5 Things Worth Making From Scratch To Save Money, According to Redditors

Grocery prices are still up around 12% compared with a year ago. Since then, we've all found different ways to cope: cutting back on unnecessary purchases, trading down, buying in bulk — the list goes on. One underrated money-saving trick: making things from scratch. If that sounds daunting and you need a little inspiration, penny-pinching Redditors recently shared what they're whipping up at home to save a few bucks.

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Have a sweet tooth? Stop buying those $10 muffins from Costco and crack open a cookbook, one Redditor suggests. And if you never have time to bake (who does these days?), make a large batch of cookie dough, put it in the freezer, and voila! You've got dessert for the next six months.

Related: Ridiculously Easy Dump-and-Bake Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

When you think about it, paying a premium for a seasoning packet or spice mix doesn't make much sense. It couldn't be simpler to make your own, which gives you the added benefit of controlling how much salt, sugar, and heat you add.

Related: This Spice Rack at Costco Offers Free Refills for 5 Years — But Is It Worth It?

If you've got food scraps, then making soup is an excellent way to reduce waste and save money. (You can throw pretty much anything into a vegetable stock.) Soups also freeze well, which is why one Redditor likes to make a double batch: "one for the dinner table, one for the freezer."

Related: 30 Easy Soup Recipes That Last for Days

Given its simplicity — all you need is oats, nuts, fruits, spices, a dash of sugar, and a bit of oil — it seems silly, even "ridiculous," to buy granola from the store, according to one Redditor. Plus, once you have the granola ingredients, you're just a few steps away from homemade granola bars.

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Make your dog treats from scratch, so you know exactly what you're feeding Fido. Don't know where to start? It's easier than you think. We've compiled a variety of dog treat recipes, from cottage cheese biscuits to peanut butter treats.