The price of everything seems to be going up and up. Some areas of the country and world are worse than others. Here, where I live, in the mid-section of the country it doesn't appear to be as bad as the coasts. Makes no sense to me. I know this is the crossroads of the nation - but things almost always start at the coasts and move inward - so I kind of wonder. The general cost of living is much less here as well - housing, utilities, etc.
So with all the increases, have you increased your budget - by choice or by necessity?
I have never set a budget for groceries. It has always been - pay the bills, save some and then whatever is left of for groceries or incidentals. I have ALWAYS done this.
Do I spend more? I don't think so. How can that be?
First, yes I do pay more for 'certain' things. Cat food has gone up a lot! What was .50 a can is now .80 or more a can. Dry food has gone up as well. Going to buy it regardless, so I pay the price.
I haven't had to buy TP for ages - had plenty way back I got with sales and super coupons. I will continue to pay what is asked for eggs and milk. It is worth it to me. Farmers get so very little of that money - not a good living wage - so I will pay.
It is about choices!!!!!!!!
I try not to buy a lot of junk. IF I do buy chips or goodies, I buy at Aldi, where the price is substantially less.
Some things to do if you are spending a lot more!
- Track your spending. Keep track of where and who has the best prices. Know your stores and their pricing. Back in the day people kept price books. I don't know if that happens today - but you need to be aware of who has the best deals
- Eat from home and your pantry and freezer MORE! Shop home before shopping the store.
- Know how and utilize substitutes. If you run out of something, figure out something else to use. Out of chicken - use ham or beef. Run out of milk - use powdered or canned. Out of eggs - use applesauce, mayo or something else. Out of broth - use bouillon and water. You see how this is works.....
- Eat simpler meals!!!!!!! Plain and simple - just eat simple. Meals don't have to be fancy and many courses. K.I.S.S. principle!!!! Keep it simple silly (my word).
- Use leftovers in a new and fun way. Family doesn't like leftovers? Disguise them - get creative!
- Use your store card for deals. As much as it ticks me off that you can buy something cheaper for having that card - I do use it. IF you can sell it to me for a lesser price and still make money - you can sell it to everyone!!!!!!! Sales should just be sales like they used to be!
- Use the digital coupons if you can. Those do reduce prices a lot. I never pay more than 1.29 for 8 oz. of cheese - as there are regularly dig. coupons for it. I never pay over 2.99/lb. for ground beef - as I get it with coupons and sales. I generally never pay more than 2.50 per gal. of milk. I get gallons with coupons for 2.29 or halves for .99 - 1.29 per. You just have to keep watch.
- Don't shop every week!!!!!! Many of us don't need to. I often miss weeks - have done that for years. I have plenty here to keep me going. Now if I have no plans to shop - and there is a great digital deal - I will go get it (ONLY).
- If you get a great deal on a regularly used item - buy the limit!
- Shop clearance and markdowns. I buy LOTS of produce in the .99 markdown bin. I check the clearance aisle first. There are markdowns all over the store - not just in one spot. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!!!!!!!!
- Don't necessarily be brand loyal
- If you can grow ANYTHING - do it. Use your doorstep and pots if necessary. It all adds up.
- Have a network of family and friends that let you know of great unexpected deals. Work together.
- Cook from home - stay away from fast food and restaurants unless it is a special occasion. One meal out - can buy a lot of groceries.
As crazy as it sounds, I have people (with families) I know that have actually decreased their budgets over the past couple years (substantially) - as they are learning new ways to shop and cook! I have worked with them a lot and they are now making better choices. It sure can be done.
Don't let people convince you it can't.
I know there are people who say they will not use store cards or the digital coupons because the store is keeping track of what you buy. You know "big brother". Well, I hate to tell those folks that everything you do is being kept track of. Your utilities, your taxes, your bank accounts, your charge cards, everything!!! Even driving down the road or walking down the sidewalk is monitored. Do I like it - no - but this is the world today.
Do what you can, pay attention, shop smart, and cook your meals and get creative.
You DON'T HAVE to spend more. You REALLY don't!!!
Happy shopping!
Got any great tips to share?? Let us hear them.
Absolutely everything has gone up here (UK). I was shocked in Aldi yesterday to find a tin of chick peas has almost doubled in price from 29p to 55p (apparently the nutritional content has also changed, don't ask me how).
ReplyDeleteThere are virtually no bargains to be had and you have to be diligent finding any. It's really quite scary.
I am sorry to hear that. We can find bargains here in the U.S. - but you really need to watch and pay attention.
DeleteHere, down south some things have gone up, some things haven't. It was funny, Aldi had a 2 dozen limit on brown cage free eggs, hubs joked with the cashier when she made him put two back. He asked if he could go back and get the 2 and check out again...She was a stick in the mud. Hahaha... He had to go back yesterday and get the 2 more. I needed a bunch of eggs for my egg pasta dog gone it! lol Aldi really is a great place to shop though. Our second born daughter, the pastor's wife is on a budget and her bill has been cut in half by shopping at Aldi.
