Give me ideas of things to cut out

[budafam]

Hate to sound like a teenager, but OMG, that is so awesome, I could save sooooo much money. Thank you. And also to you, phred52.

I'm so glad to help!

 

[kimberlym322]

Their chips (sour cream and onion, and BBQ) are BETTER than Lay's, according to my DH.

I know what you mean about some time the store brand being just as good and sometimes better. However I am a "chip snob" I will only eat Utz chips most of the year. Now when I am in TX or CO seeing family then I will eat the Lay's....unless I bring some Utz chips with me. You can't get them out that way and I love my Utz chips.

Keep in mind prices differ in different parts of the country (if I waited until my chicken was $.49/lb to stock up, we wouldn't eat).

Isn't that the truth???? I would love to get chicken that cheap, but the lowest that it go's around here is .99/lb a few times a year IF we are lucky. Most of the time I drive 3 hours away to stock up on it a few times a year. The sad part that is the kicker is that I live really in the chicken capital of the world and I always pay more for chicken then other places do. We have 4 plants--tyson, perdue, montair and allen chicken all in the area I live and we get punished for it if you ask me. Like I said I can go 3 hours away and pay 30.00 for 50 lbs of chicken but where I live pay 3.00+ for one pound.

 

[jm-mom]

Grocery shopping can be so expensive! Don't assume all foods have to come from a grocery store though. Many retail stores like Target are now selling quite a selection of food products often cheaper than the grocery store. I can always get boneless, skinless chicken breast at Target for $1.99 and it's delicious.

Another thing to consider is packing school lunches. Depending on where you live, you might get a cheaper meal by making them buy at school. I bought bread, peanut butter, jelly, chips, juice boxes, yogurt tubes and snack pack pudding for a week's meals. That all cost me about $20 plus my time to make the lunches. My daughter can buy for a whole week for $7.50. On days she doesn't like the entree she gets the daily sandwich or salad and it's all fresh. Now granted the p.b. & j could go for two weeks, the rest gets used up in a week's time.

 

[albarellic]

Someone mentioned buying produce in season. Another great tip is to check out local farmers' markets or roadside farm stands (if you have them). Not only does it support your neighbors, but it tastes better. Better taste means less is wasted when it all gets eaten. It doesn't matter how much you pay for something- if you throw it out, that's money lost. Fresh local peaches in season don't last more than 3 days in my house. We've given up buying the hard unripe ones from the chain stores.

 

[LovesTimone]

I use a lot of coupons,on everything. For me its not about saving just at the grocery store its about saving every where I can. So that I can spend money where I want. I do spend quite a bit of time weekly searching the AD's and sorting coupons, but it so worth it in the end. When I was working, I would take my lunch and work on my coupons.

I have and keep a small stock pile of all those things that we need, when I see a good deal I will buy a few extra's, I try to keep a 3 month supply of items like paper products, shampoo, body wash ect... Sales normally rotate about every 3 months, food items the same, soup for cooking, pasta, sauce's, cereal ect...( I do not have a garage full of stuff and I only buy what we need or if the stock pile is getting low.

Target has had some really good deals lately, check out their web site, they have store coupons that you can match with a manufactures coupon and stack for more savings.

Publix - has store coupons that you can do the same thing with.

Kroger - you can use sign up for their card ( free) and load coupons on to it. You can also use manufacture coupon with those as well. Watch the sales, some things you can only get the sales price if you buy 10 of an assortment of items and you use your card.

I use coupons at Kohl's, Penny's and Macy's alot. Other store are getting into it as well, Pier 1, Micheal's, JoAnn's, Lots of restaurant are offering coupons,( But please tip your server on the amount before the coupon is taken off ), and fast food place's offering free coffee, free ice cream, and appetizer's.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Another tip about shopping at the farmer's market - if you go just before it closes, you can often get real bargains. The farmers don't really want to pack up their leftover food and take it home with them, and it will probably go bad before they can come back next week, so if you show up in the last half hour or so before the market closes they may be selling things really cheaply. I've gotten some great deals that way!

