Happy Thursday to all. It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another week.
I hope you are all safe. There sure were some more terrible storms going through the south and south eastern parts of the country. Sad to hear this morning that there were deaths with this system.
We are cloudy and damp this A.M. - nothing bad here.
The tulip poplar tree is now releasing its flowers and sap all over the place! That makes for lots of little ants on things. The tree is always pretty in bloom, but what a messy tree it is. Sure glad I got that dead wood out of it.
Today let's just touch on keeping the 'urgency' out of shopping! When there is an urgency for things needed - it is very easy and probable that you will overspend!!! Yep!
Extra trips mean extra money - which means more spending on groceries and less on other things.
Again, as we have talked before, you don't have to spend a fortune to stock your pantry. A few dollars here and there makes a huge difference.
Things to remember:
Keep yourself acquainted with all the stores in your area - but try to shop one for your basic needs. Yes, watch for the lost leaders at the other places and get what you need and use. BUT the trick is - ONLY get those specials when you go!! It is sooooooo easy to wonder and pick up this and that and then that special deal isn't so special anymore! You have easily shot the budget on other stuff or wants - and that is not good.
Keep your eyes open for discount stores. I have always been so envious of people that can shop those places. We have just recently gotten a new discount store that has Friday and Saturday deals that can't be beat at all!!!! They sell closeouts of fresh food (produce) for pennies on the dollar. Every week is different. It is a great way for those with little money to get somewhat fresh goods.
Remember that if you run out - you can substitute something else. No spaghetti noodles? No problem, use a different kind of pasta - it will be fine. No eggs for baking - use applesauce or mayo or other subs. There are many things you can use. No - meat? Well, beans are protein and eggs and cheese and peanut butter........
No meat for spaghetti sauce - use mushrooms or other veggies in your sauce. It is OK!!!!!
Use what you have.
Don't buy sales if they are things you don't regularly use!!! Buy what you eat and eat what you buy!!!! This is essential. If you buy things that you will not eat (probably) it is not a deal at all. If money is tight - it isn't time to try (buy) things you have never had. Wait to try those things when finances are better.
IF you need help - don't be ashamed. City/county food pantries are there to help those in need. Get what you can. Maybe this will fill in your empty spots or maybe you only have to buy a little to fill in those empty spots. Many organizations (including churches) have food giveaways. Do what you need to provide for your family.
Cook at hope and stop eating out. I have heard basically every excuse and reason - and I still believe it is cheaper to cook from home! Fast food is super expensive!
Cook basic foods most of the time and make having homemade fries and burgers (made at home) a fun treat!! Make pizza a treat - so easy to make and use what you have. Make eating Mexican a treat - super easy and inexpensive. Anything can be made special at home - so stay out of the restaurants.
SHOP your pantry and freezer and use up what you have. Get creative. There are many sites that give you great food ideas using up what you have. You type in your pantry supplies and the site will give you ideas and recipes using them.
My favorite is My FridgeFood site - https://www.myfridgefood.com. There are others.
I really can't remember the last time I felt the urgent need to go to the store. I try to keep all the basics on hand and have enough to last a bit. I have no problem using different ingredients and I eat pretty darn simple. It is amazing what you can get by on if necessary. I eat well and varied.
Recently I bought 2-12 packs of dbl. roll TP for 3.99 each. With what I have on hand and that - I am good for months! It pays to keep track of how much you use per week/month, etc. That way you can add enough to last you and no emergency runs!
I may get a food idea in my head (TV does that!), but I will try to make something similar. IF I don't have the stuff on hand - well it gets put on my future 'wants' list. I refuse to run out for special ingredients.
The last couple months I have really purchased very little food, except some fresh items.
I can't wait for all the garden and market freshness that will be coming soon.
I know I talk about this subject a lot - but it is so important for those starting out. It is also a good reminder for those of us, that maybe get complacent!
We always get new ideas in the comments that can help other too. You guys rock!!!
Just remember to use what you have and get creative. There are ways to enjoy your food and to not spend a fortune!
Have a great day and weekend!!!!!
I bought a super-sale of double TP last month. It's terrible hence the price. It's really thin and I think we had to use double the amount to get "dry and clean". Waste of $ in my book.
