How to Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half

Ryan McLean Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:08 pm

These are some really great tips. I have just moved out of home (as I have gotten married) and now I have to do the grocery shopping. These are some good simple tips anyone can follow to save money.
How long do you think this economic crisis will last? I am hoping not too long but I should be alright because I am doing freelance writing to make extra cash

Ryan McLean Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:10 pm

Leo, it would be awesome if you could write a post on extra ways to make some cash

Aryn Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:10 pm

Tin foil does have uses that Tupperware can’t match, like lining a pie crust for the pre-bake, keeping food warm just before serving it, or preventing bread from getting freezer burn. I’ve tried other approaches, and the foil really is best in these cases.

EscapeVelocity Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:13 pm

If you have the option, buy spices in bulk and just buy what you need. Often, it won’t even register on the scale and you get it for free, instead of spending several dollars to get a whole jar of something you only need a teaspoon of.

If you don’t eat a lot of bread, put half the loaf in the freezer. You can toast it later and it won’t get moldy on you. I also slice sausage and put it in the freezer in a Tupperware, then thaw slices in the microwave briefly before use.

Jessica Stalley Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:13 pm

Hey Jon,

Some good ideas here :)
I’ve just bought my first house a little over a year ago and groceries are one of the biggest expenses in our house…My boyfriend and I both love food, it is such an enjoyable part of the day (I know, it is a bit of an obsession, I think I should have been born italian)
We have put some of these things into practice, especially the tupperware tip. It better for the environment and the wallet.
I have another tip to add - don’t take a weak-willed partner shopping. When I shop, its all about grabbing the staples and getting outta there asap. But my boyfriend likes to linger, especially over the chocolate biscuit section and the icecream freezer. I swear it costs double to take him. So I leave him at hom now, or if we do go together, I am getting good at sneaking stuff back onto the shelves without him noticing. I know, I’m awful.

Valeria | TimelessLessons Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:15 pm

Pulling one out the other night I got the idea to write the weekly grocery list on the back of the week befores receipt! It is kind of crazy, but a great way to check prices on the things you tend to buy all the time.

Fit Bottomed Girls Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:22 pm

I have been all about the coupons lately. I use it as a cooking challenge: I pick all of the best coupons and then find a way to combine those items along with those on sale for the tastiest, most nutritious meal I can. It’s inspired many a great (and sometimes VERY interesting) dish!

Tabitha (From Single to Married) Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:22 pm

what a great list! Eating leftovers is a great idea - my husband is especially good at this. When we go to restaurants we try to bring home half our meal which also helps in keeping the portion size manageable and not overeating.

We’ve also tried planning our shopping trips and only going once a week instead of several times for little odds and ends - those really add up quick!

Ryan McLean Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:29 pm

@ Tabitha - I have found that when I go out for pizza I bring half home and it makes a great lunch for the next day and saves me the $10 I would have spent on lunch.
It kills two birds with one stone because you buy a bigger pizza than you need and you eat your leftovers the next day :-)
Genius

Holly Kwasek Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:29 pm

I’m kind of shocked that you don’t have this in here, but another good way to save money is to buy less junk food and more healthy food. You end up saving money because you eat less of it (healthy food is more filling and fills you for a longer period of time).

A Dawn Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:31 pm

I always compare between different brand grocery chains and buy from the one offering cheapest price. Usually certain items are always cheaper at certain stores. You just need to do your research, remember which stores offer what products at lowest price, and buy from there. A notebook definitely will help to put things down while doing your research.
Cheers,
A Dawn Journal
http://www.adawnjournal.com

Nicole Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:32 pm

Meal planning! That is the best way I have found to cut grocery bills. Not to mention the stress of figuring out what you’re going to eat all the time.

banji - LessonInLife Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:33 pm

Buy in bulk, don’t buy in bulk - that’s two advice that contradict each other. But I understand what you’re trying to say.

I’ve compiled a few tips on how to actually improve the shopping list. Here’s a gist of the tips
1) Research monthly items.
You need to know what you really need every month to create the list

2) Print it out and make 5 copies.
when you make 5 copies and stick to only the item on the list, it will help you to only buy what you need. Of course you can add a few important items in.

3) Map the shopping list according to your grocery store.
Supposedly the first item you will see in the store is dairy product and then eggs etc. You should redesign your shopping list to follow the route (Dairy product first then egg). You will spend less time in the store

4) Put a warning message on the list
Sometimes you just need a reminder to help you focus. I write this in my shopping list - Every cents counts, Do NOT buy it

5) Give yourself sufficient money
Once you have done your research, you should roughly know how much money needed every month for grocery. Only give yourself that amount of money. Works like a charm :)

Heather @ SGF Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:33 pm

There are so many ways to cut back:

Make grains the staple of your diet. By substituting some grains (like brown rice) in your meal and using less meat, you can cut costs quickly (not to mention the boost to your health). Good quality meat, eggs and dairy can be expensive. Using less of these can cut down on that grocery bill VERY quickly.

Do you steam your veggies? Save the runoff liquid to use as a veggie broth in soups or rice dishes.

