Financial Blog

During our trips to the grocery store, we make it a point to list down the things we need to buy to make our run more efficient and within budget. We have pantry essentials like canned goods, dry pasta, snacks and the like; bathroom staples like shampoo and soap; and household supplies such as detergents and sponges. These items never fail to show up on our lists.

Read more: 6 Useful Budgeting Tips for Super Moms

The following items we’ve listed here are also commonly-bought, but nevertheless important to reiterate. Aside from the countless uses we get out of them, we’ll highlight some ways in which you might not have used them before. After all, getting the best bang for your buck is what saving is all about.

Go to any Filipino kitchen and you’ll surely find a bottle of vinegar. A key ingredient in classic dishes such as adobo and paksiw, and used as a delicious “sawsawan” (dipping sauce), this versatile seasoning commonly used in food preparation is also a wonderful all-around cleaner.

Aside from the regular white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a popular health food known for its amazing properties. Gargle equal parts apple cider and warm water to stop an impending sore throat, or just use it to keep bad breath at bay.

Pro-tip: To remove stubborn odors from your food containers, just swipe a cloth dampened with vinegar.

Eggs can be cooked in a variety of ways (scrambled, boiled, you name it), and is used in a lot of recipes ranging from savory to sweet. They are also great binders and extenders, imparting a rich but unobtrusive taste to your dishes. It is in this flexibility that eggs should never be gone from your pantry. Just whip up some omelets topped over rice and you have a good meal in 2 minutes.

Kept in a fridge, raw eggs can last up to a month. Cartons here in the Philippines are usually sold by the dozen, so portion according to your consumption. If nearing the expiry date, hard-boil your eggs to extend their life for a week.

Pro-tip: Egg shells are rich in calcium and magnesium. After hard-boiling eggs, let the water cool and use the nutrient-rich water for your plants.

We are a nation that loves rice. As a matter of fact, we love it so much that a meal doesn’t seem right without a cup or two (or three). Done in about 20 minutes and ready to accompany your favorite viands, rice is also relatively cheap for being so filling. Transform your rice into paella or risotto for your entrée, or make a delicious rice pudding for dessert.

Pro-tip: Dropped your phone in water? Remove the batteries and your sim card, dry with a towel, and bury the unit in a bowl of rice for 24 hours.

Easily the most adaptable form of meat, ground chicken, pork, or beef can be shaped and cooked in a variety of ways – tacos, meatballs, and lumpia just to name a few. It melds greatly with other staple pantry items, so you’re assured that you can make something fast and tasty. What’s great about ground meat is that it keeps well in the freezer, so just thaw a pack out when you need it.

Pro-tip: Pressed for a quick meal? Just sprinkle some salt and pepper on ground beef, shape into patties, and you have the makings of a great burger night.

One of the most underrated item in our kitchens, baking soda has a plethora of uses usually overlooked by the general public. Aside from being a rising agent in cookies and breads, it is also a powerful household cleaner, beauty product, deodorizer, and toy (yes, you can make modeling clay from baking soda and food color). For something so cheap and useful, this grocery item should never leave your shopping lists.

Pro-tip: Say goodbye to clogged drains with baking soda and vinegar! Just pour some hot water on the drain, then put a half cup of baking soda first followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it work its way towards the drain for a few minutes, and follow up with another round of hot water for good measure.