grocery savings

3 Great Products That Help Save On Your Grocery Bill

April 30, 2013 By Anna Platz Leave a Comment

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 2011, the average American family spent $6,458 on food. More than half of that amount went to food purchased from the grocery store. With food prices rising annually, it’s no wonder more people are trying to find creative ways to cut back on grocery store spending. In addition to clipping coupons and avoiding impulse buys, a great way to reduce your grocery bill is to invest in some money-saving products for your home. Here are three that I think might be worth considering:

1. A Food Saver
Food savers are great little machines that preserve your food by vacuum sealing it to keep it fresh longer. This is great for people who often have leftovers or like to buy in bulk. There are several models of food savers out there, ranging anywhere from around $50-$200. Here’s one I found on Walmart’s website for $139.93. It’s not the cheapest out there, but it’s not the most expensive, either. At the time of this writing, the product had 4.5 out of 5 stars review.

2. Window Sill Herb Garden
Fresh herbs are great for cooking, but can be very expensive in the stores. Why not grow your own? Not only will you save money, you’ll add a little green space to your kitchen! Take a look at this one I found on Amazon for only $16.37.

If you want to save even more money, then forget the kit and just make your own! Grab a few small clay pots from the dollar store, fill them with soil and plant some herb seeds. Herbs are notoriously easy to grow, so they require little attention.

3. Deep Freezer
If you’ve got the extra space, owning a deep freezer can be a great investment, as it allows you to store a lot of frozen food. By keeping a large stash of frozen meats, veggies and other food items, you can reduce or eliminate the amount of food you throw away due to it going bad. And even if you don’t have a lot of space to spare, you can find chest freezers that are suited for smaller areas. Here’s one from Home Depot that got fantastic reviews.

Do you have any tried-and-true products that have helped reduce your grocery spending? Feel free to share!

Filed Under: Featured, Household Savings Tagged With: grocery savings, household savings, products, saving money

Couponing for Beginners

March 27, 2013 By Lisa Andree Leave a Comment

The coupon craze has swept across the country, with classes, clubs and organizations offering “how-to” lessons for those who want to save big bucks on their grocery bills. But if you don’t have time to attend these classes, or if they don’t offer one in your area, here’s a beginner’s guide to couponing to help you get started!

The Basics of Couponing:

Learn the Policies
Learn Where the Coupons Are
Perfect Your Timing

Couponing can be a great way to save money on your grocery bill. But without employing the right strategies, the monetary benefits can be quite underwhelming. To get started on the right track to couponing, you should first understand the basics.

First thing’s first: Learn the coupon policies of your local grocery stores. Most grocery chain stores post their coupon policies on their websites. As an example, see Harris Teeter’s coupon policy here.

Naturally, it may be difficult to memorize the policies of different stores, so printing the rules off and keeping them in a handy notebook or envelope is a good idea. In fact, most serious couponers keep this information along with their shopping lists and coupons in a well-organized binder or file box. Find some tips on organizing your coupons here:

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the policies, the next task is to find some coupons. It may sound old-fashioned, but the Sunday newspaper is still the best source out there for coupons. Some people choose to print their coupons online through a couponing website, which is also effective, but you usually have to download special software (most websites out there offer this for free) or sign up for an account on the manufacturer’s website.

The Sunday newspapers include inserts with lots of great coupons. In order to really make it worth your while, you’ll want to get a hold of several of these inserts. There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can either buy multiple Sunday papers or ask your friends or neighbors to save the coupons they don’t use.

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Filed Under: Budgeting, Featured, Shopping Tagged With: budgeting, couponing, grocery savings, shopping

Save Money By Eating In Season

July 18, 2012 By Anna Platz 4 Comments

I try to create a diet for my family and myself that is full of a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, but sometimes it can be shocking to see that certain produce costs more per pound than chicken or beef. One way to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies on a budget is to shop for what’s in season. The price of corn on the cob or blueberries can double, triple, or more in the winter when compared to the summer months when they are plentiful.

