Back to basics

We talked about finding the things that you buy often and identifying the lowest prices.   The ads this week, tell the whole story.  Cheese is anywhere from five to eight dollars.  Same poundage and same brand.   Three dollars is a lot of money on the scheme of things.   That could buy three pasta sauces, or pasta, pasta sauce, a salad and the cheese to go on the pasta.  

Shopping  wisely takes a little time.  But sometimes it is as simple as buying your cheese at the right store and having a whole meal for basically the savings.  

After you have identified what you use for meals, and the prices you want to pay, let's take a step further.   When the ads come out, I take a piece of oaper and divide it into sections.   I top each section with a grocery store.   Then go through the ad and write down what is really on sale for your target prices.  I am looking for the best prices on oerishables,  produce and dairy, and the loss leader so to speak for meat, and anything on my stock list that is my target price  or near my target price

Pick the best TWO stores. Plan trips to maximize your gas.   If your stores are not on the same area, group the trip with other errands you need to go to.  Bring your list, the ads and your coupons.   Get in, and get out.   70 percent of all tomes purchased on a store are impulse buys.  That's what jacks up your food bill.  Buy just what is on your list unless something you really need os on a good unadvertised price.   One time, I walked into the meat department and chickens were .50 a pound.  I bought two and took them home and roasted them .   That was a no Brainer.   It's the chips and bakery items etc that would not be helpful either for your budget or your health.  LOL.  

Going to two stores insures you the best of two produce departments and the best buys.  Often the store will put something on sale, only to think they are going to make the difference up on the matching item.  Pasta on sale, but pasta sauce a high price.  Hot dogs on sale, but buns full price.  Beat them at their own game.  Shop two stores and get the best prices you can find.

Buying the so called loss leader ( meat at a low price) and cooking enough for your meals of that meat for a month saves time and money.   Rotate your meats.  

Plan your meals.  You must have a plan.  You don't always have to stick with your plan, but not having a plan can derail you when the unexpected happens.  We all deal with the unexpected.  There is an accident on the freeway and getting dinner in the table is delayed by a half hour...or any number of things.  With a plan and some quick dinners in your arsenal, you can beat the drive through gremlins.  

When I meal plan, I use  a matrix to make it simpler and quick.

2 beef
2 chicken or pork
2 vegetarian
1 fish

Your matrix may be different.   I am trying to suit a variety of preferences and keep it as healthy as possible.   .  

I feed my husband and I, plus supplement my daughter and granddaughter for 25 percent less than the USDA stats for my husband and I on a thrifty plan.  The thrifty plan is what SNAP. Is based on adjusted for cost of Living.

We eat well. It works.  I am not going to tell you that it doesn't take any effort and some little fairy magically makes food appear in the pantry and cooked on the table.  

I can show you how to cook fast and efficiently and buy your food at the lowest price in your area without buying twenty five pound bags of rice and beans.

thanks for stopping by

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Jane