1. Cook from scratch as much as I can;
2. I use coupons extensively. Typically, if I don't have a coupon, I don't buy it;
3. If I have a coupon for "FREE" at the grocery store, I also buy one. (Examples: Oatmeal, fresh meats, frozen veggies, canned soups);
4. I always look at the per ounce price and go for the lowest cost per ounce, especially when buying bulk;
5. I avoid pre-packaged/pre-prepared meals, the cost for what you get is too high. I'll spend the time preparing my own food.
I may go out to eat once or twice a month now, that's it, and not to an expensive restaurant either. GF and I are aren't "cheap" we both prefer to get something basic at a decent place and get on with our evening.
At the 99cent store I buy plastic bottles of diet drinks. They are very sweet, and can be cut four or five times. Thus, your drink of soda pop is really quite cheap. I have noted that cans of peas and corn are quite inexpensive at the 99cent; cans bought for a dollar (and sometimes less) costs 1.67 at Wallmart and 1.89 at Safeway. Finally, depending on the store, a 12 oz container of coffee now costs 4.99. It’s somewhat bland, but mix it with Bustelo, the Brazilian grind, that is sold at the same cost, and sprinkle with cheap cinnamon and you have a nice cuppa.
In discussing this same topic with family I find that they swear that Trader Joe has tried to hold the line one grocery costs. I don’t have one near, so I can’t compare.
I have developed my own wine cooler. I buy a gallon jug of merlot or Dago red at Wallmart. Mix it with cheap white wine Moscato that Wallmart offers. Add a few chops of pineapple or some sort of fruit, eat with cheap crackers and a cheap spread, and voila, you have a Lucullan fest.
bake and cook from scratch...not only healthier, but cheaper...
**1. Cook from scratch as much as I can;**
That describes my wife in the kitchen. People can’t understand why we both are slim. It’s her smart cooking, and our discipline, both in eating habits and exercise. In our 44 yrs together I can’t remember anything she cooked or baked that wasn’t good.
Always great pies. Her pie crusts are perfection.