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES! Use what ya have. A few years ago ('vid made me do it), I challenged myself to feed us for 4 weeks without a trip to the store. It got old but we did it! Plenty of food in the pantry, plenty of frozen veg from the garden. What I didn't like? No fresh fruit except what I had bought the day before, no fresh steamed veg. But? We survived and were not hungry. :-) It was not a financial need but I do encourage each of us regardless of $$ status, to do it. Creativity ensues!
Oh no on the TP. What I bought was my regular so I got it on sale.
DeleteIt is an activity that I think all people should do now and then. It makes us more aware of what we have in the pantries and freezers - it makes us use it - and helps us get creative.
Sure it isn't the same as fresh all the time - but it can be done and we can be full and well-fed!!!
Thanks for the testimonial - those help others so much.
I agree on a bit of brand loyalty for TP. I've been happy with the 12 pack Angel Soft, that supposedly equals 48 regular rolls. It's never on sale, but the price point of now $8.29 ( unless it's gone up again) is lower than many other equivalent brands in sale, and better quality by far for some brands at similar price. My son learned creative cooking as a just making ends meet Californian, and I'm rarely picky about meals. We sim for heavy vegetables, some protein, and I limit carbs though love the.
DeleteIt is amazing how expensive TP got and it never did come back down much.
DeleteSAM your sun learned the good way. Sometimes just making ends meet, can be a great motivator for learning how to create fun and easy meals with little funds! I am not very picky either - that makes it easy to feed me!
I have found a store brand that I like as much, if not better than the name brand and it regularly goes on sale, nowadays for $4.99 for a 12 pack double roll. The thing that can be learned is that, even if its a brand that you don't like, you probably could make due with it in a pinch. So stash it in the back, in case of an emergency.
Delete"Buy what you eat and eat what you buy!" Truer words never spoken!
ReplyDeleteGloom and cool today. Headed to the podiatrist's office for the Farmer's appointment.
Yep - I never understand why people buy things and then don't use them. Makes no sense.
DeleteSo dreary looking today! Be safe on your journeys!
I try to stay out of the restaurants much more than Butch, seems he loves to eat out. Not that I'm a bad cook cause I'm not, I don't get it. Laziness maybe, anywho. He has his favs, chinese food and mexican food. I can make mexican food but maybe he likes the ambiance. LOL, I can even serve beer or a margarita if he needs one with his meal. I have a leftover chicken cutlet and I've been trying to figure out what to do with it so I decided I would make a chicken curry. Haven't had that in a long long time.
ReplyDeleteGuys - go figure!!! LOL
DeleteI actually like my Mexican better than restaurant. And the Chinese too - because I know what is in it! I am very cautious about eating Chinese out - call me crazy!
Sometimes the ambiance is nice - especially if with friends. I get that.
That sounds like a great way to use the chicken. I don't know that I have ever had that. ENJOY!
Good morning! I like all your tips about avoiding the grocery store. I think many of us at some point are compulsive about shopping and I'm guessing that their pantries are way overstocked. I am surprised how long it takes to work through my home canned food for example. Sometimes I reject a good deal because the better deal is to use up what's free in my cupboard.
ReplyDeleteThere is a small boycott going on here in my province due to the profiteering of a major chain. This is valid because this chain will arbitrarily put a stupidly high price on something for like two weeks and then drop it back to previous. Why I do not understand but perhaps they hook folks for a bigger profit margin or get us accustomed to high prices. I fell for the tactic and paid $2. more for a gallon of milk as I assumed that all stores would be the same but...nope. I am also tired of the gimmicks of discounting for 'members only' and buy this, get that. So although I had a chance to get a couple good deals, I decided to join the boycott and shop elsewhere.
Very low spend this month and the freezer is stuffed anyway. But I am pleased that I've wasted nothing. Soup is a great catcher of leftovers and bits; wish my husband shared my enthusiasm. Sometimes I eat soup for days.
I made dog biscuits this morning for the granddog. They are tasty! How do I know? haha. All good and nourishing ingredients.
I am sure I am overstocked for one person! I talk myself out of a lot of things I could buy, because I have similar at home or just more than I really need.
