I'm a big home canner. I didn't do a garden this year and am backing off going to the grocery store to 1 or 2 times a month. In consequence, we are going through all my canned goods at a rapid clip. It has really opened my eyes to how much I actually need to put away in order to sufficiently feed my family from my own garden/homestead.
I am older and now single , never plan my menu for the week , I always check out what I have in the fridge and cook from my fridge , freezer and pantry or garden . I cook in bulk and freeze leftover in portion size , so easy to take out when I don’t feel like cooking or have had a busy day . I haven’t been grocery shopping since just before Christmas using up what I have at home .
I recently discovered that you can dehydrate frozen fruits and vegetables, so if you find that sale on corn, you can really take advantage of it! And that fresh spinach? You can steam blanch it for 2 minutes and dehydrate it in a fairly thick layer in a few hours? It's fantastic, the flavor is awesome, the crispy crunch is wonderful just to snack on, but you can add it to other dishes as well. I recently opened a giant can of cooked garbanzo beans, and I didn't want to freeze them, so I dehydrated them, so good! Tender crispy crunchy snack, or you can grind them and rehydrate them for instant hummus, yum! My dehydrators same me tons of money and help me stock up too. I put my dehydrated things in glass jars, makes it so easy!
I always make sure I have a few super easy dinners in the house (frozen pizza when on sale, frozen raviolis and jarred sauces) so I can whip up something super quick when I don’t feel like cooking and I want to order take out
Hi Sara - l’ve been doing most of your suggestions for about a year, now. I just love your videos and awesome ideas!! The freezer has become my best friend!! ☃️ Meal planning has really made a significant difference for me - plus I now keep a running list of what’s in my freezer - GAME CHANGER and definately saving $$$ Thank you for your time & effort!! ❤️
Throwing all your leftovers into a pot and making a soup. It can last for days and eliminates waste. We always did this growing up (the 70s and 80s!) and I do it today. Also, there are lots of people in the world without food so waste makes me sad.
It's easy to make empanada dough. Fillings can be made with items already in your pantry (soups, rice mixes, canned stews or Meats, veggies) and when cooled can be packaged and frozen for quick meals. Or use fruit to make a sweet treat.
I agree with your statement to stock up in food you like when on sale. And I did start over a year ago when I saw inflation looming. Even bought a chest freezer to accomplish a lot of this. We concentrated on high dollar items thinking as these went up they would cost much more in terms of real dollars. Chicken, red meat and other cuts/kinds of meat and shrimp! Lower priced items such as canned vegetables and rice are cheap. Even double priced they would be affordable. Hopefully many people listen to your pointers. They are very good!
New subscriber! Yay! 1. Get to know neighbors, teachers, people at the gym, etc. Through my acquaintances I have a neighbor that brings over extra produce from their garden, a teacher who's husband hunts that called to say they need to make room in their freezer, do I want some meat? AND I found a local vegetable farm that accepts volunteers and they pay me in organic produce every week. 2. Know how your stores show clearance items. I just bought 3 organic turkeys for about a $1/lb. (normally, they are close to $4 or more per lb). You just need to know where/how to look. -For those that don't have room for a deep freeze, invest in a pressure canner and learn to can. In these uncertain times it may be time to put some effort in those skills our Grandparents learned in order to save money, etc. 3. Soups and stews are your friend. Great way to throw all those random veggies, small meat leftovers, etc. Add some salt and complimentary herbs and spices and you have a great meal and no food waste! 4. Ferment! Nearly every type of vegetable and fruit can be fermented (cabbage, cucumber, asparagus, cauliflower, peppers, tomato and fruit salsas and chutneys just to name a few). All you need is good salt, water and Mason jars. Super healthy for you too.
Oh! One more huge savings: SMOOTHIES! I freeze avocado, fruit, cauliflower, zucchini, greens and throw it in a blender with some seeds (protein powder if I happen to have some), a little sweetener of choice and water. Super cheap meal for my family of 4. You don't taste the cauliflower (par-boil before freezing) if you add enough other flavors. It just creams up the smoothie. For littles snack alternative: replace goldfish for oyster crackers. Super cheap! I served with soup the other night and even my husband commented on how he forgot how much he likes those little crackers. That's it!! 😋
I agree about online groceries saving money. I find it removes the impulse buys. I love your observation about being able to play with the numbers and see a rolling total. I bought a membership for my preferred store and I get deals not available to non members and I have definitely saved money. They also send me coupon offers and extra points. I created a stockpile and reorganized my freezer at the beginning of the pandemic and I know this is a money saver!
I live alone so I do big batch cooking, package it in small containers, and freeze it so that I always have a meal to pull out. I never buy prepared food, as I have high blood pressure-the cost AND the sodium content are just way too high. And, even though I don't have a lot of cupboard space in my kitchen, I do have a very large closet, so I use a large tote as my "pantry" so that I can stockpile. It really helps a lot!!
