Grocery prices? Stretching your dollar to the max?!
Has anyone else noticed how expensive groceries are getting these days!!? Going to the grocery store has become a chore because you leave bankrupt! lol :)
What do YOU do to stretch your food budget to the max!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
What do YOU do to stretch your food budget to the max!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
There are some really good answers on here (although I cannot handle the suggestion to buy liver, kidney and tripe!)!.
Definitely try to steer clear of the center aisles for your main groceries; the perimeter is composed of whole foods, produce, etc, which is not only cheaper to buy but more nutritious!.
Coupons do save money, just make sure you're buying something you'll actually use!
The store brands are cheaper!.
Frozen veggies are a great staple since they remain fresher longer than fresh!. I prefer the frozen over canned!! Rinsed canned beans are cheap and healthful, but the dried bags of beans are even less expensive, and have no added salt! They are SO easy to prepare too!.
Prepared dinners and frozen entrees eat up money too fast; it's FAR cheaper to make it from scratch!. I find that I save a ton of money when I make a large batch of soup, beans, pasta, etc and freeze portions for future use!. Or my husband just takes some to work for the next few days' lunch!. :)
There are many unnecessary or junky things out there that eat up money quickly: soda, chips, name brand cereals!. Skip them for the most part and you'll be surprised how much less you spend on "groceries!."Www@FoodAQ@Com
Definitely try to steer clear of the center aisles for your main groceries; the perimeter is composed of whole foods, produce, etc, which is not only cheaper to buy but more nutritious!.
Coupons do save money, just make sure you're buying something you'll actually use!
The store brands are cheaper!.
Frozen veggies are a great staple since they remain fresher longer than fresh!. I prefer the frozen over canned!! Rinsed canned beans are cheap and healthful, but the dried bags of beans are even less expensive, and have no added salt! They are SO easy to prepare too!.
Prepared dinners and frozen entrees eat up money too fast; it's FAR cheaper to make it from scratch!. I find that I save a ton of money when I make a large batch of soup, beans, pasta, etc and freeze portions for future use!. Or my husband just takes some to work for the next few days' lunch!. :)
There are many unnecessary or junky things out there that eat up money quickly: soda, chips, name brand cereals!. Skip them for the most part and you'll be surprised how much less you spend on "groceries!."Www@FoodAQ@Com
In addition to the other answers:
Eat less meat and more alternative sources of protein - like canned beans, which are seriously cheap!. Just be sure to rinse them well before using!.
Stretch dishes with fiber-full additions, like brown rice or whole-wheat pasta - you'll get more servings out of the dish, and you'll be more satisfied with what you do eat!.
Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers for another night!.
Make your own bread, soups, desserts, things like that!.
Make juice from frozen juice concentrates instead of buying refrigerated juice!.
Canned or frozen vegetables are every bit as good, and much cheaper, than their fresh counterparts!. Steam them instead of boiling to retain the nutrients!.
Chips and junk food are wasteful, both financially and nutritionally!. Just skip them!.
Buy generic whenever possible - most of the time, there is no noticeable difference between the generic and name brand, and the price difference can be mind-blowing!. Some companies actually package the same product under different labels - generic and name brand - so you're getting the exact same thing!.
Shop farmer's markets for produce - you'll be supporting local farmers and getting a good deal!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Eat less meat and more alternative sources of protein - like canned beans, which are seriously cheap!. Just be sure to rinse them well before using!.
Stretch dishes with fiber-full additions, like brown rice or whole-wheat pasta - you'll get more servings out of the dish, and you'll be more satisfied with what you do eat!.
Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers for another night!.
Make your own bread, soups, desserts, things like that!.
Make juice from frozen juice concentrates instead of buying refrigerated juice!.
Canned or frozen vegetables are every bit as good, and much cheaper, than their fresh counterparts!. Steam them instead of boiling to retain the nutrients!.
Chips and junk food are wasteful, both financially and nutritionally!. Just skip them!.