ReplyDeleteWe go to Sam's too. You just get what you get and go and you're done. Great place for our Pur blend brown rice formula dog food. I like hummus and get a giant tub for way less.
Have been ordering the canned dog food from chewy, it's less than online at wally.
We get lots of inexpensive goodies from Trader Joes when we are on that side of town. The Ezekiel bread that I buy is way less than Walmart. Great buys there too...much like Aldi just more of an amusement park for adults! lol They had some great things at Christmas time for gifts too but they went fast! From what I understand Aldi and Trader Joes are owned by same.
We're tryin' to get our garden going, looking forward to white squash and tomatoes along with cucuzza, an Italian type squash but not a squash. haha.
That is a good reminder Cheryl to check out the clearance bin, we do that too. You can try new things that way as well. You can put clearance produce many times in the freezer, like spinach or greens or bell peppers.
Our grocery bill has gone up as a whole. But so far, stores like Aldi are the way to go. Even our daughter at home who was used to buying the best is now going to Aldi and loves it! She buys only organic and we learned not all Aldis are the same on what they handle.
I try to live like my grandparents on many things. I am more diligent now to save breadbags and any plastic wrappers and such to wrap doggy ick clean up. Or even to put over shoes for next season. I try to wash my zip locks if possible. We have a big basket of floor towels to clean up doggy wee wee etc. I make my own peroxide spray for that too.
Too bad you don't live close by Cheryl, you would be such a sweet neighbor! We too live in an area where cost of living is cheaper but things have still gone up.
Yep, we were shocked to find out that even the banks track and report. : O I sure don't offer too much info like voice when tevo asks for permission to 'track' my voice. No thank you I will type it in if needed. I also have learned more on facial recognition and am careful on certain things. It's a shame really.
We keep our a/c on 80 degrees in summer unless my mom is here. We just use a window unit in our bedroom to sleep comfortably at night. That has helped our electric bill a lot. I'm loving bar soaps to wash my hands instead of always depending on liquid hand soaps. I shave with bar soap too. Dollar Tree has wonderful more natural large bars of bar soap and a good charcoal toothpaste.
Take care Cheryl, I know you must really miss your husband, I actually remember when he passed away, I was following your blog then too. That is tough, very tough.
Hugs to you Cheryl, I hope you're doing well and getting your gusto back soon. ~Amelia
Glad to hear your girls have found and like Aldi. I wish more places had it. Sure, stuff goes up there too - but the no frills really helps. I have yet to go to a Trader Joes - none real close by.
DeleteI can type about something on the computer - just checking or asking a question and within minutes there are ads for it!!! Not a thing we do that isn't tracked. As crazy as it sounds - I have sat here thinking things, and boom there is an ad on the computer. I mean that is freaky!!!!
It would be neat if we had a big neighborhood where we could all live. That would be fun.
Love your ideas for saving here and there.
Thanks - yep, this is a tough month. I will get through it, I always do!!!!
If you ever get a chance to go to Trader Joes (We put it off forever) you would like it! : ) It's fun, like Aldi but a bit more funsy-like with their artwork and things. They also have a ton of checkers so no matter how long the line you get out quick. They also provide bags.
DeleteOne other thing I do to save is check my stuff before I order clothes. Many times I already have a navy vneck tshirt say, and two is enough. I'm not ordering much these days on clothes, and if I get a feeling I want to get those shoes by george, I wait til the next day and look at my closet to make sure I need those 'white' sandals. (I did not!) lol
I'll be thinking and praying for you Cheryl. Life is so hard sometimes but you are a quality person, it's okay to be sad and talk about it too. We are all here for you!
Big bear hugs from me. ~Amelia
I continue working down the pantry and the freezer. I buy fresh fruit every week. The citrus right now is out of this world yummy! Cuties are my favorite. Hubster loves bananas. I don't look at the price. I do track every penny but I'm behind on bookkeeping as we've been under demo/remodel for 2 weeks. I do know that 2022 was $7 less per month average than 2021. It really depends on what you buy and I only buy ingredients. I buy farmer-direct as much as possible here in the wintery mountains. Organic beef, sockeye salmon from the family that fishes in Alaska 4m/year. The kiddos love the life! I got to meet them at my March pickup! Our CSA was paid in January for mid-May through to the week before Thanksgiving so purchasing veggies will stop in 5 weeks! The only veg left in the freezer from last year is Fava beans (recipes anyone?) and sliced bell peppers which will become a few more pans of unstuffed pepper bakes.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday ya'll.
I still get sale prices on Cuties - but citrus is really out of season - so that makes sense. WOW - good job in 2022!!!! Ingredients are much cheaper than stuff! I love the CSA thing - I have never done that, but have thought about it. Sounds like you get some great items.
DeleteKeep up the good job.
