When trying to eat on a budget, it really helps if you know the prices of things you buy on a regular basis. We have ceilings on my prices. Unless it is something we really really need, we just don’t buy it. Stocking while something is at a low price helps with this.
Example: we keep 4 dozen eggs, Typically we use a dozen eggs a week. If we buy one or two dozen with far out pull dates each time they are at a good price, we never run out of eggs and we always pay less than 1.25 .
There are big fluctuations in prices between stores. There can be as much as two dollars an item .
With a four dollar a day budget, two dollars is a BIG amount.
Yesterday, I worked at my volunteer job. My husband went to find eggs and lettuce. At one store 2 dozen eggs and a head of iceberg lettuce was 7.50 . He went to another store and it was less than 3.00 for the three items. Almost a third of the price. 5.00 buys a lot of chicken when it is .88 a pound.
Groceries on the cheap takes a different approach to buying groceries. Instead of a panic mode where your cupboards and refrigerator are bare and it’s payday, you never pay full price and you stock basic food when it is on sale. You go to the store to buy a rotation bulk protein , perishable dairy and produce, and whatever your non perishable stock is low on that is a good price somewhere.
It takes some time, but you should strive for a four to six weeks supply of food. You never know what is going to happen, and being prepared gives you piece of mind.
The government shutdown comes to mind. If people had a stock of food, they would have been better off.
Making a master list helps a lot. We all have a small list of meals our family likes. Making a ,sit with those meals as a starter is a good first step.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Friday, June 7, 2019
Friday recipe
Spicy beans and rice
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper **
2 tsp garlic , chopped
2 tsp oil ( olive or vegetable
1 can diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp. Cumin
4 cups beans, cooked and drained
2-1/2 cups rice
Sauté the green pepper and garlic in oil
Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and Seasonings
Simmer about five to ten minutes
Add cooked beans
Heat through until beans are warm.
Serve over rice.
** green peppers are .50 at sprouts this week.
Sometimes I add tomato powder to my rice water.
Both rice and beans are easily cooked on the insta pot.
Total Cost 1.40 not including spices or .28 a serving
Can be served with sour cream, green onions, and or avocado
Tortilla chips.
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper **
2 tsp garlic , chopped
2 tsp oil ( olive or vegetable
1 can diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp. Cumin
4 cups beans, cooked and drained
2-1/2 cups rice
Sauté the green pepper and garlic in oil
Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and Seasonings
Simmer about five to ten minutes
Add cooked beans
Heat through until beans are warm.
Serve over rice.
** green peppers are .50 at sprouts this week.
Sometimes I add tomato powder to my rice water.
Both rice and beans are easily cooked on the insta pot.
Total Cost 1.40 not including spices or .28 a serving
Can be served with sour cream, green onions, and or avocado
Tortilla chips.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Hauls to 6/5
Sprouts
Strawberries ..98
Blackberries 2.00
Bell peppers .50
Cherries , 98
Corn 2/1
Total 9.16
Winco
Bacon 3.22
Sausage .98
Salmon patties 1.98
Bread 1.18
Tomatoes.98
Total 11.90
Total 21.06
Fred Meyers
1 milk .99
2 butter 2.99
5 bacon 2.99
Total 21.97
Grand total 43.03
Large cottage cheese free
Winco
Eggs 🥚.88
Lettuce .98
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
The best of the ads 6/5
Sprouts
Grapes .98
Tomatoes .88
Peaches .69
onions, yams .88
Blues 18oz 3.98
Chicken, whole, split breasts, drums or thighs .87
QFC
Pork sale BOGO
B 5 S 5
Cheerios 1.79 $$
Tide 4.99
BREYERS 2.99
Alberways
* western tri cities only
Corn 2/1
Regular ad
Milk 1.99@@
Bread .99@@
Sirloin roast 2.99
Hamburger 80/20 2.99
@@ denotes in ad coupon needed
$$ denotes there could be a coupon out there
Fred Meyers
Blues 8 Oz 2.99
Petite sirloin steak 2.99
B5 S 5
Cheese 2.49
Tide 4.99
Cheerios 1.79
BREYERS 2.99
Ore Ida 1.99 ( French fries)
Classico pasta sauce 1.99
Cream cheese 1.49
Grapes .98
Tomatoes .88
Peaches .69
onions, yams .88
Blues 18oz 3.98
Chicken, whole, split breasts, drums or thighs .87
QFC
Pork sale BOGO
B 5 S 5
Cheerios 1.79 $$
Tide 4.99
BREYERS 2.99
Alberways
* western tri cities only
Corn 2/1
Regular ad
Milk 1.99@@
Bread .99@@
Sirloin roast 2.99
Hamburger 80/20 2.99
@@ denotes in ad coupon needed
$$ denotes there could be a coupon out there
Fred Meyers
Blues 8 Oz 2.99
Petite sirloin steak 2.99
B5 S 5
Cheese 2.49
Tide 4.99
Cheerios 1.79
BREYERS 2.99
Ore Ida 1.99 ( French fries)
Classico pasta sauce 1.99
Cream cheese 1.49
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Taco Tuesday
It’s Tuesday. I’ve got writers block. Let’s talk about tacos or American Mexican food,
We happen to be fond of the stuff, and it is inexpensive if you want it to be.
