Couponing 101 in Washington

I have seen a lot of couponing videos out there.   Buy a whole basket of food for .11.   First, are you sure you want that basket of highly processed garbage?    Second, remember the old saying...... If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.    

Dollar store takes coupons,  only if the Verbage on the coupon is exactly what you are buying.   Check quantities.    Lately they have been carrying a lot less name brands than usual.   You can use four coupons per household per day.  That doesn't mean you can get back in line and do another transaction.   You could, probably, go to more than one store if you really needed to.   You can , however , use a two dollar coupon on a one dollar item.  You can't get cash back.  

I have repeatedly used coupons for bounty paper towels, puff tissue,  Werthers original caramels. Hormel pepperoni, Betty Crocker potatoes, glad air freshener.  

Safeway will not let you use two BOGOs on the same item, or a BOGO and a coupon.   QFC will.   Safeways also will not you use a coupon of ot is greater than the purchase price.   Neither will Fred Meyers.  

Grocery outlet and big lots will not let you use manufacturers coupons.   Only their in store coupons.

Winco will let you use coupons, but not stack them.  Most other stores will let you use a store coupon and a manifacturers coupon on the same item,  

If you can add a coupon to a sale price or add a in ad coupon to a manufacturers coupon, you usually can score big.  

The most I have ever made on couponing is 78 percent, the next best was 72 percent.   Both at QFC.  
It's not the norm.  

I do, however average anywhere from a couple of dollars to nine  dollars a trip.    At 300.00 a year, that's like getting a months worth of groceries free.    I don't usually buy junk food with coupons.    The last trip . I had coupons for free candy, cookies, and vegetables.     Chocolate for free!   Does it get any better than that!     LOL.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective. Tshe emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Wicked Wednesday

I didn't get the ads yesterday.    I did go to Winco and the dollar  store as I mentioned before.    I'm pretty much done for the month except fill ins -  but that is usually what I need to do.    I have spent 2/3 of the months budget.    I also have stocked condiments and slices that I needed to replace as well as baking powder and the cheese for the month or more.  

Last night I couldn't sleep.   I out everything I bought on a spread sheet and included where I got it, the price, and what category it fit into,    I'm not doing this every month!    I just wanted to give myself a picture of where o am spending the money.  This month was a little skewed because of replacing a lot of baking  supplies and condiments.  

Last night we had BBQ chicken thighs, tater tots, amd fruit.  We had strawberry shortcake for desert. We don't eat desert often.   I picked up a pound cake and strawberries at Winco were inexpensive with an Ibotta .   It's a treat.  

I've spent at total of 194.64 .   I am not on jeporady of over sounding, because the pantry and freezers are full.    All I need is a little dairy and some fresh fruits and veggies.  

It breaks down as :

Protein   44.86
Produce  31.07
Dairy.     22.23
Frozen.   20.13
Starch     30.07
Canned.  6.40
Misc.      21.63*
Sweets.   18.25


*. Condiments, slices, baking supplies

This tells me there are too many sweets. I already was pretty well stocked with canned goods, and it's not usual for me to have to replenish as much misc.    I did stock because Safeways had a .80 sale on some condiments.    I also got pasta for .25 and .50.   Why pay 150?   It was Barilla.    I also have been getting tater tots for 1.28 for two pounds.   They aren't as "high" as regular tater tots -- more like tater slices, but they are still ok and taste good.    Smaller portions of starch are better for me.  

It pays to analyze your grocery slip every now and then to make sure you are on the right track.  
Then, you can regroup if necessary.  

Staying in track is an important step in not running out of budget before you run out of month.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective. Tshe emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Dollar store finds

I did go to Winco because the eggs at Fred Meyers were double the cost.    Whole bags of oranges are five dollars.    I got eggs for about a buck a dozen.  The same brand as Costco sells.  

I got blue bunny ice cream with a coupon and more than reasonable jelly.   Hambirger and hot dog buns are always cheaper.   We prefer the smaller ones --less carbs.  

Knowing which stores have the cheapest price on which things helps.  