We LOVE cuties or anything like them! Any mandarin will do! We love them refrigerated at night. Very refreshing!
DeleteThe grocery budget has averaged ~$400CAD/mo for the past 3 years. We'll see what 2023 brings. I shop every 2-4 weeks. I am back to looking at sale flyers between shops which can result in extra purchases but it's usually sale items for stocking up. Protein for the freezer is sale priced except for the fish & chicken I buy from local suppliers, still less than store prices, as are the eggs & carrots. I seldom eat out or order take out. Living out of town helps I'm sure & the fact that I am a good cook. I'm reluctant to eat out locally & pay for something that I can cook better at home. I don't mind leftovers & can repurpose meals. I usually eat meatless at least once a week. I also shop seasonally which means I'm not buying "exotic" fruits & veg. I have garden produce & preserve in the fall - beans, carrots, kale, tomatoes, salsa, chutney. I shop at home first. I forage for saskatoon berries & my neighbor keeps me supplied with raspberries. I enjoy eating down the freezer & pantry. There's an organization in the nearest city that harvests fruit & veg from owners who can't/won't themselves. The harvest is split between the owner & the organization (operation fruit rescue Edmonton). Also, a potato producer opens his gates to the public & gives away his culls. Collective kitchens teach food buying & cooking. There are ways to reduce food prices.
ReplyDeleteHome cooking is just so much better than restaurant! Nice job keeping the same for 3 years!!!!! I eat meatless at least once a week too if I can.
DeleteYou have a great plan and do all the right stuff.
Oh I want a fruit harvest and a place that offers culls!!!!! That is great. I know south of here some farmers do that at end season - tomatoes, potatoes, etc.
Neat. Yes, it can be done - one just needs to be creative and look for deals.
We have noticed some things have really gone up. Watching for sales and markdowns is key to shopping these days. I clip my mperks coupons for things we actually use.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I search for something on Amazon or online, an ad for that item will show up on Instagram. These greedy companies don't miss a beat. Speaking of greedy, I received a letter from the county stating that we get a rebate (miniscule) on a property taxes.
Yesterday was a bear with the rain and wind. Today is much calmer but cool and slightly overcast. More like regular spring weather, not close to 80 degrees.
Speaking of prices going up, we chose to replace a leaking water collection tank with another just like it. Almost a 50% increase in price. It was the least expensive (by far) of all that we looked at and does come with all the hoses necessary. We need a good supply of rainwater for the gardens rather than use city water. The leaky tank will become a nice vegetable planter.
Some folks have trouble thinking outside the box when preparing meals. Many of the things you mention I already knew about but I still learn much from you. That's the thing I miss about working at the school or being in a home ec. club. Someone always had an idea that was new to me.
Yes, you need to watch those deals for the stores yu regularly shop. The ads tick me off - just look at something and BOOM there is an ad. YEP, tacking us for sure.
DeleteToday is much better than yesterday.
At least you will use the water barrel for something else - great. I like the new one will come with what you need to use.
Yes, I got the tax letter. I am sure taxes are up - as are property values, so yes, I will take the credit they are offering.
I love how we all offer ideas and help one another.
As part of my New Year's resolution each year, I set an amount I want to allocate for various categories. I try to track spending each month to keep within my allocation, but I'm not a stickler. I'm shopping for one and I need what I need. I've almost completely eliminated extras, unless there's a great sale, and am reducing my pantry and freezer (by choice, to make room for the new produce season), and I'm still running aobut 25% over budget. And, they're being sneaky about it. My pup's food has gone up by almost 30% in the last 3 years, and the package has gone from a 6# bag to 5#. Whereas some canned goods were 0.79, they are now 0.89 -- not bad until you realize that's more than a 10% increase. I've regularly bought a store-brand TP (because I like it) and this last week the price had more than doubled -- I was getting as a loss-leader pre-pandemic for $2.99 to $3.99 for a 12 pack; then $4.99 over the last few months. Last week, it was $10.99!!!!! I just have to pinch wherever I can and, when I need to, pull from my pantry and hope for a good sale at some point down the line.
ReplyDeleteYES the sneaky downsizing stuff! They think they are sneaky - not so much. It is really offensive that they think we don't notice.
DeleteGood job on setting a budget.
Yes, when we find a great sale - stock up!!!!! It will be used. Might as well get at a cheaper price and play the grocer's game too. They play games to get us in - well 2 can play that game.
We live in a rural area where we get our eggs and meat from local farms and they have barely gone up in price. Veg and fruits and basic ingredients and household items are the primary thing I buy at the stores during the winter and yes, they have gone up. I still am paying much lower prices though because I cook almost everything from scratch. Pre made is more expensive and usually doesn't taste as well. I'm looking forward to Spring thru Fall for the garden produce and herbs.
ReplyDeleteyes mam, premade is always more. Yay on getting the local goodies. I just love all the salad and fresh items of summer. Even if one doesn't grow a garden, there will be farm stands again!!!!