I cook hamburger as soon as it comes into the house, or shortly thereafter. It is just easier to cook it on a batch and de fat it. If you are in a hurry to get dinner on the table, you are less likely to de fat a half pound of hamburger or ground turkey. De fating hamburger can reduce your fat up to 17 percent. I then bag it in meal sized portions and out quart bags on a gallon bag and label the gallon bag. 5 pounds of 80/20 hamburger nets a lot of fat.
The hands down easiest way to cook a whole chicken for recipes is to do it on the slow cooker.
Place an onion, or two small onions, peeled and cut into halves or quarters depending on the size of the onion in the bottom if a slow cooker. Open the chicken on a sheet own and dry it with a paper towel. sprinkle with a dry rub of choice or seasoned salt. Place on slow cooker and cook on HIGH heat for an hour a pound or until the chicken tests done, I like 180 degrees. You will have a lot of stock and cooked chicken. Be careful of what rub you use, you don’t want your chicken to be too flavored. LOL. Discard onion.
You can make :
Tacos, chicken or beef
Burritos
Enchiladas
Tostadas
Taco soup
Enchilada sauce is cheap and easy to make. Green enchilada sauce is even easier with magic mix and a can of mild green chilies. Use 1/2 the chilies in the sauce and the other half in the chicken mixture.
Flour tortillas and corn tortillas are cheapest in May. You can meet them in the refrigerator. There are low carb variety, but they are pricy.
Sometimes I have found a taco kit at Grocery Outlet. It is the same rice as buying the tacimshekks, but has the seasoning and sauce with it too.
I make my own taco seasoning, a packet of taco seasoning can cost 4.00 an ounce. Mexican seasoning can be found in packets in the ethnic isle of the grocery store and even then, can be much cheaper than buying the packets.
Paprika. Chili powder. Onion, garlic, cumin.
We happen to be fond of the stuff, and it is inexpensive if you want it to be.
I cook hamburger as soon as it comes into the house, or shortly thereafter. It is just easier to cook it on a batch and de fat it. If you are in a hurry to get dinner on the table, you are less likely to de fat a half pound of hamburger or ground turkey. De fating hamburger can reduce your fat up to 17 percent. I then bag it in meal sized portions and out quart bags on a gallon bag and label the gallon bag. 5 pounds of 80/20 hamburger nets a lot of fat.
The hands down easiest way to cook a whole chicken for recipes is to do it on the slow cooker.
Place an onion, or two small onions, peeled and cut into halves or quarters depending on the size of the onion in the bottom if a slow cooker. Open the chicken on a sheet own and dry it with a paper towel. sprinkle with a dry rub of choice or seasoned salt. Place on slow cooker and cook on HIGH heat for an hour a pound or until the chicken tests done, I like 180 degrees. You will have a lot of stock and cooked chicken. Be careful of what rub you use, you don’t want your chicken to be too flavored. LOL. Discard onion.
You can make :
Tacos, chicken or beef
Burritos
Enchiladas
Tostadas
Taco soup
Enchilada sauce is cheap and easy to make. Green enchilada sauce is even easier with magic mix and a can of mild green chilies. Use 1/2 the chilies in the sauce and the other half in the chicken mixture.
Flour tortillas and corn tortillas are cheapest in May. You can meet them in the refrigerator. There are low carb variety, but they are pricy.
Sometimes I have found a taco kit at Grocery Outlet. It is the same rice as buying the tacimshekks, but has the seasoning and sauce with it too.
I make my own taco seasoning, a packet of taco seasoning can cost 4.00 an ounce. Mexican seasoning can be found in packets in the ethnic isle of the grocery store and even then, can be much cheaper than buying the packets.