I went tithe dollar store also.  I compared the price of pinto beans,    The dollar store is a dollar for two pounds.    Winco is almost twice that much,    Also yellow rice is 1/2 the cost -- same brand.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspectBive. Tshe emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Tuesday. May 10th

 Happy Tuesday.   Last night we had company for Mexican food.   We had the no fried, refried beans. Next time I would add more bean juice to them.  They weren't as creamy as they are from a can.  It still won't be practical unless  I can find a way to passive cook a cup or so at a time.

One way to reduce waste is to find recipes that will use up things you have left that are near pull dates.    There is some discussion about pull dates being deceiving, but I find it a bit more comfortable just to use  things before the  pull date.    Sour cream is a example in this house.   The Betty Crocker on line cookbook gives you the option to plug in an ingredient and it will give you ideas.

I have been  watching a lot of food hauls lately, gleeming the prices in other parts of the country.  We are supposed to have one of the highest COL in the country.   What I have noticed is that 1/2 of the food hauls are bottled drinks and snacks.   Growing up, snacks were not heard of.    We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you had better eat, because there was nothing more until the next meal.    These same thing as true at the rehab (aka  nursing  home ) I went to when I broke my hip.  

Snacks and bottled or boxed drinks as well as individually portioned snacks and drinks will increase your food budget dramatically.  Water from the tap, home made lemonade, herbal iced tea are great alternatives.   Air popped pop corn, pretzels. Veggies and hummus works.   Homemade ice pops work on the summer.   Fill them with yogurt mixed with juice, or a fruity herbal tea.   There are pop cycle forms at the dollar store.   I also got some inexpensive on sale at Fred Meyers.    They are so much better than the sugar water freeze pops.

Snacks and pop are one of the impulse buys that the grocery stores make the most money on.   It is not healthy for a child to gorge themselves oj a whole bag of potato chips- full of fat and salt.   The potato chip amd snack companies have studied how get  you to eat more.  --just say no !!

There is a growing concern in this country about kids becoming obese.   Snacks are at the heart of it.   Change snacks to healthy snacks,   Have some good protein at mealtimes.   Protein sticks with you.   Starch does not.    There are a lot of sources of protein; that doesn't mean a child needs to eat a whole roast beef.   Lol.

All this is not  a popular subject, but it is a much needed one.   To stay at the USDA stats or lower ( snap funds) you need to stick to the basics.   Adjust your diet if your doctor recommends that you do so and  find creative low cost alternatives.

It is my intention to find the most well balanced, healthy , low cost foods I can find so that we eat as healthy as possible while maintaining a less than four dollar a day budget.    It certainly helps when you pay 1/2 price for your food- or less.

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspectBive. Tshe emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Monday madness

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I had a relaxing one.  

We went to Fred Meyers.   As usual, they had no chicken breasts for .87.   It's beginning to look like bait be switch since that is about the fourth time it has happened.   I was mad, but I composed myself and asked for a rain check and bought thighs.  I cooked the thighs and made homemade refried beans.
They are easy, and inexpensive - about 3 times the beans for the cost of one can .   The problem I think is going to be using them before the three day limit .   It seems like a lot of time involved for 1 cup of beans at a time.

I did meal plans, but didn't incorporate the refried beans, so I'll adjust accordingly.

My rotation meat of choice would have been  chicken breast,   I usually de-bone them, boil the bones, and wrap the rest I separate packages and them put them in a old bread bag.   It's easier to lull just what you need that way.   Whole chickens are always 1.08 a pound at Winco.  

Meal plans

1. Tacos ( thigh meat) , refried beans , rice 
2. Leftovers 
3. Pizza 
4. Speghetti and meatballs
5. Sausage and potatoes and peppers
6. Fish packets 
7. Impossible pie 

Notes:  I have a matrix I use for meal plans.  1 beef, 3 chicken or pork, 2 vegetarian, amd a fish or shellfish.   I only post the main dish, I think everyone can fill on a vegetable, fruit, or salad.   

I have averaged two dollars a meal for protein all through the years.   Out family has got larger ( at one time I had three adult children living  here) and smaller.   Protein prices have risen dramatically.   Ground chick used to be .88 a pound, flank steak was two dollars a pound.    We have adjusted and coped with adding two meatless meals a week.    