Learn to make a few simple dishes from scratch. Homemade soups are super easy and there’s no need to follow a recipe. Just check out what you have in the fridge and add it to the pot (whatever sounds good) and let it simmer for a couple hours. It’s way cheaper than cans and will taste a million times better. (This is also a great way not to have any food waste. If you have too much in the fridge and you’re afraid it will go bad, make a pot of soup and freeze it for days when you don’t have time to cook.)

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Making your own bread is cheaper and lots of fun. Or learn to can your own jams and jellies. They also make nice, inexpensive gifts.

Eat with the seasons. When a food is in season not only does it taste better, it’s cheaper because it’s in abundance.

Live for Improvement Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:38 pm

I am not embarrassed to use the small carts, and I plan my meals out for the week, buying only whats needed.

-Dan Malone-

redcatbiker Says:

November 18th, 2008, 19:49 pm

@ Ryan McLean

How long do you think this economic crisis will last? I am hoping not too long but I should be alright because I am doing freelance writing to make extra cash

Brace yourself, for this is not a short term economic crisis. We are in a recession sliding full speed into a depression. It could last five years to a decade or longer.

Lisa Chan Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:06 pm

I learned to save 1/3 on my grocery bill by paying attention to how my in-laws prep Cantonese meals.

We shop once a week. Half of the shopping is done at an Asian Grocery, the other is done at a Safeway or other store.

(This depends on your access to large cheap Asian groceries - Uwajima is not often pocket book friendly.)

An average dinner meal contains at least one fresh veggie, a bowl of tong (broth soup), and some kind of wok/pan stirfry, and a bowl of rice or noddles.

We buy Asian produce (like Chinese broccoli, Daikon - radishes that are great boiled, green beans, sprouts, mushrooms, pears etc.) and spices only from the Asian grocery. You can get cheap giant bags of rice, bottles of soy sauce, and tons of condiments to experiment with… also, there is a wider variety of interesting canned foods.
The meat cuts are sometimes 1/3rd less expensive here… so we buy most all our meat here.

We buy cleaning, dairy, and brand name products from Western grocery markets.

Learning to cook home-style Cantonese has saved our household over $1000 in one year.

J.D. Meier / Sources of Insight Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:10 pm

Shopping while I’m hungry is the single best way I’ve loaded the cart with a bunch of stuff I probably shouldn’t eat. My inner-child immediately heads for the cereal isle to grab Fruity Pebbles or Captain Crunch.

kristy Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:10 pm

Great ideas!
@ Banji. Ditto. I agree, research what goes on sale every month at at what time, you may find household goods like soaps go on sale every third month, so stock up then. It does take more work, but the savings are great. Check out the 52 week shopping plans that are around the net (there is one on my blog too) that give ideas on times of year when certain items go on sale.

@ A Dawn I do want to throw my 2Cents in on shopping at multiple stores. This may work for some if stores are all close together, but you need to remember that your time is also money if you are working and the gas spent driving all over town may discount any savings you may get. If it is a 10 cent difference maybe it is not worth it if you have to spend 10 in gas.

We live in Singapore and find our biggest expense is wine and meat. We cut back on the meat and have found a wholesale meat market where we can buy what we need in bigger packages for 1/2 of what the store price is. Must have a freezer for this to work. Now if I can find a way of getting wine here cheaper I would be a happy camper~

Ledasha Jones Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:11 pm

If I give Tupperware to my children the little peckerheads will lose it. I don’t know about where you live but here in Chicago they ain’t giving away Tupperware for free you have to buy it and it take a lot of foodstamps to buy it. So I will be buying paper bags for the childrens lunches.

eclecticaliah Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:18 pm

@ Heather

Good point about using less meat…Instead of eating a big piece of meat as the main dish, we eat smaller amounts of meat mixed in with something, like chicken in rice or ground beef in pasta.

Also, we buy the “family size” meat even though we’re only two people, and then cook it all at once and freeze it. Used with the strategy mentioned above, it lasts a long time and we have lunches to take to work for the week. This also means I don’t spend so much on boxed meals…and it tastes better too, judging from how my coworkers with their Lean Cuisine are always saying how good my lunch looks!

martha in mobile Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:20 pm

Make eating out a special occasion, not a necessity caused by poor planning or raging hunger. When you do eat out, don’t go anyplace expensive — usually an ethnic restaurant gives very good value for the money. Take home leftovers, boil up some rice and look! another meal!

Learn to consider cooking a form of entertainment — that way you won’t be tempted to take expensive short cuts.

Cook cuts of meat (for omnivores) that make lots of versatile leftovers: cook an eye of round roast for a roast beef dinner; leftovers go into a pseudo-stroganoff, steak salad and roast beef sandwiches. Or chicken: first night is grilled chicken breast, next night is hash, next night is chicken salad, next night is chicken pot pie…it’s cheap and, if your recipes are varied, very tasty!

Heather @ SGF Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:26 pm

A few more thoughts…

There are “recipes” all over the internet on making your own cleaners. You can save a ton of money fast by making your own.