DeleteI wish we had discounted produce items. Those items, I believe mostly end up at the food bank. At least someone gets use of them.
ReplyDeleteI've always kept track of prices and I use Flipp app to compare prices too. My budget has gone up in the past couple of years are prices have climbed. But I'm starting to see some reductions and the last couple months I've managed to come in slightly under budget.
My biggest ways to save are two you mentioned. I cook more at home (being retired certainly helps), and I've stopped the weekly shop. Most often it's 10 days but I have stretched it out to 14 days occasionally. Currently I'm out of bread, but I'll bake a small batch of buns today or tomorrow to get me through to next week, because that's pretty much all I need at the moment.
Same here, some things have actually gone down a little.
DeleteGood use of an app to keep track.
Good job. There are many ways to save and use something else instead. Just thinking out the box.
We are definitely spending more, but buying about the same thing. We eat pretty simply to begin with. I can't remember the last food item I threw away cuz we really avoid it. We eat out pretty rarely and that's the biggest money saver at all. When my friends go out for a *nice* dinner, they go Lawry's for $200+. When we go out for a *nice* dinner, it's Red Robin for ≤$40 inc. tip!! And that's usually our anniversary. Yup, big spenders lol!! Husband got a great work review a few weeks ago and wanted a celebratory meal out. He picked Subway, just two footlongs, and we had lunch the next day.
ReplyDeleteI've managed to stick to my $1 per lb. for most fruit. Trader Joe's has helped a lot with eggs. And we've been lucky to keep finding milk on sale.
That is my kind of celebratory meal!!!! Just because you spend $200 doesn't make it taste any better. I have found many of those meals aren't good anyway!
DeleteYAY for hubs!!!!!!!
Just keep looking and watching. You do great!
Your timing for this post is perfect, Cheryl. As usual. Lots of great tips from you and all the comments. Last week, using a digital coupon, Hubs accidentally bought a chub of *hot* breakfast sausage. Obviously not good for me right now, but at $3.99 coupon price, I wasn't about to throw it out. Instead, I thawed a vacuum sealed pkg. of extra lean ground beef, and with 2 large eggs, 1/4 c. ketchup and 1/2 sleeve of saltines (crushed) made a meat mixture. This morning I formed that into 21 meatballs that are in the oven. Since I added no extra seasoning, they can be used multiple ways.
ReplyDeleteOnce baked and cooled, some will be sliced in half before freezing. I can then thaw those and--in jumbo muffin cups--use biscuit dough or cornbread, with 1/2 a meatball tucked in, top with cheese and bake, or bake without the cheese and spoon gravy over them when they're done. Add veggies and you have a quick meal. Some meatballs can also be cut up for potato-meat hash. My point is when to add creativity to getting the most mileage out of ingredients, you have homemade convenience in your freezer for those inevitable days you're not up to cooking.
Meat prices have stabilized here, as have egg prices. Not sure how long that will last as gasoline and diesel are climbing at a fast clip again. What has surprised me more is the ever-increasing cost of produce. It may not sound like it when I list sale prices, but I list those because of what regular prices are now. That sale on asparagus at Basha's is far less than the $1.97 per lb. (sale) price at Safeway, or the regular $3.49 per lb. price at Walmart. For citrus and apples--both in season--the average is about $2-3 per lb. regular price. Don't even get me started on lettuces. Cereal has also hit astronomical prices, and a jar of jelly now averages $5. We don't buy juice, but I've seen that's gone up a lot, too. It would be a serious challenge to be raising growing kids right now.
Part 2 on "grow"ceries will follow. --Elise
What a great idea on using the hot sausage. That is neat and sounds yummy! Creative to the max!
DeleteMeat is getting a little better here, eggs a lot better.
You find some really good deals. Lettuce is crazy for something that really has no nutritional value!!! LOL
So easy to grow and tastes fresher.
I buy the frozen concentrate for juice - when bottled is up in price. IF I can't have oranges - I like OJ.
Since our front yard is mainly the septic leach field, which isn't good for growing edibles, and with the thought of foot surgery, I hadn't planned a "grow"cery garden. This morning I'm having second thoughts. Off our kitchen is the laundry room/mud room with a door to a side yard; the door faces our large barn shed. On one side, well off to the side, is the septic tank. Meaning there's a sizable spot behind where there'd be any septic spread. I'm wondering now if making a kitchen garden there would be worth the cost; we'd have to bring in some good soil and we'd be using more water for it. I'd also have to enlist BIL's help (he's supposed to arrive next week--we'll see), as Hubs hates gardening. It's a thought??
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy rest of your week everyone, and Happy Easter! --Elise
Sounds like a plan to me! Hey, make that dude work a little!!!! LOL
DeleteIf nothing else just something raised outside the door - so you can reach it. For lettuce, or simple salad items.