Buy generic whenever possible - most of the time, there is no noticeable difference between the generic and name brand, and the price difference can be mind-blowing!. Some companies actually package the same product under different labels - generic and name brand - so you're getting the exact same thing!.
Shop farmer's markets for produce - you'll be supporting local farmers and getting a good deal!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I read the circulars in the paper and compare store prices!. Clip coupons from the inserts for only things we normally buy!. I've started going to Wal-Mart for basics!. (Store brand bread at Safeway, $2!.49, WM bread, $1!.00)!. You really have to watch the store sales!. If they say 10 for $10, sometimes another brand is even cheaper and not on sale!.
And I invested in some extra storage containers for freezing leftovers!. Anything I make needs to still be edible the next day (so omelettes are out) for me to pack my husband's lunch!. And if we make chili over the weekend, the next night I'll make baked potatoes and we'll have potato bar night with the chili!. Try to buy meat in bulk and then divvy it up, wrap it up and freeze it!. Another trick is to not divide burger up into 1 pound portions, justs 10-12 oz!. You'll never miss those extra few oz!. in say, Hamburger Helper!.
It takes a few mental changes and cost tracking, but you can retrain yourself on grocery buying!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
And I invested in some extra storage containers for freezing leftovers!. Anything I make needs to still be edible the next day (so omelettes are out) for me to pack my husband's lunch!. And if we make chili over the weekend, the next night I'll make baked potatoes and we'll have potato bar night with the chili!. Try to buy meat in bulk and then divvy it up, wrap it up and freeze it!. Another trick is to not divide burger up into 1 pound portions, justs 10-12 oz!. You'll never miss those extra few oz!. in say, Hamburger Helper!.
It takes a few mental changes and cost tracking, but you can retrain yourself on grocery buying!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
let see do I think grocery store prices have gone up!?!?!? humm hell ya I do and i'm tired of it I can't walk out of the store with out spending 400 on almost nothing I get so pissed, and now since gas is 4!.00 where I live i'm really getting mad! I make good money and the money I make is going to this crap we need! Rents going up gas food clothing prices everything is going up even to fly now they want to charge you a fuel price and even going on cruises their doing the same thing!. It's only going to get worse that's the sad part!.
I do not know how to be a savoy shopper lol I never buy things on sale so now my boyfriend does the grocery shopping with me he picks the things on sale and trys to show me how to cut down on cost but it's hard when your not use to doing that but their are alot of buy one get one free when you see that buy 4 of that item so you dont have to go back to the store right away cut coupons and go online and look for coupons also!. Entertainment we use to go to movies but now those are 12!.00 where we live so we walk out spending 40!.00 on a movie for two people so we compromised and we rent movies or something that sounds silly but is fun is going to drive in movies it's 12!.00 for 2 people and is pretty cool to do!. We made our upstairs a game room so now we have people come over we've cut down on driving and brought the entertianment to the house we have pool parties bar bques and exercise alot now I tell you this b/c it cuts down on the cost of entertainment to entertain at your house and it's so much fun we bought a basketball hoop so all the guys play that pool table!. Just try to make the best of it!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I do not know how to be a savoy shopper lol I never buy things on sale so now my boyfriend does the grocery shopping with me he picks the things on sale and trys to show me how to cut down on cost but it's hard when your not use to doing that but their are alot of buy one get one free when you see that buy 4 of that item so you dont have to go back to the store right away cut coupons and go online and look for coupons also!. Entertainment we use to go to movies but now those are 12!.00 where we live so we walk out spending 40!.00 on a movie for two people so we compromised and we rent movies or something that sounds silly but is fun is going to drive in movies it's 12!.00 for 2 people and is pretty cool to do!. We made our upstairs a game room so now we have people come over we've cut down on driving and brought the entertianment to the house we have pool parties bar bques and exercise alot now I tell you this b/c it cuts down on the cost of entertainment to entertain at your house and it's so much fun we bought a basketball hoop so all the guys play that pool table!. Just try to make the best of it!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes, I went grocery shopping today!. It was crazy!. What I do to stretch my my budget is:
I cut down on a lot of the little goodies and treats that I used to buy!. I stick to the basics!.