Teresa

 

[dismichelle]

It was fun to read all these great tips, since I'm a SAHM trying to save money wherever I can to pay for my 3 boys' constant sports activity fees and equipment. My biggest money saver is stocking up on items that are on sale, especially ones I also have coupons for. I buy meat that is on special that week to plan for my meals the next week. I plan my meals based on what I have and what is on special. I also buy only the fruit that is on special as well, which is usually what's in season. My big splurge is buying the large box of Xtra Cheddar Goldfish. I only buy one every two weeks. When it is gone, it's gone. I also buy Jo-jos at Trader Joes since my kids love them, but again only once a month when I make it out there. I usually try to make my own sweet snacks for the family, like banana bread from old bananas or cookies. Making double batches of enchiladas, cavatini, meatballs, ground beef, shredded chicken, and soups helps to cover the busy days when I substitute teach and don't have time to figure out what's for dinner.

My new thing to try this year is to try to make our favorite restaurant meals at home, so we aren't tempted to go out. My kids are just as happy when I get Chili's chips & salsa $3.79 to go to eat with homemade chicken enchiladas. My latest was cajun chicken pasta, which everyone loved.

Do you have the recipe for the cajun chicken pasta. I'm looking for a good recipe similar to the one at Red Lobster.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

Well, I just looked at my last receipt (form Walmart) the other closest grocery store is WinnDixie, but they are more expensive than WM.

Anyway, we go through about 3- 4 gallons of milk a week, cereal (which I am about to cut out some) cheezit, nillla wafers and goldfish crackers, cost a lot, but that's what I put in the kids lunch, so don't know how to cut that cost. Those are anywhere form 2.60 - 3. bucks a box. Of course detergent is expensive. Last week I spent ( I just looked in my check book) I spent close to $275. (this is for everything, food, toilet paper, shampoo. etc.) I would like to trim off at least $100 if possible. I need to become a better shopper.

SO many great tips already on here, but I've gotta jump in too

I've shaved off a few $100 from my monthly grocery and out to eat bill (they're combined on my budget list, I figure food is food) with these tips:

Don't buy food until you completely run out of food

Buy less milk - my DS drinks a lot if we have a lot, KWIM? It's up over $4 gallon here

Only buy meat on sale. You don't have to have chicken in your cart every time you go, for example

Cereals only on sale or malt-o-meal bags/store brands

Cloth napkins, not paper

Do coupons, but combine them w/ store specials for bigger savings - make sure you're really saving $!

plan dinners ahead so you're not tempted to order out/go out

frozen bread dough is less than $1 a loaf; I use it for homemade pizzas once/week

breakfast dinner once/week; eggs, potatoes...


You can do it! I consider it a challenge to get out of the store under $150, and make a lot less impulse purchases. I was getting way up over $200 too.

 

[lisalis]

Do you have the recipe for the cajun chicken pasta. I'm looking for a good recipe similar to the one at Red Lobster.

I just got one off of Food Network's website. I adjusted for what I had - used green onion instead of scallions, half and half instead of cream, and I used cajun seasoning instead of blackening seasoning. I looked at several recipes online, and most of them were pretty similar. I did like the sun dried tomatoes in it. Some recipes call for peppers, and my family are not big pepper fans. I haven't had that dish at Red Lobster, but I'm sure it's great! I need to try making the cheddar biscuits at home

 

[Pre]

For milk, I mix the fresh milk with powered milk. I use this milk for cereal,baking, cooking and find that I really don't drink as much as I thought.

I don't know about the nutuion value, but when frozen chicken breasts are on sale I stock up! These flash frozen chicken breasts are great to have on hand to make something quick and easy. They are usually cheeper per pound than fresh around here in CO.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I plan my meals ahead of time and stick to my list. I don't stock up more than a 3 month supply on an great deal. Sales cycle on average every 3 months, so any particular item will be back on sale in 3 months.

The biggest way to save money at the store? Don't take the DH or kids if you have either!

