What I’ve Stopped Buying and Make at Home to Save Money
- Cosy & Merry
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
What I’ve Stopped Buying (and Make at Home Instead)
With the cost of groceries going up, I’ve found myself simplifying what I buy and relying more on a few things I can easily make at home.
I’m not making everything from scratch or spending hours in the kitchen — just a handful of simple swaps that save money and work well for our family.
Here are a few things I’ve stopped buying regularly, and what I make instead.
1. Bread, wraps, and bagels
These are things we use all the time, so making them at home just makes sense.
Bread, tortilla wraps, and even bagels are all fairly simple to make, and much cheaper when you’re feeding a family. I don’t make them perfectly — just simple, everyday versions that do the job.
Easy Peasy Bread Loafs
Cranberry & Lemon Zest Bagels
Easy Flour Tortilla Wraps
2. Granola
Granola is one of those things that can get expensive quickly.
I make a simple version using oats, nuts, seeds, and whatever I have on hand. It’s much more affordable and easy to adjust depending on what we have in the pantry.
Golden Cluster Granola
3. Pesto and simple extras
Instead of buying jars, I make things like pesto, hummus, and caramelised onions at home.
They’re easy to make, freeze well in small portions, and add a lot of flavour to simple meals without needing extra ingredients.
Easy Walnut Pesto
Easy Cheat Hummus
Caramelised Onions
4. Fermented foods like sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is something I now make myself rather than buying.
It’s surprisingly simple and much cheaper, and it’s a good way to add something different to meals without spending more.
5. Pizza and burgers
Rather than buying ready-made versions or takeaways, I make simple pizzas and burgers at home.
Using basic ingredients like flour, passata, and whatever toppings we have, it’s much more affordable and works just as well for a family meal.
Veggie Greek Burgers
6. Seasonings and sauces
I’ve mostly stopped buying jars of sauces and seasoning mixes.
Instead, I make simple versions at home — things like taco seasoning, pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or even a basic mole-style sauce for enchiladas.
Using pantry staples like passata, spices, and a few basics, it’s cheaper and means I know exactly what’s going into our meals.
Easy Taco Mix
Easy Mole Sauce
None of this is about doing everything from scratch.
It’s just a few simple changes that have helped lower our grocery bill, reduce how much we rely on packaged foods, and make everyday meals a bit more flexible.
Even starting with one or two swaps can make a difference over time.
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