Wednesday, November 1, 2023

I am NOT Your Conventional Shopper

 Grocery shopping can be a chore for many.  Inflation has taken a toll for a lot of people.  Choices are being made in many instances - can I? or should I?

I can remember years and years ago - not having any extra left for groceries - these were my single years and I was paying off divorce debt.  YES, I have been there.
When I got remarried, I vowed to change things and never have to worry about what I would eat again.
I became quite the unconventional shopper in many ways.

I had a good knowledge of using what you have and being creative in cooking from my mom.  I learned to coupon from my MIL.  We accepted free food that stores were getting rid of.  I learned as much as I could about money saving ways and things I could make vs. buy.  Tightwad Gazette was my go-to book.  I learned so much from Amy D.

Today, because of years and years of working to stock my pantry, I do not grocery shop every week!!  I don't need to.  I know there are many, many people that have to go every week to get 'just enough' for the week.  I am thankful to not have to do that today.  
I go when there is a special crazy deal that just shouldn't be missed.  While there I check out ALL clearance sections.  I get as much as I can USE in reasonable time and add back to the stock.
I only regularly add things like fresh produce and milk and eggs.  I could even go a long while without those - thanks to canned, home canned, frozen and dehydrated.  Making use of what I have.

I shop many places that others don't think about.  Just because a store isn't designated a 'grocery store' doesn't mean it doesn't have groceries.  Places like Aldi (yes grocery), Ollies, Big Lots, ethnic stores and many specialty shops have deals too.  If you have a scratch and dent store - check it out.  I wish we still had one close by.
There are people that 'dumpster dive' - I know that has an ICK factor for many.  Grocery stores throw away perfectly fine items all the time.  One egg in a carton broken - they throw out the dozen.  I bad apple or orange in a bag - out goes the bag.  Bread hits it 'sell by' date - out.  There is nothing wrong with it.  There is a You Tube channel called Freaking Frugal - that shows their daily finds at various store dumpsters.  It is absolutely amazing what they find.
G and I use to get all our bread and sweet convections from a grocery throw-out FOR YEARS!  He had a friend at the grocery and they would call when putting out items - and the guys where G worked would go and get what they wanted.  We truly saved a ton of money that way.  We even had the area school have a freezer shut down - and we got boxes and boxes of still frozen chicken!  They were trashing it all.
SUCH WASTE!
ALSO - NEVER feel bad using a food pantry!  They have been set up to help people, and you can add to your own pantry by using this free service!!!!!!!  IF YOU NEED IT - USE IT!

I used to coupon like a queen!!!!  Back in the day stores did double and sometimes triple coupons.  I would get hundreds of dollars of groceries for next to nothing.  This is when I started stocking up in earnest.  From that point on it was just looking for deals and getting what I could and filling in the empty spots.  Now I look at digital coupons for my best deals - and the clearance sections!!

I can make a soup or casserole out of anything!!!!!!!  YEP - if I were limited to a handful of ingredients - I could make a pot of soup!  No problem.
I know I can walk out in the garden in the summer and pick fresh goodies and put them together and make a wonderful salad.  I can make this a meal - no problem!  Simple can be wonderful.
I have no qualms in mixing things together to make a skillet meal, a casserole or soup.  I have always been this way - even when I was feeding two!  NOTHING goes to waste!!!!!!  NOTHING!
I don't have to have meat every meal.

I always have an assortment of dry beans and rice on hand.  These can be purchased for very little money and can get one through just about any lean time.  They last and last as well - no need to 'worry' about those dates!  Not that I do!

That is another thing.  The dates are food are suggestions ONLY!  "best by", 'sell by', are NOT expirations dates.  Seriously, the food item DOES NOT know the date - and magically goes bad!!!!!!
Years ago, dates were never put on food at all.  People had some common sense back then!
Most all food items are perfectly fine WAY after date.  (only item with actual expiration dates is baby formula).  I truly wish the word 'expired' would be eliminated from our language!!!!!!

