Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[StillPinballFamily]

OP here (again!) Thought of another pretty painless tip - regarding daily newspaper delivery.

We've been paying $15.50 a month for daily and Sunday papers for the past few years. This is a 50% off rate that lasts 12 weeks. For years, I've noted on my calendar when to call the paper (a week or so before expiration) and ask for the rate to be renewed. Usually it is without problem, but occasionally, the worker says it can't be. That's when I reply "Ok, then - drop me back to only receiving three papers a week: Wednesday (food), Thursday (weekend calendar), and Sunday (coupons!) papers. Thanks so much." Magically, the 50% off discounted rate has ALWAYS then been instantly re-offered!!! I'm sure they don't want the hassle of trying to remember which days, etc. (Only once, they didn't offer a discount right away, so we did the three newspaper deal for less than a week and the paper called me back and offered the whole seven days for the 50% off price!) Maybe this tip will work for others...? I love my newspaper, but it does add up!

Sadly, though, we've been busy lately, and I missed the reminder note on my calendar a few weeks back. I just got my new newspaper bill - for $31 - ugh! I phoned this a.m. and was told that I can't get my "old rate" back. So, I did my "drop the days" thing and was then instantly offered 25% off. I gently declined, as I'll try the three day schedule and see what happens. Even if they don't offer a new rate (unlikely, I think), maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get a paper only a few days a week...

To be honest, I don't always get to read the daily paper in the summer anyway, so they tend to pile up. Combined with vacation time, slower summer news cycles, tv/Internet/radio listening, and so on, this is probably a good time to see if we can "make do" with fewer papers a week, regardless of whether or not we get offered our old 50% off rate. Maybe other DISers could use some of these tips to cut the cost of local papers...? Hope so!

Also, thanks for all the great advice y'all have been posting in this thread! It is amazing that it is STILL going strong and now (mid-July '08) there are almost 50,000 page views and hundreds of helpful posts. Thanks to a PP, I'm working on refining a recipe for homemade granola bars (my daily Kashi bars were costing me $40 a month even at BJs - I can do better!), and the recent "cut the end off your almost empty toothpaste tube" tip got me hooked - I'm going to try that one too. Thanks all, and keep 'em coming!!!

 

[StillPinballFamily]

I've successfully used this one in casseroles and crock pot dishes. I haven't tried it as a soup itself.

Homemade Cream of ___ Soup Mix
2 cups powdered milk
¾-1 ¼ cups cornstarch or 2 ½ cups flour
¼ cups chicken, beef, or vegetable bouillon granules
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes or 1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil or marjoram, crushed
½ teaspoon black or white pepper
Combine all ingredients and blend until mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. This recipe makes 3 cups and is enough for 9 cans of soup.
To substitute for one can of condensed cream soup:
In a 1-quart saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup of soup mix and 1 1/4 cup water. (If made with flour, add ½ cup mix to 1 ¼ water.)
For soup, double the water. Bring to a boil or microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is awesome! (Never would have dawned on me to Google this...!) I'm rapidly working down our stash of canned "cream of..." soups - bought at Thanksgiving for 4/$1. Haven't seen them on sale (since?) for a while. I'm with you on this recipe up until the bouillon granules - I'm familiar with the cubes, but not the granules. Are they available in typical grocery stores or do you have to buy them at bulk or health food stores? Thanks for any extra info you can offer...this is a terrific tip!

 

[happycampers]

This is awesome! (Never would have dawned on me to Google this...!) I'm rapidly working down our stash of canned "cream of..." soups - bought at Thanksgiving for 4/$1. Haven't seen them on sale (since?) for a while. I'm with you on this recipe up until the bouillon granules - I'm familiar with the cubes, but not the granules. Are they available in typical grocery stores or do you have to buy them at bulk or health food stores? Thanks for any extra info you can offer...this is a terrific tip!

That 4/$1 is a really good price on those soups. I usually pick some up at Thanksgiving as well (best time of the year for sales on those), but I don't think they've gotten below 3/$1 here. After using this recipe, though, I don't think I'll be putting away as many this year, if any.

Bouillon granules are usually available in most grocery stores. I currently have been using a bouillon powder I picked up in the spice section at Dollar Tree.

 

[kellig]

I'm with you on this recipe up until the bouillon granules - I'm familiar with the cubes, but not the granules. Are they available in typical grocery stores or do you have to buy them at bulk or health food stores? Thanks for any extra info you can offer...this is a terrific tip!

I bought mine in a container near the spices I believe. I don't recall the brand, but have chicken and beef and use them all the time. So much cheaper than buying broth and works just as well for flavoring, etc.

