Eating well on a budget is often associated with the need to cook every meal from scratch, but let’s face it — not everyone has the time or inclination to be a home chef all the time. So, what are the alternatives? We’ve approached financial experts for their best strategies to maintain a budget while still enjoying the convenience of less frequent cooking.

One of the key recommendations is to focus on “smart shopping.” This means being strategic about where and when you shop. Financial experts suggest visiting grocery stores or markets later in the day when you might snag discounted prepared foods that need to be sold by the end of business hours. Similarly, lookout for specials at local delis and supermarkets; sometimes, pre-packaged meals can be just as cost-effective as cooking from scratch, especially if there’s a buy-one-get-one-free offer.

Another tip is to embrace leftovers in a new way. Rather than cooking full meals every day, consider preparing one substantial dish at the beginning of the week and reinventing it over several days. For example, roast a chicken and use it for sandwiches, salads, and stir-fries throughout the week. This strategy relies on creativity but minimizes both your time in the kitchen and your overall food expenses.

Meal planning also comes highly recommended but with a twist — plan your meals around promotions and discounts at your local eateries. Many restaurants offer weekly deals on certain days. By planning your eating-out schedule based on these deals, you can enjoy a variety without breaking the bank.

Don’t overlook the power of coupons and loyalty programs either. Sign up for newsletters and loyalty programs at eateries you frequent to take advantage of exclusive discounts and point accumulation that can lead to free meals. Combining coupons with already low prices can mean dining out or getting takeaways within your budget range.

Financial gurus also suggest leveraging technology by using apps that offer cashback, rewards, or discounts on eating out. Some services aggregate these offers making it easy to find options that fit your budget.

Finally, joining supper clubs or starting one yourself can provide regular opportunities to dine socially without shouldering all the food preparation yourself. Each member takes turns hosting and cooking which keeps costs down and introduces variety into your diet without requiring daily cooking.

By approaching eating on a budget with these expert-backed strategies – shopping smartly, planning meals creatively around discounts, taking advantage of coupons and loyalty programs, using tech-savvy apps, and participating in supper clubs – you’ll find it entirely possible to maintain an exciting and varied diet without spending every evening behind the stove.