One of the biggest challenges I hear from people when they initially try to go gluten-free is that it is too expensive.
I get it.
You can pick up a loaf of regular sliced bread, baked that day in your local supermarket for $1.80, while a loaf of gluten-free bread is $7.00! Or during the holidays, you can pick up a 9 pack of regular Christmas Fruit Mince Pies for $3.00, but the gluten-free ones are $6.00 a packet, and you get 3 less pies!
Then when you take into consideration the fact that many of the self-professed gluten-free “gurus” are telling you that you have to eat exclusively 100% pasture-raised, grass-fed meat and strictly organic fruit and vegetables, it’s quite simply out of the reach of every day families. And that’s before you even think about being able to access this kind of produce.
The reality is, as always, I find that common sense prevails. So long as you do the best you can with what you have, you are making the right decision. Obviously you want to buy the best quality you can afford, so it’s worth finding a few ways to cut excess expenses so that you can have the occasional splurge – like a packet or two of fruit mince pies at Christmas, or to be able to buy a better quality cut of meat throughout the year.
Here are my top 7 money saving tips for going gluten-free so that you can spend a little more on what’s important to you and your family.

1. JERF – Avoid packets & processed foods

JERF. Just Eat Real Food.
It sounds simple because it is.
You’d be amazed how much money you can save my drinking water instead of soft drink. Instead of putting mini packets of chips or biscuits in your kids’ lunch boxes, give them a piece of fruit or some veggie sticks. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be improving their overall health, and reducing your own waistline. It’s a win-win situation!

2. Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is the easiest way to be able to afford good quality meat. You will need to invest in a freezer initially, but you’ll save the money you spend on it within a matter of months – and you’ll be eating better quality meat.
If you live in the country, you can often buy “dressed” animals direct from the farmer. Dressed simply means that it has been butchered and will be ready for you in all of your regular cuts. So if for example, you buy a hind-quarter of beef, you’re not going to get a quarter of a cow in one enormous hunk. It’s going to be cut up into roasts, steaks, and so on. Often you can even request specific cuts. We also buy pork like this.
If you don’t live near any farms, you can usually bulk order from your butcher. Most city butchers still sell sides of lamb – already cut up into those luscious little medallion chops and with a roast or two included.
The savings are amazing. We can buy organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised beef like this for $12-$15 per kilo. That’s not much more than you’d pay for a packet of mince in the supermarket, let alone a decent steak!

3. Cook from Scratch

Learn to cook, and the world is at your fingertips.
Literally.
You can have Spanish for dinner one night, and be on the sub-continent the next!
The important thing to remember here is that dinner doesn’t have to be a gastronomic event. Masterchef might be fun to watch on tv for some light entertainment, but honestly, that’s not what you need to be doing in the kitchen every night!
Keep it simple, be sensible with your portions, and you’ll be amazed at how a little can go a long way. Australians have one of the highest meat consumption rates in the world, but ironically, your body can only absorb 25 grams of protein per sitting. That the equivalent of approximately 100g of chicken or beef or 150g of white fish. Measure it out next time you’re in the kitchen. You’ll be amazed at how small a portion it actually is!
Then bulk up the meal with veggies. Stirfry’s, curries and casseroles are great ways to make a little meat go a long way.

4. Meal Plan

Meal Planning is a busy Mum’s best friend.
BFFs all the way!
It saves you time, it saves you money, and above all, it saves your sanity!
And if you still can’t be bothered, I’ll do it for you!
Seriously though, it means you only have to fight your way through the supermarket once a week, you don’t have to agonise over what to cook for dinner every night, and when you get in the kitchen to cook, you already have everything you need ready and waiting for you.

5. Grow a Herb Garden

This is my favourite of all my money saving tips, because it’s fun!
Gardening is a great way to unwind, and it’s now been shown that gardening improves your microbiome (the good bacteria in your gut) from having your hands in the soil!
My favourite part of the day is in late summer, when the warm evening breeze is blowing and I’m in the garden watering my herbs, and their beautiful fragrances waft up as the water hits them. It’s almost ethereal!
But back to reality, if you have a herb garden, even just 2 or 3 potted plants, you can liven up every meal with a fresh garnish, and you’ll save a ton of money! You can buy a punnet of herb seedlings for the same price as a small sleeve of herbs in the supermarket, and they will bring you at the bare minimum, weeks of freshness, if not months or years depending on the variety!

6. Batch Cook

Batch cooking ties in really well with buying in bulk and meal planning.
Shop and cook once, eat two or three times.
When you bulk buy, you have plenty of meat in the freezer ready to go.
When you meal plan, you can make a double batch of a curry, eat one portion that night and freeze the remainder for another night when you know you’ll be getting home late and won’t have time (or the inclination!) to cook. And let’s face it, we all have nights like that…regularly!

7. Support Your Local Farmer’s Market

I love this tip because by saving money, you’re helping other families!
Farmer’s markets are a fantastic place to buy your fresh fruit and veggies. They are straight from the farm and you’re supporting local small businesses. Not only that, they are usually fresher than what you’ll find in the supermarket, often better quality, and there is usually a much larger variety to choose from.
It’s also a fun day out, and a great way to get your kids thinking about healthy foods.
Seriously, why wouldn’t you?

So there you have it.
Seven great ways to save money even if you are eating gluten-free. Best of all, they’ll work if you’re dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free, nightshade-free, or even if you have no food restrictions whatsoever!
If you eat, follow these tips, and you’ll save money!
If you are about to go gluten-free and feel completely overwhelmed, or you’ve tried, but just can’t seem to manage to pull it all together, pop your details in the box below. I’m opening my 6 weeks to gluten & dairy-free course in just a couple of weeks, and I’ll be sure you’re the first to know when it’s available.
I’ve got all the tips, techniques and sneaky ideas to make the transition smooth, stress-free, affordable and tasty (no cardboard flavoured gluten-free products I promise!!!)

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Fuss-free Gluten-free Breakfast

Stuck with ideas for quick and yummy breakfasts now that toast and cereal are out the window?

I’ve got you covered with over two week’s worth of sweet and savoury delights that are sure to inspire your mornings.

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