Paprika. Chili powder. Onion, garlic, cumin.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Kitchen Management
Kitchen Management aka meal prep .
A little time when you can find it, saves a lot of time later when time is in short supply.
A little time when you can find it, saves a lot of time later when time is in short supply.
- Wash kitchen floor
- Wash and disinfect countertops and sinks and drains.
- Clean out the refrigerator and dump anything dead .
These three sentences are literally programmed into my reader! Lol
- Make a plan to get the things that are close o expiration used up.
- Wash vegetables with vinegar. See this week’s post on organic buster.
- Straighten pantry
- Wash kitchen window
- Wash save fan screen in the dishwasher,
- Start dinner,
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Meal plans
It’s Sunday, it must be meal plans . Meal plans are a necessary part of groceries in the cheap. Being organized and planning to incorporate food that is in abundance in the house and things that may be ready to expire is a good plan. Also, incorporating your schedule into the plan to accommodate appointments and meetings.
- Chicken pot pie
- Pizza
- Potato soup, cheesy drop biscuits
- Tuna patties, oven fries, fruit salad
- Spaghetti and meatballs, salad
- Fajitas
- Breakfast for dinner
A form makes it easy to take inventory and do meal plans.
A matrix makes meal planing quick and easy and affords variety.
Notes : we eat on less than four dollars a day and keep a stock. Keep on mind we are “old” and are not feeding a 17yo linebacker. Lol Washington SNAP averages 4.25 a day, you can still feed growing children and keep a 4-6 week supply of food.
- Chicken pot pie is easy and uses chicken already cooked. We use one crust to curb the carbs.
- Pizza is a mainstay. A cheese pizza costs about a dollar of made from scratch. Pizza dough can be made in the Food processor or by hand , or a batch can be made in the kitchen aid and frozen. This makes 4 pizza crusts and it is a thicker crust.
- Potato soup is an inexpensive meal and uses a small mount of milk or cream. Having an inexpensive meal means you can have a more expensive meal every now and then and still stay on budget.
- Tuna melt used solid albacore tuna from Costco and oven fries that are low in fat.
- Soafhetti and meatballs use 1/2 a package of spaghetti (4 servings) and meatballs from the freezer. Pasta sauce on a jar. 8 minutes in the insta pot.
- Fajitas use peppers that sprouts had on sale for .50. Taco shells on sale from cinco de Mayo.
- Breakfast for dinner is a mainstay. Everyone cooks— a family affair .
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Imagination
Make no bones about it, food prices is are going to go up. Seems the climate if the week is to put tariffs on Mexico and China. The China won’t hurt as much for food because a lot of us don’t willingly buy food from China anyway. But, we get a lot of our fruits and vegetables from Mexico especially on the winter. Putting some extra veggies and fruit in the freezer this summer that are locally grown might not be a bad idea. Our great grandmothers had victory gardens. They also had ideas of how to s t r e t c h their food supply.
I am hoping that the tariffs will hurt his fan base too hard and he will back off on the tariffs.
It won’t be politically advantageous?
We went to sprouts this week. A lot of vegetables and fruits were reasonably priced. Taking advantage of special prices and incorporating the bargains into your meal plans makes your food budget go farther. Peppers were fifty cents. Ham is fifty cents at QFC. We are out of freezer room, so I didn’t buy ham. Strawberries were a dollar a pound. Blackberries were inexpensive and full of good vitamins. Potatoes are down in price again here, probably because of the fact that Washington and Idaho are good potato producers. Potatoes have a lot of good nutrition.
Beef prices will go down. The government has broke up a price fixing ring headed by TYSON and three other producers. They together would keep prices high, no matter how much they paid for the cattle. Remember higher prices started with a drought. The other odd of that coin, is that China had a problem with their hogs that resulted in a hog shortage. Shortage =higher prices. Now add a 25 percent tariff and you have higher prices. The only remedy is to go with the flow. Make use of the food that is a reasonable price. If you are in a fixed budget, paying higher prices is not an option.
There is no getting around some things, but you can adapt to a lot.
Back to the produce bargains: potatoes. Strawberries, apples, peppers.
Brainstorm, look at magazines and cookbooks, the library has cookbooks, the thrift stores have cheap magazines and cookbooks, the internet of full of ideas and the on line Betty Crocker (BC) cookbook has a feature that lets you put an ingredient in and they show recipes. Remember almost every ready made ingredient has a homemade substitution. Learning to make a white sauce or magic mix and enchilada sauce is a great money saver.
I am hoping that the tariffs will hurt his fan base too hard and he will back off on the tariffs.
