Here we go. We all need refreshers from time to time. Recharge - reboot - re-start - refresh - get off to a running start - new eyes - new ways - new challenges..........................
Let us start with saving at the grocery!!! So many ways to save. I keep hearing about prices going sky high in some areas (have faired pretty well here). Every dollar you save on the grocery bill can be used to pay off other debt, can be saved or can be donated to a good cause.
Let's get started!
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME
- FIRST and SUPER IMPORTANT - inventory what you have. Know what basic and oddball ingredients you have on hand - and use them. #1 Shop YOUR SHELVES first!!!!!!!!!
- Eat LESS - not a bad thing at all. We all know we can each lose a pound or two! People eat due to boredom so often. One nice helping and be done. Maybe use smaller plates (makes you feel like you are eating more if the smaller plate is full).
- Have MEATLESS day or days. Use eggs or beans or lentils for protein. Not having meat isn't going to kill you!!!!! There are lots of filling meatless dinners!
- Cook from scratch - so much healthier and you can really extend a meal better. **Use the crockpot if working or make up casseroles or soups for the freezer - then heat up and eat.
- Use potatoes, pasta, beans or rice as extenders
- Use ALL leftovers!!!!!! HUGE! If you don't like leftovers as is - remake them into something new
- Make your own baked goods and sweets. Hot cereals, granola, hot chocolate mix - all super easy to make up. BREW your own coffee - no stopping at the coffee shop!
- Make simple snacks - popcorn is easy and can be jazzed up. Chips aren't hard to make. Sweets - homemade best. Dip and crackers or veggies/fruit.
- Have leftover veggies no one wants - puree them up and use as a base or adder in soup!!! Pieces of fruit - same - puree into smoothies. NO WASTE
- Get creative - search blogs, Pinterest, You Tube, etc. on how to use the ingredients you have on hand or how to remake into new recipes. There are MILLIONS of recipes out there. Remember a recipe is just something that someone made up the first time - you can do that too!!!!!
- Check out MyFridgeFood.com - You check off what ingredients you have on hand and the site gives you ideas and recipes of what you can make
- EXTEND ground meat with oats, crushed crackers, dry bread, crumbs from fancy crackers or chips, lentils...................great ways to get more servings from your meat
- Soups and casseroles really extend ingredients - add broth, cream of soups, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, pasta, rice ---- so many ways to stretch a few basic ingredients into many meals
- REMEMBER - you don't have to have a 5 course meal!!!!! One pot meals suffice just fine! They are easier and cheaper (and a great way to use leftovers new).
WHAT TO DO AT THE STORE
- Shop SALES - know your stores sale schedule. Most stores repeat sales every 6 - 9 weeks. Get enough at sale price to cover AT LEAST that period of time!!! That is money saved and in your pocket.
- Check out discount/clearance area!!!!! My first stop ALWAYS. Most every department has a clearance are. Produce (Kroger has .99 bin & markdowns), bakery usually has a special shelf, meat often has a markdown section, center aisles - there is usually a section just for clearance items, and even dairy usually has things marked down dispersed among the regular stuff. BUY CLEARANCE to help save money and to ADD to you DEEP PANTRY for the future. (remember you can can or freeze many things)
- WEIGH all prepackaged produce!!!!!! Seriously, a 5 lb. bad is not always a 5 lb. bag. Weigh to get the most. I have purchased 5 pound bags of fruit - that weigh 7 pounds. (Many stores put a certain number pieces of fruit in a bag figuring that it averages out).
- Shop ONCE a week or less. No "Oh I ran out of this" trips. If you run out before a scheduled trip - figure out an alternative
- Shop ALONE - kids tend to want special items and yes husbands do too!!!!
- Shop on a full stomach. Going to the store hungry is such a HUGE mistake!!!!!
- Look for cheaper cuts of meat - and then use the crockpot to make them.
- Use coupons if you can find good ones. Not a huge savings in todays market (no doubling in most places any more) - but saving is saving!
- Don't have just ONE store to shop. Think about alternatives - such as dollar stores, ethnic stores, discount stores. Look around for the best deals. Many dollar stores sell brand name items for less, ethnic stores are great for spices and pastas, and beans and rice and oddball ingredients. Scratch and dent stores are fun if you can find one. Live close to Amish or Mennonite stores? Give them a try.
Hope this gives someone a little incentive to start saving on groceries. There are tons of ways to save. I guess my best points are BUY CHEAPLY and DON'T WASTE.
Get creative.
I hope to add lots of recipes for simple meals this year. I love easy and simple as you know. Just a simple girl. Simple and frugal doesn't mean bland or tasteless.
Do you have any other tips for saving on groceries to share?
