Happy Thursday to all. Hope this finds you all well and safe. Still needing so many to check in - I am worried about a lot of you gals.
Looks to be a lovely day here - hoping to get some yard work done. Planning on staying home again today.
Might as well finish the week with a continued talk about pantries, freezers, shopping and supplies. We are all seeing the stories about people hoarding things already. It is just crazy. The West coast ports are still open and local and regional items are available as well (in many places). There are many people in need right now after the storms and devastation - so please be kind and thoughtful and do not go crazy with hoarding. Slow and steady.
USE IT - if you buy it, make sure it is something you will use. Never waste.
LEARN to USE & ENJOY Leftovers - in some way - new or conventional. If nothing else save for soup
PLAN your meals - Plan around what you have FIRSTLY - and then around ads
Make a LIST and stick to it. Now I realize many of us hunt clearance as well - if it is something you will use, get it at a cheaper price.
Make a BUDGET and stick to it. It may mean that you rethink how you shop. You may not be able to buy all the things you used to buy - change happens and we do what is necessary.
PLAN you trips - make them count. No running out for one thing. Make the rounds and do all shopping and trips at one time. Gas is also an expenditure.
Buy store brands when you can. Many name brands and store brands are the same - same manufacturer - just different labels. Give things a try.
Avoid as many convenience foods as POSSIBLE. Yes, it is nice to have some things on hand for those busy days - but try to stay away from them. They often cost more and have nasty ingredients.
Get RAINCHECKS when possible if the store is out. Many places still offer those and you can get the cheaper price later
Use store cards and coupons when you can. I know they aggravate many of us (the tracking of things), but they do save money. They may also offer points for money back or for discounts on gas.
DON'T shop hungry!!!! You WILL buy more - trust me!
Buy in SEASON as much as possible. Those things will often be cheaper and fresher
Think about using a DIFFERENT store - read the ads and look at other options. It could save you dollars.
AVOID the stores tricks to get you to spend. Endcaps often have impulse items they want you to buy. Eye level items are often fancy packages to entice (but they cost more). Look high and low. Avoid temptation.
Make SNACKS at home - try to stay away from all the junk food.
Mainly - just think. Be courteous and only buy what you need to add to your pantry - not to hoard. Use what you buy and learn new recipes - easy recipes - to make your food budget stretch as far as possible.
Just don't go crazy.
So there you have it - a good week of looking out for our homes and families, by taking care of our pantries. We still CAN cut costs and EAT WELL.
Shop SMART!
Have a great weekend. Have a beautiful day!
More excellent tips! You are right about the endcaps and eyelevel shelves. Gotta look high and low. Once you get used to where certain items live, the next time they may not be in the same spot. If we are looking at new or different products, it takes longer as we are label readers. Otherwise we can do our shopping at a better pace. We have the luxury of time to cook from scratch as opposed to boxed meals.
ReplyDeleteCool this morning, but I'm not complaining. We have a project to complete in the backyard and the garage door is misbehaving so that will take up our day. Enjoy your day! See you Sunday!
Thanks mam! You really need to be aware of their tricks. They try to play us, so why shouldn't we play them??
DeleteI read labels too - it is really amazing the crap out there.
Nice luxury - isn't it?
It is going to be a beautiful day. I have been out already, just waiting for dew to dry!
Later!
My Mom was really good about eating leftovers and what was here. I could always count on her for that. If I made something that Bailey didn't like it was no big deal as Mom would finish it. It felt so good not to waste anything.
ReplyDeleteI read the other day that the sell by dates are an advertising gimmick and I immediately thought of you when I read it.
I would make me some TP out of material if I had too and wouldn't worry about running out. I wish others would think likewise about hoarding in times like these.
That is neat that mom was always the finisher! Fun memories.
DeleteWell, I have read that many times - they never used to put dates on things. There are so many people so "conditioned" in the country to throw away good things - that the manufacturers count on it. They make a lot of money that way.
Heck yes, there is always soap and water and wash cloths as well! Not something I am going to lose sleep over and go out and hoard.
Sometimes I do believe the saying 'common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's gardens'!!!