Buying a months worth of a particular meat, portion controlling it, cooking it if appropriate and freezing it goes a long ways to stretch your protein dollar.    I buy the so called loss leader , preferably one a week.   Some weeks are dead and some weeks have two.   By cooking efficiently, you can manage two of one is passive cooking or no cooking at all ( pork loin comes to mind) .   I just cut pork loin into chops and roasts.  I usually save a roast out for dinner, amd freeze the rest in meal sized portions.    I use the inside liners of cereal boxes to separate chops and hambirgers.   

I found Betty Crocker almonds and pecans at the dollar tree.   There are also slices there.    Some are cheaper, some not.   Grocery outlet is cheap on large jars of spice and sliced cheese and ,sometimes, grated cheese.   I almost never buy fresh veggies there.  I'm very careful.  I bought a bag of apples there.   Every one of them was rotten.  I went back, the person I talked to pointed to a guy and said you need to talk to him,  he went running from the building.   I rarely buy produce.   When I do, it's something I can look over carefully.    

Note: although it might sound like it, I rarely go to more than 2 stores a week.   When I go to a speciality store. I buy the quantity I need to last me a while depending on pull dates.   Always check pull dates-- especially when something is low in price.    

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Fred Meyer ad

Fred Meyers has a founders day sale.   Really good prices.  

First a note of explanation.   No one ever accused me of being a perfectionist.    I write  this blog on a reader.  I have big fingers and automatic spellcheck.   I try to proof this blog, but typos always seem to get past me.    I'm sorry if I offend people that think everything should be perfect cause, I'm not.  

Butter 1.99@@
Foster farms split chicken breasts .87
Tillamook cheese 4.99@@
Dryers ice cream 2/5@@
General mills cereal 1.49@@$$- limit 4
Yoplait 3/1
Tomatoes .99
Cantaloupe 2/5

That's about it, not much, but what there is is really good.  
There are lots of cereal coupons out there, you should be able to score a buck net.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 persopective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Suddenly Saturday

Yesterday  was another reason why it is a good idea to have some meals on the back of your head that are really quick and easy.    Something bit me.  I knew my imagination was running wild, but I itched all over.    I couldn't wait until an adult person got home and I could pass off the adult duties in the house and get myself in a soda bath.   I got dinner of tater tots I got for 1.28  for 2 pounds and hot dogs that I paid 1.75 for --the good kind.   I added buns ( .88 from Winco and an.58 cucumber that we added vinegar and salt and pepper to.    Dinner : 2.54 granted, some families would  eat all eight hot dogs- but  even then that would be 3.85.

Being flexible and having a stock makes life's little bumps manageable.    A lot of last weeks meal plans didn't happen.    I still had a lot of pork tenderloin left, so I went with it.    Reducing waste is another way to save a lot of money.    It really helps to have an organized fridge. That takes a couple of times a week taking a visual inventory and adjusting meals to use up what is there.  

Monday I will start a new meal plan.   I am still index budget of 75.00 a week.  That's half of the USDA stats for economy eating.   It can be done.   We eat good food.  We eat all we want-- or all my doctor says I can have....lol.   We don't eat food from Mars,nor do we eat a ton of junk food amd sugared sodas or juices.   I think moderation is the key amd of I have to make a purchase decision, I tend to try for middle of the road.  

My mantra:  if it is something disposable, buy the cheapest you can find.  If it potentially could last you the rest of your life, buy the best quality you can afford.    Of you weight doesn't tend to fluctuate much, and  you are an adult, buy less clothes, amd buy quality clothes.   That works unless your husband does the wash and "finishes all the laundry " by gathering all that's left and throwing it together without a dye catcher.    Oops .   I have a wonderful tie -dye cotton top.  

I leave you with two words of wisdom .

1) food does you no good if you are feeding it to the garbage disposal.  
And
2) food is food.   Your body doesn't know if it is eating a steak or ground beef --ot just knows it is getting the nutrients.   You eat first with your eyes.  Make it look good.

Groceries  on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

perspective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

What 5 dollars can buy you

What five dollars (4.96) will buy with careful shopping
I saved 72 percent or $13.