It won’t be politically advantageous?
We went to sprouts this week. A lot of vegetables and fruits were reasonably priced. Taking advantage of special prices and incorporating the bargains into your meal plans makes your food budget go farther. Peppers were fifty cents. Ham is fifty cents at QFC. We are out of freezer room, so I didn’t buy ham. Strawberries were a dollar a pound. Blackberries were inexpensive and full of good vitamins. Potatoes are down in price again here, probably because of the fact that Washington and Idaho are good potato producers. Potatoes have a lot of good nutrition.
Beef prices will go down. The government has broke up a price fixing ring headed by TYSON and three other producers. They together would keep prices high, no matter how much they paid for the cattle. Remember higher prices started with a drought. The other odd of that coin, is that China had a problem with their hogs that resulted in a hog shortage. Shortage =higher prices. Now add a 25 percent tariff and you have higher prices. The only remedy is to go with the flow. Make use of the food that is a reasonable price. If you are in a fixed budget, paying higher prices is not an option.
There is no getting around some things, but you can adapt to a lot.
Back to the produce bargains: potatoes. Strawberries, apples, peppers.
Brainstorm, look at magazines and cookbooks, the library has cookbooks, the thrift stores have cheap magazines and cookbooks, the internet of full of ideas and the on line Betty Crocker (BC) cookbook has a feature that lets you put an ingredient in and they show recipes. Remember almost every ready made ingredient has a homemade substitution. Learning to make a white sauce or magic mix and enchilada sauce is a great money saver.
- Strawberry muffins
- Strawberry waffles
- Fruit salad
- Strawberry shortcake
- Strawberry pancakes
- Baked potato bar
- Potato soup
- Depression stew
- Ham and scalloped potatoes
- Ham, and pepper omelette
- Chicken fajitas
- Pizza with peppers and chicken (Buffalo chicken pizza)
- Stuffed peppers
- Sausage and pizza soup
Incorporating what you can find that is a good price and nutritious is a good way to s t r e t c h your food dollar. Going to the two stores that have the best prices on food is a simple way to save money.
Using all of your food, making stock from vegetable scraps, and incorporating as much as possible of leftovers into something else is another way. Our great grandmothers survived the great depression and WWII shortages by being resourceful and coming up with ideas to use what they had.
Red velvet cake was invented because people wanted chocolate cake during the war and there was no cocoa available.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Chili
Chili is an inexpensive dish to make and can be easy made in a slow cooker or an insta pot.
It is also very versatile . Besides a meal of chili, you can add pasta to the leftovers and stretch it for another meal. You can also is use it along with other ingredients for a baked potato bar. Chili dogs?
Add chili to rice and condiments like sour cream, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes or guacamole for a burrito bowl.
Ground turkey was on sale recently. You can use canned beans, or cook beans quickly on the insta pot. Any bean or combination of beans will work. And, ground beef will also work. Don’t limit yourself to a basic recipe. You can make a substitution. If you don’t have something, replace it with something of the same flavor or texture. My husband won’t eat onions. Of I need something to replace the bulk of onions, I often add celery. Of I don’t need the bulk, I add onion powder or grate a piece of onion on the micro plane . I only buy diced tomatoes. I sometimes buy seasoned diced tomatoes; it saves time and money. I usually have a couple of small cans of tomato sauce and some tomato powder. If I use seasoned tomatoes, I omit the spices and adjust seasoning to taste.
30 minute chili in the insta pot or pressure cooker
10 minutes hands on time.
2 quarts - serves 8
1# ground turkey , cooked
2 cans / 4 cups of beans
1 -15 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 small red pepper , chopped
1 cup beef broth ( bouillon )
1 T taco seasoning
Ground turkey was on sale recently. You can use canned beans, or cook beans quickly on the insta pot. Any bean or combination of beans will work. And, ground beef will also work. Don’t limit yourself to a basic recipe. You can make a substitution. If you don’t have something, replace it with something of the same flavor or texture. My husband won’t eat onions. Of I need something to replace the bulk of onions, I often add celery. Of I don’t need the bulk, I add onion powder or grate a piece of onion on the micro plane . I only buy diced tomatoes. I sometimes buy seasoned diced tomatoes; it saves time and money. I usually have a couple of small cans of tomato sauce and some tomato powder. If I use seasoned tomatoes, I omit the spices and adjust seasoning to taste.
30 minute chili in the insta pot or pressure cooker
10 minutes hands on time.