Well that’s not kind at all. Everyone has common sense. Some just see differently than others like this hoarding or not hoarding debate. Just let people buy what they want/need/are inclined to. Everyone has common sense in their garden. It all balances out. Some buy lots. Some buy little. No one starved to death during Covid due to lack of food. Some people just didn't adapt. Lest we not judge.
DeleteNo, everyone does NOT have common sense.
DeleteAnonymous - we will have to agree to disagree on that. We all have our opinions.
DeleteWe are not here to argue, please.
Wild blackberries grow everywhere and yield a bumper crop every summer free of charge. We always fill our freezer with the vine ripened superfood for pies and smoothies, why buy frozen berries when these are available at parks, empty lots, roadsides, nature trails.
ReplyDeleteI love gleaning. There are many items that we can get for free and that are very good for us, if we just look. Berries, nuts, greens, even apples and other fruits (not from people's yards). Gleaning and bartering are great frugal options!
DeleteDried leaves from the yard are a good substitute for TP.
ReplyDeleteI have done that in the woods - hopefully I never have to resort to that at home! I think I would prefer green leaves over dried - they might just break apart easily!
DeleteI just finished reading an article on how people are once again hoarding toilet paper. Did no one learn anything from what happened during the pandemic? I know that people are worried but get a grip, one can always use rags, or if you are female make some of what I call "tinkle cloths" that can be washed.
ReplyDeleteWe have been really good about using leftovers this past week and I am loving it.
God bless.
Jackie, no I don't think people learned a thing (many people - not all). It is just crazy. We have options, it isn't like we would be dirty!
DeleteGood for you - they make perfect meals too!
Remember to look for alternatives to items that have gone beyond your budget. I refuse to pay $5.00 for a dozen eggs when I can make an egg substitute for baking with flax seeds, applesauce, or bananas. Used crushed crackers in lieu of breadcrumbs, etc. Learn how to make a "copycat" of your favorite spice blend, or how to make homemade yogurt. Spend some time researching substitutes or home made versions of items you use and make note of how to make and use the substitute -- even if only in an emergency.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!!!! Very good advice. I have done that may times - sometimes it makes a dish even healthier! I do most all of my spice blends anymore. I like them better.
DeleteThanks!!
Cheryl is the kindest person I have never met !
DeleteI've actually started printing some of them out (especially for the substitutes for items where there's been a price increase) and homemade versions of things like yogurt and putting them in an Emergency Measures notebook, so I don't have to go searching for them if push comes to shove. As we're seeing in WNC and TN, internet access can fail big-time and electricity may be repaired before internet is fully restored. Better safe (and prepared) than sorry.
DeleteI was in Sam's for the pharmacy and had to go look down the tp aisle. Curious me. I walked down there with the pharmacist! She got a package and since we were a little low so did I..but I looked over and people had 4 or 5 packages on their carts. I hope they were thinking about food too not just tp. The next day the strike was over. Crisis solved.
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of crazy, I agree. It appears this time - much to do about nothing. People got all in a frenzy - and like you said 'crisis' solved. I ran into Kroger this morning and waked by the paper aisle - all was full and good.
DeleteI am so happy to have my pantry!
Cheryl I just found your page recently and I love it so much. I'm a frugal gal,too.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I am so glad you found your way here. We are all about living frugal and lovely lives, and being the best we can be.
DeleteHope you stick around. Please feel free to go back and read older posts as well.
Glad to have you!
Cheryl some help please.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Florida and we have been without power for seven days because of the hurricane.
No air conditioning. I have a bedroom converted into a pantry area.
It was 80 in there for a week.
Is the unopened mayonnaise safe to use still? The olive and vegetable oil?
I couldn't find any useful information
on the Internet.
Savannah - so sorry you have gone through all that. Sorry you are without electricity. I would probably not want to risk the mayo. That is just me, because most mayo has egg in it. I imagine the oils will be fine. You will know as soon as you open them is they went bad. But I imagine they are ok.
DeleteMany people keep their houses at that temperature - and have pantries. Hon, use your best judgement, that is all we can do.
Prayers that all gets back to somewhat 'normal' soon. Hang in there.
I meant to say it's Hellman's mayonnaise and almost 8 dollars a jar!
ReplyDeleteBut at least it was BOGO!