1)Lindor chocolate  bar
2) cream cheese- w salmon
3) cream cheese, whipped
4) 12 ounces frozen veggies
5) goldfish crackers - great on clam chowder
6) chocolate cookies --hey, its chocolate!  
7) 16 ounces of skippy peanut butter

5 - life's little time hacks

watching my daughter get ready to get to school gave me an idea for a post!  

A house is full of little things we do every day to keep it running smoothly,    Little tricks can save a lot of time and energy.

1. Write a quick list.   I save envelopes from the recycle bin.   Glance at it and start the projects that can be working, while you do other things.    - that load of dishes or clothes on the washer    , the coffee pot, dinner on the crockpot.
2. When unloading  the dishwasher   Stack all the same item together before you put the dishes away,   It takes no more time to walk to the plate cupboard with one plate than it does with 8 plates.  You are opening the cupboard once. Not eight times.   
3. Use a basket to pick up everything that doesn't belong in a room.   As you move from room to room, put things away,   
4. Get kids to pick up their own stuff....good luck with this one.   I think I am a broken record. 
5. Even in a small kitchen, put things in cupboards close to where you will use them.   Zone your kitchen   

• Coffee cups, coffee and tea near the coffee pot 
• Salad bowls near the fridge or sink.  
• Knives near the chopping board 
• Casseroles and being dishes near the prep space.    
• Spices near the stove.   
• Cleaning supplies and cloths under the sink.   
• Spatulas and utensils near the prep  area and stove.    

Little hacks can go a long ways to simplify your everyday chores.   

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Orowheat outlet

We went to th or owner outlet just to see what it was like.   We also hit Costco for the fre things that I didn't get when we were there last.  

The new bread store is not better in pricing than the grocery stores.  some things are higher.   They do gove a ten percent discount for anyone 62 or older.   The cheap white bread as my hubby calls it was 72 cents.   I bought a package of diabetic cookies for a high price, but they are only 8 carbs.   They had baby muffins for cheap.   They have a rewards card.  

The best thing I did see was a whole wall of beans and grains that were healthy and some that were gluten free for those that are truly in need to gluten free..     I dont have knowledge of prices , but
They do have a large selection of things.  

On to Costco.   I found the brown and serve sour dough that I had thought they didn't carry any more.   I also got baking powder.    It was 198 for a tiny can at Safeways,   A huge container is a bit over six dollars.    Huge difference in price.    Blueberries were a reasonable price as well as bananas.  


That's about it.

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective .   .  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Cinco de mayo.

Guess what!  It's Cinco de Mayo.!    Unfortunately, I have given my cinci de mayo plates to the goodwill.  I had no more room for them in the pantry-- food took over!    LOL.  Well live and have tacos or nachos for dinner!    I can still come up with a centerpiece for the table.    I painted a bowl years ago. Making mealtime fun  is still something you can do on a small budget.    The kids will remember that far longer than they will remember that they had beans and rice.

I remember the times we got to go to the beach and eat far more than the everyday food.    We all ate at the table as soon as dad got home from work in,ess he had to stay in town for a special meeting.    The. We got Chinese food because dad didn't like it.    He wasn't fond of chicken or rice.

Regardless of how much you have to spend on food, you can still make eating memorable.    Engage the children to help.    They learn things along the way.

Yesterday's food run was very fruitful.   I'm into next weeks budget, so I'll hold off for a while.   We have a full pantry and a full freezer.    It's time to pare down.   That's a good problem to have; much better than to wonder where the next meal is coming from.

  It is possible to do this on a small budget,   Our budget is half of the USDA stats for thrifty.    It's possible because I pay  1/2 for most of our groceries and I have self imposed limits on what I will pay for vegetables and meat or protein.   We eat well. We don't eat food from Mars, or steak and mushrooms very often.    I try for 100 a pound for veggies and two dollars for protein.   I can still average two dollars for protein , but only because we eat vegetarian a couple of times a week.  
I deviated from the meal plan last night because we had a lot of pork tenderloin left .    I made stirfry. It worked and the vegetarian in the family added their own veggie meat.  

I'm seeing a lot of food challenges on u tube.   Like make a meal from the things in the pantry that are about to expire or  Incorporate the things that you bought that make you hit your head and say "what was I thinking?" , or can I do this on 21.00.    It's a way of making a game of things.  