I try to find the best price plus quantity and quality!.
I buy some of my food products from Family Dollar, because they are cheaper there and they carry name brand products!.
I look in the circulars for sales!.
Clipping coupons really does save you money also!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I cut down on a lot of the little goodies and treats that I used to buy!. I stick to the basics!.
I try to find the best price plus quantity and quality!.
I buy some of my food products from Family Dollar, because they are cheaper there and they carry name brand products!.
I look in the circulars for sales!.
Clipping coupons really does save you money also!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Buy lesser cuts of meat, like corned beef, chuck steak, liver, kidneys and tripe!.
When meat, fish and poultry are on special buy some extra!.
Look for the marked down bargains!.
But seasonal fruit and veggies that are produced locally and not shipped from 1000's of miles away!.
Buy in bulk when you can, always check first as sometimes they are dearer than the packed stuff on special!.
Buy "Home Brands"!. They are normally the good stuff without the fancy packaging!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
When meat, fish and poultry are on special buy some extra!.
Look for the marked down bargains!.
But seasonal fruit and veggies that are produced locally and not shipped from 1000's of miles away!.
Buy in bulk when you can, always check first as sometimes they are dearer than the packed stuff on special!.
Buy "Home Brands"!. They are normally the good stuff without the fancy packaging!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
no junk
shop sales and stock up
make my own: stock, baked goods, soup, salad dressings, marinades, almost EVERYTHING from scratch---plus it is sooo much tastier
cook in quantity and freeze
couponsWww@FoodAQ@Com
shop sales and stock up
make my own: stock, baked goods, soup, salad dressings, marinades, almost EVERYTHING from scratch---plus it is sooo much tastier
cook in quantity and freeze
couponsWww@FoodAQ@Com
Look for cheaper cuts of meat, buy 2 for one, buy things that are on sale!.!.!.!.you have to be a savoy shopper to make ends meet!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
coupons!.com
shop at super wal-mart!. their meat is cheaper!.
buy fruit in season
and lastly, buy less dessert and snacks, which your body doesn't need anyway!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
shop at super wal-mart!. their meat is cheaper!.
buy fruit in season
and lastly, buy less dessert and snacks, which your body doesn't need anyway!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Don't over buy!. Only buy what you intend to use soon!. I have had so much foods in jars, packages, refrigerator that needs to be tossed out because it's too old and I forgot about it or lost interest in eating it!.
Check pull dates on the packages when you are shopping!. You want to be able to use the item before it gets old!.
Buy in bulk if it's something you use regularly such as sugar, flour, pasta, oatmeal, rice, etc!. And store it in a cool dry place in a sealed container!.
Buy fruits & vegetables in season and frequently (don't over buy perishables)!. Buy meats on special and freeze in cooking portions if you buy a little extra to use later!.
Keep a little canned foods such as tuna, soups, chicken broth, on hand for quick meals or emergency rations!.
We shop for the best & cheapest we can find from produce stands, Asian markets, large supermarkets, big box discount stores!. If it's more than we can finish, we don't buy it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Check pull dates on the packages when you are shopping!. You want to be able to use the item before it gets old!.
Buy in bulk if it's something you use regularly such as sugar, flour, pasta, oatmeal, rice, etc!. And store it in a cool dry place in a sealed container!.
Buy fruits & vegetables in season and frequently (don't over buy perishables)!. Buy meats on special and freeze in cooking portions if you buy a little extra to use later!.
Keep a little canned foods such as tuna, soups, chicken broth, on hand for quick meals or emergency rations!.
We shop for the best & cheapest we can find from produce stands, Asian markets, large supermarkets, big box discount stores!. If it's more than we can finish, we don't buy it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com