Now, I'm sure not all food companies do that stuff, but I don't take any chances and I never buy anything at the dollar store that goes in or on my body.
I have purchased name brands with still good *best by* dates at Family Dollar. We also buy a lot of basic canned goods at Aldi’s and our only complaints have been about the mixed vegetables for not having much variety in them. Otherwise, the quality is the same as any name brand and we have had no hint of reformulations of out of date food. Any producer/processor doing that is going to risk a huge fine or loss of their business if anyone blows the whistle on them.
The produce at Aldi’s is excellant and way cheaper than even the best-priced local store. I don’t buy their meat, but make an exception for their corned beef, which is routinely 1/3 less than anywhere else.
However: I once purchased a Dollar Store brand of dish detergent, a half gallon for the price of a quart of Ajax. It was so watered down that we went though it really fast. So, no more. However, the big bottle had a removable lid, so now, when my dish detergent is down to the last few inches, I empty it into the big bottle. I manage to keep an extra quart or so around by doing that.
As for coupons: our local stores have cracked down on these, according to the signs posted everywhere. I also find that the coupons are for named brands or items I never buy and do not want or need. In store specials are one of the best buys we usually find. These aren’t advertised, so you have to be in the store to get them. Difficult when we only shop once a month or every 6 weeks.
Sam’s still has 42 ounces of coffee at $15 for whole beans and butter, 4 pounds for $8. You can’t beat them for pasta and rice, either. And we will buy whatever is the best price there on whole muscle meats and portion it ourselves. A Food Saver vacuum device is a great way to preserve anything that can be frozen. I will cook some things in quantity and freeze them in meal-sized portions, which is better than any convenience food I have tried. We grow our own salad produce and dehydrate anything that is in season and can be preserved that way. There is only the 2 of us and while food is much higher than even a year ago, it is still affordable. We see so many folks using their state debit card, that I am amazed the DUmmies are complaining. Out here, a couple can get $350 in food stamps/month.
PJ, I am awed by your dedication to FREE. MEGO when I begin to attempt your various strategies.
I have purchased name brands with still good *best by* dates at Family Dollar. We also buy a lot of basic canned goods at Aldi’s and our only complaints have been about the mixed vegetables for not having much variety in them. Otherwise, the quality is the same as any name brand and we have had no hint of reformulations of out of date food. Any producer/processor doing that is going to risk a huge fine or loss of their business if anyone blows the whistle on them.
The produce at Aldi’s is excellant and way cheaper than even the best-priced local store. I don’t buy their meat, but make an exception for their corned beef, which is routinely 1/3 less than anywhere else.
However: I once purchased a Dollar Store brand of dish detergent, a half gallon for the price of a quart of Ajax. It was so watered down that we went though it really fast. So, no more. However, the big bottle had a removable lid, so now, when my dish detergent is down to the last few inches, I empty it into the big bottle. I manage to keep an extra quart or so around by doing that.
As for coupons: our local stores have cracked down on these, according to the signs posted everywhere. I also find that the coupons are for named brands or items I never buy and do not want or need. In store specials are one of the best buys we usually find. These aren’t advertised, so you have to be in the store to get them. Difficult when we only shop once a month or every 6 weeks.
Sam’s still has 42 ounces of coffee at $15 for whole beans and butter, 4 pounds for $8. You can’t beat them for pasta and rice, either. And we will buy whatever is the best price there on whole muscle meats and portion it ourselves. A Food Saver vacuum device is a great way to preserve anything that can be frozen. I will cook some things in quantity and freeze them in meal-sized portions, which is better than any convenience food I have tried. We grow our own salad produce and dehydrate anything that is in season and can be preserved that way. There is only the 2 of us and while food is much higher than even a year ago, it is still affordable. We see so many folks using their state debit card, that I am amazed the DUmmies are complaining. Out here, a couple can get $350 in food stamps/month.
PJ, I am awed by your dedication to FREE. MEGO when I begin to attempt your various strategies.