We increased our budget 20% and then a ministry that we support has asked for $2000 every month to send food to a church in Kenya so I started giving from my grocery budget and that put is back to where we were pretty much. So in the way that happens when we give I have had plenty of money. The deals have been crazy lately here so we just go around and collect them every week and we have more than enough in our pantry and eat better than we ever did!
ReplyDeleteNice and sweet! God provides. You are giving up some of your budget and yet you find the deals! Hmmmm love that.
DeleteThere have been crazy deals here as well. Hams right now are .89/lb., butter, cheese, chicken, etc.
Thank you for helping others!
Since switching to a low-carb and no sugar diet in mid-December, our food expenditures have decreased from an average of $325/mo. (for two people) last year to $259/mo. in 2023, a 20% reduction. We eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, full-fat dairy, small amounts of whole-grain bread, and a minimum of processed foods. We are eating less food overall and are not hungry. We have not eaten restaurant food (dine-in, take-out or fast food) in over four years. Besides saving real money on food, Husband has lost 18 lbs. and is exercising more and sleeping better. I have lost almost 14 lbs. and over 2 inches off my waist, with a BMI of 19. I now weigh less than I did when I first became pregnant 36 years ago. I have much more energy, no chronic pain, sleep better, and have been able to come off anti-depressant/anti-anxiety meds that I took for 26 years. It is medical malpractice that no doctor ever told me that sugar and carbs make depression and anxiety worse!
ReplyDeleteGroceries are much higher here in SW PA than in the Midwest due primarily to transportation costs. (Since OPEC announced production reductions last week, gas prices went up $.30 overnight.) Look for even higher costs in the months to come. Drought in the Midwest and flooding in California are going to cause shortages.
We are no longer receiving weekly food boxes from the food rescue project because nearly all of what we received was what we no longer eat. In the past few weeks the quality of the fresh food donated had passed from old-but-edible to totally-rotten-inedible. One local grocery chain (Giant Eagle, by far the most expensive in the area) is now selling their old produce online instead of donating it or having it available in the stores.
I expect our food bill to go down even further this summer when my garden starts producing. I currently have cherry tomato, cucumber and sweet bell pepper seedlings started with beefsteak tomato waiting to sprout. I'll be planting carrots, peas, beets, spinach, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans (bush and pole varieties). All will be from seed except the broccoli, which I am going to try to re-grow from purchased heads. Other than making more growing mix, there should be minimal expense.
First - great to see you!!!! Been missing you!!!
Delete2nd - THANK YOU for the testimonial! My gosh, that is fantastic! You are both doing fantastic.
I have eaten a lot of sugar laden stuff lately - could explain the sudden mood decline! Never put 2 and 2 together! I did buy a lot of fresh fruit and veggies today - trying to be done with the sweets.
You have both done so well. Glad to hear that your hubs is doing so good from it as well!
You rock. Thank you again, for telling us this. Another great thing is you are saving money for other things!!!!!!
Please stay in touch! WOOHOO
We're really lucky in my area we have a bunch of 'discount' grocery stores, often called bent & dent stores. Their prices are 50-90% off regular stores. You do have to check expiration dates but the prices are so amazing, I just consider my trips to those stores treasure hunts. We also live near many food manufacturers who have factory outlets, again, we can buy canned & frozen veggies as well as chips, pretzels and other snacks for pennies on the dollar. There really are food outlets so everyone should investigate to see if they have any nearby.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish we had discount grocery stores around here. The last one left many years ago. The closest thing is Ollies - which sells everything, but some food is cheaper there.
DeleteYou are fortunate to have such sites near you. Yes, that would be like a treasure hunt for sure.
The Mennonite store is a good distance - but the have a section like that. It was always fun to go through stuff.
Our salvage stores have weird stock right now. One has rows and rows of candy and the other is overstocked with vegan foods. I guess this is what is not selling at the regular retail outlets.
DeleteWell I guess it is good candy isn't selling, but you would think vegan foods would sell. That is kind of weird.
DeleteBobi (and Lana), I read a very interesting article yesterday about the steady, rapid growth of resale over retail. Bent & dent and outlet or salvage grocery stores are a part of that. While retail is flattening, national numbers since 2018 show an average 20-22% increase each year in resale market growth. It's on the uptick, and is expected to account for nearly 80% of U.S. (recorded) sales by 2030. We don't have one where I live, but maybe in the not-distant future??
DeleteThe growth of both "Thred Up" and "Poshmark" over just the past few years is really impressive, and would be a great way for readers here to both shop for and sell (ie. earn extra income) for clothes and things. The opportunities for resale are increasing. Good to see! --Elise
Groceries are predicted to rise from 5 to 7 percent in Canada this year. Our federal government is giving approx. 11,000,000 residents of low income what is called a “grocery rebate”. The amount depends on whether a family, single or senior. I will receive $225 which almost covers my monthly budget. Right now I don’t think I’ll have to increase the budget but I will continue to be vigilant re portions, waste and leftovers and adjust as necessary.
