Things your grocer doesn't want you to know

I used to be the accountant for a wholesale grocer years ago. It probably will come to no surprise to you that the stores have spent great time, money and effort to ensure that you spend more money at their store.

They know that most people go right when they enter a store.
They know that the longer you spend in a store, the more money you will spend. That's why some stores are constantly changing their layout.

The more people you bring with you, the more you will spend.

People are lazy. They look in the middle of the shelf. Grocery stores get "rent" called slotting fees from manufacturers to show their product on the eye level shelves.
So look down and up on the shelves for the better buys.

It is no accident that the toys are next to the kids sugary cereal. Or that they have impulse buys by the checkout lines to tempt you while you are waiting.

There are stores that shall remain a secret that have a 42 percent markup. Probably because the more exoctic foods and the fancier the store, the more markup they have to have to make a profit.

Never go shopping when you are too hungry. You will be tempted by too many impulse buys.

That is one reason going to the store every two days to buy two days worth of dinners is a budget mistake. Another is it wastes time and gas. Going to a store only because they have the friendliest checkout personnel is another dumb thing. If going to the grocery store is your social time, you need to get a life! Lol

After you get yourself set up, you will find that you spend less time on the whole FOOD thing than you did before.

My whole life isn't getting food cheap. I run two businesses, write a blog, belong to a service organization for women, work, and run a house and Im a grandmother.
I just budget my time, like I budget my food budget.

I found a book on ground meat recipes for 3.00. It has a lot of good recipes. Anytime you can find an inexpensive bool from "Taste of Home" it is a good investment. I have written for them, and many other home cooks have as well. Their recipes for the most part are down to earth recipes that are very doable. If they call for a mix, adjust your recipe.

Green Chili Flautas
(Taste of Home)

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1cup grated cheese
1can chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 tsp ground cumin

10 7" flour tortillas
1/3 cup butter or margarine,melted.

Toppings: lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream

Cook meat in skillet until no longer pink. Add cheese and chilies, and cumin.
Set aside.
Warm tortillas. (30-60 seconds on a paper towel in the microwave.
Brush both sides with butter.
Spoon about 1/3 cup meat mixture down the center of the tortilla. Roll tightly.
Place seam side down in a 9x13 pan.
Bake uncovered at 500 degrees for 5-7 minutes until golden brushing once with butter.


Notes : I would use a little less hamburger and cheese. I would also use olive oil instead of butter or a combination of olive oil and butter. Maybe olive oil to soften the tortilla and butter to brown them. Tortillas are cheapest in that size at grocery outlet. Larger ones are cheaper at Costco. Green chilies are often on sale especially around the 5th of May. I want to pay .50. You could also use chopped or shredded chicken that you add some taco seasoning to. ( then I would omit the cumin.)

More Tex- Mex tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jane