After trying every way I could to make good rice--  I used a large rice cooker, the oven, the microwave, the stove, and the crockpot.    I managed good rice on the microwave when it was brown rice.  I finally broke down and bought the cheap rice cooker that I gave away when I bought the big expensive one.    It works remarkably well and quickly.  It was 16.00.   Go figure.  

I bought a 25 pound bag of rice from Costco. It was cheaper than buying rice at the dollar store, or anywhere else for that matter.   I had been. Using instant or ready made because I couldn't make rice come out the way we want to eat it.  The difference in price between raw rice on bulk and the ready made, or instant rice will soon pay for the price of the rice cooker.   Not to mention the fact that it is probably better nutrition.    Next step is to find brown rice in bulk.

I have been trying to perfect quick scratch cooking for the few things that I buy ready made.  Some aren't going to happen, because ready made is cheaper and more tasty.    Some I will tackle. I hear there are tortillas at Winco that are ready to fry.   That sounds good amd fresher amd womco is notorious for economy food .  But, they are really really high in carbs.   That's great of you are feeding a teen or you don't have a weight or diabetes issue.   They won't work for me.   I do buy two kinds of tortillas.  A low carb one for me - and the regular ones for the rest of the family.   None of us have a Weight issue .  

I hear there is a bread store in Lynwood now.  At 42nd amd 196th.  We are well stocked and the freezes are full so as soon as we pare  down the bread basket. I'll check it out.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Bubble and squeak

I was asking my granddaughter what she had for lunch at school. She didn't remember.    I kept naming off things typical of a preschool lunch. I kept getting  a no answer.  So, I said bubble and squeak!    She said what's that!    It a dish that Peppa Pig would eat.   It's British.    I googled it and showed her a picture.   Her answer was "I would eat the bacon!"

We went to happy hour last night,   I had chicken skewers and quinoa , one of my friends had Mac and cheese with bacon.  It looked amazing!  

Taking a lesson from the Happy  hour menu gives you new insight in what  is cheap to cook.   It's usually very tasty or it wouldn't sell.    It's also economical, or they wouldn't  make any money.  You have to also factor in that it probably isn't a balanced meal-- except maybe the Ceaser  salad with salmon or chicken.  

Safeways has a B5, S5 -  offer out there.

1. 2 cereal - use coupons 
2. 1 cake mix 
3. 1 Tabasco sauce 
4. Herdez salsa - use coupons

That is the best low cost senecio on an make from that.    I haven't checked the size limitations on the salsa. But there is a coupon.   I have seen Tabasco coupons and don't know if there is a match.  Check favado.  Just note, they are not always accurate .   

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypxective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Extreme couponing

taking an already low price and adding coupons will net you the best possible proces.   I first went to the dollar tree.   I  spent 11.60 and got coupons of 2.25.

I got

1. A wicker basket 
2. A roll of bounty basic ( it tested the best of a lot of brands for absorbing) .75 net 
3. Kleenex tissues for my purse 
4. A darling ice pack - marked 2.99 - it a monkey.  There were other animals.  I thought the monkey was the cutest and it's a boo boo pack! 
5. 2 pkgs creamy  caramels w coupon one was free. 
6. 2 jars peanuts
7. 1 pkg shortbread cookies
8. 2 glade air freshener - one was free with coupon,   

Next Safeways B5S5 

1. Tabasco sauce .79
2. Cookie Crisp cereal 1.24 with coupon 
3. Cinnamon Toast Crunch 1.49 with coupons 
4. Baking powder 1.89 ( mime was old ) 
5. Mustard, .99 ( daughter broke the last ones jar) 
6. Hot dog buns .99 ( they are usually .88 at Winco, but not worth a second trip for .11) 
7. Herdez salsa net 3.44 with coupon.   
8. Strawberries 
9. Duncan Heinz brownies .99

Total spent 14.32, total saved 11.19 or 44 percent. 

Not what extreme,couponing tv style would be. But in this state with no double

Couponing. It is about what you can expect.   78 percent was my best.  I can average six or so dollars a trip.   Fred Meyers was 11.25, dollar tree was 225, and Safeways was 1.80 for a total of 15.30.   

