It sure seems like our money leaves our hands quicker these days. I don't have many bills, except the basic stuff - so I tend to buy what I want/need at the grocery. I do like a special treat now and then, and well shoot - I love food!
That being said - I still do not want to waste my money or my food. I want it all to go as far as possible. I want to be a good steward of what I have.
So today - a few tips, again hopefully helping anyone new and just starting on their journey and for those of us who tend to get complacent at times.
- First, cook from home and from scratch if possible. Stay away from take-out and restaurants. They are fine now and then - but don't make it a regular, daily thing
- Use up everything. If you have things that are looking droopy or soggy - use them up. Do not waste. Old apples, make fried apples. Carrots getting limp, add to soup.......
- Plan your menus. Copy a page from the calendar and write down your meals for the month/week. Incorporate all leftovers in some way. Use what is on sale.
- Take lunches to work - no daily eating out. You can easily spend $10 a day for lunches - that is $200 a month!
- All coffee and drinks from home. Stop the coffee runs - that stuff is so stinking expensive. You can make several pots of coffee for the price of one cup purchased.
- Make your others drinks at home. Make tea or Kool-Aid, drink water. Add lemon, line, or cucumber to water for a bit of fresh flavor
- Eat less meat! You don't need a huge piece of meat for every meal. Palm size portions are plenty - if that. Incorporate the meat into soups or casseroles - make meat a side, not a main course.
- Shop sales and seasonal. Watch the deals and stock up then. Sales come around every so many weeks on certain items. Keep watch and learn the pattern in your area. Buy seasonal foods, as foods out of season are more expensive.
- Stock up as cheaply as you can. Look for the deals and take advantage
- Use those store digital coupons - you can get some really good prices this way
- Use your pantry first!!!!!!! YES, shop at home first. I bet you each have food in the pantry and freezer - that can be used this week, instead of buying new. That is one reason we stock up!! Find those off-beat items in the pantry and do something fun with them.
- Use cookbooks, the internet, Pinterest, etc. for easy and cheap recipes. There are so many creative ideas out there to use what you have.
Use a site like this - list what you have and it gives you ideas of recipes. No waste this way.
- Always compare pricing. Not one store has the best deals. Look at the ads and see what is on sale.
- Shop the clearance areas in the stores. Most stores have clearance in each dept. and often a whole section some place. Get the marked down items when you can
- Make some of your own "grow"ceries. Grow anything that you can - in a garden, flower bed, pot, whatever. Even if you just grow herbs - it is saving you $
- Eat healthier. I know I hear all the comments - I can't afford eating healthy. Can you afford not to? Unhealthy eating can lead to medical issues - that costs a lot more than decent food. Cut out the snacks and junk, and buy more fruit and veggies - even if frozen.
- Shop less - don't shop every week. Use your stock in between. Learn to improvise things. Run out of something, use something else. Not need for those many 'quick' trips to the store. They end up costing a lot!!!!!!
There are many, many ways to cut the grocery dollars. Get creative and be wise with your dollars.
Read, study, listen, get informed. There are so many places that can help - books to read - videos that help - cookbooks from grandma - you name it.
Have fun - and save a little.
Look forward to everyone adding their ideas.
Have a wonderful day!
Think you've covered the bases very well.as usual. I will try to add a couple ideas. If you are rural or even some urban areas, you can forage. Dandelion greens, wild lettuce, mushrooms. Often there are abandoned fruit trees that the owner isn't using and is glad for you to pick. Maybe go fishing. Etc. Another idea,we like is potlucks with friends. Cheap and fun entertainment while only making one dish. Do economical entertainmen while eating some delicious dishes. Takes the place of eating out and satisfied the urge for change of pace.
ReplyDeleteLinda, back in the 80s and 90s we belonged to supper groups that got together for potluck dinners regularly. All with kids would chip in for a sitter at one couple's house, and we rotated whose house would be the "supper" house. So much fun!!
Delete--Elise
Linda those are great reminders for all of us!!!! I have dandelion and violet jelly. Mom used to cook the greens. Daddy always fished. I know people who mushroom hunt. There is also those who hunt.
DeleteThank you so much!!!!!!
I also have read America cheapest family... https://moneysmartfamily.com/ They have been on several tv media.
