Saving Money on Baking SodaI buy baking soda by the bag at Costco. After washing and drying the plastic containers from flavored coffee creamers, I slit the labels to remove and mark the bottles accordingly with a Sharpie.
Buy Soda (Pop) By the CaseI had been upset for a long time that name brand pop (or at least Coke in my area), was only sold in 12 packs. I used to buy by the case (24 pack), but all of the sudden they disappeared and I was paying about the same for half as much pop!
Beware Misleading Produce PackagingI just purchased red grapes in the plastic clam shell package from Sam's Club. While washing them, my mother noticed that they were two different variety. The few on top were plump. The rest were regular to small sized grapes. Let the buyer beware.
Product Review: Barrilla's Piccolini PastaI love Barrilla's pasta and noticed that they have a new line of pastas. They are 'mini' pastas called 'Piccolini' and come if five shapes: Farfalle, Fusilli, Penne, Ziti and Wheels! So many recipes truly could use smaller sized pasta!
Store A Collapsible Cooler In Your CarI keep a collapsible cooler under the seat during the warm season. When I remember, I stick a regular insulated cooler in but if I don't remember, I always have my collapsible one to fall back on. Living 60 miles from town, it is a must
Reducing the Cost of Feeding a FamilyI was in the grocery store yesterday and was talking with a lady in the dairy section about the rising cost of food. She was very upset that her kids were eating her out of house and home.
Use Grocery Sanitary Wipes When ShoppingDid you know that the supermarket is dangerous? This goes for any cart-pushing, scooter-riding establishment. Ask yourself if you've ever felt at some kind of risk in the grocery store (besides being run over by some kid racing around with a cart)?
Watch for 20% Off Total Grocery SalesMost coupons are not that great as you get caught up in buying other products or buying more than you need regarding food & then it goes to waste. However, recently we had a local retailer advertise a sale for 3 days, everything in the store 20% off!
Walmart Matches Competitor's AdsWondering if many know that Walmart will match competitor's sale prices. All you need to do is bring in the ad flier from the competitor and they will match the price at the register. Just a note, they do not honor "buy 1, get 1 free" sales and the item to be price matched.
Use a Memo Board for Unusual Grocery ItemsI keep a small memo board on the side of my fridge to write down those things you run out of that are not normally on your grocery list. Kraut, capers, special spices, brown sugar, molasses, cranberry sauce, the sort of thing.
Shop Restaurant Supply StoresA restaurant supply store is different than a warehouse-type store like Costco. The one I shop at is called Cash and Carry. These allow anyone to purchase without a card. The difference with restaurant supply is that they cater to restaurant owners.
Make Your Shopping List On The GoTape a piece of paper on the inside of the cupboard. Divide it into spaces for lists: cleaning supplies, canned goods, bathroom, other. When you remove the last bag/can/box of food, write it on the paper in the appropriate space.
Magnetic Grocery List On RefrigeratorI have one of those clear see- through magnetic frames; the kind that pulls apart half of the way as you insert whatever picture you might like. Well instead of a picture, I put a blank piece of lined notebook paper in it.
Bulk Bargains in the Meat DepartmentWith grocery bills going through the roof, I am always on the lookout for ways to trim mine. I always look for bargains in the meat department and last month found a real money saver.
Weigh Bagged Produce in the StoreWhen buying bagged produce in a store, weigh it first. Sometimes you can get more than the label states.
Shop Once a WeekOver the past few months I have stuck to a simple rule: Grocery shopping once a week. If you are not in the store, you cannot spend money, you can't fall prey to slick marketing and "buy more, save more" types of incentives.
Find the Biggest Fryer for RoastingI never understood what exactly a fryer chicken was, until I read this explanation in our local newspaper a while ago: " a roasting chicken is a large fryer, relabeled and sold at a higher price.
Saving Money on PuddingI mix instant chocolate pudding mix with a mixture of milk and leftover coffee for a mocha flavor, and mix lemon pudding with a mixture of milk and water for a more lemony flavor. Both save calories and fat, are thrifty and improve the taste of pudding.
