a full garden, you can still re-grow some veggies on your kitchen counter top. Simply place the onions (root side down) in a few inches of water. Here’s what the onions looked like after only a few hours.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Here’s what the onions looked like after about 12 hours. Imagine if you had a whole bunch of these growing!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
5. Frozen fruits/veggies:
One way I save time and money every week is by using frozen fruits and vegetables. I love having frozen peaches, frozen cherries, frozen broccoli, frozen peas and more always available. You don’t have to deal with washing, cutting and prepping the food. It’s all ready to be cooked! And since most frozen food is harvested & frozen at peak ripeness, much of the original vitamins & minerals are preserved. I can pour out some frozen peas into a bowl.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
And only a few minutes later in the microwave, I have a healthy, nutritious side dish that will complement any protein for dinner!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
6. Produce storage:
When it comes to storing fruits and vegetables, there is definitely a right and wrong way to do things. Keep these tips in mind to maximize the amount of time your produce will stay fresh.
- Keep produce in perforated plastic bags in the produce drawer. Simply pierce the bags with holes.
- Keep fruits & veggies separate since the ethylene gas can facilitate spoilage.
- Store herbs upright in a glass of water.
- Avoid washing veggies until it’s time to use them. Keeping them as dry as possible will keep them fresh & crisp longer.
7. Homemade iced coffee:
Enjoy a daily cup of joe? Skip the local coffee shop and create an at-home coffee station. Stock it with all the essentials you’ll need to make a delicious cup of coffee: coffee maker, sugar, syrup, cinnamon, cocoa powder, stirrers and more. By keeping everything contained in one area, you can save time from running all over the kitchen to find the items you need for a yummy cup of coffee (or tea or hot chocolate).
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Bonus Tip: Enjoy iced coffee? Freeze some extra coffee in long ice cube molds.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
When you’re ready to ice your coffee, you can slip these long iced coffee cubes into a to-go bottle.
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
Sipping iced coffee on-the-go has never been easier or more delicious!
7 Brilliant Tips to Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Hefty, be sure to check out @Hefty on Twitter and @Hefty on Facebook.
I hope these tips have helped you save some time & money in the kitchen. Now, I’d love to hear from you! How can Hefty Ultra Strong trash bags make your life easier in the kitchen? What tricks do you use to save time when prepping food?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I agree with you that meal planning is probably one of the best ways to save money. I need to get back on the wagon and meal plan again.
It’s easy and fun to plan it out ahead of time. Makes prepping dinner during the week a breeze!
We are trying to regrow vegetables at my house too. We started with lettuce. My windowsill looks like a garden center but I am excited for the results.
That’s so exciting! Good luck with the garden, Katrina!
I love saving money! This is a great article, I try to do some of these already. And yes, we only drink iced coffee, form the home brew! I cannot see wasting money in the stores!
Yes, with the right tools, making iced coffee at home is easy!
These are all great tips, thanks for sharing! Looks like Hefty helps in many ways!
I’m liking your tips. I should try to freeze some herbs like that! I always have extra.
I have an herb garden, that grows far more than we can eat. I love the freezing fresh herbs. I will definitely use that tip.
An herb garden would be a fabulous addition to any yard.
I have my own herb garden, so I love using fresh herbs from it in the summer. I always freeze my herbs like you suggested when I have an excess! It’s great to have home grown herbs in the winter.
I’d love to start an herb garden in my yard. Maybe next year!
Great tips! I’ve never froze herbs or anything before, but i think its a great idea. instead of letting them go to waste which i am sometimes very guilty of.
I do meal planning as well and it really does save time and money. I will have to try these other tips as well.
These really are brilliant! I hate cutting up herbs and never use them up before they go bad.
These are great money saving tips ideas for the kitchen. I love the tip about regrowing the onions. Thanks for sharing these tips.
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Saving money and time in the kitchen is definitely something that I am always trying to do! Thanks so much for all the awesome tips.
Could these tips be any more awesome! Definitely agree with the trash part, secondly the herb idea is excellent. Never thought of it but definitely will be trying it.
I’m all about saving time and money. These are brilliant tips you’ve shared with us.
Great tips. Will be trying them. thanks for sharing
Homemade ice coffee is so much cheaper and healthier than store bought! It’s so easy to make too
These are all great tips! I’ve never froze herbs or anything before, but i think its a great idea.
Never thought to freeze herbs like that before, such a lovely idea. Thanks for sharing
Very cool ideas. Definitely going to try freezing my herbs.