DeleteI quit all the 'clubs'. I don't need to pay a place to allow me to shop! It is crazy the games stores play. If everyone just priced things decently - they would make money (albeit not as much) and we could afford things.
Very low spend here as well. Nice to have all that freezer food!! Hey if natural ingredients I'd try them!
Great post! Also, I never bake with eggs. Don't need them for my bakes. So many other fun things to add besides eggs. For household dry things like toothpaste and stuff, I like to keep one extra on hand, so we buy in twos. That is all we have the room for right now and it works well. Though I grew up with stockpiled pantries at gram's. Good stuff for those who have the space to take advantage of sales.
ReplyDeleteCool - not using eggs to bake. Pretty smart.
DeleteI always have extras of things too. I have space - and well, let's say it stays pretty full (hanging my head)! I actually haven't bought toothpaste, deodorant or bath soap in several years! Getting down to the end finally!!
❤️
DeleteAs far as I'm concerned, you can never talk too much about these things :) - Madelyne
ReplyDeleteWell thank you mam! I appreciate that. I sometimes figure maybe people get bored with it, but you all come up with so many new ideas!
DeleteGreat post, Cheryl. I love myfridgefood too. Being on a low histamine and gluten free diet stocking ingredients is not only a wise thing but extremely economical . The cost of anything gluten free can be astronomical and I refuse to pay those prices. While in a store a few weeks ago I saw a 10 oz bag of rice flour with a price tag of
ReplyDelete$7. When I need rice flour I just put some rice that I have in the high speed blender and make my own. I also make my own dairy alternatives. And when it comes to following a recipe I'm always making substitutions because there are just something in the recipe that are no nos for me. We love soup and every few weeks every bit and bob that's been saved in the freezer goes into "stone soup". We waste nothing. A few books that I've accumulated over the years and also found at libraries are: "A Cabin Full of Food", "The Everlasting Meal", "The Everlasting Meal Leftovers". Cookie
It is a great site and can be so helpful - I hope some folks give it a try. I do now and then - just to get new ideas!
DeleteAldi now sells a lot of gluten free stuff. It does cost a little more - but not as much as most retailers.
You are really good at changing things out to your diet. Soup is the great money saver!!! Waste not - want not.
Those are good books. I may have to buy myself Cabin Full of Food - I really liked it.
Thanks for the info about Aldi's. The closest one to us is about 25 miles away. If I'm ever over in that direction I'll be sure to check it out. One of the problems with conventional gluten free stuff it will also contain small print saying that it has been processed on shared equipment that processes wheat and a few other allergens, thus for someone like me it's a no no. Cookie
DeleteSure, I just always assume people are familiar with Aldi. I hope if you ever visit - you can find some good stuff. Also this summer, Aldi is lowering prices on 250 mor4 items, per an article released today!
DeleteI am getting very comfortable doing substitutions now. Next on the list is making more of my own salad dressings. It really isn't hard to do at all.
ReplyDeleteI have some flour tortillas in the fridge that need using so I will be pulling those out this coming week. I think soft tacos or wraps will be on the menu.
God bless.
It is fun substituting! Dressing really is easy.
DeleteI love tortillas - for wraps or burritos or taco - even making into chips! Very versatile.
I'm a big fan of shopping the loss leaders, especially for stocking up on things I regularly use -- laundry detergent, paper towels, TP, certain canned goods and condiments that go on sale around the holidays ... One thing I've learned about my own shopping habits is that I rarely leave with just those deeply discounted items. I will typically make a quick run through the store and take a look at other unadvertised specials and the prices on items I have on my list for shopping at a different store. Sometimes I find great deals that are far lower in price than my regular store. And those are the extra items I leave with. If I have tomatoes on my list for buying at Meijer, and Caputo's are better priced on a "Manager's Special," I'll grab them and cross off my list. But if baked beans are significantly higher, I'll go elsewhere. You just need to know what is a good price, and that comes with attention to detail and, for some people, maintaining a price list / best price notebook for reference.
ReplyDeleteGood point - know your prices!!!!
DeleteI often go after a sale and YES can find other deals. But sometimes I tend to just wonder and pick up other things because it is convenient. Restraint is important as well as prices! You seem to have it down and that is great.
Know those prices!!!!!