Using Coupons WiselyI have been a staunch couponer for years. One year, I kept the money I that I saved and was able to buy a new washer and dryer at the end of the year. Two to five dollars a week at the grocery store adds up.
Carry an Insulated Shopping Bag in Your CarFrugal and Green! Purchase one of those heavy duty insulated shopping bags and keep it in your car for when you're grocery shopping. I find it especially helpful here in the South, during the summer.
Ways to Save Money on DinnerHere are tips and strategies for Saving Money on Dinner as suggested by the ThriftyFun community? What is your advice for Saving Money on Dinner.
Saving Money on PantsHere are tips for Saving Money on Pants as suggested by the ThriftyFun community:
First of all - take care of the pants you already have, washing them inside out if not heavily soiled. Also, if you must iron, iron them inside out as well. Take off work pants when you get home, don't cook or clean in them.
Saving Money on NutsTips and advice for saving money on nuts as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any advice to share?
Saving Money on Passover GroceriesPeople tend to really over-spend for the week of Passover. There are so many things we "need" for the holiday; Passover mayonnaise and ketchup, Passover cookies and cakes, Passover mixes for pancakes or soups, Passover frozen blintzes and ice creams.
Shop a Day Later Each Week to SaveDo your grocery shopping a day later each week, Monday one week, Tuesday the next etc. You save a week's grocery bill every seven weeks. Eat before you shop. If you are hungry, you will be tempted to buy items you don't need.
Getting The Most From Your Warehouse Store MembershipI think we will be joining Costco soon since a friend just shared this cost saving information with me. Most people know that prescription drugs are much cheaper there and you don't have to have a membership to access this service.
Bag Your Own Groceries to Save Time at HomeI bag my own groceries. I put all the cold stuff together. Canned goods together. Bananas and fruit together, toothpaste and toilet paper together and so on. It's easier to put the groceries away when you get home. You use less bags.
Saving Money on Bathing SuitsTips and advice for saving money on bathing suits. Look for suits in discount outlets slightly out of season. I got a suit at the Saks outlet one winter. There are also deals at places like Ross.
Saving Money on SteakTips and advice for saving money on steak. Do you have any tips for saving money on steak? Feel free to post them.
Shop for Spices in the International AisleShop for spices and flavorings in the international foods section of your grocery store. You could get twice as much for half the price. Recently I purchased almond flavoring, ginger and onion powder this way, saved a few dollars on each.
Use a Well Organized List When Grocery ShoppingWhen shopping for groceries and household supplies, having a well organized list is one of the best money savers (and time savers) that we've tried.
Saving Money on PizzaFrozen, carry out or homemade: here are your tips for saving money on pizza as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Have we missed anything? Post your own ideas here.
Save Money With The Pick 5 Meat ProgramOne of the best ways to save money on your meat bill is to find a food store that has a pick 5 meat program, you can buy any 5 meat items for $19.99. Look for the packages that run $5.00 or more if you were going to buy off the pick 5. You can save as much as $5.00 to $6.00 buying a pick 5.
Ask Butcher To Make Sale Roasts Into Ground BeefEvery few weeks the different grocery markets have London broil and top round roasts on sale. What I do is go to the butcher at the market and tell him/her that I want 10 or 15 or 20 pounds of the roasts made into ground meat.
Frozen Foods at Dollar TreeI recently found that my local Dollar Tree carries high quality brand name frozen foods. I got Green Giant steam in the bag vegetables for a dollar a pack, which is much less expensive than at my local supermarket.
Play Your iPod While Grocery ShoppingI have hated going to the grocery store recently. I keep getting depressed with the high prices! I went today after I went for my morning walk at the track. I continued to listen to my music with one earpiece of my iPod in.
Start Stocking Your Pantry For The HolidaysAlthough it may seem too early to think about the Holidays, they are just around the corner. There are always special recipes and favorite foods that are only prepared for these holidays.