I grow some veges, herbs and seasonal fruit. I incorporate my home grown food into my menu plans for the week. I am constantly surprised how much fresh herbs cost in the stores. The smallest homes can have growing areas for herbs, sprouts and microgreens. Just need a sunny area near a window. Love your videos, thank you. 🌱🌿
Sara, I have a confession to make. I just recently retired November 2022. I’m learning to live very frugally grocery wise by grocery shopping once a month. I just came back from the grocery store and I made a lot of common sense decisions like what I needed and not what I wanted. I wound up spending so much less. Thank you so much again for that great and awesome advice. I cut my grocery bill in half from last time I shopped ❤️❤️❤️💰💰💰💰🛒🛒🛒
Hi. I'm a new subscriber. Everything you said was beneficial. I already do many of these things. My biggest savings are meal planning and use up leftovers. This has forced me to be more creative. Another tip is have one shelf in your fridge for leftovers and things that need to be used quickly. My other tip is see if you have any salvage grocery stores near you. They are really helpful for the budget.
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies , That's a bit of a drive, but if you plan,you can make a day of it. Bring a cooler or insulated bags for cold and frozen food.
Stock up when there are sales and use coupons. I use the envelope system for groceries and household supplies, $700 a month, that’s for three adults and two pets. My town also has a day old bread store and believe me, I am a regular!
Planning menus and sticking to my lists and menu are essential for me (I'm single, no kids). No "hemming and homming" in the grocery store, wondering what to get. Saves me manys a headache!
Hi Sara. Thank you for yet another video (I realise it is a year old 😅) sharing tips and tricks for frugal living. I wanted to drop a line regarding fresh spinach; I also had a hard time finishing a bag before it went bad. Then I learned that you can freeze the whole bag as is (rinsed), and simply add handfuls to your smoothie or meal. Of course if you use it for salad that won’t work 😉. But you could make the salad then freeze the rest. I add it to lentils/rice-veg dishes, or in a feta-spinach omelet. 😋 You could also use it for breakfast egg-spinach “muffins”. Bon appetite. 👩🏻🍳 Have a beautiful day. ☀️🌺😊 Julie, from Denmark.
My 2 cents..............If you don't have the spare cash to build a stockpile at least keep an eye on expensive essentials and browse the catalogues to buy that item on special before you completely run out. Oil, for example, when I have a small amount left, I start looking to replace it on sale. Same with hair colour, detergents, bug spray - all the things that really add to the total bill. I NEVER pay full price for any of those things. Also, I don't know how things are in America, but here in Australia the major chains have loyalty programs and will email you incentives that can really add up. For example, I'm using an offer where if I spend $50 per week for 4 weeks in a row, I get $50 in points which can be redeemed for that chain - and for other things too. I shop with my calculator and a list of their specials and spend as close to $50 as I can - so effectively I'm getting a 25% discount - a bargain on top of an already thrifty shop!! Yes, it's saving me money but frankly it's fun too and very satisfying. Some great advice here which means I'm going to have to go through all you other posts! Cheers from Sydney - and I hope you have a beautiful white Christmas!
Hey, I'm in Sydney! What loyalty program is giving that great $50 deal? I also hunt the catalogues to stock up on oil, coffee etc when getting close to needing more.😉
@@barbarabruce7648 Flybuys! I get the offers by email - which I used to ignore, silly me!! You need to open the emails and activate the offers and then it gives you prompts on the bottom of your shopping docket. Oh, and you have the choice of getting Flybuys points - which you can redeem for a $50 gift card OR $50 off your next shop - BUT if you choose the $50 off your 5th shop and only spend $10 you'll forfeit the remaining $40. They only offer this a few times a year but my husband is about to sign up too to give me more options and flexibility. Also, the Woolies card is worth getting - I have an offer from them of a bonus $15 worth of points if I shop there before Christmas just because I've had my card for a year. I have to spend 1 cent or more LOL to get the $15. I might struggle to find something for 1 cent in Woolies - perhaps a single loose mushroom might do it - I'm laughing just thinking about that!! You can get all this to your smart phone but my smart phone has a dumb user who prefers emails 😁 If you need more info please don't hesitate to add to this chain. Cheers from Parramatta.
I do these coles deals too. I save up all year and use flybys to buy Christmas food. The emails get higher each time. I ignore them until the algorithm comes down to $50 or $100👍❤️ I also do rewards for Woolworths. I save up for Christmas. Use to buy Christmas items at big w.
Ido most of what you say, but since I work in a grocery staying away is not an option. I bring my leftovers for lunches, and freeze extras for another week. If I make a large pot dish like soup stew, or spaghetti sauce, I freeze jars for another dinner. I also take advantage of what is termed outcodes.these are items that are getting to the sell by date.This is great if you come home and process right away. If you get rolls and lunch meat, you can freeze sa dishes for grab n go take frozen yogurt and make smoothies for breakfast. Prepackaged meat for your dishes that month. Your freezer is your friend. Thanks for more information 😀
I benefit from living by myself. I do not have meal plans. I look for produce on sale and augment it with starch and protein. I find I waste less and, yes, I use what I have first. Your advice is great. I will use my instant pot more.
