These days, Emma Anne Alves is a successful, family lawyer and the owner of Alves Law. But Alves did not come from money. As a child, the Ontario native was taught how to stretch a dollar — specifically, by shopping smart and buying in bulk.
“I literally carried all of that with me,” Alves said, “and now that I have kids of my own, stocking up on the right staples is just how our household runs.”
So which three grocery staples did the frugal mom of two recommend bulk buying so they last for many months? She spills her budget-friendly secrets below.
Meat
Alves said a 10-pound pack of chicken thighs averages $1.80 to $2.20 per pound, while smaller packs of the same cut average $3.50 to $4.50 per pound — so the larger pack it is. Similarly, she reaches for a 5-pound roll of ground beef because it is a better buy than five, 1-pound packages.
Once home, Alves portions the meat into meal-sized containers, freezes them and has enough for four to six months.
Dried Beans and Lentils
“Black beans, red lentils and chickpeas purchased in bulk will last for two to three years in a sealed container,” Alves explained, who explained red lentils cost just $6 to $8 per 5-pound bag and cover roughly 20 meals. “There’s nothing in the grocery store that can beat that price per meal. I promise you this is a steal,” she added.
And that’s great news because her girls eat lentil soup, chickpea rice and black bean tacos on rotation.
Rolled Oats and Cream of Wheat
Alves said a 10-pound bag of rolled oats costs roughly $8 to $10, creates approximately 60 bowls and carries an entire family for three to six months! Similarly, when bought in bulk, cream of wheat costs her the same amount of money and cooks just as fast.
Pro tip: Alves advised pouring the oats into a large glass jar with a locking lid the same day you get home to prevent them from going stale.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.