I also don’t use those deodorant sticks. I put a little baking soda on every morning. It works great, a box lasts forever, and it’s super cheap. Need astringent? Try witch hazel. Makeup remover? Try baby oil. Both olive oil and aloe make great moisturizers.

All these little things can add up fast.

David Allred Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:29 pm

It is amazing how simple little things can make such a huge difference. I also know that some people really get into the coupons and save half of their grocery bill as well. If you have the time, go for it!

Tabs Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:47 pm

I simply get items when they are on sale, in San Francisco $5.00 cereal goes on sale for $2.50 or less that is the cereal we are eating that week. But for the most savings I just shop at Trader Joe’s.

Cheers

dayatthebeach Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:49 pm

I have two things that I do: menu planning and my slow cooker. It’s not for everyone. But I save money, we eat healthy, and I save a lot of time in the evenings. Then we have 1 leftover night each week. You can also cook in bulk and freeze dinners. Buying in bulk=savings. I just bought ground turkey for $2/pound in bulk vs. $3.49/pound sold individually. Buying according to your menu cuts out the “extras” that end up in your basket. Oh!! And I don’t take my kids shopping with me. That is HUGE. :-)

Amy-Lynn Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:54 pm

Be aware of what’s in your refridgerator. Out of sight is out of mind. It’s so easy to waste food because you’ve forgotten all about it once it’s put in the fridge. This is especially true of leftovers.

Success Professor - Danny Gamache Says:

November 18th, 2008, 20:58 pm

Excellent list Jonathan. I particularly like #7 and #8. People waste a lot of money eating out. Certainly it is ok to eat out sometimes, and it can be a wonderful treat and break, however people do it too often. Eat out less by having leftovers for some of the days where you are too tired to cook. Another way of being smart at restaurants is to only drink water, and to “just say no” to desert.

Success Professor - Danny Gamache Says:

November 18th, 2008, 21:01 pm

Another couple thoughts:

1. Go shopping with cash. If you use cash you will spend less than if you shop with credit or debit cards. Also you will be more conscious about how much you have left.

2. Freeze meals. Make more than you need and freeze extra meals for the days you don’t want to go out and eat.

Sean Shappell Says:

November 18th, 2008, 21:59 pm

Two things:

1.) I agree with not buying disposable storage (i.e. plastic bags, foil, etc…) in principle. However, in reality, using them sparingly can also save you a lot of money. When buying meat or veggies in bulk (or growing your own) freezing is often a great way of preserving these items. However, Tupperware often causes freezer burn, thus ruining, irregularly shaped items, like chicken breasts. Freezing is also a great way to preserve things cooked in bulk.

2.) Another great way to save money is to utilize all of everything you buy (waste not, want not). For instance, this week I roasted a whole chicken for a Sunday dinner. I made chicken salad for my week’s lunches with what my girlfriend and I didn’t consume at dinner. Finally, I could have (but unfortunately did not) made and frozen my own chicken stock with the bones.

Nicki Says:

November 18th, 2008, 22:45 pm

It’s not food, but skin care is something a lot of people buy when grocery shopping. I just wrote about how to save $$$ on skin care yesterday on my blog, here it is:
http://www.futurederm.com/2008/11/17/5-easy-ways-for-savvy-recessionistas-to-save-big-on-skin-care/

Thanks :-) I genuinely think it might be helpful, I’m not just trying to get traffic ;-)

P.S. — LOVE the blog!!!

FrugalNYC Says:

November 18th, 2008, 23:04 pm

I think eating less at each meal, sharing your food and taking the time to eat each meal will be healthier and more cost effective. I wrote about that here http://frugalnyc.blogspot.com/2008/11/healthier-eating-with-fast-food.html

Your list is definitely a good starting point.

Girls Just Wanna Have Funds Says:

November 19th, 2008, 1:22 am

Try Aldi if you have one in your area. Shopping there has cut my grocery bill to 1/3 if not less of what it used to be.

I wrote a post about it here: http://www.girlsjustwannahavefunds.com/2008/11/aldi-cheap-thrills-and-even-cheaper-groceries/

LifeMadeGreat | Juliet Says:

November 19th, 2008, 1:51 am

Hey

Nice message. I like #3.
I’ve written a post recently about cutting monthly costs on an ongoing basis - even after the crisis when we can all go back to our “normal” spending (http://www.lifemadegreat.com/Blog.aspx?BlogID=15).
I didn’t mention bulk buying because, well, the post is about things you can do without changing your habits, but bulk buying was on my mind. I didn’t however think of the disadvantages of this strategy.

Important also to make sure one doesn’t compromise on quality. I’m not only considering the health aspect, but also that often poor quality fresh produce won’t last as long and you’ll have to throw half of it away. Then you may as well have bought the good (more expensive) food afterall.

Cheers
Juliet

Zoe Says:

November 19th, 2008, 5:21 am

Like Lisa Chan, I do the bulk of my shopping in the chinese supermarkets (and the Central Market right next door). Even if Asian food isn’t you thing, it’s amazing how a few foreign characters on the packaging of regular items can make them so much cheaper!

