With the cost of a gallon of milk as high as $4 in some areas, it is no wonder people are looking for some relief. Milk is part of a healthy diet for many people and not something most people are willing to skip, so finding ways to save on it and stretch it are important. If you need to stretch your milk supply out and find frugal ways to save money on it, take a look below at these 9 ways to stretch and save money on milk.
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Use these money saving tips and still be able to have milk as part of your grocery budget!
How To Save Money On Milk
1. Compare the prices of gallons to half gallons.
Sometimes your store may run a sale on half gallons, making them a better value than a full gallon. For example, if a gallon is $3.50 but half gallons are on sale for $1, you would do better to buy 2 half gallons than one whole gallon.
2. Use powdered milk for baking.
Most people can’t stomach the idea of powdered milk, but at the cost of just pennies per serving, it should not be overlooked. If you can’t drink powdered milk, at least try preparing it and using it in recipes. Your baked goods will taste great and the recipe will cost you less.
3. Practice portion control.
When pouring milk to drink or pouring milk into cereal, start small. Drink or eat what you can first before adding more. Many times people don’t finish the whole glass or drink the cereal milk which is a waste. Instead, start small and add later if needed.
4. Reserve milk for breakfast/dinner.
You need 8 glasses of water a day, so enjoy water at snack and lunch times. Save milk for your morning breakfast cereals and your evening meals. This way you get the calcium and water you need.
5. Try water only breakfast and bread mixes.
There are all sorts of baking mixes, pancake mixes, muffin mixes, and oatmeal mixes that only require you to add water, not milk. Buy these products so you can save your milk for drinking. The products will taste just as great and save you quite a bit since water costs pennies compared to milk.
6. Watch expiration dates.
When grabbing a gallon of milk, make sure you grab the gallon with the furthest expiration date. This way you won’t be in a huge hurry to use it and will get the most use out of it. You’ll also know it is fresh and will taste great.
7. Measure your milk.
When creating recipes or even enjoying a glass to drink, try to measure your milk. This way you aren’t adding more than you need. When drinking, you can be assured you are getting the necessary serving while still saving some for later.
8. Freeze your milk.
If you do happen upon a good deal on milk, you can buy extra and freeze it! It takes a few days to defrost, and then all you have to do is shake it after it’s thawed.
9. Shop the sales.
Look for weekly sales in stores that you don’t normally frequent. Your local gas station may have milk at a cheaper price than your normal store. Often the major drugstores will have milk on sale as well. So don’t just shop your normal grocery store for milk!
Make your milk last longer when you give these tips for stretching and saving money on milk a try!
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Strangely enough, the name brand milk in our area is $4 or so but the store brand Tom Thumb milk is usually $2.39. We used to be milk snobs and only wanted Borden’s but it’s too expensive. We really like the Tom Thumb milk. 😉
Thanks for that tip Stacey. We stopped drinking “milk” a few years ago and just use almond milk and also cashew milk now. There are usually coupons or sales for those. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great post. My household goes through sooo much milk it’s insane. I especially love no. 2. Thanks again!