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypxective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

The ads -

quick posting of the ads

Alberways

Strawberries 3.88


Buy 5, save 5
Klondike bars 2.99
Herded salsa 3.99$$
General Mills and Kellogg's cereals 1.99


Eggs .99@@
Best foods 2.88


Five dollar Friday

Tilapia -2lbs
Doughnuts



QFC

Buy 4, save 4
Skippy peanut butter .99
Goldfish .99
Dryers 3.49 (ice cream)

Raspberries /blackberries 2/4
Barilla pasta 10/10. $$
Roma's .99
Bumble bee tuna .69


Grocery outlet
Butter 2/5
Jenner turkey 6.99-3 lbs (15 percent)
Aidells sausage 2.99
Ice cream 2.99
Nalleys pickles 1.99

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 perspective .  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Track what you spend

One of the ways you can control your spending is to keep a spreadsheet on your shopping trips.    You can also just do it with a pencil and notebook.   I use a spreadsheet and keep track by week and store I shopped at.    It gives me a running total so I know how close I am to budget and when I need to reign  in.   I am over budget this week, but I did a big Costco run that isnfoodmthatnwikl last more than a month.    I'll just adjust next weeks accordingly.   It makes more sense than paying as much as 7.00 for a pound of cheese tat I can get for two dollars or 2.35 respectively.    I know the fridge and freezer and pantry are full and I only need dairy and vegetables.  

Keeping a close track of spending goes a long ways to staying on budget and maintaining enough food to feed your family the whole  month.   

I haven't run a price list for a while.  By now, I have prices firmly emplaned on my brain.   I know the RBP of things we use in a regular basis.   I have self imposed limits, on what I buy and pretty much stick to them.   There is almost always an alternative.    We eat, we eat well.  If we are eating inexpensive sources of protein, we are going to eat the best quality I can afford.   

Prices have gone up, but I keep track by looking at the prices of my main things as I shop.  I also read some labels.    Drives hubby crazy.    We don't need that, he'll say!    I know, I'm just checking ingredients.   I want the peanut butter  with the lowest amount of hydrogenated oil.    I'm scratch cooking some things to avoid hydrogenated oils.   Anything BUT canola, Olive amd safflower oil is hydrogenated.   Jenny can cook is  U-tube channel of a gal that bakes without butter for the most part and uses either no oils or a light olive oil.   Many depression area cookbooks use less eggs and milk also.   Butter was a rarity during the war.   Many of them are a help if your doctor has ordered a specialty diet.   

Now some doctors are saying that if you introduce things like peanut butter early on a child's diet, there will be less allergies to it.   I'm thinking maybe when they switched to a no food until six month diet for newborns, it opened up a lot more food allergies.    I never bought into that.   I introduced one thing at a time and waited to see if there was a reaction to it .   The only one that appears to have an allergy is my oldest and that is pineapple.    Just an observation.    I, not making any recommendations.   

I digress.    

Keep track of spending,   It might just be an eye-opener.    

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 prospective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Meal plans

Another Monday, another meal plan.   I went through the fridge and consolidate and choked pull dates.    It's a good way to see what needs to be used up before meal planning.    This week, I went to

1. Fred Meyers for milk and an extreme couponing .    When you add a sale price to a good coupon, you can really score.     Got 1125 off of the bill and pretty much bought real food---ice cream is real food, right?    
2. Safeways: one of the few times they had a sale that was really a sale.   I stocked the catsup to last until fourth if July sales probably and manwich, tamales. And vegetarian refried beans.   Refried beans are a few cents cheaper at Costco, but you have no variety.    
3. Costco for a med run.    I also replenished our cheese and bought bananas.    
4. Winco for regular food.   

I'm still on track at 70.00 a week.   

Meals. 

1. Pork  tenderloin, scalloped potatoes. Broccoli 
2. Leftovers
3. Scratch pizza 
4. Pulled pork sandwiches. Tater tots , salad 
5. Nachos 
6. Lemon chicken 
7. Fish packets 

I have a lot of California blend vegetables , and I got tater tots from Winco for 1.28 for two pounds.    