I do the same thing. Plan my meals out every week and buy only what's on my list. However, this only works if I grocery shop by myself. DH tends to find things he "needs".

We also shop at Costco and buy milk, bread, chicken breasts, bacon, and ground turkey. Saves us probably $100 a month.

I've also started couponing. Not to the extreme shown on that darn show though. And I'm not so obsessive that I check the sale ads versus what I need to buy for the week. I just don't have that kind of time every week. So, I buy what I need, use coupons when I can, and buy generic most of the time.

 

[kimberlym322]

The following is just my OPINION and in no way bashing anyone. Everyone has to work their food budget that works best for them. I just know what works for me, that saves me A LOT of money each month on my food bill.

Don't buy food until you completely run out of food

Sometimes that is not the best idea. I only say this because say you need Mac & Cheese because you ran out. When you go to the store to pick some up at the store you may not have a coupon for it or it may not be on sale. So because of that you will be paying FULL PRICE. Now if you see it on sale and have a coupon then stock up on it at that time.

Only buy meat on sale. You don't have to have chicken in your cart every time you go, for example

that is so true. I only buy meat on sale or in balk. So really I may only buy meat once a month. But it has been about 3 months scents I bought any, so time to look for the sales for that.

Cereals only on sale or malt-o-meal bags/store brands

So true on that one also. We have a stock of cereals that we paid less then .75 for and they are all name brand ones at that.

Cloth napkins, not paper

If you get them on sale isn't it cheaper to use paper? because you have to buy the cloth ones and then wash them everyday? I would thing that the electric, water and soap to wash them would equal out to what a pack of paper ones cost. Also if there is a good sale and you have a coupon you can get them for free to less then 1.00! I know last time I bought them I only paid .03 a pack for them.

Do coupons, but combine them w/ store specials for bigger savings - make sure you're really saving $!

100% agree with that. Makes it worth it.

plan dinners ahead so you're not tempted to order out/go out

That is 100% true also. With the shift I work it is so hard not to say heck with it I am going to get something on the way to work or order out and not cook.

You can do it! I consider it a challenge to get out of the store under $150, and make a lot less impulse purchases. I was getting way up over $200 too.

Sorry I had to laugh at that statment because for me it is a challenge to get out of the store paying less then 10.00 and no impulse buys. Sometimes I am happy for a impulse buy because that is the only thing I pay for...other wise it would be in the negative amount.

I do the same thing. Plan my meals out every week and buy only what's on my list. However, this only works if I grocery shop by myself. DH tends to find things he "needs".

my sister has the same problem with her 2 boys. for every 1.00 she saves they try to spend 5.00

I've also started couponing. Not to the extreme shown on that darn show though. And I'm not so obsessive that I check the sale ads versus what I need to buy for the week. I just don't have that kind of time every week. So, I buy what I need, use coupons when I can, and buy generic most of the time.

I HATE extreme couponers the show. That show is so far out in left field it is not even funny sometimes. I only watch it when there is nothing else on TV. The show is staged. No store in the US is going to first let you call ahead and order things just because they are on sale and you have 100 coupons you want to use. And second no store will double or triple 300 coupons. I know the one store around me only lets you do 20 a day and then the other it is only something like 40 I think (have not been in that store in awhile). Now with both of them if you have 300 coupons you can use them but have the "policy" amount to double ot triple the coupons are at face vaule. So say they have triples going on and you have 300 .75 off coupons the first 20 or so would be worth 2.25, but the other 260-280 coupons would only be worth .75! So take that show with a gran of salt. I am not saying you can't get stock piles like the people on the show has, just dont think you can do it in one shopping trip like they do, you have to do it in smaller trips.

In the end you just have to watch for GOOD sales, use coupons and stock up when they have the stuff on sale and you have a coupon for it.

 

[SandrA9810]

I'm lazy tonight, so I didn't read all the pages. But for goldfish and other snacks for lunches, see if you have a hostess or pepperidge farms store in your area. These are awesome because you can get the big boxes of Goldfish for just a couple dollars. It's good for finding bread and other snack products at a great discount.