Saving Money on SocksTips for Saving Money on Socks as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Buy one type of sock only. All the same color and brand and style. Enough for 2-3 weeks worth.
Saving Money on BreakfastBreakfast is the most neglected meal of the day. Here are tips for saving money on breakfast items as suggested by the ThriftyFun community?
Saving Money on PumpkinsIt's pumpkin season! Here are tips for saving money on pumpkins and getting the most out of the pumpkins that you purchase.
Saving Money on Your CellphoneTips for saving money on cellphones as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. The main thing you have to be careful of with a cellphone company is whether or not you'll have good coverage.
Saving Money on Plastic WrapTips for saving money on plastic wrap as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas here.
Saving Money on ShoesTips for saving money on shoes as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your ideas below.
Saving Money on Birthday PartiesTips for saving money on Birthday Parties (Especially parties for kids) as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your ideas below!
Buy Frozen Spinach To Keep Your Groceries ColdI stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work and bought a package of pork chops for that night's dinner. I was concerned about keeping them safely cold in my hot car because I had other stops to make before I got home about two hours later.
Saving Money on TomatoesHere are suggestions on saving money on tomatoes as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any tips.
A to Z Coupon OrganizationFinding the coupons by categories as they are set up in the little folders one can purchase caused too much fumbling and wasting of time as I was trying to find coupons for items that were on sale. I solved the problem by turning the section dividers around and changing them to alphabetical dividers with a felt-tip pen.
Buy Graham Cracker Crumbs to SaveGraham cracker crumbs are an essential for lots of "quick baking". I used to buy the cheapest boxes of crackers, and pulverize them to get crumbs for my recipes.
Saving Money on a TVTips for saving money when purchasing a TV as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Keep an eye in Sunday fliers for clearance models. These can be discounted as much as 30 to 40%.
Take Your Forgotten Coupons to Customer ServiceHere is an additional way to use your coupons: Have you ever not purchased an item you needed because you had left the coupon at home, necessitating a trip back to the store at a later date? OR worse yet, paid full price, grumbling all the while?
Saving Money on SoftwareTips for saving money on computer software as suggested by the ThriftyFun community? Google has a whole suite of software FREE with getting a Google account, including Star Office, a good equivalent of Word.
Saving Money on GrillingIt's grilling season! Here is some advice from the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any tips for saving money on grilling food this summer?
Saving Money on CeleryTips and advice for Saving Money on Celery as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.
Saving Money on CarrotsTips for Saving Money on Carrots. I look for sales first of all and then purchase large bags of carrots. I scrub them rather than peel so as to preserve as much skin as possible.
Saving Money on Apple SauceTips for Saving Money on Apple Sauce as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below.
Saving Money on BaconTips and advice for saving money on bacon as posted by our ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below.
Invest In a FoodsaverWhen buying food, buy bulk if possible. I splurged a little this weekend and bought a Foodsaver. It sucks the air out and seals my food so it will last longer. Then I went out and bought a lot of meat and divided it up into meals and sealed it.
Saving Money on OatmealOatmeal is a wonderful staple and great to have on hand for breakfast or baking. Here are some tips for saving money on oatmeal. Feel free to share you own.
Saving Money on Peanut ButterTips for saving money on Saving Money on Peanut Butter.
Try to use less peanut butter when you use it. It has a good flavor and a little goes a long way.
Saving Money on Soda PopWhether you call it soda, pop, tonic or coke, we spend a lot of money on this sparkling beverage. Here are some tips for saving money on soda pop as recommended by our ThriftyFun community.
Saving Money on YogurtTips and advice for saving money on yogurt as posted by the ThriftyFun community.
Saving Money on BroccoliTips for saving money on broccoli from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas here.
Saving Money on TofuTips for saving money on Tofu. Post your ideas below.
Saving Money on VegetablesTips and ideas for saving money on vegetables. When you buy fresh carrots - or any produce sold in 1 lb, 5 lb, etc. bags, weigh several of what appear to be the heaviest bags.