I’ve taken to eating game meat over regular red meat. Availability will vary greatly from place to place I’m sure, but if it’s available to you, I suggest you try it.
Kangaroo mince is half the price of minced beef or lamb, and it’s tastes exactly the same. Goat sausages are a real treat, taste very much like steak for only a few bucks a kilo.

I also eat a lot of fish, and I love Basa, which I can get in the asian supermarket for $7kg. Buying chicken pieces with the bone still in can save you lots over chicken breast.

tellos Says:

November 19th, 2008, 5:42 am

This tip is not really about saving, but helps you make sure your food doesn’t go bad.

I realized that when I buy cheap product. If I don’t finish them I won’t feel guilty.

On the other hand, If I buy more expensive food, I really make sure I finish the last piece.

It last longer as well.

Michael, Go Success Now Says:

November 19th, 2008, 5:48 am

The idea is to know more shops, supermarkets and compare the prices, look for different promotions…it may cost you some money for the gas, but you can also save knowing where is cheaper. Another thing is to eat at home, don’t be lazy and prepare your own food and don’t order to much.

I like points 2 and 8, buying in bulk always was a good way to save. Eating out should be also managed intelligently, many of us have this habit where you lose big money.

ScreenOrigami | Sandra Says:

November 19th, 2008, 6:06 am

1.) Carry what you buy.
I don’t own a car and do all my shopping with a backpack. Most of it at a farmer’s market which is a 20 minute hike from here. That keeps me from buying things I don’t need and it also helps keeping me in shape.
But don’t save on the backpack, get a good one that allows you to carry the weight comfortably.

2.) Put cheap food on display in your kitchen.
I keep all the cheap but nice looking food like pasta, red and green lentils, black beans, spices, dried mushrooms and so on in preserving glasses on a shelf. Looks great and makes you want to cook and eat it - instead of ordering a pizza. :)

Great blog! Thanks for the daily inspiration. :)

magnoliasouth Says:

November 19th, 2008, 7:28 am

The only problem is with the Farmer’s Market is that I live in an area that has only ONE. That ONE is only open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 am - 12:00 pm. The pretty much renders it useless for me. :(

Atlanta has an amazing one in Dekalb County.

magnoliasouth Says:

November 19th, 2008, 7:33 am

Oh and I meant to mention that apartment dwellers should look into community garden plots. Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own vegetables. To find one (or start one) near you:
http://www.communitygarden.org/

It’s a great stress reliever. No, really. It is amazing how much fun it can be after the initial learning curve is over.

Jim @ Getting Ahead in Life Says:

November 19th, 2008, 7:33 am

Good thoughts. However the grocery stores are on to you. They have many tricks to seperate you from your money. Notice how the wall of sale items when you first come in the store. People just grab from there because it is on sale. Thoses items may not be the best value. By putting the sale items there you are less likely to compare value.

I wrote thre posts on these tactics. you can see all three from this post http://gettingaheadinlife.blogspot.com/2008/01/grocery-shopping-202-buying-in-bulk.html

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck Says:

November 19th, 2008, 7:40 am

Like some commenters above, I have an issue with number one. I wanted to add one use of tin foil to Aryn’s list: after I have used it for covering food, I crumble it up to be used as a scouring pad. Tupperware I find not so cost effective, since it is frequently lost by the children.

I one time heard a statement that if you wish to save money only by the staples at a grocery store, which you will find by only going around the aisles which define the box. I often use meat as a flavoring element to dishes that have many vegetables. Per pound price is cheaper.

sandra Says:

November 19th, 2008, 7:43 am

Another vote for meal planning!
On a Saturday morning, I make a note of what meat is left in the freezer, and what meal ingredients are in the pantry.
I then make a list of meals using those ingredients, and then add extra meals (with their ingredients) to last the week.
I always write my shopping list in the order of my supermarket, e.g. fruit/veg, chilled, pantry, bread, frozen, cleaning, personal. Makes for a quick trip around the store!
I allow myself to buy extra stuff if it is on special, as it means I will need to buy less the following week.
I also rely on frozen vegetables, they are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables but they last so much longer.
I also plan on leftovers (e.g. I’ll plan to roast a chicken and have chicken enchiladas the next evening) into my weekly eating plan.

Chris | GamesMontreal Says:

November 19th, 2008, 9:30 am

My first reaction was “just eat twice as much at the restaurant”, that’ll save money on your grocery bill :)

Ibrahim | ZenCollegeLife Says:

November 19th, 2008, 10:21 am

I’ve used all of these tips independently of eachother, and while my bill isn’t ever that high (only feeding myself) I feel I could still go lower if I worked a little harder.

Kyle Stern Says:

November 19th, 2008, 10:30 am

I save money on grocery bills by making my food last as long as the package says it can. By eating the suggested serving sizes, your food lasts a lot longer. My wife and I have been able to make our groceries last a long time by doing this.

