One of the first principles you will learn while budgeting is eliminating anything that isn’t a necessity. If you’re creating monthly meal plans, you will probably stick to the basics that you are already familiar with, such as spaghetti dinners and bacon and eggs for breakfast. So, what can you do when you’re trying to explore new continents and feel that your diet needs more international variety? Do what online master of science in taxation students at Northeastern University do when they cook meals after class – experiment.
Figure out what your favorite ingredients are and then find international dishes that make them a staple. If you can’t get enough cumin, go over to Mexico and start working on your classic enchilada recipe. Head over to the Caribbean and buy more fish so that you can grill, stew, and fry your meals to perfection. Here’s how international food fans can create a budget for their foreign meal excursions without spending too much.
You Can Always Find Foods on Sale
Unless you have some sort of obsession with truffles, nearly any ingredient you want to cook up can be found on discount. Note that seasonal items might be priced at a premium if you go into a chain grocery store, but specialty international items can also be purchased at ethnic food stores. Use your coupons, go to multiple grocery stores so that you can get everything you need on sale, and stop by a farmer’s market if you are looking for prices that can’t be beaten. After seeing what the average price of exotic food items is in your area, you can adjust your monthly food budget easily.
Make Extra and Freeze It for Later
Want to get a taste of exotic foods whenever you get a craving? Make an extra-large sized portion of your Puerto Rican arroz con pollo and put whatever you don’t eat for dinner in the freezer so that it is easier to heat up and serve again later. For people who have super busy schedules and are studying for master in taxation programs, cooking large meals and portioning them out for later consumption is one of the best ways to budget.
Host an International Food Potluck
You can get a taste of all the international flavors you desire all at once by hosting an international potluck with friends and neighbors. Make just one dish that makes you feel like are across the sea and then take a bite of spicy sushi made by a potluck attendee to dart off to a different land. Potlucks are cost effective and they can also satisfy international food cravings in a cinch.
Treat yourself to delicious plantains, sumptuous plates filled with traditional Hungarian beef stroganoff, or take a sip of a savory Ethiopian coffee blend without endangering your monthly food budget. Sometimes you’ll need to wait until particular food items are in season to get the best deals, but you can enjoy exotic international foods all year long with just a little extra effort.