I found someone that put together an amazing list of ideas to share.
Nice!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How are you economizing?
I was so discouraged today after my weekly grocery shopping trip. I went to Trader Joe's and our local produce store, and spent over $100 on the bare necessities. I was actually expecting to pay about $75, with some extra for the week to buy eggs, milk and some local produce, but I went over on the week's allowance and still see a semi- empty fridge. Prices have really shot up around here in the last couple of weeks, and I am trying to figure out what I might be able to do differently. We are already eating less meat, and really don't do much dairy at all anymore, since Amelia is allergic and Jeff is on a special diet (I eat kefir and yogurt.) I don't buy ANYTHING that is pre-made, not even salad dressing! I still refuse to shop at Walmart, and really want the money that I spend on food to go to farmers and to stay in our local economy.
Things I currently do to stretch the budget:
Buy lots of beans and grains in bulk, so I don't have to buy canned beans and always have something on the shelf that I can cook, like lentils or rice.
Only buy the produce I know we will eat-- we never end up throwing food away.
Buy whole chickens and make chicken stock and save the meat for lots of soups.
Use leftover grains and beans in soups.
Buy produce in season, and buy lots of it when I find a good deal (especially onions!)
Buy as much as possible from local vendors (although I had to stop buying the world's best bread from a bakery here because it was really expensive-- back to TJ's, only I am just now starting to bake my own at home, so hopefully that will help a bit.)
I think Jeff and I eat significantly less than the average person. I would rather buy less food and have higher- quality ingredients to cook with, but there is only so far you can go-- we need fuel! Food is just becoming a lot more expensive. Our budget is certainly not growing at this point, and when it does we need to be saving the extra income-- so I am determined to figure out how to make it feed us well. What are you doing to stretch your food dollars?
Things I currently do to stretch the budget:
Buy lots of beans and grains in bulk, so I don't have to buy canned beans and always have something on the shelf that I can cook, like lentils or rice.
Only buy the produce I know we will eat-- we never end up throwing food away.
Buy whole chickens and make chicken stock and save the meat for lots of soups.
Use leftover grains and beans in soups.
Buy produce in season, and buy lots of it when I find a good deal (especially onions!)
Buy as much as possible from local vendors (although I had to stop buying the world's best bread from a bakery here because it was really expensive-- back to TJ's, only I am just now starting to bake my own at home, so hopefully that will help a bit.)
I think Jeff and I eat significantly less than the average person. I would rather buy less food and have higher- quality ingredients to cook with, but there is only so far you can go-- we need fuel! Food is just becoming a lot more expensive. Our budget is certainly not growing at this point, and when it does we need to be saving the extra income-- so I am determined to figure out how to make it feed us well. What are you doing to stretch your food dollars?
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