ReplyDeleteI am inspired when I read your blog Cheryl. Thx so much. Connie in Canada.
I am glad you will be getting some help with the prices. In US we got rebate checks for a while every so often during all the C stuff. Then they tacked on extra to food stamp recipients monthly allotment. That is all done now.
DeleteI am glad those in need are getting help.
Thank you! Glad to have you here.
We decided not to raise the amount of our grocery budget. I only shop for food every two to 3 weeks We eat seasonally and also have been doing intermittent fasting for almost 8 years and in the summer have a vegetable garden which consists of one large raised bed and multiple containers. I wind up freezing for the winter most of the veggies that we grow. We live in a farming community and do our food shopping at the farm markets. When one of the farms offered an investment opportunity we took it. It's in the form of a "gift card" in various denominations. In other words, it's basically means that groceries are prepaid but the farm has more fluidity to cover their growing costs. It's kind of like a CSA, but we get to choose which foods we shop for rather than getting a box of food. And, depending on the amount that is invested the interest or bonus on the investment is free groceries of your choice. We feel so blessed that we can help out a family farm. For things we cannot get at the farms we drive about 45 minutes to a really good grocery store, probably about once a month. I use Green Bags to keep food fresher in the frig. Leftovers always appear as a different meal . I love the creativity of scrap cooking and do it very often. I have several cookbooks from WWII. I only buy ingredients and make everything from scratch this is because I have a histamine intolerance and cannot eat anything canned or prepackaged. I batch cook several meals so that there is always something in the freezer for when I don't feel like cooking. Didn't mean to write a book, Cheryl.(lol). Blessings, Cookie
ReplyDeleteYou are doing this right!!!!!!!!! I love it. Eating seasonally is huge and finding and using farm stands is so important. Growing what you can - you are doing all the right things.
DeleteI love the idea of buying in to the farm. What a neat idea. Win-win!
Wow, never heard of that food allergy. Nice that you have all the resources you need. You feel free to write as much as you want. This is helpful to others.
Thanks.
We haven't raised our grocery budget, but man we have come very, very close to going over. I try to shop every two weeks and while that might not save on the grocery budget it does save on the fuel budget. I make do, and am serving more meatless meals. Making my own soups, breads, buns and desserts really help as well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
YES - not only do people save on groceries not shopping so often, but gas and wear and tear on the car. People forget about that! It all adds up.
DeleteYou know your food has to taste better cooking at home. We don't need meat at every meal - I often sub some other protein.
Lots of good comments from everyone today, thanks to all for some good food for thought ( pun intended)
ReplyDeleteI did just mention to my daughter yesterday that I would have found it a real struggle to provide for my family at today’s prices.
Our local women’s shelter was asking for donations of sanitary products as a local business owner said she would match what was donated.
I was astounded at the price, and it hasn’t been that long since I have stopped buying that stuff !!!!!
Louise
My niece has a family of 4 kids at home, one who is engaged and there often, and her and her hubs - and I have helped them drastically reduce their food budget. Just simple tricks - and no buying JUNK! It can be done - it just takes work.
DeleteThanks for helping the shelter. You can buy pads at the dollar tree for super cheap (1.25). I keep them on hand (not for me) to use in case of emergency for compresses for wounds. They are super absorbent.
That is something that is also being asked for in the tornado areas around here. We often forget about the simple basic things.
Good your your niece has you to help her, what a blessing you are to her!!
ReplyDeleteIt was only that I was walking into the supermarket and stopped to chat with a woman manning the donations table and she specifically mentioned the need for maternity pads, anyway I bought what was on the shelf and left them with her.
That’s my kind of donating, targeted and I was already there, I know where it’s going. I believe the shelter was being supplied items by a local pharmacy that has now closed. Rather than have a close down sale, the business simply donated its stock to lots of schools, shelters, aged care and other groups locally. I thought that extremely generous and so I felt I should do my bit. It was reassuring to hear a good news story today. Louise
Wonderful. Nice the store donated instead of being greedy. It would be nice if more places did that. So many places just throw away things too - and no one gets any help. They could sell at discount or gift it and someone could be helped.
DeleteI absolutely agree, it was a very generous thing to do, and many people got to benefit from it. I love hearing good news stories like this, it makes me be not so miserable and snarky at the state of the world. I fear I am turning into a cranky old lady. Louise
DeleteI also don't have a grocery budget. I'm paid first of the month only, and once all bills are paid and savings set aside, what's left is what I have for what I call "life"! It has to cover all my monthly food, needs and wants. It's not a lot, and a bigger share is going to food and necessities now, but it's enough. When it runs out, then the purchases stop too! I've plenty food to see me through a month.
ReplyDeleteBasically the same here. I always have plenty on hand so it is not a worry. Just maybe not all the things I want at a given moment. Good of you to get it all paid first. It just seems like the most common sense way to me!
