Meal prepping isn’t just for fitness fanatics.
In fact, loads of savvy spenders have been using the technique for years to saved time during the week and cut down their bills.
Tara Goble, 50, a school cook from Kent and a mum of two, says she has been meal prepping for 15 years, which saves her £60 a month.
She worked out that in this time, she’s saved a whopping £10,800.
Tara told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘I’ve prepped food for the freezer since my children were small and I worked evenings in a supermarket, so they had a nice quick dinner before I went, so I’ve been batch cooking for about 15 years.
‘I batch cook minced beef that I like to buy (better quality and leaner) when it’s on offer for 3 for £10. I make a basic bolognese, turn some into lasagne and cannelloni, and add mixed beans and chilli to make chilli con carne.
‘Some mince gets made into cottage pies (our favourite) and I buy seasonings when they are on offer.
‘I bulk buy chicken and make curries, cut some into strips, add mixed peppers and red onion and freeze in individual bags to add to stir fry or make fajitas or enchiladas.’
Tara says that batch cooking doesn’t just save her money, but time, too. She labels each tub for the freezer with what it is and the date to keep track.
‘For the sake of spending one afternoon prepping it saves so much time several days a week when you have a go-to dinner,” she explains.
‘I’d definitely recommend it – I usually prep one afternoon every other weekend.’
Tara stores most of the food in foil trays which she bought from Aldi, which cost £8 for 100. Some can go in plastic boxes, but the items that will be reheated in the oven need to be kept in the metal trays.
‘I cook in a school for my job so I don’t always want to start cooking again when I get home, and I prefer to know exactly what has gone into my meals,’ says Tara.
‘I have one shelf in the freezer with all my full tubs in and it’s great when you have visitors and can dish up a lovely meal without spending hours in the kitchen!’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/21/meal-prepping-mum-says-clever-budgeting-saved-10000-12277431/
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