Cher

ckachelmuss@gmail.com

When making my menu and grocery list,I use my inventory lists to help. I shop at home first then add to my list and menu things I will need to purchase. It’s fun to see how many meals I can make with what I have before buying new.

Tammy

If you are military, SHOP AT THE COMMISSARY. Trust me on this. I have done the military wife thing for 24 years! This is the best way to save money. I have met people from NC who drive to Fort Meade, MD, every quarter to stock up on beef, milk, bread, etc. They bring ice chests. It’s a big deal – but they save money. If people two states away are saving in spite of the drive, and if you live less than 50 miles from a commissary, make a price book and do the math for yourself. You’ll save money on life’s essentials (milk, diapers, meat, etc.). I am a trained accountant and I make price books at every duty station. The commissary wins on the basics, every time.

If you’re not military, my best tip is: Cook from scratch. Learn to make pasta sauce (tomato puree, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, a bay leaf, a tiny splash of olive oil!). Bake some bread. Make your own frosting. By all means, make mac and cheese from scratch. Try buying lettuce by the head instead of in a salad bag.

The secret to this is – make what you will really use and use what you make. Over time, you can tweak quantities and adjust seasonings. Eat your leftovers until you figure out how many sausages and potatoes to cook. Cooking from scratch really saves!

(For ex – one 4.0 oz. box of cheesy scalloped potatoes from Betty Crocker is $1.29 at my commissary. A five pound bag of potatoes is less than $3.00. Cheese, shredded, is under $4.00 per pound. Add milk, butter and time…you get the idea.)

My extra bonus grocery saving tip is to say no to anything for sale in the checkout line. Sodas are $1.50, candy can be as high as $.0.89 (Giant Food), magazines are expensive…resist! You can do it!!!! The Borg Continuum is So 1980s!!!)

Only shop once a week – plan meals in advance or use what you have instead of going to the store every day.

Do not shop while hungry – you will impluse buy like whoa.

Buy an item that can be used for more than one meal – We only buy whole chickens now and we use every part of it. We can make the chicken last for 3-6 meals depending how we use it.

Cook more dinner than you need and promptly package the leftovers into lunch portions for the next day.

Don’t buy prepackaged or processed foods – so many delicious, inexpensive and healthy meals are easy to make without the use of prepared/processed foods. Spinach and other greens are so cheap and are so healthy, fill up on those veggies.

2nd I take a few slices of leftover meat add a mayo mustard mix (1:1) on a roll or toasted bread then add cheese maybe some tomato or roasted peppers wrap and put in the oven for 10 min whallah a sandwich that is great.

(and if you would be interested in reviewing / giving away a membership for Dine Without Whine, let me know!)

The menu planning is a personal struggle of mine. I have a hard time sticking to it and feel like I am always running to the store for some forgotten item. Drives me nuts! Didn’t even know I could drive myself crazy I am supposed to grocery shop tomorrow so we will see if I can FINALLY accomplish it without any in between trips!!!

Great post!