Wondering when to look for which ingredients? Check out the Seasonal Ingredient Map at one of my favorite food related websites, epicurious.com. With one click you can find out what is currently fresh near you. Plan ahead by checking out what’s in peak season in other months.

If you generally make a meal plan before heading to the store knowing what’s in season can help you keep lower priced items on your list. Should you get to the store and realize an element of one of your planned meals is out of season and dreadfully expensive try to be flexible and get creative. Try your recipes with different types of produce – substitute green beans for broccoli, apples for pears, or peaches for mango.

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Filed Under: Featured, Household Savings, Shopping Tagged With: food savings, grocery savings, grocery shopping

Study Says Shopping at Wholesale Clubs Can Save You 30 Percent

April 25, 2012 By Anna Platz 1 Comment

Grocery carts As I drove to work this morning I was able to catch a few minutes of the Marketplace Morning Report on my local public radio station (after I had dropped off my daughter and was able to switch off The Lorax soundtrack she’s insisted on having on repeat the past few weeks,) and heard David Lazarus interviewed about whether shopping at wholesale clubs (ex: Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s) really saves you money.

I am a big fan of Costco and buying in bulk, but I have never really found that I save a lot of money by shopping there. There are certain items I know I can get much cheaper when compared to the prices at the regular grocery stores near me. A few of our favorite items we know we save big on are boxes of chicken stock, flat bread, hummus, artisan bread, bagels, and sparkling water. With other items the difference isn’t so big – I find that beef, chicken, and seafood isn’t generally that much cheaper, and is often more expensive than those items on special at the grocery store.

I was surprised to hear in the story that a recent study found the grocery savings are pretty big on average, “it’s about 30 percent less than your typical big supermarket.” Wow! I tried to find the details of the study but couldn’t put my fingers on it. I have to imagine that they calculated the savings based on buying the same brands available at the warehouse. For example if the warehouse store carries a certain name brand of paper towels the savings might be 30% over that same brand at the grocery store, but when shopping at the grocery store you could also choose to buy the generic paper towels which might be the same or even less than the warehouse price.

Healthy Cooking on a Budget?

March 2, 2012 By Anna Platz 7 Comments

On this topic I seem to have more questions than answers. I want to feed my family food that is as healthy as possible. I try to make healthy choices as much as I can (though I totally fell off the wagon yesterday and brought home take out burgers!), cook at home, and use ingredients that are natural, organic when it’s available, and free of chemicals, pesticides, and other junk. I’m working on cutting way back on sugar, meat, and gluten, and incorporating a lot more fresh produce into my cooking.

I have been inspired lately by a couple of great healthy eating blogs – Elena’s Pantry and My New Roots. They are both filled with delicious recipes, great information, and gorgeous photos that will make even the most devoted junk food fan crave quinoa and veggies.

My big dilemma is this – the healthy ingredients can be so expensive! We are really lucky to be able to find so many options in the grocery stores these days, from cashew and almond butters to flaxseed and coconut oils to almond and rice flour – but you will pay more for these products than the old standbys. I am thinking that cutting back on meat which is also pricey will make room in the grocery budget for some of these alternative ingredients, and that cooking more from scratch rather than buying prepared foods (where exactly do I think I’ll be finding time for this??) will offset the cost as well.

I have always believed that a healthy lifestyle is a smart economic choice as you’re likely to save big on medical costs over the long haul. Instilling healthy eating habits in my daughter at a young age is also something I see as a wonderful investment in her future.

I’d love to know if you have any ideas for eating healthy on a budget? Are there some foods that are worth the extra costs to you?

Filed Under: Featured, Household Savings, Shopping Tagged With: budget, cooking, family friendly, food savings, grocery savings, grocery shopping, healthy, healthy eating

The Best Budget Travel Tip I’ve Ever Learned

February 10, 2012 By Anna Platz 5 Comments

The following is a guest post from Marissa at Thirty Six Months about saving, learning to invest, and paying off her student loans.

I am a traveler by nature. I crave the thrill of the unknown and am planning to take a 5 month sabbatical to wander through South America to discover things that I haven’t even thought of yet. Travelling, however, is not a cheap hobby. In fact it is most likely my most expensive indulgence. Most people travel and don’t pay attention to the cheap options that are in front of them when they are abroad, and end up spending twice as much as they really need to .