The biggest impact this has had is on our cereal purchases. Most boxes of cereal easily yield 7-10 servings if you just follow the actual serving size. I’ve noticed that most cereals suggest either 2/3, 3/4 or 1 cup serving sizes, which is pretty easy to measure out, even if it is first thing in the morning. I have even taken to leaving the appropriate measuring cups out next to our cereals to remind us to only eat what the serving says.

This, of course, has obvious health benefits as you are not overeating and portion control is a big battle when trying to lose weight. Hope this is helpful.

Bob Says:

November 19th, 2008, 11:05 am

Chicken.
1) crockpot a whole chicken with some carrots, celery and what appeals to you. After 8 hours, debone the chicken, strain the liquid (this is low sodium chicken broth).
2) some of the chicken, some of the broth, add more water and the vegetables, maybe noodles, maybe rice = chicken vegetable soup.
3) still have chicken left for … use your imagination
4) leftover broth works is a flavorful substitute for water when making rice

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are very expensive.
1) cut up a whole chicken and make your own.
2) thighs, legs, leg quarters and wings are all available
3) I prefer thighs over legs or wings and it only takes a few minutes to deskin and debone a thigh. use scissors

Alfalfa and mung bean sprouts are simple to make (grow)and are a very inexpensive crunch extender to green salads or sandwiches.

Michelle Says:

November 19th, 2008, 11:09 am

5 more tips:

1. try to shop only once/week
2. stop by your local salvage/liquidation food store before going to the supermarket (great buys on non-perishables like paper towels or even canned goods)
3. browse supermarket flyers before making your shopping list
4. Make a shopping list and stick to it
5. In the meat section there is often coupons attached to meat that needs to be bought within 2 days or so, its a great way to save significant money if you are going to use the meat immediately

DutchSchoolKid Says:

November 19th, 2008, 11:13 am

I think the 10th tip rocks!

Lee Ann/Living Introverted Says:

November 19th, 2008, 11:34 am

I try to buy ingredients on sale and then make double or triple batches and freeze the extra.
I also reuse the containers that the cottage cheese, sour cream, etc come in - makes a great substitute for tupperware. No kids in my house, so I don’t worry about losing it!
If you are a meat eater, go to the store in the morning when they are putting the sale stickers on the meat that is near it’s “sell by” date. Take it home and freeze it for later use.
We’ve also cut back on eating dinner out, just like many others.

michael Says:

November 19th, 2008, 11:38 am

I find if I go in the store thinking I will only spend X amount of money, and I do a loose running tally in my head (rounding up to whole dollar values to account for tax) of items as I put them in the cart, that I leave consistently only spending X or just a bit less.

It’s neat…when I remember to do it…

Bud Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Buy generic.

If that doesn’t work, crash weddings :)

pril Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:15 pm

Leo to add. I’m a dollar store buyer I get most of my basic stuff like dressings and seasons and randome other things at a dollar store some even have a freezer section a box of burreto’s frozen are 2 for a dollar.

if you do eat out try splitting the meal most meals are too large anyway! and one works well!

Mike OD - The IF Life Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:34 pm

Eating less, that always seems to help too.

I love the wedding crashing idea too!

Jonathan Mead Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:38 pm

@ Lisa Chan: I used to live in an area that was about 90% Asian in Los Angeles (Rosemead to be specific). I used to save so much money on produce, noodles, tofu, soymilk, and lots of other stuff. I miss it. =/

Mike OD - The IF Life Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:38 pm

Oh also…for those of us that eat meat, find out the days when it goes on sale (as it will depend by supermarket). You can get a great deal and buy in bulk cheap (like 50%+ off). Freeze the meat in single servings and then defrost as needed. Getting the lowest $/lb is always the goal.

Jean Gogolin Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:41 pm

Lots of great ideas here, though it’s hard to shop farmer’s markets in New Hampshire between October and June. @escape velocity, I have to disagree about buying spicesin bulk. They lose their flavor way before you can use them up.
Others - buy veggies only in season and as local as you can. No asparagus in October, or stuff shipped in from Chile.
And always — MAKE SOUP! Cheap, nourishing, tasty, several meals worth.

Everlasting Designs/SD Says:

November 19th, 2008, 12:47 pm

Buddy Shopping! If your family is not large enough to shop in bulk at a warehouse store, bring along a friend to split some items with. That way you get a lower price per unit without spending a fortune.

http://www.EverlastingDesigns.net

Christine Says:

November 19th, 2008, 13:11 pm

Great tips, the costs from eating out add up quickly. I’ve replaced my Sunday paper ad-browsing with grocery coupon clipping instead to save money and avoid ad temptations. Also, after a week of cooking, we have enough leftovers in the fridge to cruise through the weekend without eating out or cooking.

Matthew Welsh Says:

November 19th, 2008, 13:22 pm

I would recommend making some purchases online to save time and gas money.

Jennifer Wilson (StarXLR8) Says:

November 19th, 2008, 13:27 pm

While I agree on reducing the amount of disposable items you use for lunches etc., a better suggestion (vs. tupperware) would be using glass containers with plastic lids.

Last year I wrote a post about saving on grocery bills using one particular approach - simplifying your meals to the essential ingredients.