2 quarts - serves 8
1# ground turkey , cooked
2 cans / 4 cups of beans
1 -15 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 small red pepper , chopped
1 cup beef broth ( bouillon )
1 T taco seasoning
Combine all ingredients.
Process on high for 5 minutes
When finished, let naturally release for 10 minutes and manually finish it.
Serve with sour cream, chopped jalapeños, and/or tortilla strips or chips.
Process on high for 5 minutes
When finished, let naturally release for 10 minutes and manually finish it.
Serve with sour cream, chopped jalapeños, and/or tortilla strips or chips.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
hauls to 5/29
QFC
Milk 1.99
Blues 3.75
Bread 1.00
Total 6.74
Sprouts
Blackberries 1.25
Peppers .98
Red cherries 1.68
Banana chips .81
Pumpkin pie 2,99
Total 10.31
Total 17.05
Cottage cheese 1.99
Total 19.04
Milk 1.99
Blues 3.75
Bread 1.00
Total 6.74
Sprouts
Blackberries 1.25
Peppers .98
Red cherries 1.68
Banana chips .81
Pumpkin pie 2,99
Total 10.31
Total 17.05
Cottage cheese 1.99
Total 19.04
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Best of the ads 5/29/2019
This is done using internet ads. The post office didn’t deliver the ads on time again .
Alberways
Cheese 4.99@@
Yoplait .39@@
This is my top price on cheese, but I would so make it my protein rotation,
Fred Meyer
Digi, five only, selected days , bacon 2.99#
******
Foster Farm chicken BOGO
Milk .99
Breakfast sausage 2/5
B5S5
GM cereal 1.49
Classico 1.99
Tater tots 1.99
Ketchup 38 Oz 1.99
Cream cheese 1.49
Aidells sausafe 3.99
Sprouts
Strawberries .99
Avacados 2/1
Red peppers 2/1
Blueberries blackberries 2/4
Pineapple 2/5
FSS only
Cantaloupe .98
QFC
Peppers .99
Blues 3.99
Raspberries 12 Oz 3.99
Kroger ice cream 2/5
B5S5
Cereal 1.49
Hebrew national 2.49
Ore Ida potatoes 1.992#
Ketchup 38 ounces 1.99
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Making the most of a basket coupon,
Occasionally you will find a grocery store offering a basket coupon, Basket coupons are when a coupon will say save 10.00 off you order of 50.00 or more. Forget the more part. Ten dollars off of fifty is 20 percent off your basket. The more you spend, the less percentage you are going to get. If the store is already 25 or more percent higher than other stores, twenty percent isn’t a bargain. Unless. They are also having a good sale. The trick, as usual is to know your prices.
You can make a good deal on these coupons, but planning your trip is essential. You could wind up paying more than if you just went to a different store.
Going to two stores a week, researching what stores on your area have the best prices, is key to getting the most food for your dollar.
You don’t pick a grocery store because the clerks are the most friendly, or because they never have a line, think about it, of they never have a line, they probably aren’t real popular and therefore, probably have higher prices. Going to the grocery store shouldn’t be your social life! Lol
I would pick a store that was clean, or , rather, not pick a store that was dirty.
There can be as much as a two dollar per item spread on prices of the exact same thing. Two dollars is huge.
It’s not as much what you buy as it is when and where you buy it.
No food is going to do your family any good if you are feeding it to the garbage disposal.
My other used to say that some people could have a bargain get up and bite them in the butt and they wouldn’t see it...don’t be that person.
You can make a good deal on these coupons, but planning your trip is essential. You could wind up paying more than if you just went to a different store.
Going to two stores a week, researching what stores on your area have the best prices, is key to getting the most food for your dollar.
You don’t pick a grocery store because the clerks are the most friendly, or because they never have a line, think about it, of they never have a line, they probably aren’t real popular and therefore, probably have higher prices. Going to the grocery store shouldn’t be your social life! Lol
I would pick a store that was clean, or , rather, not pick a store that was dirty.
There can be as much as a two dollar per item spread on prices of the exact same thing. Two dollars is huge.
It’s not as much what you buy as it is when and where you buy it.
No food is going to do your family any good if you are feeding it to the garbage disposal.
My other used to say that some people could have a bargain get up and bite them in the butt and they wouldn’t see it...don’t be that person.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Kitchen management
kitchen Management aka meal prep
Kitchen management is a tool to help you save money and time in the kitchen. It helps take the hectic out ofmthemdinner hour. By prepping food , you are one step ahead of the time it takes t make dinner.