The library has a multitude of cookbooks you can borrow.  Some of my favorites that I keep always are the ones using simple ingredients - few ingredients - and easy to follow.  You can find books to keep at yard sales all the time.

I NEVER buy meat unless it is a terrific deal.  I have a freezer full.  I get it on sale, repackage into smaller packs, vacuum seal and put it away.  I do use it - and I replace next time a see a deal.  Coming up will be time for turkey and ham deals.  Keep a close eye on the sales.
Also other holiday items will be going on sale soon.  Baking goods, canned goods, produce - get it while you can.  Get as much as you can reasonably use or put back for the future.
This week - Kroger has canned green beans (and other veggies) for .49 a can if purchasing in quantities of 6.  That is cheap.  Most canned veggies are just veggies - so a deal.  Nice to have on the shelf.

I make 99% of my cleaning products from other items.  Baking soda, vinegar, salt, Dawn dish soap - all things I have already.  I make citrus cleaner with waste (citrus peels).  I can make my home smell lovely by simmering a pot of water with apple/orange/citrus peels and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

I watch for sale on vitamins and herbs - that keeps me healthy.
I grow many herbs that I use in cooking.  Super simple and can be done in a pot on a porch or patio.
I use nature - dandelions for jelly, clover for jelly, wild onions or garlic, wild berries or stray nut trees.  
I have learned to make basic mixes for many things that people buy.  Rice A Roni, biscuit mix, pancake mix, soup mixes - I know exactly what is in them and they are always great.

Learn how to SUBSTITUE - there are many things that can replace something else.  In my opinion, for the most part, a recipe is a suggestion!!!!!!  Calls for apples and I have peaches - sub.  Calls for beef and I have pork - sub.  Calls for milk and I only have canned, dry or cream - sub.  Calls for sour cream and I have cottage cheese or other cheeses - sub.   The list goes on and on.
You have to get creative!

I know this has all been talked about a lot here - but we have lots of readers that don't comment and are just learning.  We have on average 500-600 views on each post!!!!!!!  SO there are people reading and learning.  
I just want to give hope to those struggling.  The next couple months can be stressful enough - without worrying about your food for the table.
There are alternative ways to save a few dollars and to STILL find deals!!!!!  

ASK QUESTIONS!!!!  Feel free to ask about something you don't know.  Learn to be creative!  Learn to use what you have in a new way!
BUY WHAT YOU USE AND USE WHAT YOU BUY!!!!!
DON'T WASTE

SHOP with CONFIDENCE - you got this!!!


39 comments:

  1. Creativity is the joy of cooking. So many things can be put in combination and voila, you have a new dish. Beans are definitely a menu stretcher. We would much rather have simple dishes than something that required fancy ingredients and lots of time to prepare.

    Cold out this morning but it is going to warm up again. Crazy weather!

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    1. I agree 100% - I love being creative. You just create that new family favorite!
      I have heard that this may be the norm for our winter - up and down.

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  2. Good morning. Love the meme! And thanks to all for the prayers. I'm about halfway back to normal. My best guess is it was food poisoning again. I get that much easier than most people, as I've got a lifelong genetic autoimmune disease. Yesterday I was able to keep down water, and then saltines with white grape juice (an old standby). Slept the better part of 2 days. Again, *most* people don't have to be as careful as I have to be; Hubs can eat something and be fine, maybe a little tummy gurgles, while I'm very, very sick. Painfully so. I've wound up in the ER before.

    All good tips, Cheryl, Especially buy what you use and use what you buy. Each person knows their own medical history and body. If you have a compromised immune system, have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, please do be careful. If you're over 75, ditto. Don't throw out a bag of apples because one has turned, but use what Grandma Griff called GCS--good, common sense; if it looks off, smells off, or tastes off, toss it. If it's uncured meat that's been in your fridge for a week, toss it. Better to be safe than in the hospital.

