I like rules and I realized that over the years, I have compiled several rules for myself that give me some guidelines for being frugal in the kitchen. They are not hard and fast rules, just general ones and I go through times when it is all I can do to keep my kids fed.
-It is always cheaper to eat at home than at a restaurant.
-Plan ahead. One week at a time.
-Meal planning steps.
1. Check to see if I have any items that need to be used up. Google ingredients to find a
recipe.
2. Check store circulars online.
3. Check my running list of favorites and choose what sounds good.
4. Choose one or two new frugal recipes online or in cookbooks.
-Learn to make convenience foods from scratch.
bread
biscuits
frozen breakfast foods
muffins
pizza dough and sauce
chicken nuggets
refried beans
- Use dry beans instead of canned.
-Freeze chicken or turkey broth when it is available.
-Shop at Sav-a -lot.
-Beans once or twice a week.
-Only buy meats (other than hamburger and chicken) when they are on sale
-Get grocery money in cash and only spend that much.
-Only go out to eat if you have left over grocery money. ( Usually I don't want to spend the money I saved, so we don't go out to eat.)
-Don't serve a meal too often or it will become despised.
-Eat homemade popcorn instead of potato chips.
-Serve leftovers for lunch.
-Make snacks out of leftover ingredients. for example
celery
carrots
saltines
-Get kids on board by showing them the money we save by the sacrifices they made, like eating beans instead of going out to eat. Occasionally, give one of them a bonus from the money saved and use the saved money toward a family treat, like a trip or electronic device.
-Always remember, a meal doesn't save any money if no one will eat it.
I would love to hear some of your "rules" in the kitchen.
10 comments:
These are all great I recently switched my shopping habits. For years, I made a weekly menu and then shopped. I have started shopping only what is on sale for the week and then planning a menu from that. I check the grocery sale ads online and plan from there. I am able to spend less and it actually helps me be more creative and willing to try new recipes. So far I have been spending the difference in what I would have saved on extra items to build up a supply of certain items in my pantry. I especially watch the BOGO specials to help stock up. I also finally bought a cooler to take in the van for us when we will be out during lunch time.
These are all good tips. I try to hold off on shopping until the pantry is empty. I used to go every Thursday or Friday, regardless of whether I needed to or not,but now I just wait it out. We eat out much less than we used. Today we did a "fancy" place at the beach,that wasn't even fancy, but because it's been so long it felt like a big treat. But afterward I was kind of thinking "ugh, I wish we hadn't done that." I wouldn't say it though because Greg and the kids were so happy to be at a restaurant. I am going to start a garden this year. We used to have one when the kids were really little and for some reason I got away from it, but it's foolish to live in Florida ns not do some growing.
How great that you're having fun being frugal!! I think that takes a special person :)
Great tips...I have enjoyed shopping at Aldi andyou can get great deals there.
Hi there! I left a reply to your comment over at "my place". Stop back over when you get a chance.
left this comment at my end..but wanted to make sure you see it -...
Really?! ... I had a brother w/ Downs Syndrome. He died. 5 yrs ago - today. I miss him! so much.
I try to do pasta once a week, and breakfast for dinner once a week. So, for at least 2 days out of the week, we're eating extremely cheaply. I love doing the math to see how much meals at home cost, and it helps us stay motivated to stay away from fast food.
I found her...I think. 4th of July Parade? & Fall Festival? She's beautiful!
Great post! I'm slowly building up recipes for meatless or mostly meatless meals - learning to like beans (sort of). I've been enjoying the challenge of eating for less.
Maybe I need to shadow you for a while, because I am doing a horrible job of this on my own. And we really eat too much garbage. Will you help me, please?
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