If you are spending more on groceries per meal than eating out you aren't doing what the other commenter recommended. Wholesome=whole foods. You are buying junk or paying too much, shop around and stock up on non-perishables or freezer items, and buy in bulk. Go to stores close together or stop in if you happen to be driving by. Unless you've choose to live in the boonies, your choice don't whine about lack of competition, it is not that far. For months I was spending $20 a month on gas including when it was over $4 so I obviously wasn't driving all over every week.
Most things will keep, can be frozen, or dried. Stop buying prepared food and buy a bread maker,freezer and dehydrater and shop once a month if you live in the boonies. Im assuming you have to find civilization occasionally.
I'm 8 months pregnant. Hubby and I in a day made and frozen more than 120 servings of meals for when our baby arrives. We used a foodsaver but we regularly put his lunch (leftovers) in reusable containers or try freezer bags. And he carries them frozen biking 8 miles one way to work.
Whole grains:
regular not quick oatmeal
bag of uncle bens brown rice parboiled
tortilla-whole wheat or multi-grain
barley
popcorn
whole wheat pasta
whole wheat bread
Try day old bread outlet and freeze or invest in a griner and buy the wheat berries, grind yourself and make your own pancakes, crepes, bread, cookies, muffins...
Protein-(The chicken,roast and whole frozen turkey was on sale recently cheaper than Costco so we multiple family packs of each.)
Lean meat-Eating out usually means it is not lean. Hamburger patties at Costco cheaper than the chubs at 50 cents each. Frozen meat last a year.
Bag of dry beans=numerous servings. Soak overnight and cook or in pressure cooker, try using crock pot/slow cooker. Also tonight we bought cooked canned beans at Smith's case sale for 50 cents in bulk.
Low fat dairy-we make a stop at a grocery store that usually sell milk, now 1.69 gallon (try dry) as the loss leader as well as cottage cheese and sour creme for $1
Fruit- My costco has apples regularly under 60 cents and bananas cheaper than anywhere else. And apples last. Freeze over ripe bananas and use them in baking. Buy whats a good price when you stop in for something else at a variety store like Super Target.
Vegtables-buy only what you will eat before it goes bad or buy frozen. Watch prices and then try something new. Tonight saw 16 oz for 91 cents. Costco sells like 5 heads of lettuce for $3. Add some meat/beans/cheese=entree.
Oh, also I live in Albuquerque, NM. NO PORT, everything flown or trucked a long way inland.
I disagree with this. It's for sure healthier, but NOT cheaper. If anything, I've found that since I've been really dilligent on watching what I eat, that I spend wayyyyyyyyyy more on groceries.
Amanda
of WI
@
Sep 29, 2008 16:33:58 PM
Frugality
DO NOT WASTE MONEY. We all waste money in one way or another, but if you rein in your day to day expenses, you will then have the money to put it where it does the most good.
WASTED MONEY
* Smoking: Stop. A pack a day costs over $2000 a year.
* Liquor: Switch to wine and beer - and drink moderately.
* Junk Food: That stuff is expensive and will eventually kill you.
* Credit Cards: Get rid of them and switch to a Debit Card.
^ Shopping at the Mall: Is mainly a form of entertainment to fill the void. If you don't NEED it, don't BUY it.
* Restaurants: Women like to eat out, because they don't have to cook. Try to get hubby interested (men make good cooks)get him to cook a main meal once a week. Invite friends and family over instead of eating out.
* That Second Car: Find a way to get by without it.
* Movies: Wait a month or so and rent the DVD.
SAVED MONEY
* Use your local free library.
* Use public transit where available.
* Use your local parks and walkways for recreation and exercise..
These a just a few examples, I am sure you can find more.
Maurice Robson
of WA
@
Aug 24, 2008 00:55:12 AM
Frugality
BUY SECONDHAND! This is the motto we live by at our house. Here's a sample of our "finds" at local Salvation Army and Good Will stores: Proctor-Silex automatic drip coffeemaker with permanent filter, $2; Mrs. Tea hot tea maker, $1; Rival Crock-Pot, $3; Pyrex baking dishes, $1 each; assorted Tupperware/Rubbermaid items, 25 to 50 cents each; Conair footbath, $4; Panasonic table radio, $3; Singer sewing machine like new, $20; etc. etc. etc. And don't forget church rummage sales and neighborhood yard sales! Happy shopping!
Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.
Holly Turner of NM @ Apr 04, 2009 07:15:27 AM
Amanda of WI @ Sep 29, 2008 16:33:58 PM
Maurice Robson of WA @ Aug 24, 2008 00:55:12 AM
Susan of WV @ Jul 02, 2008 14:55:12 PM
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