Back in 2010 I wandered around Europe and Asia for a few months and being on a limited budget, I quickly learned that living large wasn’t an option if I wanted to see all the places on my list. One of the best tips that I learned after arriving in each city was to orient myself and locate a grocery store/supermarket. This was always my top priority.

The grocery store cut my food budget in 1/4. There were many benefits to this. Since most hotels/hostels provide fridges I would shop for however many days I was staying in the city. For example eating out for dinner in Greece would be $20 at least. For that same $20 I could get breakfast, snacks and sometimes lunch for a 2-3 days. I would buy:

Water
Pasta
Alfredo sauce (very very cheap in Italy)
Yogurt
Salad greens
Fruit
Nutella (Don’t judge)
Bread
Wine (Also very cheap in Italy)

As you can see these weren’t expensive items, and most hostels provided dishes and cookware to use for cooking. Cooking in a shared kitchen is also a great way to meet other travellers. I can’t say enough about the wonderful people I’ve met from travelling. I digress.

I would do my best to experience the city and try to eat where the locals did. This was great for 2 reasons:

1) The food was a lot cheaper at those restaurants, than the places catering to tourists.

2)I got to experience a more intimate side of each cultural. A side that can only be shared with the locals and adjusting to their standards of living.

I can’t begin to describe the rewards. Not only did this save me money but it also gave me a chance to acquaint myself with the locals and ask them questions about where the hidden gems in their cities are. For example, a restaurant owner is Florence showed me where to find the best view in the city. A view that only locals knew about. It was breathtaking. This was only possible because I sat down in his restaurant and talked to him for a while over lunch. A little courtesy and politeness go a long way in any country.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but the reason why I travel is to get to know the world around me; to experience the different cultures and immerse myself in the traditions. Why people go to Egypt and look for McDonalds is way beyond me, I mean you can go there at home.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Featured, Travel Tagged With: eating out, grocery savings, save money, travel

3 Ways To Manage Your Grocery List

January 20, 2012 By Anna Platz 4 Comments

When I head to the store armed with a grocery list I tend to buy less junk and end up with things that can turn into actual healthy meals for my family. This means there are fewer quick trips to the store for “just a few things for dinner” and I find a spend less overall. A final bonus, if I have a plan for dinner and everything I need to make it at home I am much less likely to grab takeout.

So – how to tackle making the grocery list? Here are a few methods ranging – whether you prefer super simple or a little more high tech hopefully one of these will work for you.

Keep a running list in the kitchen.
About as simple as it gets – whenever you use the last of something (or next to the last) add it to the list. This works well if you tend to use the same ingredients consistently. Grab the list once a week (or however you go shopping) and you’ll know just what to stock up on.

Make a meal plan.
Once a week sit down and come up with a plan for meals for the week. Make use of frozen and canned items such as meat, seafood, fruits, veggies, and breads and you could even plan just once a month. (Or do a combination – go on a big grocery shopping trip once a month for non-perishable items and then make a smaller run for produce, bread, and other fresh items once a week.) Browse through new recipes with a stack of cookbooks, the latest cooking magazines, or online, or stick with your old favorites and decide on what to make each night of the week. Factor in a night or two for leftovers if you think you’ll have them, then make a list of the ingredients you’ll need for each recipe. Check the fridge, freezer, and pantry for items you already have. Try to plan your meals to make good use of the foods you’ll be buying. If one recipe calls for 1/2 a can of tomatoes try to find another that will use the rest. Check out this post for ideas.

Track the list on your smartphone.
Add items from anywhere – in the kitchen when you realize you’re out of flour, at work when a collegue recommends a great new product, or in the waiting room at the dentist when you come across a yummy looking recipe in a magazine (include the source so you can look it up later.) Take it a step further by using one of the Grocery List Apps such as Out of Milk or Our Groceries. Each is a little different from the others (and there are countless additional choices out there) but the idea is that you can share and sync the list between multiple family members so whoever makes the grocery run knows exactly what everyone needs.