Buy Small Amounts of Veggies at the Salad BarWe love salad, and the healthier the better. Here is a great money tip I use constantly. I will buy my main "green", such as romaine, or iceberg, etc. But I will go to the salad bar and get spinach to make the salad even more nutritious.
Tips For Staying Within Your Grocery BudgetGroceries continue to go up and I have been determined to not go over my grocery budget. Here are several things I have started doing to stay within our food budget.
Saving Money on Paper TowelsTips for saving money on paper towels from the ThriftyFun community. An even better money saver is to buy washcloths or dishcloths and use them as napkins.
Website for Buying Grocery CouponsThis is not a recipe, just a tip to save money. Go to grocerygame.com. You can "buy" coupons for just about anything you need. For example, pay 7 cents for a coupon to save a dollar. It's really cool. You gotta check it out.
Clover Valley Soups at the Dollar GeneralIn case you haven't noticed, the price of a single can of name brand soup has gone up so high that a person trying to budget can't hardly afford it.
November Best Grocery BuysNovember Best Buys: Apples, Beef, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Fish, Lamb, Onions, Oranges, Oysters, Pears, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Tangelos, Tangerines, Turkey, Turnips, and Winter squash.
Buy Sale Baking Products Now For Next YearNow is the time to buy baking products for the year. Stock up on cake and brownie mixes, nuts (esp. pecans, I buy several bags and put in the freezer) and chocolate chips (we eat chocolate chips right from the bag as a snack when you just need a little chocolate, or on ice cream).
Saving Money on FlourTips for saving money on flour from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas.
Shopping at Stores that are ClosingA new Super Target store unofficially opened here Wednesday (soft opening). The same day they had a wall to wall sell out of display items at the Target that was closing down.
Saving Money on Drapes, Blinds and Window TreatmentsTips for saving money on Drapes, Blinds and Window Treatments from the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any tips to share? Please post them below!
Grocery Shopping Tips To Save MoneyMy grocery shopping is always a chore. We used to spend two to three hundred dollars a week for a family of five. I resolved to cut that back now that I have only one kid at home.
Write Prices On Grocery PurchasesWhen shopping for groceries and personal items, I write the price with a permanent marker discreetly on the packaging when I place it in the cart.
Buy Frugal Extras When You ShopWhen you go to the grocery store, pick-up a couple of frugal extras for your pantry, or to give to your favorite charity. Stores are always having sales or specials on canned goods.
Limit Your Grocery MoneyBefore heading out to shop, make a list. Put a list of items you want, plus the sale price and any coupons you have. Total the costs before leaving the house and only bring that much money.
Keep Track of Prices on Common PurchasesKeep a small list of what you pay for items that you buy often. Then, when you're at another grocery/department store, you'll know if their special is really a special.
Keeping Track Of The Grocery Bill When ShoppingI usually have my grocery list and check off items as I put them in my basket. Instead of a calculator, I just put a slash mark on my grocery list, for the price of the item, rounded out to the dollar.
Stock Up When Groceries Are On SaleOne thing I do is watch the grocery store flyers to find items that I think is a good price. I watch prices real close, I may have a coupon , maybe not.
Top Shelf RuleWith three children under four, going to the store is a major event and I hate having to go more than once a week because I forgot something or we ran out of something before shopping day. The "Top Shelf Rule" has helped out tremendously.
Print Grocery Coupons From The InternetI have always been an occasional coupon clipper, but it always seemed like taking the time to cut out each coupon was more trouble than it was worth. Fortunately, I have found a much easier way to get coupons, on the Internet.
Great Deals With CouponsDon't discard those coupons when you're thumbing through the Sunday paper. I rarely used them because compared with the prices at club warehouses and discount stores, I didn't find them to be a good deal.
Thrifty Shopping TipsOne way to lower your food bill is by shopping at several stores, but not just grocery stores. If you are fortunate enough to have a bakery outlet store in your area, you can find great deals on everything from bread and buns to tortillas and cakes.
