Smart Food Cost‑Cutting Strategies for Every Lifestyle

Beginner | October 9, 2025

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Eat Well, Spend Less: Food Cost‑Cutting Strategies for Every Lifestyle

We all know food costs have been going up lately. On October 7, 2025, The Epoch Times published a helpful piece called “Food Cost‑Cutting Strategies for Every Lifestyle” by Mary Hunt. (theepochtimes.com) The article gives practical food cost cutting strategies you can use no matter your schedule or diet.

Plan Ahead to Save More

First, Mary suggests planning your meals weekly. That means writing a short grocery list, checking what you already have, and avoiding impulse buys. She also recommends choosing store brands instead of name brands—those little savings add up. These food cost cutting strategies work best when you make them part of your weekly routine. (theepochtimes.com)

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Another tip: cook in larger batches and freeze portions. If you make extra soup, stir‑fry, or rice once, you can use it again instead of cooking from scratch every day. She also mentions using simple, whole foods (like beans, oats, vegetables) because they cost less per meal. These simple food cost cutting strategies are easy to apply at home. (theepochtimes.com)

Waste Less, Save More

Mary also encourages people to track food waste. If leftovers or ingredients go bad, you lose money. So use up what you buy, freeze extras, and turn scraps into soups or stir-fry ingredients. (theepochtimes.com)

These ideas don’t require giving up your favorite meals. Instead, they ask you to shift habits—shop smart, cook smart, waste less—to make real savings.

Vocabulary

impulse buy (noun) – something you purchase without planning.
Example: “He made an impulse buy on snacks when walking through the store.”
portion (noun) – the amount of food served for one meal.
Example: “He froze a portion for later.”
batch (noun) – a quantity made all at once.
Example: “She cooked a big batch of curry to last several days.”
freeze (verb) – to put food in the freezer so it keeps longer.
Example: “Freeze extra soup for busy evenings.”
whole foods (noun) – foods that are unprocessed or minimally processed.
Example: “Vegetables, beans, and rice are common whole foods.”
track (verb) – to monitor or follow something over time.
Example: “Track your spending each week.”
leftover (noun) – food remaining from a previous meal.
Example: “We had leftovers for lunch today.”
scrap (noun) – a small piece or bit left over.
Example: “Use vegetable scraps for stock.”
habit (noun) – a regular practice or routine.
Example: “Waking early is her morning habit.”
shift (verb) – to change or move from one thing to another.
Example: “We need to shift our priorities.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Which of Mary Hunt’s food cost cutting strategies would you try first, and why?
How might planning meals weekly help reduce food costs?
What challenges might someone face when trying to reduce food waste?
Do you already use any strategies (batch cooking, freezing) in your own life? Share an example.
Which tip seems hardest to follow, and what could help make it easier?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do food prices tend to rise faster than other costs?
How does food waste contribute to both personal expense and environmental damage?
What role do supermarkets and food producers play in keeping food costs high or low?
In Korea (or your country), what local foods or markets might help reduce costs?
Can technology or apps help people save money on groceries? How?

Related Idiom

“Penny wise, pound foolish.”

Meaning: Being careful about small expenses but careless with larger ones.
Application: If you cut tiny costs (like choosing store brands) but waste large amounts of food, you’re being penny wise, pound foolish.

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This article was inspired by The Epoch Times’ “Food Cost‑Cutting Strategies for Every Lifestyle.” (theepochtimes.com)