Hello all. I sure hope you are all well. It is a very cloudy morning here. Storms going through the north part of the city. We are supposed to have storms later - of course, they are supposed to hit about the time I need to be out and about. Fingers crossed they aren't too bad.
Of course there are the basic things we should all heed:
Shopping alone is usually cheaper than with kids or spouse!
Cooking from scratch is usually cheaper
Shopping the store perimeter is the healthiest food - usually fresh or frozen
Shop early if you can - produce is usually fresher. Of course, check with your grocer and see when they restock their shelves - so you can get the best and freshest
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CONVENIENCE
*Don't buy those precut veggies and fruit in packs! It costs a ton more than buying the whole item and cutting yourself. ACTUALLY, you pay almost 2X the price for pre-cut. Those precut salad mixes give you a few ounces for a lot of money!
*Individual packs of snacks cost a lot more. Those multi packs of chips cost more than buying a big bag and doling out yourself. Also snack packs of lunchmeat and crackers (Lunchables) - make your own. Those premade packs cost a small fortune for what you get.
*Individual cans of flavored coffee or flavored tea or smoothie drinks. You can make you own so easy and for a lot less. I make flavored teas all the time that taste like those expensive cans/bottles
*Coffee pods - get one of the re-usable/washable pods and make your own with cans/bags of coffee (also no trash after)
*Granola bars - trail mix. It is so easy to make your own and your bars are fresh, and you know what is in them
*Spices - know you don't have to get brand name. You can buy lesser brands and still get good flavor
*Out of season goods always cost more than in season
*Bottled water. If you don't like your tap water - get a filter. The cost will work out much cheaper and it will last a long time (again - no trash after)
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Always go with a list and a plan!!!!! Now that being said - keep your eyes open for special deals!! You never know what you might find. It is always good to keep a bit of the budget open for unexpected deals. Those deals are like money in the bank - they save you future spending.
I ran out yesterday to Kroger to get 3 things - 2 were their specials of the week. Milk and strawberries and I wanted a few bananas.
Well, me being me, I walked around and looked. Sure, I spent more than I planned, but I got some good deals.
Think about ethnic markets if you have some around. They often have a lot of fresh fruits and veggies that are a bit different than your grocery store - and foods that might be fun to try. Also, spices are almost always cheaper. There is a lot of variety at these stores.
Try to grow some herbs this year. They can be grown in pots on your porch/patio or windowsill. Growing your own and having fresh is super and it sure is cheap and convenient.
And as always - reduce waste. Use things up and find new ways to reuse those foods left after a meal. Try to go for ZERO waste!
I know there will be someone that thinks - "mind your business". I am just putting out options that actually cost us more money, and if you are looking to save or looking to stock up cheaply - then these are some ideas you might want to follow. We all want to get the best value for our money. We need to open our minds to doing things a little differently. We need to branch out a little.
It also saves on trash - less bags and plastic being used.
If you don't care how much you spend - well buy as many convenience foods you want. That is your choice.
This is for those needing/wanting to save. We often have to look outside the box. There are good options out there that help us save some.
Do you have any ideas of things that can be made cheaper at home, than spending the big bucks at the store for?
Have a super day everyone!
I've started to make yogurt at home. A 750ml container is usually priced at ~$6. That's ~ the cost of a half gallon of milk which makes 3-4 750ml containers. There are instructions on line. I add pureed fruit &/or maple syrup. Another thing I make regularly is croutons using bread or buns cut into cubes & seasoned with garlic & herb seasoning & olive oil. Re: veggie & fruit packs - they may eliminate waste if larger quantities are purchased & thrown out before they're eaten.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one. I like yogurt and very seldom buy it - I really need to try to make some. Homemade croutons are so good.
DeleteThat may be true - hopefully people will use fruit or veggies bought in larger quantity by freezing or putting back for another day. Kid of a toss-up - extra packaging causing waste - or loss of product.
Shopping alone is definitely cheaper than shopping with others. The only way I would buy those precut veggies and fruit in packs is if I found them on markdown at a great price. I did that one time with some jarred fruit that was a steal. We also buy the salad kits when we find them on markdown for terrific prices.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of not having to buy name brand, I watched a video the other day where a lady opened a brand new box of Land of Lakes butter and the butter wrappers were printed Great Value, which was obviously a mistake, but very telling. Buying store brand saves money and is often a name brand in disguise.
I do once in a while buy when the items are clearance as well - but on a normal basis I don't buy. Sometimes they almost give things away with the cheap clearance price.
DeleteIn many instances there are only a few manufacturers of certain goods, they change wrapping. If you look at the info on the package you will often see a different company name in small print. Same product - different wrapping. Lots of generic items are that way too.
Shopping alone can be an advantage. No one to keep picking up extra things or children wanting treats. The first thing I thought of when you asked what we make at home instead of buying, is salad dressing. Sure easy to make and no muti-syllable ingredients. It is said that the Costco brand Kirkland is equal to or better than name brands. Most house brands are pretty good but it I find one that doesn't add up, I will buy a different brand. Can't wait for grow-ceries from the backyard!
ReplyDeletePouring down rain at 10:07 a.m. We were going to go to Menards but may wait a while, or tomorrow.
Enjoy your day!
Yes, salad dressing is another good one. So easy to make at home and only costs pennies. I have seen items sold at Aldi (frozen) that say manufactured by Kirkland! So you just never know.
DeleteI am so ready for the garden.
Just having sprinkles here so far - right now just light rain. Hopefully you get your errand in today!