 

[Muffin]

I don't use drive-thru windows anymore, so I'm not wasting gas while idling.

 

[bear74]

I don't use drive-thru windows anymore, so I'm not wasting gas while idling.

I try to do this as well.

 

[bear74]

I've successfully used this one in casseroles and crock pot dishes. I haven't tried it as a soup itself.

Homemade Cream of ___ Soup Mix
2 cups powdered milk
¾-1 ¼ cups cornstarch or 2 ½ cups flour
¼ cups chicken, beef, or vegetable bouillon granules
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes or 1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil or marjoram, crushed
½ teaspoon black or white pepper
Combine all ingredients and blend until mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. This recipe makes 3 cups and is enough for 9 cans of soup.
To substitute for one can of condensed cream soup:
In a 1-quart saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup of soup mix and 1 1/4 cup water. (If made with flour, add ½ cup mix to 1 ¼ water.)
For soup, double the water. Bring to a boil or microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is awesome! (Never would have dawned on me to Google this...!) I'm rapidly working down our stash of canned "cream of..." soups - bought at Thanksgiving for 4/$1. Haven't seen them on sale (since?) for a while. I'm with you on this recipe up until the bouillon granules - I'm familiar with the cubes, but not the granules. Are they available in typical grocery stores or do you have to buy them at bulk or health food stores? Thanks for any extra info you can offer...this is a terrific tip!

me either

 

[DisneyBrat]

Several of my recipes include 'cream of whatever' soup. The price has skyrocketed though! I googled for homemade cream of potato recipes for cooking and most results are for a mixture using powdered milk...Does anyone use this and did your family notice? It would be wayyy cheaper but I'm hesitant...

I used water and added corn starch to thicken then a little milk and flour for the "cream" part. I made chipped beef gravy like this and it was GOOD. I normally use all milk to make the gravy but with the prices decided to try something different. Good Luck.. I have also found that a little heavy cream goes ALONG way with making sauces and thickening stuff...

 

[Chicklogic]

bump

 

[bdcp]

I don't use drive-thru windows anymore, so I'm not wasting gas while idling.

Not only for that reason, but it's been proven that it saves no time to go through the drive in. It's just as fast to park and walk in.

 

[Chicklogic]

I've successfully used this one in casseroles and crock pot dishes. I haven't tried it as a soup itself.

Homemade Cream of ___ Soup Mix
2 cups powdered milk
¾-1 ¼ cups cornstarch or 2 ½ cups flour
¼ cups chicken, beef, or vegetable bouillon granules
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes or 1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil or marjoram, crushed
½ teaspoon black or white pepper
Combine all ingredients and blend until mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. This recipe makes 3 cups and is enough for 9 cans of soup.
To substitute for one can of condensed cream soup:
In a 1-quart saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup of soup mix and 1 1/4 cup water. (If made with flour, add ½ cup mix to 1 ¼ water.)
For soup, double the water. Bring to a boil or microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Do you like the cornstarch or the flour better? Seems to me the cornstarch would tend to "lump" less?

 

[Tinka_Belle]

Not only for that reason, but it's been proven that it saves no time to go through the drive in. It's just as fast to park and walk in.

Atleast if you walk you get a little bit more exercise.

 

[happycampers]

Do you like the cornstarch or the flour better? Seems to me the cornstarch would tend to "lump" less?

I've only made it with the corn starch since I usually have it. If I were out of that, I'd probably try the flour version and maybe half it to check the lump factor.

 

[Chicklogic]

I've only made it with the corn starch since I usually have it. If I were out of that, I'd probably try the flour version and maybe half it to check the lump factor.

Sorta what I figured -

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Growing a herb garden (with as many or few herbs as you like) is a great and painless way to cut down the grocery bill

Those herb bundles or plastic packets usually have either too little for a recipe or way too much and the rest goes to waste! They run $2 - $3 EACH! Here in Florida we can buy the fresh herbs in pots at Albertson's ,Publix or Walmart for $1.99.

Leave them in the pots or plunk 'em in the ground and your good to go for months!

Thanks for the thought! I was picking up some chicken feed at the feed store and checked out the herb section- they had 3 four packs of flat leaf parsley left that I got for $2.50 total (2 were actually 3 packs so got a discount off the usual 1.25 a pack). I already had soil, pot etc. so popped them in and set them by my pot of chives that has lived for years by the door. In the past butterfly caterpillars had wiped out my parsley so if I keep them potted I can relocate during that stage.

