5 ways to reduce food expenses
Cottage food expenses can get out of control very quickly if we don’t set a budget and stick to it.
Simple tips to cut down on food costs at the lake
Have you ever plopped down on the couch after a big weekend at the cottage and asked yourself, “How did I spend so much money?”
Sometimes the budget is going to take a beating, that’s just part of cottage life, but there are ways to keep costs under control when we are spending time at the lake.
Here are a few suggestions:
Pack a lunch for the road trips
Pack sandwiches for the drive up to the lake and avoid the lure of the local patios and chip trucks when you stop for ice on the way to the cabin.
Don’t feed the animals
Entertain according to your financial capabilities. Neighbours always know where the best spread is laid out and if you can’t afford to feed the whole lake every weekend don’t encourage everyone to drop by for a visit.
Balance the meals
Great cottage food doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, even if you are entertaining friends and family. If steak is too pricey, go with chicken or pork for the big BBQ meal. Consider pasta, salad, and fresh fish for the remaining dinners and keep the lunches quick and light.
Minimize trips to the local store
Resist the temptation to make the quick trips into town. Most of the time we can get by without some items or we can borrow them from a neighbour. The fuel costs alone will kill the weekend budget, especially if you are at a water-access cabin.
Watch the booze and treats
An extra bottle of wine, three bags of potato chips, and the irresistible homemade fudge, pies, and butter tarts at the farmer’s market are all budget killers. Don’t give in to your temptations if you absolutely have to go into town to pick up something you forgot at home.
Need more Cottage Food Tips?
Go to the Cottage BBQ tips page for great info on how to get the most out of the BBQ at the lake.
Check out our simple and tasty cabin recipes on the Simple Cottage Meals page.
Go to the Food Poisoning Prevention page.
Go to our Planning Cottage Meals page for useful tips on how to organize the meals for a weekend at the lake.
Go to the Reducing Cottage Trash page for advice on how to keep the garbage to a minimum.