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely testify that eating a more healthful diet can SAVE money on food. In the first 5-1/2 mos. of this year, our monthly food expense is only 68% of our monthly average in 2022. That is including inflation. We cut out quick carbs and sugar (very important for good health). We've both lost weight and are feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteThe TG book suggests maintaining a price book for all the places you get groceries. Now, with various apps and websites, you can do that electronically. I often look up the price of things online at various stores before I buy.
--Frances in the Trailer Park
Yes, Francis, I've noticed breads, all sweets, convenience foods, etc. are W-A-Y up in price across the board now, making eating healthier cheaper than used to be. Even packaged cereals are outrageously expensive.
DeleteEver since reading/studying TG, I've made a point of knowing the prices for all of our regular grocery items at every store. That way I know whether a sale is really a sale.
--Elise
Frances that is just fantastic!!! Way to go. Thank you so much for the testimonial. Those are the kind of things that encourage people - not just ideas and facts.
DeleteGood advice on the price sheet. I have never done an actual sheet - but do remember my price points in my head.
By the way Frances - you were my incentive to give up sweets! I have had an occasional goodie when at a birthday party or something - but no more bringing in stuff here. Not sure about weight loss - but I do have more energy. Thanks.
DeleteI agree with all of your suggestions, and I'd say part of the benefit of a stock up, is not needing to shop as frequently. Staying out of the stores helps because there are fewer impulse buys. I have actually reduced my monthly food budget from last year, and I'm not finding it difficult to stay within the amount allocated.
ReplyDeleteAs Frances mentioned there are options for price checking. I use the Flipp app, as it provides the flyers for the week and I can create a list of those items to pick up. Often I'll find I've tapped the same item at two or three stores, so I can find the best price. Of course, I'm fortunate to live within a 10-15 minute drive from six different grocery stores (I usually stick to the three that are the closest).
That is great. I just love you guys telling how it can be done. New gals just starting out can get a lot of encouragement from knowing ladies from all over the place are saving dollars and buying great groceries.
DeleteImpulse shopping is the biggest hit on budgets!!!
Thanks
Taking a break from a busy morning that involves a regular routine fitting of your post today, Cheryl. Excellent tips! Yesterday Hubs went early to Safeway for a few deals before they sold out. In my kitchen today, then, I'm splitting up family packs of chicken thighs and preparing them for the freezer (40 thighs in total at 87 cents per lb.), and bone in pork chops (16 in total at 97 cents per lb.). I'll also start a big batch of crockpot jam once my vacuum sealer is put away, using 4 lbs. of strawberries and blueberries; the strawberries were last week's deal at $1.27 per lb., and the blueberries were $5 per lb. Combined with Cutie juice and Splenda + low/no sugar pectin, I should get 5-6 pints of all fruit jam. Which leads me to...
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE breakfast for dinner on occasion. Whether pancakes or eggs with toast, especially in the hot summer months ahead, it's a light meal that doesn't heat up your kitchen too much. Traditional meals are fine, but there are no hard and fast rules. You can make breakfast for dinner faster than pizza delivery or a drive out to pick up fast food. Salads are also fast, easy, healthy and cheap. Lettuce goes bad quickly; spend a small amount of $$ on a reusable, stay fresh keeper (at stores or tupperware) and it will keep your greens fresh for a week in the fridge. You can make a meal of fruit, cheese, cold, cooked meat (optional) and crackers or bread. If you grow tomatoes, a mayo and tomato sandwich can really hit the spot on a hot evening. Dare to be different!
Happy kitchen adventures to all. --Elise
P.S. BIL came last night for the last of his stuff in out house. I fed him a quick dinner. Hubs helped him load. The house is ours again!!
So happy for you that BIL is gone! Are you going to change the locks? LOL!
Delete--Frances
We recently changed the locks, but I'm not worried as we have security cameras. LOL!
Delete--Elise
FIRST - YAY!!!! Glad you have your home back!!!!!!
DeleteWhat great deals. You are sure filling up the freezer up nicely.
That jam will be so good. Much better than store bought.
I love breakfast for dinner. You are right - it is cheap, tasty, and fast.
Thanks for all the ideas.
As Maebeme said, when you have a good stockpile you can wait for the better sales. Ours happen about once per month, which is when I add to the freezer stock. In between I use the earlier dated meats for meals. Learned that right here. LOL!
DeleteElise <---who had all the meat in the freezer + jam in the crockpot and a load of laundry done by 8:30 am. One of the benefits of a puppy in the house is you're up EARLY.
