Tips for S t r e t c h in g Our Money As We Stock Up

Make a menu and plan your grocery list from your menu.  

Always shop with a list. 

Distinguish your needs from your wants.

Eat less meat.  Implementing 2-3 meatless meals will give you more money for other items (and will be healthier).

Many meat departments will discount meat early in the morning.

When making casseroles or soups, use ½ of the meat that is suggested.

Generally, buying meat in bulk is less expensive.  Place in freezer bags and date.  Freeze.

Milk can be frozen.  When you find a good bargain on milk, buy several gallons.  To allow for expansion of the jug, use about a cup from each gallon before freezing.  If you are going on vacation and you have milk in the refrigerator that has not expired, put it in the freezer and use when you get home.

Whipping cream and buttermilk can also be frozen.

Consider using powdered milk by itself or mixing it with regular milk.

Grow your own garden.  

Consider canning your produce or dehydrating it.  

Freezing fruits and vegetables is also another way to preserve foods.  Buy, chop, freeze.

Buy cheese on sale and freeze.  I like to grate my cheese before freezing.

No need to buy canned beans.  Soak, cook dry beans and freeze in baggies.

Limit your eating out.

Watch for sales and stock up.  If you don’t take a newspaper, you can go online to the various grocery stores and look at their weekly ads.

Instead of buying frozen waffles for your children’s breakfast, make your own and freeze.

Store what you eat and eat what you store.

Grind your own wheat and make your own bread.

If you don’t make bread, stock up on bread at the day old bakery.

Don’t shop for groceries when you are hungry. If possible, leave kids home.

Eggs can be frozen.  When you see a good sale, buy several dozen.  Crack each egg into an individual ice cube tray and freeze.  When they are frozen, take them out and store in a zip lock bag in the freezer. (ice cube trays may be hard to find - check a thrift store.)

Use coupons if they work for you.

Make your own laundry detergent for pennies a load.

Rinse and reuse zip lock bags (except for bags containing meat).

Invest in a freezer and dehydrator.

Cook from scratch.

Eat food in season.

Buy in bulk when it makes sense.

Stock up when things go on sale.

Buy store brands.  Most of the time store brands/generic brands are cheaper.

Make a budget and stick to it!

Check out Pinterest for money saving tips.

When baking, cut down on the sugar.  Less sugar will also reduce  your waistline!

Don’t go into debt for food storage.  Remember, one can at a time!