Let us all get 2021 started in a frugal way with frugal habits!!!!
WOOHOO - JUST DO IT!
Great post. Thanks for the reminders!
ReplyDeleteThanks. You are more than welcome. I know I need reminders on lots of things any more!!! LOL
DeleteHave a great day!!
Like I have said before, find the discount grocer in your area! We save tons of money there! Cases of yogurt for $1, this week an entire case of fresh mozzarella for $5.99, Pepperidge Farm breads are $1 every day, 3 pounds of Hillshire Farm smoked sausage for $3.50, Betty Crocker Supreme brownie mixes 2/$1, chips 3/$1 and that is just an example of what we find every time we go.
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow! We had one at one time and now it is gone. I sure wish I could find something like that here again. Those are amazing finds. I sure hope others are able to find something like that.
DeleteThanks
They are usually in old shopping plazas or on side streets and have local names. We have S & A Grocery on a side street in an old downtown area and the door opens right off the sidewalk. Then we have Wise Buys in an old shopping plaza in a rough part of town where we feel perfectly safe as long as it is daylight. If you see a store of that type is is worth checking to see what it is. I had seen S&A years ago and kind of written them off and now I am sorry I did because they are the ones with the best food and prices.
DeleteThe one I went to here, was also in a so-so neighborhood. It had really good prices. It shut down do to building and land being sold shortly after I found it. I have found no others. I will do some more searching. Thanks
DeleteAs old as I am, I never considered weighing bags of produce. I learn something ~ or am reminded anew ~ every time you post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt really can make a difference. I read it several years ago in a book (not sure which one) and tried it. It is true. Many times apples or oranges, if you notice have X amount of fruit in each one, yet it says so many many pounds. They just count out similar size fruit. Weighing makes a difference!!!
DeleteWelcome
Thank you for the refresher and reminders -- always welcome! I would add --
ReplyDelete1. Menu plan, menu plan, and menu plan, and shop for only what you need to complete the menu, double-checking your refrig, freezer, and pantry as you go.
2. Cut the recipe down to the number of servings you need / want. There's no sense in making a recipe that serves 8, if you are a party of one or two. Cut it to make only 2 servings (if it's just you + leftovers for lunch the next day) or 4 (if there are 2 at your table)
3. Use up your leftovers -- either as a heat-and-eat of the same meal you had for last night's dinner, or repurpose the left-overs into another meal (leftover chicken turned into chicken salad or chicken a la king, for example).
4. When purchasing items on sale, also consider the perishability of the items. Even some vacuum packed items may turn, and the package doesn't always inflate to indicate spoilage. Had some breakfast ham slices I'd purchased before Thanksgiving that had not been opened. Planned on mock Egg McMuffin's for a weekend breakfast while my daughter visited. Looked good in the package ... until I opened it. Phew!!!! Package expiration was mid-Dec. So although it looked good, it got tossed.
Shame on the ham - I am sure we have all had it happen.
DeleteI love the idea that people menu plan. As for me, I am not disciplined - never have been. I figure out a day or two, but that is about as far I get.
Repurposing leftovers has always been a priority for me. Either eat for lunch, use as a side or make something new.
I still can't make a pot of soup for 1!!! Had a hard time for 2 - but Glen loved to eat, so never had a problem. I freeze what I get tired of for another time.
Great suggestions - THANK YOU
Cheryl, I menu plan for the week and if I stick to it 75%, I'm ahead of the game. I do allow for some flexibility. But, if I plan, at least I have the ingredients on hand, even if the meal gets shoved into next week. My only freezer space is in my side-by-side refrigerator, so freezing is somewhat limited for me and is typically reserved for meats.
DeleteI get ya. 75% would be as good as I would ever get!!!!
DeleteGood idea to keep freezer full of meat.
Excellent points Cheryl. Happy to say that I already do many of these things.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I will have to work around is the fact that I am returning to my low carb (not no carb) eating program. I need to lose weight and I find this works best for me. It does mean that I can't use potatoes, rice or legumes as much as usual in order to stretch meals but I will simply add more vegetables. But on the other hand it means that I eat smaller portions and usually stick to two meals a day so it all evens out.
I have been checking out low carb recipe sites as I am really interested in trying out some new ones and keep to making things from scratch as I find the processed items available far too expensive.
I have inventoried what I have on hand and meal plan about 3 or 4 days ahead - I usually end up with leftovers and there is always soup so I find that's all I need.
But the most effective way to save - at least for me - is to stay out of the stores! I am inclined to stay away more as Covid numbers rise so I am challenging myself to find alternatives so that I can stretch the time between shopping trips! This month I gave myself half my normal food budget to spend and I don't foresee any problem with staying within this amount.
