Three basic ways to cut food costs
July 22, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under food
Thrifty folks are happy when they cut costs anywhere but in particular it seems like thrifty people are most happy when they save a lot on groceries. Not sure why – maybe because it’s an ongoing, never ending expense, so trimming the costs is a good goal and an adventure. Sometimes we get so caught up in the coupons and newspaper deals that we forget the basics though…
Eat together most of the time – all the time if possible. Eating together cuts costs because you’re all eating the same meals, there are less leftovers, and it’s more alluring to eat …read more
Green & Healthy Meals for About $1
May 5, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under food, groceries
Being mainly a green blogger what I tend to hear when I blog about organic foods is that it sounds good, but it’s not worth the extra cost, or more usually that families can’t afford the extra cost. And it’s true, organic costs more in most cases than conventional. On the flip side, eating a diet higher in organics, which might mean cutting foods like very expensive organic meat, is also healthier so perhaps you’d cut your doctor bills, your gym fees, and more.
In any case if your goal is to eat healthier and greener you really can’t miss a …read more
Make Your Food Last Longer to Save Money
March 29, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under food, groceries
To maximize your grocery budget, make the food you buy last as long as possible. Tips…
Don’t buy on a whim – try sticking to a list. Oddball ingredients may sound good, but if they’re fresh or have a short shelf life and you don’t end up using them in a recipe, it’s a waste.
Don’t mix produce – fruits give off ethylene which will make your veggies go bad faster. Use separate drawers for produce types.
Freeze bread, muffins, and other baked goods vs. storing them in the fridge. The fridge will keep them from spoiling, but it’ll also make them stale …read more
Cheaper Breakfast Eats – Save Money On Food
March 16, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under groceries
Breakfast is important (do I sound like a mama yet?) it’s also a pretty cheap meal if you play it right.
Opt for more expensive, but more filling breakfast cereals. You can get cereal pretty darn cheap with coupons and sales, but typical cold cereals may not fill you up, which means you may eat two bowls OR later need a bigger snack. It’s better to pay more for filling granola or another hearty cereal.
If you do buy granola or a grainy-minded cereal (see above), look for a bulk option. Bulk foods are usually less expensive than boxed, and most co-ops …read more