Great tips! These strategies have helped me save a lot on groceries too. I used to throw away a lot of food, but now I only buy food that I'm going to eat.
Meal plan. Sales online is new for me. I live 12 mi from small store & 1+ hr from larger ones. Yes: simple comfort foods, meals pressure canned in 1/2 pint jars, grow & preserve (barter when I can) ..
Add oatmeal or lentils to extend dishes with hamburger ,, You can find cheap bread machines or crockpots at thrift stores to use for home cooking ,, Store brands are cheaper then Name brands Buy whole milk, and add water to extend it ,,, Ask for rain checks if item is out at store ( if it is a good deal ) Watch your prices per lb or kg ,, I could go on on ,,,😁 so many ways to save ,,,,and remember make it fun too 🤪🤪
Before I let baged potatoes go bad I will cook them and make mashed potatoes and spray a muffin pan and fill them with the potatoes and freeze them.Then I put them in a freezer bag in the freezer.All you have to do is get how many out you want and Microwave them for a meal.
Tins of baked beans and always have some sliced wholemeal bread in the freezer. The husband and kids can microwave beans and make toast when I'm not in the zone for cooking. Grab a carrot, cucumber and tomato from the crisper. Only need to rinse those, chopping optional.
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies Oh yes Sara. I live in Australia and they are a British thing from Australia's British heritage I guess. They are navy beans canned in a very distinctive tomato sauce. So cheap $Aus0.65cents a 400gram tin. High in fibre and protein. You either love them or hate them. I think they might be similar to Boston beans but I'm not sure. Anyway they are so nutritious and cheap that it is not unusual for Aussies to say when making an expensive purchase.."I'll be living off beans and toast for a year". BTW...love your channel.
Anytime we had extra money, a portion goes to my stock pile. I now am able to stay within my $25/2 a week budget. I always have a little extra at the end of the month so first week we get to eat out on Sunday lunch. Also freezer meals and canning meals in a jar, saves me from fast food meals.
I like your advice about not going into stores as much. I work in a student center on a college campus. I waste quite a bit on convenience food. I will just avoid those venues.
I meal plan for 2 weeks. Then I bring that sheet with when I shop. Next to the meat Item I write how much I’ll need. If I see ground beef on sale really cheap because it’s near the expiration date I check my plan and see how much I’ll need for different meals. Then when I get home I take out the recipes and my little scale and say for example if meat loaf takes one and a half pounds I put that in a freezer bag and write meatloaf on it. Then I have everything ready to go when needed and just need to defrost.
Costco is my grocery saving tip for items you eat alot of. Example, store sells Thomas english muffins 4.50 each here in ca. Costco sells a 4 pack for 8.99. Next, spinach freezes well.
great video, thank you' As a fitness and health enthusiast, I definitely do not agree with your comfort food choices (for me, it would me more soups, vegetable stir fries, warm squash meals, etc., maybe meatless dishes 2x/week) but I love all the other suggestions you gave 🙂
I like and eat celery. Wrap in aluminum foil and it will last at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator. My husband is diabetic and protein is important in his diet. I do cut back on how much meat as to portion size we eat. Using meat in casseroles is also a meat reduction cost.
I spend so much less doing my shopping online. There are no "end cap temptations". I pick up the groceries on my way home from work and save a trip. I only go into the store for specific items that may be picked incorrectly (my bathrooms have special vanity lights with tiny ends - previous owners put them in). Since my husband passed away my groceries budget has been cut by 3/4. I cook one meal on Sunday and it lasts at least until Wednesday because I eat it for dinner and lunch.
I'm really good with my budget but my biggest weakness is buying things and not using them before they go bad. I'm single so even have to plan out how to use a half gallon of milk before it spoils. I definitely save money when I take the time to meal plan, which I need to get better at.
Milk can be easily freezed for later :) And also you can cook the portion, cool down to the temperature that is comfortable to the touch, add a spoonfull of yoghurt, cover and keep in warm place. After 24 hours you have yourself a portion of homemade yoghurt for fraction of a price.
Make sure your receipt has the sale prices listed. On line sales don't always come up.. I sit in my car and check prices and what the ads say. Don't go home because you will not go back to the store for $2. On $50 worth of food there is $2-5 worth of mistakes. computer error..... LOL also resize large economy soap into smaller bottles. Try to forget you got it cheaper, because you use more.
