You can trim the cost of your meal prep when you use store brand products in recipes instead of the pricier, name brand products.

For example, if a casserole calls for a cream soup, pick up a store brand can instead of a name brand and save 30% or more on the cost of the soup.  Substitute store brand flour, sugar, or butter in recipes.  Consider store brand cheeses or other dairy products to add to your meals.

Then save your grocery money for those items in your recipe that need to be a stand out (like good quality meats and fresh fruits and veggies).

You’ll find that you don’t notice much difference in taste when switching to store brands for the basic ingredients in a recipe.  But you will notice you have more money in your wallet.

Check out our other cheap tricks to help you save time and money and be sure to share your own cheap trick with us.  You just might see it end up in a future Cheap Trick post!