Kitchen management is a tool to help you save money and time in the kitchen. It helps take the hectic out ofmthemdinner hour. By prepping food , you are one step ahead of the time it takes t make dinner.
- Clean and slice the peppers. Cut the tops and bottoms off and reserve for pizza. Chop and freeze. Pit in a bag and place on the freezer door for pizza.
- Male bulk crust
- Wash potatoes and carrots with vinegar water
- Wash kitchen floor
- Clean out the refrigerator and dump anything dead 💀.
- Make note of anything that needs to be incorporated into a meal,
- Wash countertops and sinks and drains and disinfect,
- Clean the dishwasher and microwave.
- Clean strawberries and pit in refrigerator.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Meal Plans
Meal plans are a necessary part of your meal prep. Having a plan staves off the take out demons. It just makes meal tome easier. It doesn’t mean you have to stick to the plan, but it is, rather, a road map to get you to economical dinners.
- Fajitas
- Pizza
- Depression stew
- Potato soup
- Chicken pot pie
- Tacos, Spanish rice
- Breakfast for dinner
Notes
- Peppers continue to be a dollar at sprouts. Green ones are cheaper, but we don’t like them.
- Spanish rice can do a double duty. Tomato powder is a good thing to have when tomatoes are expensive, or you are out. Ingredients : dried tomatoes, period.
- Depression stew is a very old recipe from great grandmothers, or great, great, grandmothers. it uses any leftover meat you have, bits and pieces. We have bacon I got for 1.28 a pound and a few stray meatballs on the freezer.
- Potato soup uses some of the ten pounds of potatoes we got for 1.69. Cheesy biscuits are Betty Crocker and easy, peas, quick. Add some protein.
- Chicken pot pie is easy and a favorite,
- Tacos are good and you can use ground turkey or beef. Double duty on the Spanish rice,
- Breakfast for dinner is a family affair with the family cooking,
We made peach dump cake this week. Friday was a half day at school for granddaughter. It is easy and we had a free cake mix , so the cost was a cheese of butter and a can of peaches I had got on sale . Teaching cooking skills is a good 5hing since they dint do that in school anymore, She is learning safe knife skills,
Saturday, May 25, 2019
What we ate in May 2019
May’s grocery shopping carts cost on average 30 dollars and change a week.
- Hamburgers, green salad
- Ribs, corn on the cob, strawberries
- Pizza
- Taco soup. Multi colored tortillas strips for garnish
- French Toast, bacon, fruit
- Leftover chicken spaghetti
- Sloppy joes, oven fries
- Ravioli , greens
- Chili
- Chicken soup
- Depression stew
- Chicken pot pie
- Hamburgers, corn on cob, fruit
- Sausage patties. Fried potatoes, strawberries and oranges
- Black bean enchiladas
- Steak, baked potatoes, green salad
- Hamburgers, corn on cob, salad
- Baked potato bar
- Breakfast for dinner
- Chili, tortilla chips
- Burrito bowl
- Spaghetti, salad
- Rice, meatballs, green beans
- Baked spaghetti, salad, peach dump cake
- Fish and chips
- Fajitas
- Chili
- Clam chowder
- Stew and biscuits
- Salmon, corn on cob, salad
- Eggs, sausage, fruit
Friday, May 24, 2019
The spirit of grocery shopping
Groceries on the cheap takes a different approach to grocery shopping, Instead of what one might call “panic” grocery shopping , you have a stock of about a four to six week supply and you shop to replentish your stock. You look at the ads to see what’s on a good sale, and buy a bulk rotation meat, fresh prodice and dairy needed, and replentish anything on a good sale that is on your shelf/ freezer stable list.
Yesterday, after showing up at the dentist ( they called trying to fill on a cancellation) we went shopping. I had already looked at the ads ( see earlier posts) and had a list for Safeways, but had a vague idea of what I needed to fill in at Winco. Usually here we find the best “buys” at Fred Meyers and Winco. There are exceptions and this is one week that held true.
We went to Winco first because it was the closest to our route from the dentist. I bought tomatoes that we were out of and looked for a decent price on cottage cheese. Bacon was 3.39 a pound . ( when the package is 12 ounces, multiply the cost of the 12 ounce package by 1.25. You can usually do this on your telephone,)
We then walked the perimeter of the store . Bacon pieces were 1.28 a pound. This works for seasoning beans, soups, and topping a quiche. And, it is 1/3 of the cost of using strips of bacon. It pays to think out of the box.