Lauren Says:

November 19th, 2008, 13:31 pm

In college, when I was constantly strapped for cash, I would always make “leftover casserole”. It’s amazing what you can throw in! There’s some basic ingredients:

- base grain (you can use pasta, rice, hash browns, or even torn up bread from a loaf that’s going stale… whatever is handy)
- vegetable of some sort (frozen, canned, fresh, leftover from my meal plan)
- meat *optional* (anything from chopped up lunch meat, leftover hamburger, frozen chicken or pieces left over from a KFC bucket, etc)
- cheese… a little shredded goes a long way! also, store brand parmesan in a bulk size container can be used in so many ways. you can even use leftover cheese dip from the mexican restaurant.
- “goo” - that random 49 cent can of cream of celery soup, a dollop of sour cream, ranch dressing, mayo packets from subway, plain yogurt, a combination of the above… anything goes
-spices: garlic, salt and pepper, italian seasoning all go with anything.

Mix, bake with a little cheese or some bread crumbs on top for a half an hour. Delish! If you like everything you’re putting in it, you’ll probably relish the end result. You can get some crazy combinations but they always taste good when it comes out of the oven.

Another great thing my fiance and I recently have used is to make a big batch of mixed veggies. We are fortunate to be located near the Dekalb farmer’s market in Atlanta where produce tends to be very cheap. We will get a couple different peppers, a squash, a zucchini, some mushrooms, whatever. Chop it up, saute it in a little bit of olive oil and voila, an amazing food ingredient. Eat as a side, mix with pasta, stir into soup, put it on a pizza crust, add to greens for a salad, put it on some rice. You can stretch it in so many ways and it is always tasty and pretty good for you (as long as you don’t overdo the olive oil).

We always find pasta to be a good budget stretcher. And, if you bake it, it tastes extra good. Just grease a pan, then boil some pasta (whatever you’ve got around… even mix and match if you have random partial boxes) to “almost done”. Drain it and then in the pot stir together pasta, sauce, leftover veggies or meat, some parmesan or shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream to make it extra rich, a little garlic and salt and pepper… so good. Costs about $5 to make and will last the two of us for several days.

Bo Says:

November 19th, 2008, 14:11 pm

If only I could get my guy to eat leftovers we could save half our grocery bill, I’m sure. One time he wanted to buy a turkey breast and I said ONLY on the condition he eat the leftovers. The 2nd day I made turkey-a-la-king. The third day I made turkey croquettes with pea sauce. On the fourth day he called me from working, pleading: “Please….no more turkey…I’ll work overtime…”

Maya Says:

November 19th, 2008, 14:18 pm

I like the advice about not shopping hungry.

Another thing we do at home regularly is - Cook a little more, keep just enough for 2 meals - dinner and next day lunch and freeze the rest. Indian food does pretty well if it is frozen when fresh. This does 2 things-
1. Saves wastage by preventing too much leftovers.
2. Comes in really handy for times when we are not able to cook. Food frozen fresh tastes great when thawed. Saves money and is healthy too!

VJK Says:

November 19th, 2008, 14:33 pm

Planning, planning, planning!

1.keep a list rolling over the week, for things you think of but don’t need today (don’t go unnecessarily!)
2. check the fridge & pantry for what you already have
3. plan weekly meals (incl breakfasts, lunches, snacks)
4. write your list from the recipes / meal plans
5. stick to the list!
6. avoid the chocolate & chips & softdrink aisles

Planning weekly meals makes a big difference to us - less wastage & more using up what we already have.

Ellen :|: CheapCooking.com Says:

November 19th, 2008, 14:49 pm

Lots of great ideas! I’ll add some general ones. Don’t buy packaged stuff. Make your own broth and freeze in 1 cup portions for later use. Make your own soup rather than buying canned. Cook dried beans. Bake cookies and bread. Make your own pizza, spaghetti sauce,. Etc. Experiment with different cuts of meat and pay attention to the price per SERVING rather than price per pound. (I have a cost-per-serving calculator on my site so you can compare the costs of different cuts of meat that are on sale.)

Christa Says:

November 19th, 2008, 16:08 pm

I have followed all of this advises for several years now, but recently found one more way to cut the cost of our food bill.
I now serve the biggest meal in the morning. Breakfast now consists of vegetables, meat, cheese and whole cooked grain. We eat quality bread and fruit for lunch, supper often is another whole grain. I got this idea reading ‘Wuthering Hights,’ and several other old books.
We all feel better, sleep sounder, and have more energy. Moreover, we eat less. The amount of meat I use to serve in a week now will last us a month, and the children are always asking for snacks.

Neil Says:

November 19th, 2008, 16:09 pm

Some great ideas! Grocery’s are an area that can really hit you with unexpected costs. Too many options to buy the larger size you don’t need and far too many impulse buys.

Cory Says:

November 19th, 2008, 16:34 pm

Thanks for the tips.

Becca Says:

November 19th, 2008, 16:43 pm

DO buy premade- instead of eating out or getting take out. In that case it’s cheaper, and may be better for you.

