the basics ...one step at a time

Writing about the basics all at one time doesn't really cover the concept well.  you can 1/2 the average food bill easily without spending hours in the kitchen.  1/2 price groceries takes a 3 pronged approach. :

1. Planning and organizing
2. Shopping wisely
3. Cooking from scratch

Like just about anything one does in life, planning is the first step.  Once your initial planning is done, it takes very little time  to keep up.  .  If you are not the organized type and you hate it, consider finding someone else in the family to do this part.  

First, jot down 7 recipes that incorporate inexpensive sources of protein.  Try for 2-3. Dollars a pound average.  Examples are eggs, cheese, chicken, pork, some beef, fish, tuna, shellfish, beans.  

Then, add to the list until you have 14 meals.  This gives you enough to rotate and have a variety.  

Children usually have their favorites.  It makes life easier if you incorporate them into the plan....unless it is steak and lobster! LOL

Next, list the staples that you use a lot of.  For us that would be diced tomatoes, beans, instant mashed potatoes, refried beans, some soups, some black olives, green beans and corn, and tuna and salmon and pasta and pasta sauce.

Enter the item, the size of the package, the price, where you bought it and the date. You can do this in a small notebook or on a spread sheet.  

Hunts pasta sauce

5/12/13.     ALBERTSONS.       .85

4/30/13.      Winco.                     .78

Pretty soon you will see a pattern.  You want to find the rock bottom price.

I call it my target price.  This doesn't have to be a book LOL.  You should have about 10-15 items on your list.  When you see something on your list at the target price buy:

• As many as you can afford
• As many as the store will allow you to buy
• As many as you need to fill your space.

Whichever comes first.  If I use something once a month, I keep 6.  If I use something once a week. I keep 24.  The object is to never pay full price for anything.  

When the weekly ads come out, take a sheet of computer paper, divide it in four sections.  

Put the name a store on top of each quarter.  Now write down anything on your target list that's a cheap price and anything in the fruit and veggie line or the protein line that is a good price. Now, 

Cross off anything you don't need, and anything that is a lower price elsewhere.  

log really cheap staple prices in your data.  

Now pick the two stores with the best prices for things you need.  Go with your list, the ads, and any coupon you happen on to.  Get in, get your list, and get out.  The more time you spend in a store, the more you will spend.  

Couponconnectioms.com is a website that matches coupons with local store ads.

I don't spend a lot of time on it, but she does the research for you so few minutes can get you free stuff sometimes.  Some store cards now have electronic coupons.  

Next time : stores

Thanks for stopping by 

Jane

Four  plus one equals five

better cheaper faster 

remember you get paid for shopping not for cooking.