Always something very satisfying when I can combine healthy with thrifty. I had slipped into the habit of buying pre-prepared fruit for the children. It made packed lunches easy in the morning. They love melon, pineapples and grapes, so buying a pack of these was quick and made life easy.
The down side is that these packs don’t last long. Once packed lunches are sorted, I’d leave the rest of the container out for breakfast, as it would be past its best soon. The children love it and they eat lots of fruit, but buying fruit like this adds up.
A couple of months ago, I altered my shopping list. Now I’m getting the whole fruit and cutting it up. I stagger the fruit cutting through the week to keep it fresh and store the cut up fruit in the fridge. The children can help themselves whenever they are hungry and they do!
This is saving me about £7 a week, plus we have more fruit. (I know, bizarre when you read it like that) Sounds simple and I wish every shopping change, I made, would save me £364 a year. (….just taking a moment to think what I would do with £364….) And still result in more. Plus it saves on packaging. Another step in my “becoming a greener me” project. I need to reassess my shopping buying habits more often. So easy to slip into lazy habits.
Linking up with Charley’s inspiring #AlphabetPhoto Linky. My F is for fruit. Lots and lots of lovely, yummy fruit.
Also linking to #ThriftyThursday linky over at Cold Tea & Smelly Nappies Pop on over and check out some more money saving ideas.
PS. Thought I would just add that I still love these pre-prepared fruit from the shops. Perfect snack choice when out and about. Just not for packed lunches when I can be more prepared.
Oh I know what you mean, it’s easier I guess if you have a big family unlike mine… There’s only three of us! With left-over fruit, how about making smoothies? 😉 #alphabetphoto
They devour it so quickly that I’m not sure it would ever make it to the smoothie maker! Nice idea, though.
My 3 always help themselves to the whole stuff but thinking chopped up pieces would go down well too
I love it when they ask if they can help themselves to fruit. This way it’s ready and waiting in the fridge. 🙂
Great post and I love this for F. Lucas is a HUGE fruit fiend and I’ve started chopping up our own as I agree – more for your money and doesn’t cost as much! Great post :0 #alphabetphoto
I was amazed when I figured out how much I could save and how much more fruit I could serve up.
Grace says – I am loving this. We are currently eating very healthily at home so this is one of my favourite reads this week. We love fruit – it’s so yummy 🙂 #alphabetphoto
We love fruit too. Having it cut up and prepared makes it a really convenient snack to have on hand. Lovely comment. Made my day! Thank you.
£7 a week is a great amount to save. It all adds up. I can’t wait until September when both of mine are having school dinners, no more pack lunches to make! Yay Do you ever freeze any of the fruit that you cut up? Thank you for sharing on #ThriftyThursday
So far I don’t buy more than we will consume, but I can see the benefit of bulk buying and freezing. In the summer, when we have a fruit glut, we do freeze. I have a big freezer! Mostly berries and currants. Apples in the Autumn. I’d love to learn how to can fruit, as it would cut the ongoing electricity cost required. I have tried, but didn’t trust the outcome. One day.
Oh you are completely right about this. I’ve also started buying fruit and veg twice a week, so it stays fresh, but just in smaller portions.
Definitely the way to go. Makes it so easy for them to opt for fruit if its fresh and accessible.
My three would eat fruit until they turned in to it, so I do this too 🙂 Great F x
I think mine would too.
Great tip – I do the same #ThriftyThursday
Good to be back in the habit.
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