 

[Chicklogic]

Thanks for the thought! I was picking up some chicken feed at the feed store and checked out the herb section- they had 3 four packs of flat leaf parsley left that I got for $2.50 total (2 were actually 3 packs so got a discount off the usual 1.25 a pack). I already had soil, pot etc. so popped them in and set them by my pot of chives that has lived for years by the door. In the past butterfly caterpillars had wiped out my parsley so if I keep them potted I can relocate during that stage.

If you ever see CULANTRO (and enjoy the taste of cilantro) pick up a plant or two to grow. its the Latin
version of cilantro(and a bit stronger). MUCH easier to grow and holds up better to heat in cooking

 

[SILLYANDI]

OP here (again!) Thought of another pretty painless tip - regarding daily newspaper delivery.

We've been paying $15.50 a month for daily and Sunday papers for the past few years. This is a 50% off rate that lasts 12 weeks. For years, I've noted on my calendar when to call the paper (a week or so before expiration) and ask for the rate to be renewed. Usually it is without problem, but occasionally, the worker says it can't be. That's when I reply "Ok, then - drop me back to only receiving three papers a week: Wednesday (food), Thursday (weekend calendar), and Sunday (coupons!) papers. Thanks so much." Magically, the 50% off discounted rate has ALWAYS then been instantly re-offered!!! I'm sure they don't want the hassle of trying to remember which days, etc. (Only once, they didn't offer a discount right away, so we did the three newspaper deal for less than a week and the paper called me back and offered the whole seven days for the 50% off price!) Maybe this tip will work for others...? I love my newspaper, but it does add up!

Sadly, though, we've been busy lately, and I missed the reminder note on my calendar a few weeks back. I just got my new newspaper bill - for $31 - ugh! I phoned this a.m. and was told that I can't get my "old rate" back. So, I did my "drop the days" thing and was then instantly offered 25% off. I gently declined, as I'll try the three day schedule and see what happens. Even if they don't offer a new rate (unlikely, I think), maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get a paper only a few days a week...

To be honest, I don't always get to read the daily paper in the summer anyway, so they tend to pile up. Combined with vacation time, slower summer news cycles, tv/Internet/radio listening, and so on, this is probably a good time to see if we can "make do" with fewer papers a week, regardless of whether or not we get offered our old 50% off rate. Maybe other DISers could use some of these tips to cut the cost of local papers...? Hope so!

Also, thanks for all the great advice y'all have been posting in this thread! It is amazing that it is STILL going strong and now (mid-July '08) there are almost 50,000 page views and hundreds of helpful posts. Thanks to a PP, I'm working on refining a recipe for homemade granola bars (my daily Kashi bars were costing me $40 a month even at BJs - I can do better!), and the recent "cut the end off your almost empty toothpaste tube" tip got me hooked - I'm going to try that one too. Thanks all, and keep 'em coming!!!

I called to cancel our paper about 5 years ago figuring I could read it at work and just buy the Sunday one for ads (we get our grocery ads on Wed in the mail?!). They tried to offer a cheaper rate and I was adamant I wanted it cancelled.
We still get the paper EVERYDAY without charge! I called about a month later to tell them I had cancelled and they argued with me that I was not receiving it (Oh, that must be an imaginary paper I have on my driveway each morning!). Everytime they call to offer me a great price to sign back up I tell them they can't beat the rate they are already giving me (FREE!) and they still keep delivering it. The only down side is that we can't have it stopped during vacations because they have no record that it's still coming to our house!

 

[mdurette]

Giving up papertowels. Yeah know - when I first moved out on my own I didn't buy them - not for any good reason - just never purchased them. Now, 12 years later I still don't have a roll in the house and yes, every Thanksgiving when I host - I need to listen to my mother complain about not having paper towels around.

 

[thomasclan85]

Awhile back I made "deviled egg sandwiches" for lunch for my DD, her DH, and my DGD.. They all love deviled eggs, but you have to eat quite a few of them to fill up.. So - I make the deviled egg part from the yolk in the traditional manner - then dice up the white part of the egg - mix it all together - and presto! You have a more filling deviled egg sandwich..

I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[thomasclan85]

Another "life altering" tip I have been taking advantage of for a couple of years now is boiling ground beef in large quantities instead of frying it! Sounds gross but it really doesn't alter the taste and its quick and easy to boil and package in freezer bags frozen flat (as others have mentioned) for quick-fix meals!

The more thrifty among us even use the "stock" after cooking the ground beef as a soup base!

ETA:There is a ton more info and ideas and specs for cooking ground beef this way at Hillbilly Housewife!

This sounded interesting. I hate to fry ground beef for the simple reason of having to deal with the grease that's left. Do you just bring water to a boil and add the meat? I'm going to try this. Thanks for sharing!