    Praying for you and your husband, Frances, and for all who are here. --Elise

    P.S. AZ shoppers can get b/s chicken breasts for $1.49 lb. with digital coupon, as well as a 2 lb. bag of mandarins for $1.99 ea., Lucerne shredded, sliced or brick cheese for $1.29 ea., and Kellogg's Special K or Raisin Bran cereal + Post cereals for $2.49 ea. All digital coupons. Today is Senior Day for an extra 10% off. Just an FYI.

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    1. Yes everyone needs to know their limitations and what their bodies can absorb. Common sense is huge.
      I am glad you are feeling some better. Each day will be an improvement. I have only had food poisoning once in my life - not a good thing at all. I have a pretty strong constitution - but we all get sick if the situation is bad enough. Take care.

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    2. Thank you, Elise.
      --Frances

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  3. I made a wonderful crockpot full of soup yesterday with lots of bits and ends and it was delicious on our first real cold night here. Along with that was a pan of biscuits made with self rising flour dated 5/23 and it is still making perfect biscuits. We may have a month of no income the first of the year as we lose long term disability from my Husband's old employer and transition from disability to Social Security but we will be fine on food and only need to buy a few perishable items during that time. That is peace of mind!

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    1. Those first soups of fall/winter are the best! I just love using up all the odds and ends. I have no idea the date on the flour in my canister - but it works!
      Hopefully it will all work out fine on the income. I know we went 8 months when Glen retired to getting his first check, but I was working part time. Food was never a worry. You keep a great pantry and are a good cook - so you will have that part handled. YES peace of mind!!!!!

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    2. Hopefully you won't lose that month of income. My husband did not lose any income when he transferred.

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  4. Linda Practical Parsimony
    For years I dumpster dived by standing at the dumpster door, never inside. The guy I started dating during that time was intrigued and never questioned me. I did have strict rules for cleanliness. I had two good friends that benefitted from my night work...lol. One time, I took all the milk my refrigerator would handle--7 gallons--and gave most away the next day. I brought home 12 dozen eggs and got out all the uncracked or broke ones. I think I ended up with 7 dozen eggs. I got things other than food--12 tiny poinsettia, boxes of cards and even more envelopes. I am still using those envelopes. Bread from bakery, cakes, rolls. Every vegetable and fruit from the store. Some of these were still in boxes that were delivered to the store, never opened, just packed nicely.

    When I decided to do this, I scoped out the back of the store. There was a guy in huge, expensive car removing a box from the dumpster. Someone in the store had packed it for removal by a confederate. It had a nice assortment of celery, carrots, a few apples, onions, garlic, cabbage. So, there were shenanigans with the store produce guys.
    During the same time, the "fruit stand" owners gave me banana boxes of produce for my chickens. Tommy would take it to the patio table and sort it, still good stuff for us, rest for chickens. He would then sort for him to take home and bring the rest in for me to refrigerate or wash.
    I passed up no opportunity for food for me and chickens. A butcher shop in the country gave me their pumpkins not carved but used for decoration. We had pumpkin pie and chickens enjoyed the rest.
    AND, I couponed heavily for things like toothpaste, often getting it for free.
    I gleaned. Back then, I could get in a garden. Now, I would fall.
    This house is warm as toast today even though it was down to freezing last night. Still, I feel I need to cook a pot of beans, maybe make soup with beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, and green beans.
    A store here has had bscb for $1.99/lb. this last week. I bought 3 packages the day the ad came on and another three yesterday, the last day of the ad.
    We eat well and as cheaply as possible. I have enough green beans in cans to eat for the next two years.

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    1. I know there are lots of good food thrown away. When I watch the videos of Freaking Frugal - is amazes me the stuff they through out. The other the got a new in the box food storage 'vault' thing and a new in box shoe rack - the boxes were torn - so it was thrown out. That is insane.
      He goes in the dark of night too.
      I had a friend that used to befriend a store owner and got all her chickens fed with great produce all year - bread as well.
      Most stores around here keep things behind locked cages now - so you can't get to it. So stinking wasteful.

      Today people need to do what they can to save. Beans sound really good. I need to do some soup beans soon.