DeleteYou are so right Cheryl. One meal out is unbelievable in price. I saved some money twice by not caving in this week. It's so easy just to get something but it's mind over matter. It's healthier too fix your own. Have a great Easter!
ReplyDeleteYes indeedy - some places out could pay for a weeks groceries!!!!
DeleteYou have a great Easter as well.
I never eat out. In the past when in a situation where we had to eat out, I found the food to be too salty and poorly prepared. Sometimes servers can be not on top of things until it's close to presenting the bill, when service and smiles magically appear.
ReplyDeleteI used to have to be frugal. Now I can spend whatever I want but my wants are still guided by value for money. We eat very well and pretty cheaply. My brain has price points on everything and I will not pay more than that. Just eat something else!
I usually shop once a month as I live rural. When planning my shopping trip I find it useful to go to the various stores home page and price what I'm looking for. A product may be way cheaper even though it is not in a flyer at any given store. Surprisingly, even shopping once a month, I find that my list is not a big one. Once in a while I may need detergent or deodorant but usually it's milk, eggs and fresh veg in winter. When meat is a good price, I stock up so never am I forced to buy at a high price. We make our bread and desserts, can free food in three seasons. I am in Canada and our government has continuously well provided for our needs with money thrown at us left and right. I do think that many people who are struggling could do a lot better with some planning and a better attitude. It is so satisfying to make do.
With regard to loyalty cards, I use a couple and the dollars add up. I see that I used $256. in loyalty rewards in 2021. $183. in 2022. I currently have $250. available but only spend them when there's an extra bonus added, like spend $60. get $20. But never pay too much just to get points!!!
I loved reading all your tips, Cheryl. Glad you are helping so many too.
Hello Rita. I think I am basically the same. Used to have to be frugal - then chose to be - now I can spend but want to be a good steward of my funds. Life has a way of working.
DeleteYou have a good plan. It is nice, isn't it - to not have to spend a big chunk of change if you don't want. having that pantry and freezer at home is a blessing.
Yes, people, today more than ever, need to learn and plan and TRY to find a way. It is satisfying. It is a challenge and it is really fun!
Good plan on the loyalty cards!
Thanks!!!!!
Rita, if you don't mind my asking, where does the Canadian government get the money to send everyone for food price increases, etc.?
DeleteI, too, use loyalty and store membership cards to accumulate a little extra $$ for (usually) winter holiday season. It does add up. Good advice, though, not to spend just to earn the rewards! --Elise
Cheryl, you are SO right, and I think folks are finally coming around to that. More will (I'm certain) when Covid programs run out at the end of this month. --Elise
DeleteHi EM Griffith: Our Federal government which happens to be the Liberal Party at this time, is more oriented to providing for people than big corporations. They provide monthly benefits for families (family allowance), they provided money for people that were let go due to covid restrictions, seniors get old age pension and guaranteed income supplement which tops you up to a minimum income if you do not have private pensions. We have a carbon tax on fuel in order to try to bring us into compliance with lowering co2 emissions; this money is returned to each tax payer so if you limit your use of fuels you will come out ahead. We pay tax on everything we buy except for food. In Ontario that is 13%. 8% goes to the province and 5% to the federal government. Low income people get monthly cheques to reimburse for both those taxes. As a senior I get $500. toward my property tax. When inflation picks up, the government throws some money at us by sending extra payments to help out on groceries for instance. The latest grocery support is for everyone making less than 90,000. per year. We are resource rich country. We do not support a big military nor do we have foreign wars to finance. Canada also provides a lot of support to foreign countries who need help from time to time. We have regulations which are so important to curb excessive profit taking by big corporations and big pharma. That's why many Americans are buying their prescription drugs in Canada. There is still lots of room for profit here just not obscene profit. We are not perfect. There are many big companies that pollute and will not clean up their filth. Money is just a cycle. When you give to the poor and middle income, they spend it and keep the economy rolling. It is the wealthy who take too much and hide their income through off shore accounts. I'm not an expert but just an ordinary person and that is my take on how things work. Others may have another point of view. I think that if your country returned to regulating business and taxed the wealthy at a fair rate ( pre Reagan), you could have a utopia with free health care and a better standard of living for all.
DeleteSo many great tips from everyone. I agree with growing anything you can wherever you can. I no longer grow ornamental cabbage and pansies in my front planters during the winter. I now grow regular cabbages and curly kale. I find it just as decorative and at the end of the season it provides a couple of tasty and nutritious meals. Every little change helps.
DeleteThank you for the explanation, Rita.
Delete-Elise
Neat on growing food instead of pretties! That make good sense to me. Flowers are lovely - but food saves you money (and it is pretty too). Great idea! More people need to grow veggies in flower beds instead of flowers.