Consider buying everything in one place, rather than shopping around or going to that other store where those two things are “much” cheaper. How much? More stores = more temptation to buy more things, and uses more time and more gas. It is sometimes cheaper to spend the extra at one store, and have more time leftover to actually cook your food!

Paul Says:

November 19th, 2008, 16:44 pm

I didn’t learn one thing from this article and only a few of the tips will save you any real money. Growing herbs in your kitchen? C’mon! Not only is this ridiculous, the cost savings are minimal at best. Food coupons, whether online or not, are a waste of time. Most of the products that have coupons are for overpriced name brands and now they make you buy several of the same item to save 50 cents. Yippee.

The bottom line is that you need to EAT LESS and shop at Costco to save money on groceries. That’s all you need to know.

Courtney Says:

November 19th, 2008, 17:26 pm

I already do a lot of the things people have suggested here. One thing I just started doing: buy a whole chicken or chicken parts with the bones still in. Buying bone-in chicken breasts are usually cheaper than the skinless-boneless ones, and it’s really easy to de-bone and skin a chicken breast. It’s really saved me a lot of money. You can go ahead and freeze them after you’ve dealt with them, and they’ll last you a while.

Yacov Says:

November 19th, 2008, 17:52 pm

Good tips. However, some more that you didn’t mention are:

- start a garden (if you have a yard)
- learn how to pickle foods (then you can make pickles from your own garden)
- shop at Mexican and Chinese run markets. While I’m not exactly sure why these places are so much cheaper…they are. If I go to the “organic market” I end up paying almost twice as much as if I go to a Mexican run grocery store. And the vegetables taste comparably fresh.

The Bold Life Says:

November 19th, 2008, 17:54 pm

Get your entire family involved in preparing food. It’s easier to get children to eat vegtables if they helped prepare them.

Make more soups and serve with sandwiches.

Refuse to purchase high sugar, expensive cereals. When purchasing healthy cereal serve it in smaller bowls and use a measuring cup to get a true serving size.

Many place settings have large bowls and plates. Purchase normal size!

Shelly Says:

November 19th, 2008, 18:06 pm

The best thing we ever did was buy a chest freezer. There are only two of us, but we buy many items in bulk at BJ’s and freeze it (or we buy items in bulk that are shelf-stable, like cereal). I agree with some others that freezer bags are worth the cost for freezing things, though I understand that we often overuse packaging like that when Tupperware works just as well.

However, don’t just assume that everything’s cheaper at a warehouse club, or at Aldi’s. It’s not. I use my iPod Touch for my shopping list, and have started taking some notes when I’m in stores about how much things cost to compare. I’ve found that some things are cheaper in normal size at my local supermarket than they are at the warehouse club.

I am a big fan of coupons, too, although as someone else mentioned, they don’t always save you money. Don’t be afraid to buy generic brands when available, and if you do want to use a coupon, compare the price with coupon to your other brand options to make sure it’s a good deal. Don’t just buy something because you have a coupon for it! With intelligent use of coupons and taking advantage of sales, though, I’ve been able to save $10+ on a $60 grocery bill.

Maura Says:

November 19th, 2008, 19:46 pm

Nice article, Jonathan. Many good comments too. Here are my few:

Eating vegetarian does wonders for my grocery bills.

Also, planning weekly menus (to a point - I’m not good about sticking to a plan) around weekly “what’s on sale” fliers from the grocery store (if you don’t want to buy the Sunday paper, you can also find them online for many major chains).

Always buy non-food items on sale, in larger quantities… paper products, garbage bags, cleaning products, etc. If you have a coupon too, even better. Don’t buy it if it’s not a good deal.

Carla Golden Says:

November 19th, 2008, 21:28 pm

Great article! I’m on your same wavelength with my Economic Crisis Diet here: http://tiny.cc/ypkgF

Be well, Carla.

Vincent Says:

November 19th, 2008, 23:55 pm

Hi Jonathan,

Great tips especially in this time of uncertainty. News of recession and jobs cut are always on the papers and this article can remind us to tighten our wallet and stretch our dollars.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

Chi Chi Says:

November 20th, 2008, 2:32 am

My college-aged daughter gave me this tip for saving money. She drinks mostly tap water and treats herself to only one non-water beverage per day as a treat.

There are a lot of exotic, expensive beverages on the market and they cost a lot of money. It really adds up. Drink water. Plain ol’ unbottled tap water if you can and you’ll save a bundle.

Arun Prabhu Says:

November 20th, 2008, 6:58 am

It is a good idea to cut down of ready to foods …and that includes sweets! You can buy a lot more veggies instead and it is good for your health too.

Mini Life Hack Says:

November 20th, 2008, 7:17 am

Good tips. My wife and I go grocery shopping the same day every week and we have a certain dollar amount we don’t exceed. If we do exceed it, then we’ve got to put something back.

