Food Budget - Page 2

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

I never use my big oven in the Summer. Oven heats the house so AC has to run more to cool it! I have a small toaster oven that cooks everything I need to cook.

The one thing I don't skimp on is food. I buy good food but never waste any food.

Always shop the sales and use BOGOs.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

Check out various websites like budgetbytes.com.

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

I so hear you. I just got my new lease. Rent is going up another $130 a month in September. A few years ago I cut streaming services, then cable, then memberships, etc.

The last two years I have cut back on my food budget. I am good at saving food, using leftover veggies at the end of the week to create a veggie platter, to turn into soup, or even to add to stew or chili. A few pieces of chicken add flavor to broth or are cut up with leftover lettuce, carrots, and celery for a big salad. Two pieces of bacon are added to eggs, milk, cheese, and vegetables for flavor to become a crustless quiche or a frittata. I try always to inventory what I have so it can be used before it goes bad. But I am lucky. I am alone, do not mind leftovers, and always am freezing small containers of food, clearly labeled, so that I know what I have. It does not hurt that besides loving to eat, I also love to cook.

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

Sometime ago, coming from a different angle, I discovered that processed food is a major culprit for expense. Check your old receipts.

Plastic bottle? Cardboard box? Crinkle plastic? Even some canned goods. These types of products drive up your bill.

magicmoodz · ‎03-16-2010

Not by design--it just seemed to have happened naturally, but we have for the most part become vegetarian/pescatarians. With summer's bounty of fresh vegetables, it came quite naturally.

The host of a dinner we attended recently served as a side Ina Garten's Orzo Arugula salad. I have since made it twice. This salad can exclude what you don't like and include what you do and it keeps very well in the refrigerator. All that is needed is a hunk of baguette!

Another good summer dinner: 1/2 tomato basil tortilla spread with whipped cream cheese. Top with sliced cucumbers, matchstick red, orange and yellow mini peppers, grated carrots, diced tomatoes, cilantro and arugula. Roll up and secure with a pick. Again, you can use whatever veggies you enjoy. Serve with more sliced cucumbers, mini peppers and hummus.

Rose429 · ‎08-26-2012

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

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

What has been a money-saver for me .... buying most of my staple canned goods from Amazon via subscription. There's a 15% discount on most of the subscription items. Also - personal care items and other toiletries.

(Our local supermarket has senior discount Tuesdays ... 10%)

Only things I get from the supermarket are produce and perishables.

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@Rose429 I agree with @4kitties . I look for the "Manager Specials" in the meat department. When it comes to beef, it's actually better if it's a little old. It becomes tender as it ages. I just made the WW Favorite Vegetable Soup, which is loaded with cabbage, and I added some sausage that was on sale. It makes a huge pot for very little money, so you can freeze half of it in quart or pint containers.

We rescue cats · ‎01-25-2023

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.

Lynn-Critter Lover!
(especially cats!)