Saving Money on Food Series: How to Save on Grains

During the past month, I’ve posted ways to save money on food. This is the fourth and final week of the Saving Money on Food series. If you missed the other parts of this series, read about how to save on meat, dairy, and produce. This week gives ideas to save money on grains.

1. Watch for Sales
Once or twice a year, there will be a great sale on items such as flour, rice, pasta, oats, cereal, and more. When these items reach their “rock bottom price” meaning the lowest price you’ll see them in the store, then purchase enough to last you until the next sale.

2. Buy in Bulk
Many times, purchasing wheat, flour, rice, and oats in bulk will save you money in the long run. Shop at places such as WinCo, Sam’s Club, or Costco to pick up bulk items since their prices are good. With the volume of bulk they sell, you know these items are regularly rotated and fresh. 

3. Buy at a Bakery Outlet
Head to a bakery outlet and purchase bread that is nearing the date it needs to be sold. Buy a bunch to place in your fridge and then some to freeze. When you start to run low on bread, just grab one from the freezer to thaw.

4. Freeze It
Bags of flour can be stored in the freezer to maintain freshness. And as I mentioned above, bread can be frozen too. If you have leftover rice from a rice cooker, freeze it rather than throwing it out by placing it in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. It will keep for months, and when you are ready to use it, just place it in the microwave with a little bit of water or heat it up on the stove. 

5. Grind Your Own Wheat
If you use a large amount of flour, then consider purchasing a wheat grinder to make your own flour. I love adding in my own whole wheat flour to recipes because it is more healthy for my family. 

6. Make Your Own Bread and Breakfasts
It takes a little more time, but consider making your own bread. For those of you with a bread machine, it is easy to throw ingredients into the machine in the morning. For those of you (like me) without a bread machine, schedule time during the week to make bread to save a little extra money.

Check out these breakfast and bread recipes such as granola cereal, whole wheat waffles, banana crumb muffins, granola bars, and more to make at home.

What do you do to save money on grains?Here are more ways to save money on food:
Saving Money on Food Series: How to Save on Meat
Saving Money on Food Series: How to Save on Dairy
Saving Money on Food Series: How to Save on Produce
Saving Money on Food Series: How to Save on Grains