Community Chat

[Rose429]

Hi, with the cost of everything, my budget is stretched to the max. I am trying to cut back what I spend on food. I am not a big red meat fan but like chicken and turkey. Any advice to keep costs down? I do not have a Costco or Trader Joe's close. I also do not eat out. My costs for electricity when up to $330.00 a month and that took a big piece of the budget. I need healthy meals that can last a few days. I do not mind eating leftovers for 3 or 4 days.  Thank you

[geezerette]

Dried beans and lentils are a good (and economical) protein source--if you can tolerate them.

I make up a big pot at one time and then put in smaller containers to freeze, then take out when desired.  Each small container will last me a few days.  Can be eaten plain or embellished with various veggies or in recipes.

[DrakesMomma]

Do you have an Aldi near by?  Where I am meats are about half the price of the regular grocery store.  Eggs are often $1 or $2 cheaper a dozen, too.  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Eat more eggs!  They're the perfect food and great source of protein. 

[QVCkitty1]

Look for a good deal on chicken and put it in the slow cooker with a jar of salsa.  You can make several meals with the shredded chicken  for instance tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. You could also serve it over rice with cheese. 

[Meowingkitty]

Crock pot*****

Chili

Pasta Fajoli Soup

Chicken with either a jar of salsa or green chili sauce, and potatoes or tortillas

Chicken with Cream of chicken soup, noodles, rice or potatoes 

Mac and Cheese

Eggs

[jlkz]

@Rose429 

To build on @JeanLouiseFinch 's post, try serving the eggs between waffles, either home made or frozen.  This is a special treat I tasted at a Wawa chain gas station / fast food place.  Add a little maple syrup too !

Also, try a vegetable dinner plate:  farmer's market, frozen food section, or even vegetables you froze at the height of their season.  Quick microwave and dinner's on.

Fresh corn:  remove husk and brush; slice off the kernels into a big microwaveable bowl; add some butter pats; mike for about 5 minutes and stir.  Repeat until the kernels are almost done.  Cool; bag for freezer ( individual pouches ).  When desired for dinner, place in small bowl and mike for 2 minutes and keep checking until desired bite.

Take advantage of summer's bounty...it will make your winter meals, whether as a side or part of a vegetable plate.

[lynnie61]

Tuna, casseroles, soups.  Eggs, a simple quiche, I get several meals from these.  Rice, pasta and beans.  I do watch the sales for ground meat and chicken, pork.  Maybe visit a food pantry that could help with canned goods, etc.  Maybe that can leave other $$ for meat.  I know several people that the pantry is a godsend to them with higher costs of everything.  And many are on a fixed income.  

[redbird]

The key to saving on meat or poultry is to use it as an ingredient rather than an entree. Google recipes that use chicken or turkey. You will find casseroles that use cubed or shredded poultry along with other ingredients that stretch the meat such as pot pies. casseroles, or noodle dishes. Ground beef can be used in many dishes such as casseroles, chili, spaghetti etc. google recipes to see what you like. Ham slices can be added to scalloped potatoes to make a main dish or ground into ham salad. meats can be used in main dish salads. Eggs , beans, and even whole grains are also sources of cheaper proteins. Fans can allow you to keep the air conditioner at a higher temp saving on that electric bill a bit. 

[4kitties]

Just a few shopping tips to save money.  They may or may not work for everyone though.

I shop early in the day. 8:00AM or so.  I go directly to the meat section and see what is marked down because the item is on its last day of sale,  I see great buys on meat and poultry all the time.  If I buy I cook the item that day or put it directly in the freezer.

I also see some good prices on other grocery items in the clearance section of each different grocery store I frequent.  Sometimes a box may have a crushed corner and they mark it way down.  The other day I saw big boxes of cereal for half price and the boxes were barely crushed.  Wasn't cereal I use, but someone will get a good buy!

Always get the store sale flyer and buy items when on sale or are offered as loss leaders.  If you have room, have a small pantry or stash of items you know you use frequently, and buy them on sale in anticipation of use.

I always keep an eye on my Walmart when they reset an area of the store.  The last time they reset the laundry detergent/cleaning products aisle I got great buys on name brand detergents.  Bought enough to share with my girls too!

All trash cans in my house are smaller and I can use the plastic bags from stores as liners.  These bags are free and I never have to purchase trash bags.  It gripes me to buy something just to throw it away!🤣