Community Chat

[KBEANS]

Hi @Rose429   

Try this recipe for a delicious and hearty meal! I got this from the internet, but it's close to what I make myself.

I make mine with sautéed onion not garlic.

I use fideo pasta which is thin spaghetti already cut. You could use any small pasta you like.

        Broccoli Marinara

           2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes basil and olive oil

• 1 pound broccoli florets

• 1 small chopped onion

• salt and pepper to taste 

•  pasta of your choice cooked separately

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the tomatoes with their juices, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by about 1/2. Place the broccoli on top of the tomatoes, and season with a little salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Do not over cook the broccoli, it should be a vibrant green. Pour into a serving dish, and toss to blend with the sauce before serving.

[Lucky Charm]

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@We rescue cats wrote:

I try to buy ground beef when it is on sale or from local sources, this is a good time for it. My dietery restrictions are such that I have to watch carbohyrate intake so I need to substitute for rice, potatoes and pasta-the items that stretch so many meals, or prepare it to keep more resistant starch in my diet.

We love things like goulash, casseroles and soups. I just hate the oven at this time of year.

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If you have a toast or oven, or better yet--a small broiler/oven, use that instead.  I have one on my counter for heating up (no microwave in my kitchen!) and we have one that we use outside on our patio below the deck.  It's on a cart that we wheel out of the garage and I cook on that all during the warm months.

[WRXtoo]

Use the app associated with the stores you shop in to collect savings.  I shunned this for soo long and finally gave in when I saw a $3 discount for the crackers I was shopping for that was only available via the app.

Once I started using it, it was like "Holy cow... I've been giving up major $$$ in savings!". 

Every so often (at my Safeway store in Oregon) there's a deal to clip for $10 off a purchase of $50--that's significant.  I just go thru the app before a shopping trip and clip all the deals I'm interested in.  The app is also a good way to check out all the sales and membership savings that day/week/month so that you can plan ahead to buy extra to prepare/freeze, etc.  This app also has deals to clip and receive extra member rewards, which for me equals bigger gas discounts. 

[RetRN]

The high cost of food is causing pain for many. Like the OP I am trying to make budget friendly meals and shop for sales. I use my crockpot a lot and fortunately enjoy chili, soups, and stews. I have no problem eating leftovers.

[Eileen in Virginia]

Check grocery store weekly sale circulars to see what's on sale, then make a weekly dinner menu based on the sale items. Plan to use leftovers from one meal in another meal later in the week (i.e., leftover roast chicken could be reused in a chicken salad, casserole, etc.). Based on the specials and your menu, make a shopping list and stick to it. The idea is to avoid expensive impulse buying at all costs.

Enroll in grocery store rewards clubs. Although some folks don't like them, I've gotten some excellent savings as a rewards member. Also, when a new grocery store opens in an area, they'll usually send coupon books to residents in that area as an introduction to the store. Sometimes the discounts are on particular items, other times they're on a minimum purchase total. This is a good opportunity to check the new store out and get a discount. Cook and/or freeze what you buy for consumption later. 

I hope this helps - good luck!

[Lucky Charm]

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@Rose429 wrote:

Thank you so much everyone for ur ideas. I will make use of them. Definitely getting my crock pot out and going to Pinterest for some recipes. Thanks again

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Is there any way you can lower that electric bill?  Am guessing it's A/C that's driving it up?  Closing shades/blinds and not letting sun in?

As far as food, I don't skimp on quality meats for my husband/family.  That said, I buy whenever on sale in quantity.

Just with one roaster chicken I am defrosting for my husband (I don't eat poultry/meat/etc.), I can get about 8 meals.  At least.  And he's a big eater!

I doesn't have to be eaten day in/day out.  After I cook it, I can take what I want and freeze the rest.  I always make lots of pan gravy using the drippings--that too can be frozen.

I always make soup with what's left on the bone.

For an $18 chicken, you're talking about $2.25/meal (for meat), and I bet you don't eat like my husband....

Roasts seem to freak people out because of the prices on them (beef or pork), but then again, if you're buying for one, you can make a nice roast meal for a day or two and then portion it out and freeze for sometime down the road.  Ham, also is a great value.  Have baked ham for meals, add chunks to salad or casserole or eggs, slice and freeze and use that bone for bean soup or pea soup.

[Rose429]

@CelticCrafter I am not familiar with Aldi or Lidl. I only have a Safeway and regular walmart( not super) in my area. There r some independent owned grocery stores but their prices r high

[ahoymate]

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@KBEANS wrote:

Hi @Rose429   

Try this recipe for a delicious and hearty meal! I got this from the internet, but it's close to what I make myself.

I make mine with sautéed onion not garlic.

I use fideo pasta which is thin spaghetti already cut. You could use any small pasta you like.

        Broccoli Marinara

           2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes basil and olive oil

• 1 pound broccoli florets

• 1 small chopped onion

• salt and pepper to taste 

•  pasta of your choice cooked separately

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the tomatoes with their juices, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by about 1/2. Place the broccoli on top of the tomatoes, and season with a little salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Do not over cook the broccoli, it should be a vibrant green. Pour into a serving dish, and toss to blend with the sauce before serving.

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Sounds boring! We all have different tastes. My suggestion to the poster, make soup. It can be saved and frozen for another time. It's pretty economical.

[shoptilyadropagain]

There are lots of good suggestions here.  I tend to stock up on meat and non-perishables when they're on sale.  I freeze the meat to use later.  Also, Pork Butt tends to be fairly reasonable (and even better when it's on sale) so that's an option to buy for pulled pork and other great recipes.  As was mentioned above, I've also purchased the meat packages that are marked down for a quick sale and freeze those also.  

[PA Mom-mom]

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@Rose429 wrote:

@CelticCrafter I am not familiar with Aldi or Lidl. I only have a Safeway and regular walmart( not super) in my area. There r some independent owned grocery stores but their prices r high

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@Rose429  Wow, you really don't have much of a choice. If one of the club stores is within an hour of your house, you could make a run every 2 months or so and bring a cooler with some ice. It might be worth it.