We look forward to tomato sandwiches every summer. Yum!
DeleteWe have found that eating healthy makes junk food way less attractive. It just does not taste as good and every thing is so sweet. We use produce keepers and it really saves the produce for at least twice as long. And wowsa we got eggs for 70 cents a dozen this morning!!! Now we can catch up on our craving for egg salad and such!
ReplyDeleteWhat a deal on eggs!!!!! Woohoo.
DeleteI have basically quit eating sweets in the paast couple months - I still have my chips now and then - but pretty much cut out sweets.
Mmmmmm - egg sandwich!!!!
I have had the TG since it came out as a compilation, I have always been frugal but still learn from others. One of my biggest take-a-ways from TG is making muffins, sweet or savory and using up bit and pieces in them.
ReplyDeleteI can always find a way to eat salad, even in cold weather I love a salad. Need a bit heavier meal than salad.... add a muffin. Or make soup, again using bits and pieces.
Yes there are parts of TG that are out of date but I find the thinking and process can be used in almost any instance.
Good job Cheryl!!!!
The muffin recipe from TG is awesome. I have used it so many times. That is where I got my original Rice A Roni recipe. Many good recipes.
DeleteI can eat salad all year too!
Yeppers, the thinking and the basic premise of the books are still perfect.
Thanks
Oh my---chicken thighs for .87/lb...our Publix ad came out today and "big sale" on thighs and legs...1.79/lb for 4 lbs. or more. Where do you live, EM? When I see the prices y'all pay for food, I am jealous! It would help if everyone shared their location, just for fun. I am in Florida. Our stores never have mark-downs on meat or produce.
ReplyDeleteI live in the White Mountain region of Arizona. Very rural. We're 2-3 hours east of Phoenix and 2-3 hours north of Tucson.
Delete--Elise
That is a crazy price. We have some good chicken prices here now and then. Good idea on sharing locations.
DeleteI wish you could find some markdowns.
Should say what part of Florida...Naples, on the Gulf side. Lived here 38 years...
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteDang, Elise! You always get the best deals. Ours are nowhere near that.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, that was a great summary. TTG is the best. When I bought it at a used bookstore, it was the name that caught my attention. I bought it as a curiosity! We were staying at my mom's for the week and once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It was a true lifechanger for us. The other thing is that it really does become a lifestyle. Even if you start it out of necessity, it stays in your head when finances improve. My friend has joked that even though she no longer needs to do it, she can't even get an occasional gourmet coffee without thinking it out lol!! So, instead of spending the money on that, she invested in a few small things so she can make them at home. Everyday if she wants.
I've noticed what someone else here had mentioned. Our shelves are very empty under the store brand items and well stocked for the high brands. I'm wondering about that. Oh, and they actually did my bill right at the market last week!
We don't always have great sales, Debby, as I mentioned to Cheryl (above). And I have my own theories about meat prices/sales. It's not just supply and demand, but what the market will bear. Last summer when the price of chicken, eggs and pork shot through the roof, for various reasons explained in the news, no one here bought it. The cases would be full and untouched. That's a lot of loss to grocers, distributors and farmers. Instead, beef was cheap last summer. Often the same price as the pork and organic, free range chicken. Beef sold out. Weekly. But only the cuts that were on sale. Those sale prices were attributed to Midwest farmers sending breeding cows to slaughter due to drought.
DeleteI live where there's a huge LDS presence. Practical. Pragmatic. Cost conscious. There are many here who raise chickens for eggs, then meat once they're no longer of laying age. Many others here raise cattle. Some pigs. Plenty of hunters here, too. Turkey season just ended. There's a local butcher who processes local meat for local folks. In the grocery stores, then, high priced anything just doesn't sell. And I expect that's the biggest reason more densely populated areas can charge higher prices. It's not all about transportation. We're at least an hour down mountain roads from main freeways; in some cases 2-3 hours. It ought to cost *more* here, right? Thus my theory. Glad you had the bill right at the market!! --Elise
Debby - I started getting the newsletter - after I saw Amy on TV. Then I found the first book at a yard sale, and so on. I also found the big book (above) with all 3 editions in it at a yard sale. Frugal is as frugal does!!!! LOL
DeleteIt does become a way of life. So ingrained and no changing it after all these years!
I think people are finally 'getting it ' - we aren't crazy!!!!!