GOOD LUCK! I would have a hard time giving up potatoes, rice, pasta or legumes. Some of my favorite things.
DeleteYes adding more veggies is a great option and very healthy.
I have been staying away more and more - just cause I really don't need to go! I love to shop at the grocery store. It has always been one of my favorite past times - bargain hunting. I am working on staying away from it more and more.
Glad to see someone uses online recipe sites. A great resource.
Best of luck to you!
Great ideas, as usual! A few things I thought of as I read this...
ReplyDelete* Know the prices in your local stores. We have two local grocery chains, Aldi, Walmart, Target, and Costco. Aldi is by far the cheapest, followed by Walmart. It may be different in your area. Keeping a price book is a good idea.
* Sale prices are not always the best deal. Check the price per unit. Sometimes the non-sale package is a better deal per unit. Loss leaders (the to-good-to-be-true deals, usually on the front page of the sale flyer) are usually good deals, but not always.
* Same goes for dollar store items. Many times these are more expensive per unit because they are in a small package for a smaller overall price. If you don't need much, they can be a good deal.
* I almost never use coupons because I almost never buy name brand products. You are paying for all that advertising.
* Do you have to have name brand items? I have found that most of the time, the store brand is just as good or even better and is a lot less expensive.
* Neither of our grocery chains has a mark-down section. Aldi gives their slightly old produce to the local Salvation Army food unit for food bank distribution.
* Speaking of food banks, if you know someone who is getting food bank packages and doesn't want everything they receive, offer to take their unwanted items off their hands. Someone here in the trailer park puts their food bank rejects at our communal mail station for anyone to take. I have gotten some great items that way.
* I echo those who say to menu plan. I plan for the week and have enough protein and fixins on hand to cook for a number of weeks if necessary. I go to the store only about once every two weeks, mostly for perishables (salad fixins, fruit, eggs).
Great points. Knowing your prices is huge - thus don't just stick with one store.
DeleteLoss leaders are generally drop dead lowest prices - but you are right - not always.
Only coupons I use are food cat food - I don't buy big brand names.
Food pantries are HUGE helps for filling in the pantry. Never turn down freebies - because when you really need something someone may not offer (if you always say no).
I keep a big enough pantry that I just don't menu plan - not everyone can.
Great tips. THANKS
As I have downsized from a family to just two of us, to me now it has taken me a long while to adjust, and not waste food. I now make a bigger meal that lasts a few days, and freeze things like bread into small packages.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I look back with regret about how much money I wasted buying out when I was working. So to anyone who is working outside the home - you can save a lot by talking sandwiches, snacks, coffee to work with you.
Jaaney
Thank you - yes indeed. You can save a small fortune taking your lunch and snacks. I preached that when I worked to deaf ears. Then they would be broke by Tuesday. Too bad.
DeleteAnother great tip! Thanks
These are all very good tips! Cooking from scratch is key for us.
ReplyDeleteSince we have Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, Super Target, Aldi's, and Menard's of all places, and various dollar stores in our area, there are plenty of shopping and saving opportunities. This is all within three to four miles from our home. I have noticed that Meijer is very competitive with Walmart when it comes to groceries. We make a Costco run every few weeks to deepen the pantry and freezer. We found a very good price on honey at Rural King the last time we bought chicken supplies. The days of preparing a five course meal are long gone for us. My neighbor told me that her 90 year old husband expects a salad, meat, three sides and dessert. Our old bellies would protest at that much food...ha! I admire ladies who can make meal plans and stick to them. I like to plan ahead for the most part (if possible) and not make unnecessary extra trips to the store) and the Urban Farmer is of the "oooh, this sounds good" school. Leftovers often are an evening meal even if we don't have the same thing. Again, old bellies are better off eating less, especially in the late afternoon or evening.
I could no longer eat several courses either. I usually have one pot meals - some days 2 pans. As long as you are satisfied that is what is important.
DeleteI have all those stores within a 20 minutes drive ore so. I don't shop Target at all, and haven't been to Meijer in a good while. I generally do Kroger or Aldi.
It is amazing the deals you can get at Menard's on food items and the same with Rural King. Just shows that there are many options of places to shop.
Thanks
allrecipes.com is another site that you can enter your ingredients and it will give you possible recipes. I love and use when I'm looking for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI had never thought to weigh bags of fruit and veg...now I do. :)
YES I forgot about that place. Thank you! We all need a little inspiration once in a while.
DeleteYou can sure get a difference in weights!