Pasha Says:

November 20th, 2008, 13:18 pm

Two things that I found out here in Santa Cruz, CA, which don’t agree with these tips:

1. Some things in bulk are more expensive than packaged. For example, I usually buy organic brown rice in bulk. However, after the recent increase in rice prices, I found out that prepackaged product from Lundberg farms is cheaper than bulk rice. Probably because bulk product has a higher turnover, while packaged goods can stay on the shelves for a long time.

2. Produce at the farmers’ markets here is often more expensive than that in local natural food stores.

Cynthia Says:

November 20th, 2008, 18:19 pm

Plan your meals ahead of time, like a week in advanced. Develop your grocery list based on the meals for the week and the sale items at the store. Add extra fruits and veggies and other snack item. Put together a budget and stick to it. Then go shopping. This entire process may take a bit more time, but in the end it will save some monay.

When I plan our meal I can usually spend around $80 (for 3 people) and make 5-6 meals for the week with leftovers for lunch and still have snacks on hand. That also includes lunch for my son. I also notice that a lot of our food goes bad, if I don’t plan our meals.. Keep in mind though that some of the ingredients I use I already have on hand from previous shopping trips or from when I buy in bulk.

Brad Says:

November 21st, 2008, 1:30 am

Greetings,
There are a ton of great ideas in here! Thank you all for the many suggestions!

As a yoga student and instructor, I‘ve found that I make the most of my decisions when I frame my choices in the best way possible. These days I’m find that Yoga’s “Yamas” (1st of the 8-limbs of yoga), provides a backdrop when it comes to making choices like these. Not all directly apply here, but I think anyone who values ZenHabits will find them at least interesting:

1. Ahimsa… Nonviolence; or, the not causing of harm or pain to any living creature in thought, word, or deed at any time. This is the “main” yama. The other nine are there in support of its accomplishment.
2. Satya…truthfulness, word and thought in conformity with the facts.
3. Achaurya… non-stealing, non-coveting, non-entering into debt.
4. Brahmacharya… divine conduct, continence, celibate when single, faithful when married.
5. Kshama… patience, releasing time, functioning in the now
6. Dhriti… steadfastness, overcoming non-perseverance, fear, and indecision; seeing each task through to completion.
7. Daya… compassion; conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.
8. Arjava… honesty, straightforwardness, renouncing deception and wrongdoing.
9. Mitahara… moderate appetite, neither eating too much nor too little; nor consuming meat, fish, shellfish, fowl or eggs.
10. Shaucha… purity, avoidance of impurity in body, mind and speech.

~Namaste… Brad

anne Says:

November 21st, 2008, 15:05 pm

This is to add on to amylynn’s idea of making sure you use up your leftovers before they get lost in the back of the fridge:

Post a magnetic wipe-off board on the fridge and write down the date and whatever leftovers you put in (also works well for fresh produce), then erase as you use it.

(Theoretically this could help with the energy bill too by not having to open the fridge to know what’s inside.)

Takumi86 Says:

November 22nd, 2008, 12:19 pm

About point no. #9, how do we get that coupon?? and for those who posted these tips (whoever you are), are you intended to save more money from Economy Global Crisis by posting this?

julie b Says:

November 23rd, 2008, 17:23 pm

HI nice list. I also have been shopping at local carnicerias where they usually have pretty good and inexpensive produce, etc.. Also, switching from tupperware and plastic containers to anchor hocking and pyrex is great.

Adventures of a Family Says:

November 25th, 2008, 12:21 pm

I always feel bad throwing out a piece of aluminum foil because I consider the fact that it was mined from the earth, a ton of energy was used to produce it and get it to me, and I use it once and it’s rendered useless. Or is it? I buy the heavy duty foil, double it up, fold the sides to give a smooth edge and use this piece for quite some time before it is recycled. Works great, saves me money and I don’t feel quite so bad.

Jun Loayza Says:

November 26th, 2008, 23:21 pm

Jonathan always writes some great posts. That’s why I had to interview him for FDTV.

You can check out the interview here

Hope you guys enjoy the interview and learn a lot from it!

- Jun Loayza

Emily Says:

November 29th, 2008, 10:19 am

Use Debbie Meyer Green bags (https://www.greenbags.com/?cid=402572) so your vegetables dont go to waste. You can reuse each bag ten times. When buying vegetables, a lot used to go to waste since there is only two people in my household, but now the vegetables last weeks longer.

Ravi Says:

December 1st, 2008, 0:30 am

A great way to save money is to avoid letting food go stale or spoil. It is staggering how much great fresh food we let spoil in our fridges or on our counter-tops.

Either eat it promptly or freeze it to extend its life.

If stuff still goes bad….buy less :)

B.J. Says:

December 4th, 2008, 17:35 pm

I like not using plastic or tin foil. I do use freezer wrap often with paper tape. It is fully biodegradable. I can buy in bulk and break items down in to meal sizes. If you want to do veggies or fruit this way, put them in Tupper ware just long enough to set real good and either flip out onto freezer wrap or set the bowl in warm water a minute or two to release the edges and there you have it.
You can take hard bread and springle just a little water on it and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds and often it is as good as new. That’s my 2 cents worth for today. Thanks for listening all.