But unless you find them at a great price... I'd cut it out entirely.

Iced tea tastes horrible out of a jar. It always tasted sour and nasty to me. It barely costs anything to make a pitcher at home. Even if she does throw in a few lemons. I just bought a 100 pack of tea bags for $3.50 and it takes about 3 bags for 2qt pitcher.

Sodas... just buy a 12 pack vs a 24 pack. If you run out, you run out. Eventually they'll learn to drink less of it.

There's tons of veggies that can be frozen for later cooking, if you can get them fresh in season for cheap.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

A comment about cloth napkins, a pp mentioned that the extra electric would negate the savings. It really doesn't, at least in my house. I do at least one load of laundry a day (actually 2 or 3) so I just throw the napkins in with whatever load I'm washing, they really don't take up enough room in a load to make a difference. I buy one pack of paper towels a year.

 

[jms920]

I spent the $$$ to buy some microfiber cloths. I got nice sized ones at the dollar store and Odd Lot. 1 Roll of paper towels will now last me over a month. I use one or 2 of the cloths a day. (I use the paper only for nasty jobs) I use these to clean the table, counter etc. in the kitchen. ( also keep one in the bathroom for quick clean ups around the sink, I change daily) It just takes getting out of the habit of reaching for the paper towels. I also have a small candle holder I keep by the kitchen sink I take 2 sheets of paper towels and fold them lengthwise and cut into 4 sections. I keep these folded in the little candle holder. By keeping these I always have them handy to wipe the top of a jar or a small job and am not tempted to grab a whole towel.
I simply throw the towels in with my bleach load every week. They are small and really don't take up much room and they are sanitized.

 

[jakoky]

I feel your pain ...we are a family of 5 but there are always extra teenagers around here eating ...i try really hard to stay under 800 a month on everything (food, soaps, cleaners, etc).... I would love to get it under 700, but I will have to become a smarter shopper as I really don't want to limit my kids on what they can/can't eat....some weeks we go through 30-35 bananas and I would prefer them to grab one of those over chips....I do try really hard to shop only sales and do extremely well at this. I am very well stocked, we rarely run out of anything and I buy everything( fruits, veggies, meat, junk food, lots of crackers, chips, tons of cheese and yogurt).... my goal for October since I am so well stocked is 650..... (oh, and one I thing I rarely ever buy is pop- luckily we are all huge water drinkers, and the 3 gallons of milk we go through a week)

Good luck to us both!

 

[ConnieB]

My new thing to try this year is to try to make our favorite restaurant meals at home, so we aren't tempted to go out. My kids are just as happy when I get Chili's chips & salsa $3.79 to go to eat with homemade chicken enchiladas. My latest was cajun chicken pasta, which everyone loved.

If you look around the web you can find lots of Salsa recipes....play around with them until they are either close to Chili's or for us we usually find something we like better, lol. Then you'll save not only on the expensive salsa, (no $4 isn't much, but is there ever "enough" of it)....but also save on your time and gas to go get it, adds up.) I can make enough salsa for all of us to pig out and still have leftovers for that much money). Then of course also factor in that 99% of what you make at home is going to be healthier....restaurants use a LOT of salt and of course fat in it's worst form, etc.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Dont buy soda by the can the 2 liter bottles are often cheaper. especially when CVS has it on sale for .68 to .99 cents a bottle. Kmart usually runs deals on the bottles as well.

 

[fall08CP]

I know I'll be lynched for this, but when I cut all animal products out of my diet, not only did I lose 20 lbs in the first 2 months (and I wasn't big to begin with!), but my grocery bill was cut in half. Produce and dried beans are CHEAP. Just sayin..

 

[turtlegirl25]

How do you do this?

I buy the birds when they are on sale (.39/pound) and put them in the crock pot and end up with a bird boiling in a full pot of pure greese and fat.

It is gross.

Dawn

Here's the recipe I use. Awesome results!!!

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-rotisserie-style-chicken.html