My daughter does buy the pre-cut veg, fruit, and cheese, but only when they are marked down by 50%. They are quick and easy for snacks for the grandson, and the cheese we froze and will use in casseroles.
ReplyDeleteMy parsley, sage, and basil are doing very well in the pots on the window sill. All have their second or third set of leaves. The tomatoes are looking awesome too, it's only the peppers that seem to be lagging behind. I will be able to plant peas, carrots, and even lettuce soon. We purchased a couple of rain barrels yesterday so that we won't be spending as much money on watering.
At 50% off that is good - and I can understand that.
DeleteGlad your plants are starting to grow well. YAY on the rain barrels, it saves so much in water bills. You will love them.
I have really had to change my way of eating this past week and I don't even miss those convenience foods anymore! Glad you were able to score some good deals and I pray the weather doesn't get too bad where you are!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, we just get into habits and don't realize it. It is always good to eat fresh and healthy.
DeleteThanks - I hope the worst is behind us on weather. We will see!
I've been buying clearance, half off, two for one sales almost exclusively for years. Now it is imperative to have preps and essentials stocked, there are reports coming in that ports of Seattle and Los Angeles are now seeing a big drop in cargo ship arrivals. It takes a few weeks for store shelves to reflect this type of supply chain interruption, better to be prepared then sorry later.
ReplyDeleteI have always been buying low and filling the larder as well. I try to buy local during the harvest months and then grow my own.
DeleteI am not going above and beyond my normal stocking. I continue to maintain, but I am good for the long haul. I think many of us that have been perpetually prepping are.
Buy what you need and what you feel comfortable with. We each know our pantries.
I usually buy a whole pineapple that has been cut/cored. Dealing with the whole thing is a bit imtimidating - so big and challenging to cut nicely. I can really make a *mess* with some things! :D Working *in* the sink is best.
ReplyDeleteAlso be careful when you buy certain plants - one year I bought a small parsley plant as my seeds did not come up... but when I came to repot it there was a tag underneath saying it had been treated to kill any caterpillars that ate on it. Well, Swallowtail butterflies like to eat on parsley, so I tossed that plant, I'd not want to poison the little caterpillers!
Swanson's chicken a-la King! Shades of my first apartment, when I had *no* experience cooking. That on Minute Rice was a meal I could fix. Now I have some cans in the Emergency storage (shades of the hurricane). Also Lucks "Chicken & Dumplings". Ready to eat right out of the can. Like Chef Boyardee, an emergency meal. Just make sure you have a way to open the can! ;)
Birthday lunch today, good time. Birthday girl is 88 years old. We went to a little place that is resurrecting from the hurricane. Good to support little local businesses that are struggling with that. Another guest brought a cake, chocolate decorated with sugar flowers in pretty spring colors. :) Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
MaryB
Pineapples are a pain! The chicken ala King over rice sounds good. I keep a couple cans of chicken and dumplings around too, as well as Dinty Moore stew! Just to be prepared for anything.
DeleteOh goodness, that is awful that a plant has been poisoned in that way. I would have never thought. Good to know.
I hope the birthday girl enjoyed herself. That is pretty sweet. I have a birthday dinner for a 4-year-old today! Different end of the spectrum!
Cut up fruit makes me wiggy. Just too much and you lose the flavor.
ReplyDeleteI don't think bought cut up fruit has nearly the flavor. I'd rather cut my own - I know where my hands have been!
DeleteI quite agree. Also, if I'm in such a rush I cannot cut up apiece of fruit then I need to slow down and get a life. Gee whiz. ... except for the pineapples, I have trouble with them. ;) I don't have the right tools and may not have the needed strength!
DeleteMaryB
Baking bread saves cash and using the dried out bits and bobs to make croutons or bread crumbs saves even more. I also make my own yogurt and man it really does save a bundle. I think my yogurt maker has more than paid for itself. Saving the bones from chickens, turkeys and any in beef can make some wonderful bone broth and that broth makes the best soups. The meat you can pick off the bones can be added to the soup you make.
ReplyDeleteI would love to make my own K-cups, but I have a machine that will not take the new ones so I am keeping my eyes open for a different kind. Hope to find some soon.
God bless.
I don't eat bread real often - but really need to get back into baking it again. I do make crumbs and croutons.
DeleteThat is so cool about the yogurt maker. Oh yes, broth is another good one. So much tastier.
Boy those companies see you coming don't they. You would think they would be interchangeable - that isn't fair.
The only produce I buy cut is watermelon. I cannot lift even a tiny watermelon. Cutting it would be treacherous and not possible, especially with newly torn rotator cuff. I would buy the soup, too.
ReplyDeleteThere are so fruits that are heavy, like that - or tough to do like pineapple. That would be hard for an older person or one with some disability. Hopefully younger folks would buy the whole thing and save money.
DeleteWe shop alike! Well, I do buy bags of salad. When we buy entire packages or heads of lettuce, half of it ends up rotting. It's our splurge. I also indulge my sweet tooth with mark downs!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely more effort to bake bread, but boy does it save money. And it tastes better too.
I can see if you don't eat lettuce much, it could go bad. I have always been able to keep it pretty well, by the way I store it. I eat it often too.
DeleteHomemade bread tastes so good and then there is that wonderful smell!!
If you purchase head lettuce, put a folded paper towel in the bottom of your lettuce container or bag. I've found that it absorbs moisture and helps keep the lettuce fresh longer. Also, if your fresh fruit is starting to go, put it in the freezer and use pieces in place of ice cubes in your beverage -- great in iced tea!
ReplyDelete