Elise those are good thoughts on the pricing. It sure does seem everything goes in cycles for one reason or another. Like the egg thing - everyone was freaking out - I knew after a new cycle of chickens things would work out. People get so excited and fearful. All in time - it works out.
I have said that about where I live - no coast - lots of trucking, yet everything is cheaper here. Where there are harbors - it costs more!!! Go figure.
Greetings! All great ideas. I've found that, for me, I cut recipes in half (or more, if it serves 6 or 8), to make 2 servings -- cooking for one, that gives me dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day. That said, I repackage my meats into smaller portions that fit the way I cook, i.e. my ground beef is packaged for the freezer in 1/2# packages, not 1#; chicken breasts are frozen individually. That way I'm not thawing more than I will use. When I menu plan, I plan all three meals -- first breakfast, then dinners, and then I fill in lunches utilizing what I anticipate having as leftovers. Sometimes it's straight leftovers, sometimes repurposing dinner items (leftover chicken into fajitas or chicken salad). It's what works for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes and yes!!!!!!!!!!! Makes so much sense. You got it right.
DeleteI basically eat once a day - so a nice big meal is then. I make a smoothie type drink for breakfast everyday. and have a fruit or cheese snack later on.
We all have a method - it is whatever works best for you. I always repackage the meat as well. That is just so smart.
You go gal - you doing it right!
I loved those books and referred to them religiously while raising the kids.
ReplyDeleteThey are just best ever. Everyone should read them at least once.
DeleteI love My Fridge Food for ideas. Some things I do arelook for and collect recipes that use only 5 ingredients or less, always have ingredients on hand so at any time I can make things rather than running to the store to buy them, make my own condiments, batch cook and freeze so that there are fully cooked meals in the freezer for when we don't have time or are too tired to cook. Cookie
ReplyDeleteI really like the site as well. I have used it - just to get new ideas!!! It is fun to see what they come up with.
DeleteI have some 5 or less books - they are great.
You are a smart one Cookie!!!
Oh yes, I remember the author and her newsletters, very good info!
ReplyDeleteI made my own hummus today with dried chickpeas I cooked. The recipe is a good one and pretty easy for doing your own. I was able to omit the salt. Yippee! I still had enough cooked chickpeas for two more batches too. Each batch is a large amount so I'm happy. It made a delicious salad dressing mixed with a little apple cider vinegar and oil for lunch.
We have quite a few tomatoes from our garden on our counter, we've been cooking with them and eating them raw too, so good! Bell peppers from the garden and white patty squash too...It's very rewarding once we have gotten the hang of it and a good watering system.
Great reminders! : )
You have garden produce already?????? You lucky dog! It will be a long while before I pick tomatoes or peppers!
DeleteHow wonderful for you. I am envious!!!!!!
Hummus - now I need to do that. I love baked/roasted chickpeas. They are so crunchy and a tasty snack. I need to make some hummus - maybe I will do that this weekend. Neat idea.
ENJOY!
I *must* try baked chickpeas, that would be great, and I could put some cayenne pepper on them too to give them a kick!
DeleteHere is the recipe I used for the hummus: https://heartfultable.com/hummus-from-scratch/
I had never read the Tightwad Gazette and was amazed that many of her tips I had been using since the early 70's. Like you say use what works for you and perhaps adapt some of the other tips to fit.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
WOW - never read it? There are so many tips that we all have adapted to our uses. I love that being frugal is very fluid - we just kind of follow along and do our best!
DeleteThanks in part to this blog, as well as TWG (from years ago), and skills developed over the years, for about $53...
ReplyDelete-- 5 pints of mixed berry preserves are setting up on my counter after cooking all day in the crock pot and a hot water bath of 15 minutes for high altitude
-- 40 chicken thighs and 16 pork loin chops (bone in) are filling my fridge freezer, waiting to be rotated with earlier purchases of meats in the chest freezer
-- the bones from all the meat above will eventually be utilized for broth; I should be able to get at least a few quarts of bone broth later on to use in beans, soups, stews, or to flavor pasta/rice
The preserves will last a long time. We'll have some from my last batch over waffles for dinner tonight with eggs.
The chicken and pork [not including meals from broth] will make at least 28 dinners for us. If you're cooking for one, it would be 56. And that's the way we roll here! ;-)
--Elise
GREAT JOB!!