Two Buck Chuck - Cheap WineIf you have a party or just like to drink wine, try 2 Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. Great tasting and, for $2.00, it a deal. Prices do vary so in your area it may go for $3.00 or $4.00.
Keeping Track Of Prices From Store To StoreI usually buy EAS low carb protein individual beverages at Sam's, but occasionally see them on sale at the grocery stores. Then I stand there, trying in vain, to recall the price paid at Sam's.
Stock Up On Whole Hams After EasterWhole hams are on sale for only .99c a lb.! So now is the time to stock up a little bit and have the butcher quarter your whole ham.
Watching HDTV For "Free"We finally broke down and replaced our television with a new HD flat screen TV. As soon as we got it home, my husband started bugging me to get the dish reactivated or sign up for cable.
Saving Money on FurnitureIt's great to have useful, durable and attractive furniture but even low quality furniture can be expensive. Here are some tips for saving money on furniture.
Supermarket MistakesWatch the display screen at the register as your groceries are being rung up. If you are overcharged, speak up. Before you leave the store double check the receipt and make sure that the prices were correct.
Ask The Deli To Slice Precooked MeatI buy the precooked (smoked, honey glazed, oven baked, etc.) turkey or ham in the meat department when they are on sale. Then I bring them to the butcher department or the deli department (You may have to purchase it first, just bring them the receipt.)
Make Your Own Convenience FoodsI do my grocery shopping once a week, with a list and coupons to save all I possibly can. When I get home, I take all my veggies and wash them and separate them into meal size packages.
How To Select And Store AsparagusChoose firm straight stalks with firm tips. Avoid stalks that are too thin (1/8 inch) or thick (1/2 in). Wrap the base of stalk with wet paper towels and place into a tight container.
Saving Money on ToolsA good set of tools can save you time and money by doing your own repairs but good tools can be expensive. What are your tips for saving money on tools?
Downloading Audiobooks From The LibraryI am an avid reader, but with not a lot of time to read, I have turned to recorded books on tape or CD. I always had a difficult time getting things back on time. I learned that my library now has a web site for recorded books that I can download to my computer.
Saving Money On NapkinsInstead of paper towels, we use washcloths for napkins. We use old kitchen towels that don't seem pretty enough to hang up any more.
December Best BuysBuy foods that are in season and save money in December. The food best buys for December are...
Sunday Evenings for ShoppingMy dear husband has found that it's easy to shop for groceries for us on Sunday evenings. Not only that, but they seem to have great specials.
Using Coupons and Ads to Save MoneyIt's easy to save money while shopping! One trick is to gather as many coupons for items you use as possible. When the weekly flyers come out, spend a few minutes searching for items you use, and compare sale prices.
November Best BuysPlan your meals around items that tend to be cheaper in November. Here's a list of some of the best bets during November.
October Best BuysPlan your meals around items that tend to be cheaper in October. Here's a list of some of the best bets during October:
Cutting Your Food BudgetMy food budget has been growing every week, so I sat down and looked at what I could start doing to cut back and still eat quality meals. . .
Shopping At Local Ethnic Food StoresBig Savings At Local Ethnic Food Stores. Check out small, family-owned ethnic food stores in your area if you're cooking on a budget but yearn for something a little more exotic. . .
Regional BargainsWhen traveling or even commuting, be mindful of regional bargains. For example, when we drive to Eastern Washington (from Western Washington), we visit some fruit stands to take advantage of bargains on apples and cherries.
Give Store Brands a TryIn most cases, store brand kitchen staples such as pancake mix, canned vegetables and pastas are exactly the same as the more expensive "brand name" items.
Finding Cheaper ProduceFinding Cheaper Produce. You can buy cheaper groceries by going to a farmer's market rather than the grocery store. Amish owned farmer's markets can sometimes be the cheapest. . .
Clean and Reorganize Before You ShopClean out and re-organize your refrigerator and cabinets the day before you go to buy groceries.
