Share your saving tips!

[weazelchef]

Here's what i do...



When i make something .. i won't use all of the ingredient ...

for example
if i make a casserole with cheese on top i will skimp on the cheese a little and save some for another time.

that way.. if payday rolls around and there's no groceries.. you have backup things to throw together.

This is especially helpful with meat.

"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth."

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[stefanierios]

I buy things when they are on sale or in season and let those ingredients dictate my meals.  If something's really cheap, I buy a lot and freeze it in portions to use for later.  Right now, we're eating a lot of sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and yellow squash.  Especially when produce is really cheap, I'll make several meatless meals a week.  Like if meat is $3 lb., and veggies are $0.50 lb., then it's cheaper to eat just veggies and pasta. 

[myprettysweet]

I have a list I go shopping with and a buget.  As I go I add everything up.  I am able to do my shopping in 2 stores and that of course is really nice.  I grab coupons when they help me out but if they make me spend more then I originally would have I run for my life. 

Another way I save money is to buy water bottles in the case and then as we use them save the bottles and the caps.  I wash them and fill them up with my own purified water.  Saves about $15. a month. 

My husband and I don't eat, pasta, wheat, rice because we are pre-diabetic and don't want to become diabetics or our soon to be children.  So the food bill is higher but worth it.  We eat a lot of eggs and I will buy whole chickens and cut it into the desired pieces or debone it.  I also buy beef that you would normally roast and cut it into my own stakes or whatever I feel like making.  It takes time to cut out the bad stuff but worth it in the end.  Make sure when you are buying big chunks of meat that you squeeze the whole thing with your hand.  You want a piece that is as squishy as possible. 

I also get the produce that is on sale.  And make my meals from those.

Glad to be here.  Have a great day,
Grace

[madareamama]

Only plan a few meats for the week.  This way you can buy bigger quantities, even if you don't have tons of freezer space.  If you do have freezer space, plan your meals for the week and still buy the bigger packages.  Most of the time they are cheaper per pound plus you have something if you are short on cash.

To save money on groceries, make a menu plan.  First,  check out what you already have on hand and then plan the rest of the menu with the sales flyer in hand.  This way you can plan meals that are on sale.

Heather
mama to Khaila
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[mamasongs]

I so love this group! Any way back on topic, I like you weazelchef scrimp on ingredients, but my biggest money saver is my garden, and the local farmer's market. I freeze,can, and dry everything. This helps save us money. Also, make whole chickens and we usually get two meals out of them. Bonus the house smells yummy. I have no idea wht I'm going to do when my babes get bigger they will eat even more!

[childadvocate9]

We have 9 children, 5 of which are still at home. 4 of them are boys. Our groc. bill is our largest bill.
I belong to an organic coop and every 2 weeks we pickup fresh veggies and fruit. There is no way I could go to a store and buy what I get for the price I pay. Plus it is organic.

I also buy through a coop flour, oatmeal, stuff like that. I buy 25 and 50 lbs at a time and keep it in my freezer.

We aren't big meat eaters.  Some chicken and fish.  I am always canvassing for new recipes.

I like healthy recipes but it is more expensive to eat healthy and organic but if I can do it with my crew and on one income anyone can.

I agree with the garden post also. We save a lot more in the summer than the winter.

Glad to be here.

[lipstickclouds]

I buy dried beans and soak them overnight when I make vegetarian chili, and then I just need the stewed tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and whatever other veggies I want to put in it, and the spices, like chili powder, garlic powder,pepper,etc. which is stuff I already have. Since it's vegetarian, I serve it with brown rice to make a complete protein, and we have a salad with it. Dried beans and rice are so inexpensive, the whole meal ends up being super cheap.

[weazelchef]

Quoting lipstickclouds:


I buy dried beans and soak them overnight when I make vegetarian chili, and then I just need the stewed tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and whatever other veggies I want to put in it, and the spices, like chili powder, garlic powder,pepper,etc. which is stuff I already have. Since it's vegetarian, I serve it with brown rice to make a complete protein, and we have a salad with it. Dried beans and rice are so inexpensive, the whole meal ends up being super cheap.

That's great.. my husband spends 60 dollars on his chili which is filled with 3 different meats. (def.. not healthy)

"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth."

[lipstickclouds]

Quoting weazelchef:

Quoting lipstickclouds:


I buy dried beans and soak them overnight when I make vegetarian chili, and then I just need the stewed tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and whatever other veggies I want to put in it, and the spices, like chili powder, garlic powder,pepper,etc. which is stuff I already have. Since it's vegetarian, I serve it with brown rice to make a complete protein, and we have a salad with it. Dried beans and rice are so inexpensive, the whole meal ends up being super cheap.

That's great.. my husband spends 60 dollars on his chili which is filled with 3 different meats. (def.. not healthy)

"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth."

My hubby loves his meat too...I don't think he could ever give it up!

[DestMasters]

Quoting weazelchef:
That's great.. my husband spends 60 dollars on his chili which is filled with 3 different meats. (def.. not healthy)

Wait, are we married to twins?  My husband does the same thing but it's for his gravy...spaghetti sauce.  Two meats and a load of other things almost all canned.  I'm starting to turn him from the regular canned to at least organic and will eventually convince him that using fresh tomatoes is far better, both in health and in taste.

Destiny

[weazelchef]

Quoting DestMasters:

Quoting weazelchef:
That's great.. my husband spends 60 dollars on his chili which is filled with 3 different meats. (def.. not healthy)

Wait, are we married to twins?  My husband does the same thing but it's for his gravy...spaghetti sauce.  Two meats and a load of other things almost all canned.  I'm starting to turn him from the regular canned to at least organic and will eventually convince him that using fresh tomatoes is far better, both in health and in taste.

Destiny

lol yeah the other day he came home with stuff to make chili and he was like look baby.. i bought all organic beans and tomatoes..

i was proud..

"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth."