Living on your ownSaving money

Avoid take-out/fast food

Use leftovers – soups/stew/burritos/stir-fries/salads

Make meals ahead

Make your own heat-and-eat meals

Freeze meals

Use the crock pot

Make your own skillet meals – remember ?

Make your own sweets – cookies, popsicles from leftover juice, freeze yogurt, freeze fruits

Cooking Time-Savers

Precook as much as possible on the weekend for the week’s menus

Cut fresh veggies and put in baggies. Make salads in the beginning of the week. And use what’s left and not-so-fresh anymore in soups/stews/casseroles.

Use leftovers – don’t waste food/money

Roast in beginning of week as a meal; leftovers become bbq beef or philly cheesesteak sandwich

Meal $$ Savers

Only fill a beverage glass half full….can always pour more

Cook from scratch

Use staples not meat as the basis of diet/meals

Extend meats – use as an ingredient not main entrée, used canned meats, buy cheaper cuts

Have a “meatless Monday”

No how much it takes to serve someone – 3-4 servings/lb for boneless meat while only 2-3 servings w/ bone – charged by weight

Avoid prepackaged produce – stores trying to get rid of overhead…usually has been sitting there longer

Over-ripe bananas could be a good purchase….smoothies/banana bread/pancakes/frozen w/ choc for snack

Properly store groceries ASAP

Shopping hints

Make a monthly menu and then make a list – shop as infrequently as possible

Cut the junk

Plan menus around sale flyers

Eat before you go so you stick to the list

Use a calculator as you go

If possible buy in family-sized/bulk and re-package to appropriate sizes….many need to copy directions…and use unique storage spots but check unit prices

But buy perishable products in small amounts

Buy in season produce

Use store brands instead of name brands

Use coupons unless ????

Join discount clubs

Watch while items are rung up – don’t let yourself be overcharged

Where to shop

Shop at grocery discount stores like Aldi’s first; rarely at a convenience store

Plan meals around purchases at the farmer’s market

Check out displays – usually put things together on sale – ketchup/hot dog buns

Know the store layout – expensive stuff around outside of store and in back

Shop there first so you know how much $$ you have left for fillers in middle

Hit the sale aisles first

Avoid areas w/ yummy smells like bakery and deli to avoid impulse buys

Know product placements – expensive usually gets eye-level shelves

Saving Money When Eating Out

Limit how often you eat/order out

Eat out at lunch instead of supper – cheaper rates

Go out for a snack instead of a meal – Applebee’s ½ priced apps

Shop around for good food/good prices

Eat only half of the meal served; box other half for tomorrow’s meal

Skip apps and desserts

Drink water

Use restaurant coupons; eat the daily special

Eat at culinary school restaurants