Thanks
Hi all, the way I meal plan is I come up with dinners I can make with what I have on hand. As I use those ideas I cross them off the list. Often there are leftovers so I will serve it for lunch the next day or like spaghetti (my husband's favorite ) he doesn't mind eating it two days in a row lol. When I make spaghetti sauce I use it as a base for other meals like pizza, chili, hamburger vegetable soup. If I make chili I use it as baked potato topping with cheese and onions, chili dogs or tamale pie. No waste and we get variety from one basic sauce or dish. Thank you for all the inspiration Cheryl great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Chili is so versatile - I use on potatoes as well or add to soup. Strain and it's great for hotdogs.
DeleteI have taken leftover spaghetti and turned it into baked spaghetti by adding an egg (for binder) and some cheese and bake till top is starting to brown. Love it. It makes it easier to eat!!!!!
Thanks for the ideas.
I look up so many recipes on the internet now and it really helps me use up what we have.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when technology is a huge plus in our lives!!!!
DeleteThanks
You have once again reminded me to get back on that horse again. I had stopped weighing my produce and need to get back to that once more.
ReplyDeleteSome days we all need a little push. It is easy to forget little things. It all adds up and saves.
DeleteThanks
My meal planning is listing 7 days worth of meats or main dishes, based on the freezer. I add the sides as needed...makes my days easier when I know what needs to be taken out of the freezer for thawing. Another place I have scored food deals is Big Lots!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great plan.
DeleteBig Lots does have some great deals. So many places to look for items.
Paper towel and one-use wipes can be replaced with multi-use rags and bleach water (1:10) for sanitizing. Dryer sheets are reused. Shop-at-home is my go-to for reducing expenses. Eliminating food waste drives the budget. Soup is a way of using up what needs to be used up.
ReplyDeleteYes mam. I use rags and just wash when needed. Dryer sheets get used several times - plus I often use vinegar in the rinse and don't need those sheets. In summer I hang outside.
DeleteFood waste is just like throwing money in the trash!
Thanks.
Great list Cheryl!! I love all of the great tips you share!
ReplyDeleteHere are some ways I save on groceries that are sometimes overlooked:
1. Fruit & Vegetables ( When a fruit or vegetable is priced per item and not pound, example- $.99 Pineapple, I will purchase the biggest and best looking pineapple I can find because no matter what size you get, they're all $.99 each. Same for individual avocados, cucumbers, peppers, etc. Also, when buying lettuce, make sure you look it over top to bottom, whether it's in a container or bag, try to look at as much as you can because it only takes a couple "slimy" pieces to quickly ruin the whole bunch. Same with berries, you want them to easily move in the container and if there are any that seem "stuck" to the bottom, they are bad or headed that way, so don't purchase them. I am amazed when I see people quickly grab produce and not look over what the are buying. Also, if I'm buying grapes, I rarely ever buy the bag like the store has it for sale. I will get a produce bag or another grape bag and only get the bunches of grapes that are firm and fresh looking.
2.Check Expiration Dates- This might seem obvious but it's easy to overlook especially if we're in a hurry or we trust the place we are shopping from. I almost bought a bag of expired cat food not too long ago, but thankfully I had noticed the expired date right before I checked out. I also was able to get a refund on a Walmart pickup order, when I saw that the block of cheese I was given had expired the month before. Don't get me wrong, I will shop salvage stores and don't mind products that are considered past their sell by date but there are certain items for me like meat, dairy, pet food, etc. that I'm a little more careful about.
Hope these tips help someone and you have a great day Cheryl!
I agree with looking for the best and biggest. I have seen people just grab and go as well - I look at everything!!!!
DeleteI keep hard cheese for months past the best by date. Now soft cheese I wouldn't do that.
Thanks for the tips!!!!
Cheryl love your site. Would also love to get your recipes from "scratch!" Happy New Year blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Michigan
Thanks Alison - glad to have you here. I will be listing recipes off and on for different things. I am pretty much a just dump and cook type person!!!!
DeleteBlessings.
This is great Cheryl. I'll include it in my next Weekend Reading post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Thank you so much.
DeleteBlessings in this new year to you!
We are eating out of the pantry & freezers for the next 2 months with only a little dairy & produce as needed. We cannot buy anything for the freezers anyway as they are FULL. We have a hog coming in March so we must eat them down and will still need to take some into DS's freezer.
ReplyDeleteAs for alternate shopping stores: I found rice at Dollar General for $1 a bag. I didn't get any as my jars are full but it is a good price. I need to look for single serving cans or packages of sauerkraut as Dh won't eat it and I crave it from time to time.
Oh what a problem to have!!!!! LOL Good for you on being so stocked and YAY on on the upcoming hog meat. What a blessings.
DeleteI have so many supplies right now - that my shopping is on hold as well. I have a good bulk supply of rice and beans (all types) - so unless I purchased on a deal for giving away - I won't be buying any for a while.
I am sure I have seen little individual cans of kraut. It lasts well in the frig too.