Have any other grocery list tips? Please share them in the comments!

Filed Under: Budgeting, Featured, Shopping Tagged With: budget, grocery savings, grocery shopping, planning, save money

Low Cost Holiday Meal Ideas

December 21, 2011 By Anna Platz Leave a Comment

The family holiday meal should be a chance to gather together, enjoy time with loved ones we might not see often enough throughout the year, and indulge in some delicious food. It can also be quite an expensive undertaking for the host. There’s no need to serve a large, pricey cut of meat, roast, or turkey – here are a few low cost holiday meal ideas to help you serve food everyone will love, without sacrificing your budget.

Pasta – Serve up some delicious comfort food such as lasagna, manicotti, pasta carbonara, or stuffed shells.
Cioppino (Seafood Stew) – It feels luxurious but doesn’t have to break the bank when you select inexpensive shellfish rather than pricey crab legs or lobster.
Curry – Thai and Indian curries stretch your protein (choose from chicken, shrimp, beef, or even tofu) to serve more people with less, and will likely be a departure from your traditional holiday meal making it special.
Holiday Brunch – There’s no rule that the big family meal has to be in the afternoon or evening. Invite the group for a mid-morning brunch and offer frittata, breakfast casseroles, muffins and croissants, and granola with yogurt and fruit. For a fancier menu think brunch favorites such as eggs benedict or stuffed french toast.

One final tip for an inexpensive holiday meal – when people ask if they can bring something let them. Those who love to cook or bake might be excited to share a dish, and others can pick up drinks, bread, or cookies at the grocery store.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Entertainment, Featured Tagged With: cooking, grocery savings, holidays

Look For Small Things You Can Do Without

October 25, 2011 By Anna Platz Leave a Comment

Big reductions in the budget can take some serious effort – for example convincing the entire family to go without cable tv or texting and data plans on their cell phones involves a big change and sacrifice. Much easier however is to always be on the lookout for small things you spend money on on a regular basis that you could simply cut out.

You might save $5 a month here, $7.50 every other month there, but over time with enough little sacrifices you could make a significant impact on your spending. Getting into this practice will likely also stop you from adding new items to the budget over time. Here are a few candidates for the spending chopping block:

Expensive makeup, lotion, or other regularly used beauty products.
Meat – at least once a week make a vegetarian dinner.
Premium ground coffee – experiment with other brands to see if there is a cheaper brand you enjoy as much. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Household Savings, Quick Tips, Shopping Tagged With: budget, grocery savings, save money

Give New Life To Leftovers With These Recipe Ideas

October 3, 2011 By Anna Platz 1 Comment

Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Noone is too excited when the answer to “what’s for dinner” is “leftovers.” All too often that extra portion or two gets put in the fridge with the best of intentions only to be tossed out a few days later when it’s no longer good (or a few weeks later when it’s growing something…yuck!) Generate some enthusiasm for leftovers by using them to create an entirely new meal. Here are a few ideas:
Fried Rice – Dice cooked chicken, pork, shrimp, tofu, or veggies in any combination and add to cooked rice sauteed in vegetable or peanut oil.

Tacos – Toss leftovers such as steak, chicken, fish, onions, peppers, rice, beans, or sweet potatoes in taco seasoning and reheat in a skillet. Serve with hard or soft shell tacos or wrap into burritoes. Pass the hot sauce!

Salad – A base of leafy greens can turn just about any leftovers into a healthy salad. Think hard boiled eggs, lunch meat, raw or cooked vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, beans, meat or seafood, diced or shredded cheese, and even pasta.

Paninis – The combinations of foods that make tasty paninis are limitless. Sliced chicken with mozerella and pesto, a classic blt (add the lettuce after grilling the sandwhich), ham with cheese and thinly sliced pears or apples, slices of potroast with sauteed onions and peppers and spicy mayo (stir a little hot sauce into mayonnaise).
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Filed Under: Featured, Household Savings, Shopping Tagged With: cooking, food savings, grocery savings, save money