Tip 1 Ask if your butcher is allowed to cut store meat for you, some still do. Example: chuck roast goes on sale for $2.99lb pick out a good roast and ask them to cut the roast up for you, 1/4 into beef stew cuts, 1/4 into hamburger meat, leave 1/2 as a roast. Tip 2 - Take advantage of free food. Ibotta - scroll to the bottom of screen and click on free foods/items. I let my grocery store sent me emails and one store has a free Friday - sometimes its food sometimes it’s $5 off any $5 purchase. Tip 3: Set aside small amounts of things for pizza toppings. Stick in snack bag then put in freezer bag of item for pizza toppings. When refrigerator biscuits are very cheap buy and use for individual pizzas. Kids can roll out dough with a glass, then make their pizza.
I don’t shop in the middle of the store and I don’t buy dairy around the end either. I do by rice and beans to cook at home. I am canning beans in pints so I don’t have to buy 12 oz cans in the store at very high prices. No white rice either and then I vacuum seal it in jars. In my area I look for lost leaders on fresh food to fill in what will work for me. I do loose food sometimes but then I goes out to the chicken. A big section of budget if you don’t buy meat is animal food but that is another tricky thing. It is cheaper to buy dog food without corn than to pay the vet bill for them getting sick. As for the people it is also cheaper to buy healthier food than to pay Dr bills too. Organic is not necessarily healthier so think about it, are you going to eat the banana peal and do you was veggies like potatoes or apples and other fruit.? Do you need to buy name brand food or is the Costco or H‑E‑then pass. B brand healthy enough? Try it and read the labels too, if the rice cereal tastes like cardboard
Always have some convenience foods on hand, for nights one is too tired to cook. Never heard of frozen lasagna being 22 dollars and I live in Canada. One can buy a huge pre-made lasagna for 9.99. I also have cabbage rolls frozen i bought 6 for 8.99, 2 boxes. And just yesterday on my grocery order Great value brand chicken strips for 4.97 for 800 gram box was substituted at Walmart for the 1.5 huge kilogram box for 4.97 Do we eat convenience foods everyday , definitely not but for the nights I do a stir fry I know my kids won't touch then chicken strips for them it is. Or if I am too tired. What I always keep on hand for quick meals, Schneiders hot dogs, Grill em Oktoberfest sausages, Swiss Chalet chicken pot pie, Steakettes, chicken strips, Lous pulled pork packages, as well as the cabbage rolls I mention. Haven't sat down in a restaurant as a family in 2 months, so having convenient food on hands gives me a break once or twice a week.
Cucumbers. The ones for sale here are as long as my forearm & hand. Call it 14-18". Occasionally half cucumbers are available. So, what sort of cucumbers come in a "whole bag" or a "3 pack"? Surely we don't mean the same thing?
I have thrown away so many heads of cauliflower and pineapples, so sad. I always feel, like I lost a challenge when I have to throw something out. It doesn't happen very often, but it still feels terrible when it does.
Thank you for reminding me roast beef. Yummy! Other than that: Frozen things get mush and disgusting. It just needs to be thrown to garbage in my opinion. The only things that should be frozen are: meat of any kind (raw), ice, ice-cream, home made juice, things like that.
Give me your BEST grocery tips for saving money!
Not telling you what do do, but you might consider inviting people to put their best grocery tips in the comments.
@@kenyonbissett3512 You are absolutely right! I will work on that for next time. Thanks so much!!!
I'm a big home canner. I didn't do a garden this year and am backing off going to the grocery store to 1 or 2 times a month. In consequence, we are going through all my canned goods at a rapid clip. It has really opened my eyes to how much I actually need to put away in order to sufficiently feed my family from my own garden/homestead.
I am older and now single , never plan my menu for the week , I always check out what I have in the fridge and cook from my fridge , freezer and pantry or garden . I cook in bulk and freeze leftover in portion size , so easy to take out when I don’t feel like cooking or have had a busy day . I haven’t been grocery shopping since just before Christmas using up what I have at home .
Love that!
I recently discovered that you can dehydrate frozen fruits and vegetables, so if you find that sale on corn, you can really take advantage of it! And that fresh spinach? You can steam blanch it for 2 minutes and dehydrate it in a fairly thick layer in a few hours? It's fantastic, the flavor is awesome, the crispy crunch is wonderful just to snack on, but you can add it to other dishes as well. I recently opened a giant can of cooked garbanzo beans, and I didn't want to freeze them, so I dehydrated them, so good! Tender crispy crunchy snack, or you can grind them and rehydrate them for instant hummus, yum! My dehydrators same me tons of money and help me stock up too. I put my dehydrated things in glass jars, makes it so easy!
I always make sure I have a few super easy dinners in the house (frozen pizza when on sale, frozen raviolis and jarred sauces) so I can whip up something super quick when I don’t feel like cooking and I want to order take out
I think thats a must. Sometimes we just don't have it in us, not matter how much we try to talk ourselves into it!
Hi Sara - l’ve been doing most of your suggestions for about a year, now. I just love your videos and awesome ideas!! The freezer has become my best friend!! ☃️
Meal planning has really made a significant difference for me - plus I now keep a running list of what’s in my freezer - GAME CHANGER and definately saving $$$
Thank you for your time & effort!! ❤️
Throwing all your leftovers into a pot and making a soup. It can last for days and eliminates waste. We always did this growing up (the 70s and 80s!) and I do it today. Also, there are lots of people in the world without food so waste makes me sad.
