Thrifty Tuesday

Every Tuesday I will share 5 money saving tips and tricks. The theme again this week is saving money on groceries and food. Please feel free to comment and as always, thanks for stopping by.



Make you're own breadcrumbs



What do you do with the crusts or heels of a loaf of bread? Do you throw it away or give it to the birds? Simply run them through the food processor and freeze until ready to use. You will never have to buy breadcrumbs again. If you prefer the seasoned variety, add some basil, oregano and garlic powder while processing. They freeze well in a plastic container or freezer bag.
You can also harden them by placing in the micro for a few minutes. Then crumble and freeze dry, or cube first to make stuffing.



Buy fresh produce at the farmers market



Use the farmer's market approach by purchasing produce that's fresh, inexpensive and in season. Avoiding the middlemen will save you money and provide your family the freshest of foods. It's also wise to not purchase non-grocery items such as medicines, contact lens solution etc. You will probably pay more for these items at the grocery store.



Look for Discounts



Buying items marked down can save you as much as 20 percent on your total grocery bill. In addition, find out when your store marks down items that expire like bread and meat. You can save money on these items by freezing them or serving them that night for dinner. Also, look for a small section in the store where they discount items that weren't as popular as the manufacturer's had hoped. This can provide you many bargains.



Know where to buy cheaper brands



Be aware that the highest markup items on the shelves are at chest level. To find the cheaper house or generic brands you will need to reach up or kneel down. Also, the main aisles of the grocery store are filled with high priced items, so avoid these pricey areas, such as the paths to the milk and bread.

Make you're own T.V. dinners

Next time youre running late dont spend a fortune on takeout. Have a home cooked meal. Spend a couple of dollars on some nice individual serving freezer containers. (The ones with the separate compartments are great). The next time you have leftovers use these containers to store and freeze your meals. Then, when you do have one of those days you can simply pop one of your tv dinners into the microwave and your family can enjoy a homecooked feast in minutes. Youll save time and money in the long run

Thrifty Tuesday

Every Tuesday I will share tips and tricks to save you and you're family money. With todays economy everybody needs to work on saving money, especially us with kids. I will list 5 things but please feel free to comment and leave me your own tips. Each week I will focus on one central theme, today I am focusing on saving money on the one thing we all need, groceries. Thanks for stopping by.

Go grocery shopping with a list and buy only what is on the list

You will spend less on food if you shop with a list, and stick to it. The less you impulse buy, they more money you will save. Your list is your road map to how much you can spend each week. When you make it out, try to cost it out also. Then you'll know about how much of your money you are going to spend. If there is something you have forgotten to put on your list that you need that week, not an impulse buy, a forgotten item, write it on your list before putting it in your basket. This will force you to think twice about your money and keep you organized for next time.

Cook with two meals in mind

Plan ahead and use recipes when cooking dinner or making a liost and planning out your meals. For example: Having a pot roast for dinner? Make sure you have a recipe for beef stew for the leftovers. You can make it the next day and eat right away or freeze it for next week. If you don't have enough meat leftover for a stew, try a beef vegetable soup. You don't need much, just make sure you plan ahead and be prepare to use your leftovers in recipes, otherwise you may lose the savings!

Pack your own school lunches for you're kids or lunches for you're husband to take to work each day

Packing a school lunch costs approximately $3.00-$4.00 a week. Considering buying a lunch at school costs $2.00-$2.50 a day, you can see the saving immediately. Plus, you can be sure that your child has something he/she wants to eat. Examples are crackers and cheese or crackers and peanut butter, boiled eggs, cold fried chicken, soup, salad, slices of ham or roast, raw vegetables and dip, muffins or cornbread with baked in hotdog chunks. If there is a special day each week that the school offers a lunch your child wants, like pizza, buy the one day a week - you'll still benefit from the savings. Plus when you pack you're hubby's lunch each day it will draw the two of you closer. It will show him how much you love him and in turn he will be sweeter to you when he comes home. Its also a lot of fun to leave notes in the lunches it makes the recipients day that much better.

Save on Breakfast

How many times a week do you cook pancakes, waffles of french toast for breakfast? Do you spend more money than you have to by buying these items pre-made and frozen? Rather than waste time and money try making larger batches at one time. These freeze well and can be reheated in either the toaster or the microwave in minutes.

Try shopping by you're self and in a good frame of mind

Try to shop alone because little helpers can boost your bill. Shopping early in the day gets you through the store quicker with your list and you spend less. Do not shop while you are hungry or you will spend more. Also, avoid shopping when you are tired, you'll tend to buy more sweets and more high carbs. When you are angry you will tend to buy more junk food.