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  5. There is a recommendation before our federal government to remove best before or expiry dates on food products. I do hope they follow through with it, as there is a lot of food items that end up in the land fill. I have had a can of condensed milk go bad on me...and I was dumb enough to open it. :)
    I'm doing better with the low waste and now that we have compost bins, I'm happy to contribute what I do toss.

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    1. YES, YES, YES - that would be wonderful!!!!! People are so wasteful and throw away perfectly good food because of some stupid date. I wonder if the same people who trash food because it hit a certain date would just throw away dollar bills? Bet not - but that is what they are doing.
      Compost is the next best thing to using it.

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  6. Happy November! I have loads of comments roiling around in my mind, but I'm 8n turbo right now, trying to finish up. I'll , comment in bits.

    My first comment is a whine. I packed 40 of the cutest little hand decorated muslin bags and we only got TWO kids. We think it was the bitter cold. Probably the coldest Halloween I can remember. Tons of outdoor activities got cancelled. So, I'm sitting here with my cup of coffee and enjoying my Halloween treat....A Snickers, Skittles, and Nerds lol. The rest will go to work with hubs tomorrow...after I empty all my bags. 😭

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    1. Sorry to hear that, Debby. :-(
      We had no kids, but didn't expect any. We're so far out in the country that most local churches (and some businesses) do "trunk or treat" events. Our son bought bags of candy for his neighbors to bring to their LDS Halloween... and they didn't pick them up. Weird year.
      --Elise

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    2. Bummer. It was cold and we had flurries. I have seen colder and snowier and much wetter - but we have so few kids now compared to the past. I think many parents are going for the 'events' instead of trusting neighborhoods. Can't say I blame them. You can always try next year!
      I had 3 - my gr.gr. nice and nephews in the middle of the day!

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  7. CLARIFICATION: Please know I was (above) talking about perishables; I'd made a pot of soup using vacuum sealed (cooked) ground beef that had been in the fridge--from the freezer--for a week. It was unopened, so I thought it would be fine. Used 10 day old beef broth in the soup, also refrigerated, but not frozen. 90+% of folks would have been fine. It will take me the rest of this week to be able to eat normally again and I feel like I've been kicked in the guts with a steel toed boot.

    Canned foods (as in metal cans) are generally fine unless they're bulging, other than dairy. They can last for years. Ditto flour, sugar, pasta, rice, etc. Mayo would be a nope if it's *well* past the best buy date. I know many here have strong feelings about dated food, but many also have strong feelings about fresh from the garden, organically grown, and spend hours/days preparing all that super-nutritious food for winter eating--all I'm suggesting is using the same care with ALL your food stores. And eat the oldest first in rotation if you have a stockpile. Grocery stores rotate older (dated) products to the front, putting new arrivals behind them. Try to do the same at home. And if you move something from the freezer to the fridge to thaw, stick a note to remind you on the fridge! [That's my recent lesson.] --Elise
    Have a Blessed All Saints Day and Happy November!

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    1. You were brave - I do not worry much - but those would have seemed sketchy to me being in the frig that long.
      Perishables are a bit iffy - especially meat. If old or in doubt - just don't try.
      I think in all my years of stocking I have only had one can of tomatoes go off - nothing much else.
      Rotation is important.
      Sadly you learned a valuable lesson the hard way!

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    2. How often do you (and others) rotate your freezer stock? Meats in particular? And what do you view as "too old to be safe"? Inquiring minds want to know. --Elise

      P.S. I'm aware of the USDA guidelines, but also know vacuum sealed meats and things last longer (safely) in the freezer.

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    3. I just use it regularly - the oldest and add back in when I find a deal. I don't pay much attention to the alphabet govt. groups!
      You can usually tell - if by some chance something is extremely freezer burnt - it just won't taste good - it isn't bad - just messes with taste. Slightly - I will cut that area off and use. Discolored - nah wouldn't use.
      I have used turkey before that was 2 years in freezer. Generally every year on turkey - use it and replace it when cheap.