It's easy to make empanada dough. Fillings can be made with items already in your pantry (soups, rice mixes, canned stews or Meats, veggies) and when cooled can be packaged and frozen for quick meals. Or use fruit to make a sweet treat.
I agree with your statement to stock up in food you like when on sale. And I did start over a year ago when I saw inflation looming. Even bought a chest freezer to accomplish a lot of this. We concentrated on high dollar items thinking as these went up they would cost much more in terms of real dollars. Chicken, red meat and other cuts/kinds of meat and shrimp! Lower priced items such as canned vegetables and rice are cheap. Even double priced they would be affordable.
Hopefully many people listen to your pointers. They are very good!
Some good ideas!!!
New subscriber! Yay!
1. Get to know neighbors, teachers, people at the gym, etc. Through my acquaintances I have a neighbor that brings over extra produce from their garden, a teacher who's husband hunts that called to say they need to make room in their freezer, do I want some meat? AND I found a local vegetable farm that accepts volunteers and they pay me in organic produce every week.
2. Know how your stores show clearance items. I just bought 3 organic turkeys for about a $1/lb. (normally, they are close to $4 or more per lb). You just need to know where/how to look. -For those that don't have room for a deep freeze, invest in a pressure canner and learn to can. In these uncertain times it may be time to put some effort in those skills our Grandparents learned in order to save money, etc.
3. Soups and stews are your friend. Great way to throw all those random veggies, small meat leftovers, etc. Add some salt and complimentary herbs and spices and you have a great meal and no food waste!
4. Ferment! Nearly every type of vegetable and fruit can be fermented (cabbage, cucumber, asparagus, cauliflower, peppers, tomato and fruit salsas and chutneys just to name a few). All you need is good salt, water and Mason jars. Super healthy for you too.
Oh! One more huge savings: SMOOTHIES! I freeze avocado, fruit, cauliflower, zucchini, greens and throw it in a blender with some seeds (protein powder if I happen to have some), a little sweetener of choice and water. Super cheap meal for my family of 4. You don't taste the cauliflower (par-boil before freezing) if you add enough other flavors. It just creams up the smoothie.
For littles snack alternative: replace goldfish for oyster crackers. Super cheap! I served with soup the other night and even my husband commented on how he forgot how much he likes those little crackers.
That's it!! 😋
I agree about online groceries saving money. I find it removes the impulse buys. I love your observation about being able to play with the numbers and see a rolling total. I bought a membership for my preferred store and I get deals not available to non members and I have definitely saved money. They also send me coupon offers and extra points. I created a stockpile and reorganized my freezer at the beginning of the pandemic and I know this is a money saver!
I live alone so I do big batch cooking, package it in small containers, and freeze it so that I always have a meal to pull out. I never buy prepared food, as I have high blood pressure-the cost AND the sodium content are just way too high. And, even though I don't have a lot of cupboard space in my kitchen, I do have a very large closet, so I use a large tote as my "pantry" so that I can stockpile. It really helps a lot!!
I grow some veges, herbs and seasonal fruit. I incorporate my home grown food into my menu plans for the week. I am constantly surprised how much fresh herbs cost in the stores. The smallest homes can have growing areas for herbs, sprouts and microgreens. Just need a sunny area near a window. Love your videos, thank you. 🌱🌿
Thanks so much! And thanks for watching!!
Sara, I have a confession to make. I just recently retired November 2022. I’m learning to live very frugally grocery wise by grocery shopping once a month. I just came back from the grocery store and I made a lot of common sense decisions like what I needed and not what I wanted. I wound up spending so much less. Thank you so much again for that great and awesome advice. I cut my grocery bill in half from last time I shopped ❤️❤️❤️💰💰💰💰🛒🛒🛒
Thats wonderful news! Keep up the great work!!!
Hi.
I'm a new subscriber. Everything you said was beneficial. I already do many of these things.
My biggest savings are meal planning and use up leftovers.
This has forced me to be more creative.
Another tip is have one shelf in your fridge for leftovers and things that need to be used quickly.
My other tip is see if you have any salvage grocery stores near you.
They are really helpful for the budget.
I love salvage grocery stores. it stinks because the closest ones are about 2 hours away. I may have talked my husband into going for a ride!
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies ,
That's a bit of a drive, but if you plan,you can make a day of it.
Bring a cooler or insulated bags for cold and frozen food.
Hello Renee 👋 how are you doing today?
Stock up when there are sales and use coupons. I use the envelope system for groceries and household supplies, $700 a month, that’s for three adults and two pets. My town also has a day old bread store and believe me, I am a regular!
Such great tips!!
Planning menus and sticking to my lists and menu are essential for me (I'm single, no kids). No "hemming and homming" in the grocery store, wondering what to get. Saves me manys a headache!