I never blink at a good unplanned deal. It's money in the bank and a future decreased expense. I grabbed a pack of 10 pork steaks a few weeks ago that were marked down to be 50 cents each! Who walks away from that? We love 'em grilled. (as 1 example).
DeleteI don't buy stuff we don't use or eat so not a blind grab. I am very much a 'hate to shop' girl so impulse and end display loss-leader doesn't work on me. YAY!
Happy Saturday everyone. It is a gorgeous sunny morning up here at 5000 feet in the mountains. :-)
WHAT A DEAL THAT WAS!!!!!! I would have grabbed them too. I am notorious for walking the store - even when going for a special sale item. You and I can do that, and we know the bargains and when to jump on them. New shoppers and beginners trying to really watch the budget, need to be a bit more conservative. Yes, a bargain like you got is crazy to pass up - but they may shop just to be shopping.
DeleteI think it's just so important to learn how to make do with what we have and learn how to be less dependent on grocery stores. Grocery stores aren't reliable and we're only a few weeks away from empty shelves if something were to happen. I've become more conscious about this after emigrating to another country where we're regularly faced with shortages. I do prefer to avoid the bigger supermarkets altogether and shop at smaller stores. Fortunately, where we live that is the cheaper option anyway! I'm glad that way I can both support smaller businesses and keep our own budget under control.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a small corner shop in front of our house, and even though that's very convenient at times, whenever I run out of something I still try to challenge myself to make do with what we have. It makes cooking much more fun when you're able to come up with creative solutions.
Thank you for giving this comment from a different perspective. I am sure the options can be overwhelming when ones comes from another country. I like the smaller stores much better too - but around my area it is not the best pricing. I still go to smaller ones a lot - family businesses are so important. Different countries and regions can be so different.
DeleteI agree - using what you have, changing out ingredients makes for more fun in the kitchen! I love the creativeness.
Nice to see you here!
Thank you too for your great blog- a bit disappointing that I didn't find it earlier lol! It seems like I can defenitely learn a thing or two from you.
DeleteEmigrating can defenitely be challenging and especially when you have to figure everything out again, but it's also a great learning experience!
Well you just stay here, and we will help as much as possible. I can't imagine emigrating to another country and having to learn all new things. That takes courage. You can always go to back posts and read up too! Glad to have you here.
DeleteThe small town I'm in now, has only two grocery stores, unlike the city where I have four or five within a 10 minute drive. We did have to do a pretty major stock-up when I arrived but things have settled down, and I've been able to limit purchases to replenishing items and sale items. Things are slightly more expensive than the city, but we can make a drive to the next town over in about 25 minutes when necessary.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure others have a family member who tends to impulse buy, in my case that's my daughter. So I have taken over the grocery shopping. Just the other day, she pulled out a container for making curry - it was horrible and I was the only one who ate any of it. Next time, we'll start from scratch and do it the right way.
You will be good once it all settles. Sounds like mom has some 'teaching' ahead of her!!! I bet after she is around you all the time it will stick.
DeleteI JUST did this, SO disappointed in myself. I kknow better but got caught up on a recipe on instagram! I ended up going to walmart TWO times this week! Bleck. I am NOT going grocery shopping for anything else this month! Period. I have plenty!
ReplyDeleteOh no! It can be easy to do - I understand. I used to do that some, now I just wait. Nothing tastes good enough for me to run out special for.
DeleteCheryl, this is so true. Go in for 99 cent blueberries and buy $50 worth. I have to watch it too.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to do in the blink of the eye! I have done it also.
DeleteI need blinders on some times!
We have tulip poplars here too. They are so beautiful with all their tops in bloom, but you're right about the sap. Yuck. Great advice about pantries, Cheryl. I'm trying to figure out now if I need to throw food out after having no power for a couple of days. Of course, I'll update on the blog as usual. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, the sap is sticking to everything as the flowers fall and then ants!
DeleteOh shucks, I hope you save most things. Hopefully you can cook them and then refreeze. 2 days should not have been long enough to make it all thaw completely. They say 3-4 days. Best of luck!!!!!
You always encourage me so much! You give me new ideas and help me remember things that I used to do!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Thank you so much. It is what we all should do to help each other. I appreciate your kind words.
Delete