I have a couple of ideas about how to really knock some dollars off your weekly grocery bill. I've got to admit, however, that none of these hints or tips are original or "mind-blowing", but I can promise you that if you follow these hints you can save yourself some real dough.
1. Make a shopping list and stick to it. What??? Yes really, use the list I provide (or modify it to your own menu) and stick to it. Don't buy ANYTHING you don't need for a meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner!
2. Read the fine print. What I mean here is to compare the price per ounce or pound of comparable products. The 16 oz jar of marinara sauce costs $2.49 (or $0.16 per ounce). Right below that jar is a 24 oz jar that costs $3.36 - which costs a dollar more over-all, but amounts to only $0.14 per ounce. Additionally, I can make a 24 ounce jar stretch between 2 meals better than a 16 oz jar could.
3. Buy in bulk. This works for the food items that are in the bulk bins as well as for some produce. In my grocery store a 5 lb bag of potatoes is $2.75, but to buy a single potato the price is $0.69 per pound. Buy buying the 5 lb bag of potatoes I save $0.70, but that is just for one item on my shopping list.
4. Check out the bakery. Often times they will have a loaf of whole wheat sandwich bread - that you know was baked that morning for less than $2.00. The comparable brand name bread is going to be closer to $4.00 per loaf and may generally have more additives and preservatives. Just keep your bread in the freezer and it is probably good for 2 weeks (if sealed well).
5. Add healthy, but inexpensive foods to make your meals go farther. Potatoes and [brown] rice are inexpensive and full of fiber, so is quinoa (which is also chocked full or protein). Use these items as side dishes to make your family feel fuller and keep some precious nickels and dimes in your pockets.
Also, some highlights in this week's menu: Korean Pancakes, Thai Tom Kha Soup, and Hearty Corn Chowder. Mm-mm.
Good luck and eat well!
Thanks for the tips...I hadn't really thought about the baked loaves as cheaper, but you're right! I just don't get them often cause they tend not to last as long...wouldn't have thought about the freezer. Do they thaw normally without getting soggy?
ReplyDeleteHey Krystal - I freeze ALL of our bread. We simply cannot eat it fast enough. If I know we're going to have bread with dinner, I pull it out of the freezer a few hours ahead of time. Otherwise I'll pop a frozen slice straight into the toaster. I've never had a problem with soggy bread. Good luck!
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