We went on to Safeways. I filled on what was on sale for a good price and checked the mark down meat bin. Most of the meat was, as usual still higher than the proverbial balls. But, they had a package of cube steaks for 4.00. That’s two dinners for us. I added a salad made with the .79 head if lettuce and a Roma tomato that was a dollar a pound, and a baked potato we got for 1.79 for a ten pound bag. That s steak dinner for 2.45. It took maybe 15 minutes to make.
And so it goes....
My average for this month is 30.00 and change a week for groceries. Part of this is because we are well stocked. We have done this on 4.00 a day budget for almost 2.5 years now. The secret is not paying full price for anything, simplifying your list, and efficient scratch cooking. We don’t eat much asparagus or broccoli, mainly because my husband doesn’t like veggies, and steak is a treat. I buy good hamburger and de fat it and cook bulk when it comes home from the store. We buy pork loins when they Re 1-2.00 a pound and I butcher them myself— roasts, pork chops and stew meat or stir fry. We buy boneless, skinless chicken breast when they are under 1.28 a pound, sometimes split breasts are as cheap as .88 and then I process them and save a lot. ( see earlier post). Occasionally we buy thighs so we can make stock and I use the meat for chicken soup or enchiladas.
Keeping your supply list short makes it easier to shop, and easier to out things away, and you always know what ingredients you can use for recipes. Basics is the key.
Frozen potatoes were 1.99 for two pounds, This included sweet potato fries...yum. We bought the “culls” fries from Winco for little more than a dollar for two pounds. Frozen vegetables were a dollar at Safeways, I bought mixed vegetables, and peas. This is a good fit because we make a quick chicken pot pie and peas can go by themselves, or even on a stew.
I basically bought anything that was a good buy and we could use to make dinners. The notion of...but we have a bag doesn’t cut it here. You buy it when it’s on sale and don’t buy any more than you can realistically use before they go bad, keeping in mind how much storage space you have. We are stuffed in the small freezer and pantry. It just means we can save up for other bill becaise our groceries will be minimal.
It works, it is just a different mindset.
Yesterday, after showing up at the dentist ( they called trying to fill on a cancellation) we went shopping. I had already looked at the ads ( see earlier posts) and had a list for Safeways, but had a vague idea of what I needed to fill in at Winco. Usually here we find the best “buys” at Fred Meyers and Winco. There are exceptions and this is one week that held true.
We went to Winco first because it was the closest to our route from the dentist. I bought tomatoes that we were out of and looked for a decent price on cottage cheese. Bacon was 3.39 a pound . ( when the package is 12 ounces, multiply the cost of the 12 ounce package by 1.25. You can usually do this on your telephone,)
We then walked the perimeter of the store . Bacon pieces were 1.28 a pound. This works for seasoning beans, soups, and topping a quiche. And, it is 1/3 of the cost of using strips of bacon. It pays to think out of the box.
We went on to Safeways. I filled on what was on sale for a good price and checked the mark down meat bin. Most of the meat was, as usual still higher than the proverbial balls. But, they had a package of cube steaks for 4.00. That’s two dinners for us. I added a salad made with the .79 head if lettuce and a Roma tomato that was a dollar a pound, and a baked potato we got for 1.79 for a ten pound bag. That s steak dinner for 2.45. It took maybe 15 minutes to make.
And so it goes....
My average for this month is 30.00 and change a week for groceries. Part of this is because we are well stocked. We have done this on 4.00 a day budget for almost 2.5 years now. The secret is not paying full price for anything, simplifying your list, and efficient scratch cooking. We don’t eat much asparagus or broccoli, mainly because my husband doesn’t like veggies, and steak is a treat. I buy good hamburger and de fat it and cook bulk when it comes home from the store. We buy pork loins when they Re 1-2.00 a pound and I butcher them myself— roasts, pork chops and stew meat or stir fry. We buy boneless, skinless chicken breast when they are under 1.28 a pound, sometimes split breasts are as cheap as .88 and then I process them and save a lot. ( see earlier post). Occasionally we buy thighs so we can make stock and I use the meat for chicken soup or enchiladas.
Keeping your supply list short makes it easier to shop, and easier to out things away, and you always know what ingredients you can use for recipes. Basics is the key.
Frozen potatoes were 1.99 for two pounds, This included sweet potato fries...yum. We bought the “culls” fries from Winco for little more than a dollar for two pounds. Frozen vegetables were a dollar at Safeways, I bought mixed vegetables, and peas. This is a good fit because we make a quick chicken pot pie and peas can go by themselves, or even on a stew.