Hi Sara. Thank you for yet another video (I realise it is a year old 😅) sharing tips and tricks for frugal living. I wanted to drop a line regarding fresh spinach; I also had a hard time finishing a bag before it went bad. Then I learned that you can freeze the whole bag as is (rinsed), and simply add handfuls to your smoothie or meal. Of course if you use it for salad that won’t work 😉. But you could make the salad then freeze the rest. I add it to lentils/rice-veg dishes, or in a feta-spinach omelet. 😋 You could also use it for breakfast egg-spinach “muffins”. Bon appetite. 👩🏻🍳 Have a beautiful day. ☀️🌺😊 Julie, from Denmark.
My 2 cents..............If you don't have the spare cash to build a stockpile at least keep an eye on expensive essentials and browse the catalogues to buy that item on special before you completely run out. Oil, for example, when I have a small amount left, I start looking to replace it on sale. Same with hair colour, detergents, bug spray - all the things that really add to the total bill. I NEVER pay full price for any of those things. Also, I don't know how things are in America, but here in Australia the major chains have loyalty programs and will email you incentives that can really add up. For example, I'm using an offer where if I spend $50 per week for 4 weeks in a row, I get $50 in points which can be redeemed for that chain - and for other things too. I shop with my calculator and a list of their specials and spend as close to $50 as I can - so effectively I'm getting a 25% discount - a bargain on top of an already thrifty shop!! Yes, it's saving me money but frankly it's fun too and very satisfying. Some great advice here which means I'm going to have to go through all you other posts! Cheers from Sydney - and I hope you have a beautiful white Christmas!
Smart shopping! Great job!
Hey, I'm in Sydney! What loyalty program is giving that great $50 deal?
I also hunt the catalogues to stock up on oil, coffee etc when getting close to needing more.😉
@@barbarabruce7648 Flybuys! I get the offers by email - which I used to ignore, silly me!! You need to open the emails and activate the offers and then it gives you prompts on the bottom of your shopping docket. Oh, and you have the choice of getting Flybuys points - which you can redeem for a $50 gift card OR $50 off your next shop - BUT if you choose the $50 off your 5th shop and only spend $10 you'll forfeit the remaining $40. They only offer this a few times a year but my husband is about to sign up too to give me more options and flexibility. Also, the Woolies card is worth getting - I have an offer from them of a bonus $15 worth of points if I shop there before Christmas just because I've had my card for a year. I have to spend 1 cent or more LOL to get the $15. I might struggle to find something for 1 cent in Woolies - perhaps a single loose mushroom might do it - I'm laughing just thinking about that!! You can get all this to your smart phone but my smart phone has a dumb user who prefers emails 😁 If you need more info please don't hesitate to add to this chain. Cheers from Parramatta.
@@andersonomo597 Thanks for all that info.😘
I do these coles deals too. I save up all year and use flybys to buy Christmas food. The emails get higher each time. I ignore them until the algorithm comes down to $50 or $100👍❤️
I also do rewards for Woolworths. I save up for Christmas. Use to buy Christmas items at big w.
Ido most of what you say, but since I work in a grocery staying away is not an option. I bring my leftovers for lunches, and freeze extras for another week. If I make a large pot dish like soup stew, or spaghetti sauce, I freeze jars for another dinner. I also take advantage of what is termed outcodes.these are items that are getting to the sell by date.This is great if you come home and process right away. If you get rolls and lunch meat, you can freeze sa dishes for grab n go take frozen yogurt and make smoothies for breakfast. Prepackaged meat for your dishes that month. Your freezer is your friend. Thanks for more information 😀
I benefit from living by myself. I do not have meal plans. I look for produce on sale and augment it with starch and protein. I find I waste less and, yes, I use what I have first. Your advice is great. I will use my instant pot more.
Great tips! These strategies have helped me save a lot on groceries too. I used to throw away a lot of food, but now I only buy food that I'm going to eat.
New to your channel and loving it!! I may be biased but I also love that you’re Italian!! 🥰👏🏻🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Meal plan. Sales online is new for me. I live 12 mi from small store & 1+ hr from larger ones. Yes: simple comfort foods, meals pressure canned in 1/2 pint jars, grow & preserve (barter when I can) ..
I would be a mess if I wasn't meal planning!
Add oatmeal or lentils to extend dishes with hamburger ,,
You can find cheap bread machines or crockpots at thrift stores to use for home cooking ,,
Store brands are cheaper then Name brands
Buy whole milk, and add water to extend it ,,,
Ask for rain checks if item is out at store ( if it is a good deal )
Watch your prices per lb or kg ,,
I could go on on ,,,😁 so many ways to save ,,,,and remember make it fun too 🤪🤪
I love asking for rainhecks. Or loal stores just started offering these again!
Before I let baged potatoes go bad I will cook them and make mashed potatoes and spray a muffin pan and fill them with the potatoes and freeze them.Then I put them in a freezer bag in the freezer.All you have to do is get how many out you want and Microwave them for a meal.