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    4. That's what I was going by, Cheryl, but miscalculated. It all smelled fine. I did, however, worry about the broth in particular and should have listened to my better self. Even though the soup boiled for 20-30 minutes, that'd be a nope.
      --Elise

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  8. Thank you for the Krogers tips on canned goods, that is a nice price. I wonder if they have low or no sodium kinds? But some with sodium are do-able, just have to read the labels. Our thirdborn daughter told me they also have buy one get one free organic apples that was a super good deal.

    Beans are such a good food to have on hand...Lentils are nice because they cook fast and can be added to add some plant protein. Last night we had baked cauliflower steaks-nuggets whatever you see that piece to be...lol, baked in olive oil, garlic powder. Collard greens, baked little red and yellow baby potatoes in ghee with garlic powder. And a side of canned no salt pinto beans seasoned with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, basil, fennel, yada. It was such a nice veggie plate. I made an italian creamy soup, Monday with almond milk added, spinach, onion, garlic, white beans, lentils etc. Served with Aldi's gf pasta.

    We are far from our Aldi too, hubs stops once a month or so or we'll stop coming back from a town we visit once in a while.

    Have a sweet day, just threw away some of Muffie's diapers from our bedroom wastebasket...Oh it made me so sad!

    I may wrap the little's Christmas presents today, that should be a nice thing to do. My mom was so mad this morning...Her instant coffee did not arrive. She was out of it. (horrors). I get that lol but it had been delivered to our firstborn's daughter's porch (she has a sick little baby right now) who ordered it. So our third born and I had to get another grocery order together and fast including another instant coffee she better like! lol (Taster's Choice French Roast). She for some reason hated it that both myself and our oldest told her (sympathetically) that these things happen sometimes. She's always had the tendency to fly off the handle about certain little things, and thank God I was in a very Peaceful mood this morning and almost giggled about it! PTL. For me to retain my peace and plod along with a smile is a huge Gift for me from the Lord today.

    I appreciate you, have a wonderful day, Cheryl.

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    1. Beans and lentils are wonderful sources of proteins. You can do so many things with them. Your meals sounds delish to me.
      Oh what first world problems we have!!!!! No instant coffee!! LOL! That makes me chuckle. I guess when she wants it - she wants it. Glad you got the problem taken care of for her and kept a calm mind and spirit.
      Thank you!

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    2. LOL Yes! That really is a first world problem right? I will say that's all she drinks is 'instant' so she was clean out. But it does sound funny right?! She doesn't drive so we have to order everything for her but thank God now-a-days we can.

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  9. Frugality leads one to think "outside the box". I was given jars of Nutella. I would never buy Nutella because it is made from palm oil and palm oil plantations are destroying orangutan habitat in Southeast Asia. Many other parts of the third world are also being laid waste for palm oil plantations. Nutella is a bad food choice; 37 grams of nutella contains 21 grams of sugar and 11 grams of fat. That leaves 5 grams for the nut, milk and cocoa components.
    However, I am frugal so I decided to utilize the sugar and fat and cocoa into making a cake. So, first try...2 cups flour, 4 tsp. baking powder. Combine 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla and 3/4 cup Nutella. Add flour mix alternately with 1/2 cup milk. bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Somewhat dry. Next attempt ...add 1/2 cup applesauce to the egg mix and repeat. Much better, not too sweet; good chocolate flavor. I urge you to boycott Nutella; it is truly junk food and definitely NOT part of a kid's menu.
    Speaking of kids...looks like Hallowe'en was a big success. Despite the cold, lots of cute kids and costumes and decorated houses in our local city. Even grownups got in on the fun!
    You offered a lot of good tips for subbing food, Cheryl. I'm sure they will be a boon for younger homemakers. Sometimes it was cabbage and weiners but the mortgage was paid. No food banks or food stamps when I was younger. But we learned and thrived.

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    1. I don't buy it myself - as I just don't like it at all. Way too sweet and just not a flavor I like. Call me crazy!
      I try very hard to stay away from palm oil as well - just not a thing I support.
      I bet the cake was good though. Use what you have and since you were gifted it - make use!
      I am glad your area Halloween was a success. I guess all the events around here were nice as well.
      I can remember many a .29 box of mac n cheese and some cut up wieners in it or plain macaroni with catsup over it!!! Yes, I can! But like you say - the bills were paid.
      I hope some young homemakers find this and it is helpful.