DeleteYou ladies are all very inspiring. I was lucky enough to be raised by my grandparents, so was taught many thrifty ways. It was just ingrained, I guess to be watchful of waste of any kind. Having said that I do love a nice coffee out occasionally as a treat, but I work hard and I am worth it. I will scrimp other places so I can make that happen.
ReplyDeleteI am now in the winding down phase of having food stores ( freezer and pantry)
These now feel like work and a burden to me, but they have been so worth it while raising my family and being able to help out others.
And Cookie, just in case you are reading this, I tried your carrot cake recipe and it was fabulous. That will definitely be on high rotation through my kitchen. My son in particular loved it, he has taken it to work everyday this week. Thank you for sharing it. Louise
I was raised the dame way - sounds like we both learned a lot.
DeleteYes mam, you are entitled to your occasional coffee. That is why we are frugal - to get the perks we want now and Going to have to try that cake!!!
Louise, I'm so happy it was a hit. I always have some on hand because it's one of my family's favorites. I also make it for Christmas gifts in smaller pans. Cookie
DeleteGiving it for a gift is a great idea. I really love recommendation recipes, there is nothing worse than making a meal or a cake and it turns out to be a flop, all that wasted time and ingredients, so if someone gives me a tried and true recipe I always give it a go.
DeleteThanks again, Louise
Cheryl, I love your posts on being frugal! Even if it's something I've heard, practiced, or just now learning, keep sharing because it's good to be reminded. I need to get my Tightwad Gazette out and go through it again. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I think we can all use a reminder now and then. Hopefully we have some new folks stopping by now and then as well - they need the tips too!
DeleteAZ Safeway has a digital coupon (today only) for boneless sirloin steaks at $5 per lb., limit of 2 value packs. Just did some freezer rotation and don't need any, but wanted to share that those steaks (grilled), plus Idaho potatoes (baked), a side salad and bread comes to a small fraction of the cost of even the Early Bird dinners at a steak house. I just moved previously bought boneless sirloin steaks from the chest freezer for weekend grilling. For true steakhouse flavor, marinade in Balsamic vinaigrette, soy sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce; sprinkle with Montreal steak seasoning while grilling or pan frying. For steak house style baked potatoes, pierce and microwave for 5 minutes before baking/grilling.
ReplyDeleteHave a tasty Memorial weekend, everyone! --Elise
"The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it." John F. Kennedy
Should have said "planning ahead for Memorial weekend."
DeleteThanks Elise! I have been thinking about making a filet lately. I have several. Now I am in the mood!
DeleteI am not a big steak eater - but it sounds tasty.
I love rereading sections of TWG. Always reinvigorates my frugal sense!
ReplyDeleteI just recently read that eating lettuce that has brown spots is not bad. Of course, if it's smelly it's not good. If it's a few pieces in a salad bag it's easy to throw out those. It seems the pale, crunchy pieces get brown on them sooner. My husband will eat it with brown spots and I wondered about it so I looked it up. I've also used heads of lettuce that are too wilted to revive in cold water as a basis for soup stock. Made delicious soup!
~margaret
I have revived a lot of veggies with the cold water trick. Sometimes my head lettuce gets a few brown spots - I have always called it rust or freckles! I do use those - now I won't us the icky brown stuff - but that it fine.
DeleteI love rereading parts of the Gazette too. I do some rereading every year!
I was putting meat and vegetables on a tray to cook as Tommy was standing there. He had gotten out the ingredients since standing and bending hurt me. He had reorganized the refrigerator today so as I was closing up the pan, he said he saw a piece of onion in the refrigerator that I could use. It helps to have someone else watching out for food, not just the cook.
ReplyDeleteThat is great - use it up. Nice that he is keeping an eye on things and helping you out so much.
Deletei just love leftovers -enough roast leftover for a stew, chicken for chicken patties, etc. Makes some easy dinners for sure.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid working in a coney island with my sister we always had to refresh the salads everyday. We had to take the brown lettuce out and put in fresh green. I learned a lot working there. Like some people would order tomato soup and grilled cheese. That I never figured out as a youngster but now I bet they were lonely and just needed to see people.
I love leftovers and use them all up!!
DeleteIsn't that funny - but you are probably right. Maybe they just wanted a lunch around others. You just never know.
Excellent advice as usual, Cheryl. This is Belinda, btw. Sometimes we don’t even need meat to complete a meal. I much prefer my meals without meat and use beans instead. Chick peas are especially good in a salad.
ReplyDelete