Such a great idea!!
Tins of baked beans and always have some sliced wholemeal bread in the freezer.
The husband and kids can microwave beans and make toast when I'm not in the zone for cooking. Grab a carrot, cucumber and tomato from the crisper. Only need to rinse those, chopping optional.
Baked beans on toast must be a regional thing. I've never had that before. Are you outside of the United States?
@@saraconklinfrozenpennies Oh yes Sara. I live in Australia and they are a British thing from Australia's British heritage I guess. They are navy beans canned in a very distinctive tomato sauce. So cheap $Aus0.65cents a 400gram tin. High in fibre and protein. You either love them or hate them. I think they might be similar to Boston beans but I'm not sure. Anyway they are so nutritious and cheap that it is not unusual for Aussies to say when making an expensive purchase.."I'll be living off beans and toast for a year".
BTW...love your channel.
Anytime we had extra money, a portion goes to my stock pile. I now am able to stay within my $25/2 a week budget. I always have a little extra at the end of the month so first week we get to eat out on Sunday lunch.
Also freezer meals and canning meals in a jar, saves me from fast food meals.
Enjoyed these tips as well. Thank you for helping me start my year off on the right foot! 😊
You are so welcome! Thanks so much for watching!
I like your advice about not going into stores as much. I work in a student center on a college campus. I waste quite a bit on convenience food. I will just avoid those venues.
I meal plan for 2 weeks. Then I bring that sheet with when I shop. Next to the meat Item I write how much I’ll need. If I see ground beef on sale really cheap because it’s near the expiration date I check my plan and see how much I’ll need for different meals. Then when I get home I take out the recipes and my little scale and say for example if meat loaf takes one and a half pounds I put that in a freezer bag and write meatloaf on it. Then I have everything ready to go when needed and just need to defrost.
Hi, great videos, Thank you! I watch your videos in the morning as motivation to stay on track everyday.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I appreciate you!!
When I was at Walmart yesterday I saw single serving containers of cereal for $1.99. That seems crazy. I was wondering who buys them?
They used to cost a dollar! I would buy 1 Frosted Flakes occasionally so I didn’t buy a whole box.
@@judimantos904 Good portion control!
They used to be $1.00+ every once in in a while I would buy 1 Frosted Flakes instead of buying a whole box, but now the are too pricey to buy.
l freeze veg scraps,meat scraps and bones to make broth,and l can it!!I also can soup,which l make a large pot of,eat some for supper,can the rest!
Costco is my grocery saving tip for items you eat alot of. Example, store sells Thomas english muffins 4.50 each here in ca. Costco sells a 4 pack for 8.99. Next, spinach freezes well.
If I've shopped for hours and I'm tired I will buy a cheap good pizza like Red Baron so I can just put it in the oven and have a cheap quick meal .
you can even use the online shopping tip to just get a better idea of the budget!
great video, thank you' As a fitness and health enthusiast, I definitely do not agree with your comfort food choices (for me, it would me more soups, vegetable stir fries, warm squash meals, etc., maybe meatless dishes 2x/week) but I love all the other suggestions you gave 🙂
Soup is a definite for me too!! I make a big pot and eat it all week for lunches!
I like and eat celery. Wrap in aluminum foil and it will last at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
My husband is diabetic and protein is important in his diet. I do cut back on how much meat as to portion size we eat. Using meat in casseroles is also a meat reduction cost.
Yes. Understand. Hubby is diabetic too.
Portion control would be good for all of us, healthwise and moneywise.
I make a list using the market flyer and stick to it 1or2 impulse items per person
I buy 6 pounds of hamburger and devide it into one pound portions and put each one in a freezer bag smash them down flat and freeze them.
I spend so much less doing my shopping online. There are no "end cap temptations". I pick up the groceries on my way home from work and save a trip. I only go into the store for specific items that may be picked incorrectly (my bathrooms have special vanity lights with tiny ends - previous owners put them in).
Since my husband passed away my groceries budget has been cut by 3/4. I cook one meal on Sunday and it lasts at least until Wednesday because I eat it for dinner and lunch.
🔥Great tips, Sara!!!
Thanks so much 🥰
Great tips! Thanks!
I always buy a whole chicken because I can cut into different sizes rather than buying specific portions.
Just came across your channel. Very helpful! 👍
Thanks so much!
Yay! Indeed
We have leftover Friday for dinner like a buffet and eat everything cooked.
I'm really good with my budget but my biggest weakness is buying things and not using them before they go bad. I'm single so even have to plan out how to use a half gallon of milk before it spoils.
I definitely save money when I take the time to meal plan, which I need to get better at.
Milk can be easily freezed for later :)
And also you can cook the portion, cool down to the temperature that is comfortable to the touch, add a spoonfull of yoghurt, cover and keep in warm place. After 24 hours you have yourself a portion of homemade yoghurt for fraction of a price.