I basically bought anything that was a good buy and we could use to make dinners. The notion of...but we have a bag doesn’t cut it here. You buy it when it’s on sale and don’t buy any more than you can realistically use before they go bad, keeping in mind how much storage space you have. We are stuffed in the small freezer and pantry. It just means we can save up for other bill becaise our groceries will be minimal.
It works, it is just a different mindset.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Hauls to 5/22/19
costtco
bisquick 5.49
winco
roma tomatoes .98
corn on cob 1.00
bacon 2.58
frozen fries 1.36
bacon pieces 1.28
cottage cheese 1.98
total 12.53
safeways
eggs .88
frozen veggies 1.00
frozen fries 1.99
frozen sweet pot fries 1.99
yogurt .40
buns .88
cube steak (30%) 3.94
10# potatoes 1.69
lettuce .79
total 16.55
grand total 34.57
Winco
Slip lost.
Ground turkey -foster farms
Cucumbers
Grape tomatoes
Regular tomatoes
2 strawberries
1 blueberries
Ice cream
Sour cream
Cottage cheese -double
Green chilies
Total 27.90
Total 62.47
bisquick 5.49
winco
roma tomatoes .98
corn on cob 1.00
bacon 2.58
frozen fries 1.36
bacon pieces 1.28
cottage cheese 1.98
total 12.53
safeways
eggs .88
frozen veggies 1.00
frozen fries 1.99
frozen sweet pot fries 1.99
yogurt .40
buns .88
cube steak (30%) 3.94
10# potatoes 1.69
lettuce .79
total 16.55
grand total 34.57
Winco
Slip lost.
Ground turkey -foster farms
Cucumbers
Grape tomatoes
Regular tomatoes
2 strawberries
1 blueberries
Ice cream
Sour cream
Cottage cheese -double
Green chilies
Total 27.90
Total 62.47
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
The best of the ads 5/22
QFC
Blueberries 4/5
Tillamook ice cream BOGO
Hebrew national or Nathan’s hotdogs BOGO
Digital coupons 4 days FSSM
Johnsonville sausage 1.99
Alberways
Lean ground beef 1.99
Bag salad .99
Sweet baby rays .99
Milk 1.99@@
Buns .79@@
Ice cream 1.99@@
Ritz 1.39@@
Sprouts
Cherries 1.68
Blues 4/5
Roma, or on the vine tomatoes .68
Peppers .98
Oranges .98
boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1.99
3 days FSS
Corn 5/1
Strawberries 1.98
Pumpkin pie 2.99
Nathan’s uncurled hotdogs 3.99
Fred Meyers
FF chicken thighs, leg quarters .88
Tillamook ice cream BOGO
Sweet baby rays 1.00
Hot dog buns 1.00
Hebrew national hot dogs BOGO
*****
Digital - Friday to Monday
Smoked sausage 1.99
Fruit pie 2.99
*****
Sour cream 2/3
Blackberries 2/3
Beef patties 6.99 ( Kroger in the frozen case ) 2#
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Super good, yet super cheap dinners
Feeding a crowd! At the end of the month when you have more month than money? Just don’t have a lot of time. There are a lot of reasons why someone might just need to out dinner on the table cheap/ and or quick.
- Sloppy joes - use already cooked de fatted hamburger and add beans or vegetables if you reallly need to s t r e t c h.
- Spaghetti including vegetable spaghetti. Use olive oil, vegetables and oatmeal cheese,
- Baked potato bar - use leftovers and a can or freezer chili.
- Potato soup
- Vegetable bean soup
- Homemade chicken noodle soup
- Eggs, waffles, or pancakes and fruit or pancakes and a yogurt parfait,
- Depression stew. Use any leftover cooked meat you have. Carrots and potatoes
- Chicken and noodles -add peas.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Monday Kitchen Management
Kitchen Management aka meal prep is a tool to make your work at dinner time easier. When you com one that with meal plans, things just go better. Meal loans aren’t etched on gold, and they are not necessarily made to be restrictive as to days of the week. They do take into consideration your family commitments that come up. I have a meeting on Monday night. I will make a soup so that people can eat when they are ready to eat even though I will be gone.
- Wash kitchen floor
- Wash refrigerator and dump anything dead 💀.
- Wash the dishwasher.
- Clean vegetables and fruit with vinegar water
- Make potato soup
- Wash kitchen cabinets
- Water plants
- Clean and disinfect kitchen countertops and sinks and drains
- Straighten pantry.
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