DeleteFor my daughter and son- in- laws recent joint birthday dinner for 4 people I probably spent an amount equal to the cost of one meal out at an average restaurant ($25). Everything at the meal was a clearance item or deep discount sale item. I made each of them gift baskets for their birthday gifts. I'm estimating each "basket" cost me no more than $20 each and they were STUFFED full of things I got on discount like the 1000 piece puzzle I got for 50 cents for my son-in-law or the wooden salad bowl I got for my daughter at a thrift shop that I refurbished and wood burned a design on. Those gift baskets probably would retail for $150 at least.
ReplyDeleteI hit upon the motherlode of discount bakery a couple weeks ago. I don't usually find much at this particular store but every so often I stop in and look. Everything was a dollar or less! I got $6 artisan loafs for $1. Ten bakery cookies for 80 cents. I got what I thought I had room for in the freezer. Normally they discount half off which to my way of thinking still isn't low enough for me. I must've gotten the two day old stuff!! Lol
I was able to get a bunch of clearance produce for 99 cents at the beginning of March and it lasted me 2- 3 weeks but I've been out for 2 weeks. Too busy to get to that store but did get 99 cent/lb asparagus and a bag of avocados for 99 cents at another place. Ate lots of Mexican bowls. Lol. Normally I freeze my guacamole for future meals when I get a deal like that but this time I just enjoyed eating a lot of it! Now I'm tired of it and ready for something else. I need to do a produce run next week. The clearance produce has gone up just like everything else. They used to put 2 or 3 things in a bag like the premade salad bags. Which made them around 33 - 50 cents each. Now they mark the individual bags at 99 cents. Which is cheaper than 2.99 or 3.99 or 4.99 depending on the salad mix. I only pay 99 cents if it's one of the large salad kits. They used to put out full brown grocery bags of bananas for $1 now they're doing half bags.Those big tubs of salad used to be clearanced at 99 cents now they're $2. Which is better than 5.99. But still it's expired produce they'd have to throw out. I guess they have to squeeze out every dime they can get.
I'm still surprised at the number of people who walk by the clearance items. But that's good for me!
I'm working on downsizing portions to save. I'm also going to experiment with taking a scoop (or serving ) out of various dishes I make, putting it in the freezer and sort of stealthily amassing a supply of frozen food for the ready. Instead of counting on leftovers to freeze.
~margaret
I love the birthday celebration you mentioned. It all sounds lovely and I bet everyone truly enjoyed themselves and their gifts.
DeleteYes, clearance seems to have gone up too. I still get decent bags of goods for .99 - but the clearance aisle is higher than it used to be. Meat clearance isn't generally clearance in my opinion. I have never understood people's ideas on avoiding clearance. There is nothing wrong with it. I prefer paying the lower price!!!!! Good for you on the portions. That is a good idea.
Actually, lettuce does have nutritional value. We buy food we need even at exorbitant prices. Eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables...none are cheap. Since we both had covid, we did buy prepared food more than usual. We went to store yesterday and today and spent almost $150, much more than a usual week. Tonight, we baked carrots, potatoes, zucchini and onions to go with the frozen, baked chicken we thawed last night. So, I guess we are back on track even though we are still exhausted from covid.
ReplyDeleteWe stick to very cheap meat--chicken, ground beef or pork. Sales are used most of the time. We do eat ham on specials.
Needing to use an electric cart limits where we can shop. So, we do the best we can.
Most people eat head lettuce and it has very little nutritional value - leafy lettuce has more. All are full of water and low in calories.
DeleteI buy what I need, but still look for the best prices. I can understand that using a cart would limit the store you can go to. Maybe you can order food and have it delivered.
I hope you are both feeling better.
Actually ice burg lettuce is good for you. It has 0.5 protein,0.66 g fiber,9.9 mg calcium, 0.2 iron, 77.55 mg potassium, 276.1 IU Vit A,164.45 mcg beta carotene, and several other vitamins etc that we need.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Save A Lot here in town, plus an Aldi's over where we go to chiro. If I watch the coupons and sales I can get it cheaper at Walmart here or Kroger at chiro. Won't be buying much once the garden comes in. I am also looking to either buy my meat from the Amish in the fall or go to the local butcher shop that ONLY butchers and sales local meat. Our budget has bounced if I am stocking up on oils, etc. Spices and herbs this past winter (waited for sales) due to the herb garden having to be replaced. First time I have ever seen thyme die in the gardens and not come back.
in my family iceberg lettuce is the vegetable of choice for the vegetable haters lol I buy it occasionally if it's a clearance item. I don't waste time eating iceberg as I prefer other greens. more bang for the buck hahaha and more flavor
ReplyDeletefor example,my husband is convinced he once gained weight eating "salad", understand salad is just iceberg lettuce nothing else to him. After 2 weeks of eating "salad" for lunch he claims he gained weight. He assured me he hardly used any dressing. Uh huh.
My mom makes a head of lettuce last all week and drowns those poor little lettuce leaves in dressing.
It's pretty funny. It's like they've done their civic duty by eating iceberg lettuce for their vegetable.
~margaret