Pulled park was on sale with a coupon. - 1/2 off 

GroceJries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypxective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Extreme couponing, Kroger!

I went with coupon book on hand to QFC and Fred Meyers ( Kroger)

Sara Lee artisan sandwich bread 2.25.- FREE
Blue bunny ice cream 2@3.69- less 2.00 coupons - 2@2.69
Nathan's Frank's 2 @ 3.49 - BOGO coupon - 3.49 for 2
Barilla pasta @1.00 for 3 ea. 3.00 less 1.50 is 1.50 for three 
2 milks at 2.19 amd 1.89 - coupons made them .98


Total spent 12.35
Total saved 11.34-  48 percent






 Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Frozen blueberries

I found angst of frozen blueberries hiding in the back of the freezer.    I also found a recipe for a cobbler on th Internet.  Seems like a Marriage made in  heaven.  Tomorrow I am making a cobbler.    We are die to have breakfast for dinner.   I replenished the hash browns last time I went to grocery outlet.  

I read an article on how to go about building a stockpile.   The lady was selling her ideas.    I don't get money for writing my blog. I am not in it for the money.   If someone is having a hard time making both ends meet, they certainly can't afford to pay to learn how.  

The easiest way to start a stockpile is to look very carefully at your last sales slip from the grocery haul.   Break it down onto categories.   Now decide what you can do without and what are real necessities.   What can you do instead.   I always said to myself when something wasn't working, what can I do instead.     Sometimes I would have to brainstorm with my sister.   Between the two of us, a solution was found.   She would say something and a lightbulb would go off on my head.

Part of a stockpile can be developed just by watching for a RBP on something you use on a regular basis and buying multiples of that thing.   Sometimes you can luck out and get a coupon that makes something almost free.  By snowballing a few things, you can get a good start.

Avoiding anything that is empty calories is a good way to save a lot and get started.   The more you save, the more you can stockpile and save more.  Just making air-popped popcorn instead of using microwave popcorn that is full of unhealthy stuff or chips can save hundreds of dollars.  Add eliminating juices and pop to the mix and you have a few hundred dollars more.  

Smoothies are wonderful. But the are really pricey.    When you have four dollars a day to eat, you can't use a dollar of  it foot on a smoothly.   You are better off eating a piece of fruit in season.  

 The best advice I can give you I'd to know your prices and find the best priced stores in your area.  If you live in a town without a chain store, get with a friend or neighbor and carpool.   Get the flyers and go when there is a good  sale on,   Plan your trip.   Check out the coupon policy, and do the  math with the store ad to know exactly what you can buy.   Pare the list down if you need to.   Pair it with a dollar store run if you can.  

Thanks for stopping by ... Please share and follow.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

FRED MEYERS AD FOR TOMMORROW

TOMORROW's ad for Fred Meyers.

Turkey, ground  2.99.  Foster farms lean
Cucumbers 2/.99
Oranges .99
Raspberries 2.99
Broccoli .88
Milk .99@@
Cottage cheese 3/5@@
Frozen fruit 3.49
Zucchini .99
Corn 5/2
Beans/ tomatoes .49@@ limit 6.

Beans and tomatoes are a stock up item.    I am going to save the fm ads for a month or so and see if I find a pattern.   Limit 6.   The information I have found is that when tomatoes, the most acidic thing I can think of, were tested, the BPA level was six  parts per several BILLION.   Rinse your beans and drain them.  It cuts the salt.   Winco's  beans , limited selection of types, are .48.   Winco's  beans have water, salt, amd beans In them, period.  

It seems to me, that if something is trending, they raise the price, supply and demand.   The media and manufacturers can hype up anything to get you to buy it.   Practice due diligence and study , research, before you leap.  The Internet is a great invention, but, sometimes it does us a great disservice when it can find something wrong with everything we eat.    I read that too much kale can give you lead poisoning.  Go figure.

 Turkey at the holiday time is .69 a pound, yet because someone said it was lower in fat, it's more expensive than ground round on sale.   Earth to people, at 2.77 per pound, ground beef at ten percent fat that has been defatted is really low fat,  and more nutrition.  I buy 7 percent when I can.