Buy half gallon for heavens sake. That's a simple fix. Duh😅
Make sure your receipt has the sale prices listed. On line sales don't always come up.. I sit in my car and check prices and what the ads say. Don't go home because you will not go back to the store for $2. On $50 worth of food there is $2-5 worth of mistakes. computer error..... LOL also resize large economy soap into smaller bottles. Try to forget you got it cheaper, because you use more.
If one has been a mindful frugal prepper, there is lttle if any need to go grocery shopping in the first place!
Tip 1 Ask if your butcher is allowed to cut store meat for you, some still do. Example: chuck roast goes on sale for $2.99lb pick out a good roast and ask them to cut the roast up for you, 1/4 into beef stew cuts, 1/4 into hamburger meat, leave 1/2 as a roast.
Tip 2 - Take advantage of free food. Ibotta - scroll to the bottom of screen and click on free foods/items. I let my grocery store sent me emails and one store has a free Friday - sometimes its food sometimes it’s $5 off any $5 purchase.
Tip 3: Set aside small amounts of things for pizza toppings. Stick in snack bag then put in freezer bag of item for pizza toppings. When refrigerator biscuits are very cheap buy and use for individual pizzas. Kids can roll out dough with a glass, then make their pizza.
So many great ideas! I love it!
Don’t be afraid to take out half the grapes in the baggie in the produce. Just purchase a handful or 2.
I don’t shop in the middle of the store and I don’t buy dairy around the end either. I do by rice and beans to cook at home. I am canning beans in pints so I don’t have to buy 12 oz cans in the store at very high prices. No white rice either and then I vacuum seal it in jars. In my area I look for lost leaders on fresh food to fill in what will work for me. I do loose food sometimes but then I goes out to the chicken. A big section of budget if you don’t buy meat is animal food but that is another tricky thing. It is cheaper to buy dog food without corn than to pay the vet bill for them getting sick. As for the people it is also cheaper to buy healthier food than to pay Dr bills too. Organic is not necessarily healthier so think about it, are you going to eat the banana peal and do you was veggies like potatoes or apples and other fruit.? Do you need to buy name brand food or is the Costco or H‑E‑then pass. B brand healthy enough? Try it and read the labels too, if the rice cereal tastes like cardboard
Slow cooker is my favorite thing. Learn how to cut up(break down) whole chicken. Never buy chicken nuggets, strips,or other store cut meats.
Great idea!!
Always have some convenience foods on hand, for nights one is too tired to cook. Never heard of frozen lasagna being 22 dollars and I live in Canada. One can buy a huge pre-made lasagna for 9.99. I also have cabbage rolls frozen i bought 6 for 8.99, 2 boxes. And just yesterday on my grocery order Great value brand chicken strips for 4.97 for 800 gram box was substituted at Walmart for the 1.5 huge kilogram box for 4.97
Do we eat convenience foods everyday , definitely not but for the nights I do a stir fry I know my kids won't touch then chicken strips for them it is. Or if I am too tired.
What I always keep on hand for quick meals, Schneiders hot dogs, Grill em Oktoberfest sausages, Swiss Chalet chicken pot pie, Steakettes, chicken strips, Lous pulled pork packages, as well as the cabbage rolls I mention.
Haven't sat down in a restaurant as a family in 2 months, so having convenient food on hands gives me a break once or twice a week.
Cucumbers. The ones for sale here are as long as my forearm & hand. Call it 14-18". Occasionally half cucumbers are available. So, what sort of cucumbers come in a "whole bag" or a "3 pack"? Surely we don't mean the same thing?
We have mini cucumbers that come in a bag. And BJs sells a three pack of English cucumbers.
Eat leftovers. I know it's common sense. LMAO You just mentioned doing this. I know people who won't eat leftovers.🙃😝🤪
Just subscribed.
Thanks so much!
Also I have learned to stop wasting food. I waste nothing now.
YES! Same thing here. One of my big goals for 2023 is to waste nothing.
I have thrown away so many heads of cauliflower and pineapples, so sad. I always feel, like I lost a challenge when I have to throw something out. It doesn't happen very often, but it still feels terrible when it does.
I can feel your pain. I totally understand!
Cauliflower just won't freeze. It gets bitter!
Eat less meat.....biggest savings ever
Oooor no meat. Even better 😊
Also...eat less food.
Why do you think everyone has a big freezer. Some people live in apartments and don't even have space for a big freezer
Then that part is not for you. Move on
Was that Wilton BJ's??
LOL! Yes it was!!!
Buy a dehydrator, payed for itself in a month...
Thank you for reminding me roast beef. Yummy! Other than that: Frozen things get mush and disgusting. It just needs to be thrown to garbage in my opinion. The only things that should be frozen are: meat of any kind (raw), ice, ice-cream, home made juice, things like that.
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Thanks so much!!
$7 for a weekend paper? Really?
Yup. It's crazy!
Just subscribed.