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  10. Cheryl, I think we lived parallel lives in singlehood frugality lol. I grocery shopped on Monday nights because it was a one job day. I stayed late at my office, was exhausted, and dragged over to the hot deli to get 2 PCs. of fried chicken breasts. The lady asks if I wanted more and I was annoyed because if I wanted more, I would've asked for it lol. She whispers that the deli is closing and the rest will be tossed. I was horrified! She stuffed 5 or 6 into my bag after weighing the first two and printing the label. Here's what she told me in answer to my questions. No donations to people or shelters, etc. because the store doesn't 2ant to deal with liability. They can't give them away because people will expect them and not pay. They can't take them home because the store is afraid employees will make extra just to take them home. She told me she knew she could get fired but that it made her sick to toss out perfectly good food. She discovered that several homeless men were watching the dumpster when she went out at 9pm. So, she started double wrapping the chicken and laying it on top of the other stuff. She also put the veggies and Mac n cheese in those foil bags. And she knew the men were taking them cuz she went back and checked a couple of nights. She said that doing it that way fed hungry people , protected her employer from lawsuits, and if a coworker saw her, she could claim that she hoped the extra cover would deter rats. Then she told me that if I was ever there on her deli closing nights, she'd be happy to send me home with a couple of extra pieces.

    I will say that I somehow managed to eat decently, even with my cats on medicated food for urine crystals. It was creative for sure, but I had extra fried chicken about once a month lol. And occasionally an extra large serving of Mac and cheese that I'd add a sliced hot dog to and have for lunch the next day, too. 😂. Egg salad with saltines. Lots of soup and oatmeal for dinner. Celery and PB for lunch, topped with raisins on occasion lol.

    I once worked with a woman who desperately needed some car repairs done. She made a single can of Spam last for a week. Like Bubba Gump and the shrimp.... spam with crackers, fried Spam sandwich, eggs in a Spam hole, Spam with kraut, etc. She did it for an entire summer. Our boss bought us a fast food breakfast and we thought she was gonna eat the papers it came in 😂.

    None of us would've dreamed of putting food on a credit card lol.

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    1. It is really sad that we live in a society where liability is such a crazy issue. SUE is what some people do to live!!!!! It makes me sick. So much hunger and things just get trashed. I am glad there are some places that still put things out and don't them up!
      How kind of the deli gal - to give you the extra chicken and to double wrap for the homeless guys. Smart thinking on her part.
      Yep, a lot of mac n cheese and weinies here too. We did what we could to survive and pay the bills.
      I didn't even have a credit card then - so no food on it. I do charge groceries sometimes today - but for points on the card and always pay it off at the end of the month!

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    2. It's been nearly 40 years since I was single. I was fortunate in finding good-paying office work right out of college, but when the budget was tight, it was omelets, soup, Asian salad (chopped or shredded cabbage w/chow mien noodles tossed in rice vinegar + sesame oil that I'd eat for several days if my roommate didn't take any), I kept chicken bouillon cubes in my desk drawer with crackers... I dated quite a bit, but otherwise would head to my folks' house on the weekend for dinner, which I often cooked using whatever was there.

      The much, much leaner years were when our sons were small. The youngest was a baby. We were in CO. Prices were w-a-y higher than they'd been in TX. One winter it was a struggle, deciding whether to pay to keep the house heated or buy groceries. That's where the TG books were a lifesaver. I was homeschooling our oldest, making baby food for the youngest from what we ate, everything was from scratch. It was nursing, then powdered milk and we used cloth diapers washed every day. I baked my own bread several times a week for years. Cookies and other treats, then, were rare. Made my own potato chips/crisps. My Pop, knowing I didn't have the budget for such things, would send us boxes of Little Debbie cookies, brownies, etc. for the boys. He paid more to ship them than they cost. LOL!