The experts say, don't worry about the cholesterol , worry about the fat-- that's where the cholesterol comes from.  Also, bump up your good cholesterol.    I always cook with olive oil.    I put olive oil in salad dressing for the pasta salad.   It was fine.

I still say that moderation is the key.   We eat red meat once a week.   The other days are balanced with chicken, pork, vegetarian and fish or shellfish.   We always have fresh fruit in the house.   I buy fresh vegetables in season.   I buy frozen on sale.   Frozen veggies are picked at their peak, amd frozen and can be better than fresh, nutrition wise.

There are ways to eat good food and still economize on food.   If money isn't an issue for you, go for trending.   If you need to stick to a strict budget, a little time and effort can out good , tasty food on the table and not bust the budget.  

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.    

Baked potato bar

Last night we had a baked potato bar.    It's a good way to use up bits of things on the fridge.    I put sir cream,no arm, yellow cheese, broccoli, some leftover taco meat, chilli on the island and baked four potatoes.    Add some fruit salad.

We need a Costco run, mostly for OTC meds.    I'll add bananas to the list.    We are out of bananas, so granddaughter and I had yogurt and a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter.  I am still at under seventy dollars a week, and we have a considerable stock built.   High means we don't eat seventy dollars a week - that's a three month average.    Getting Winco has really helped.

Taking out the processed food card, it is a challenge to find ready made that is cheaper than ready made.  The basic no wholes barred is tomato products.   The lowest price for a tomato on this part of the country is a dollar a pound.  Most of the time they are upwards of two dollars a pound.   Canned tomatoes are much cheaper.   It is cheaper to buy hunts pasta sauce than scratch sauce.  I have found Jared sauce for as little as 1.25.   I'm not finding many coupons out there.   I'm finally finding a low price on pasta.  Thre are a lot of coupons out there for Barilla proto pasta.   It's actually easy and good tasting.   I expected mass starch, but it didn't happen.    I found it for a dollar at the dollar store and at Fred Meyers.   I got a Catalina twice at Fred Meyers for it.   Pasta at less than a buck goes a long ways to stretch a dollar.   Fred Meyers has a pasta that has a serving of vegetable in it and is very well disguised.

There is a buy 10, for 8.00 at Alberways.    Not everything is a bargain.   Margarine isn't a bargain at any price.    Catsup is a good buy and BBQ season is around the corner.   The pasta sauce is a good price.  I have got both of those for .75 at the dollar store, but it's nit a regular occurrence,   There is also vegetarian refried beans amd manwich.   Refried beans are cheapest at Costco, but there is no
variety.  We like vegetarian, ot makes life easier.   Diced tomatoes are not cheaper, and microwave popcorn isn't cheap at any price.

For the most part, Fred Meyers and Winco are having the best prices.   Albertsons and Safeways have the same prices, Albertsons owns both, but are keeping their names separate.    They are closing the store across from the James Village  Albertsons, and have restored the Safeways in the shoreline store that Haggens had taken over.

For practical purposes, as long as the ads are identical, I'll go on calling it Alberways.    It doesn't make sense to repeat the prices.    I guess that just means you can go to the store that is the most convenient.  I like to take a cooler along on my car and cluster the stores.    I always go to two stores a week and buy the specials amd the things that are typically a  lower price.    It gives you the most food for your buck.  

Groceries on the cheap is looking at the Put Dinner On The Table meal train from a different

 pro sypective.  The emphasis is on purchasing good food( shelf- stable/ freezer staples )at the lowest possible cost and purchasing enough to last you until it goes on sale again -- Keeping a controlled non-perishable stock of the things you use on a regular basis. It means that when you shop, rather than purchasing just what you need for a day or a week, you  buy a loss leader protein, produce you will 

need on sale, a stock item if it's a RBP, and dairy instead.    This allows you to put well balanced meals 

on the table consistently  for a four dollar a day budget per person.   You spend more time on the 

planning and shopping end of the meal train and less on the cooking end by cooking efficiently.    

Four dollars a day is the target amount for people on snap.   My premise is that of you can do it on four dollars a day, spending more isn't hard.   You still get more bang for your buck.