      Cakes were for birthdays. Pies were for holidays. I saved whatever fruit we had for Hubs and our sons--went years w/o eating any. Not good, I know, but I prioritized. Hubs always brought leftovers for his work lunches.

      Even so, I periodically sold anything I could to help make ends meet. Including the jewelry I had at the time. And started writing for meager pay. Most folks think you make a bundle writing for magazines or writing books. They'd be very wrong. Real life isn't Jessica Fletcher, who is a fictional character. But I could wax poetic on heirloom tomatoes for that $150 check! LOL! Or, for a whopping $250, write 1000 words or less on why the GDP isn't a good measure of wealth in America. I made $1000 writing a teacher's guide for African American Studies. $5000-$7000 each for the books. Yup. That's it. But every little bit helped.

      Then there was photography. Turned out I was pretty good at it when I bought a used camera from a pawn shop. So, that became business photography for caterers, the chamber of commerce. etc.

      We moved several times during those long years. Be creative with food and your food dollars, YES. Try not to waste a scrap. But for anyone reading who's in a seriously tight bind right now, don't overlook ways to bring in extra $$$. Many/most of us have. Our mothers and grandmothers did. Now, I don't know about anyone else here, and no offense intended, but I'd rather find a way to bring extra funds in than go through grocery store dumpsters. That seems very extreme to me. I get that we waste too much, and we're all different, but... Ewww.
      --Elise

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    3. I had those side hustles too. Had to! I worked part time jobs as well in first marriage - then 2 jobs when single. Glen didn't like me working 2 jobs - but I did work full time when we married. Did craft shows, photographed some weddings, Did paying surveys, etc.
      You do what you need to do - whether it is good money or part time money - it all helps. Today daycare is so expensive, it may be hard - nice to have family or friends to help as well.
      If I had kiddos and they were hungry - I would do what I needed to do to make sure they had meals.

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    4. That's how I felt when mine were growing up, Cheryl. I guess reading about dumpster diving when I'm still recovering from food poisoning upped the eww factor. It was probably a lot quieter in my absence! [blush] Did keep down some bread and a plain bagel today. Woo-hoo!!
      --Elise
      P.S. I was just reminded that in some areas dumpster diving is illegal. Once upon a time, grocery stores delivered such foods to local food banks. Before Feeding America took over most of the food banks. Bureaucracy.

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    5. We do have many stores than deliver to food banks here. Kroger donates a lot of non-perfect food to our area food banks. It isn't illegal here - but most areas are gated and locked - that is illegal to break into. If open - fair game here.
      Glad you are feeling some better.

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  11. In Canada, there are 3 categories with expiry dates that are strict, and should not be used after the expiry date, or sold after that date. They are infant formula, nutritional meal replacements, and special prescription formulas prescribed by a doctor. Otherwise, as you have commented, the best bespoke dates are just a guide to peak flavour.

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    1. Really? I did not know that. Basically in US it is infant formula only. I can see the others as well. Those are very important items.
      Thanks for that info!!!!!

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  12. This is a great blog post, Cheryl. I love that I don't have to grocery shop every week either unless I want to shop. I found Betty Crocker pizza crust mixes for 50 cents this week and bought all 16 they had, They will make for some cheap pizza.

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    1. What a deal that was! Huge savings. Love when things like that happens. It sure is nice to not shop every week. It makes life a little more enjoyable and safe feeling!
      Thanks

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  13. Such GREAT advice! I sure do miss the days of double and triple coupons! I made out like a bandit sometimes! It sure helped as a young newlywed. Things are so expensive now. Keeping our grocery spending in check each week is so hard, but I am trying to get stocked up to a point where we only have to get a very few items each week. We're getting there!

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    1. I miss those days as well - yes, we made out like bandits for sure!!! We just have to watch very closely and search for the deals. Glad you are still slowly but surely getting stocked up. Slow and steady wins the race!!
      Thanks.

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  14. Such great tips, Cheryl! I appreciate the refresher course!

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    1. Thank Debbie - I think we all need a refresher now and then.

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