New ways to beat the economy crunch

[OceanAnnie]

Friday nights are usually my nights off from cooking. We would typically order pizza and I could just relax. Well, it's getting expensive. But I still want my Friday nights off. So now I cook dinner on Friday morning to reheat Friday night. It's close enough.

What ways are you changing with the economy crunch (rising gas prices and rising grocery prices)?

 

[Diegosmom]

Why dont you just double cook Thur night so then you get all of Friday off...

Hoping there are some good tips here. I just filled up my gas tank (in my car) and it was $52 wow...I remember the days of $25...

 

[eliza61]

Friday nights are usually my nights off from cooking. We would typically order pizza and I could just relax. Well, it's getting expensive. But I still want my Friday nights off. So now I cook dinner on Friday morning to reheat Friday night. It's close enough.

What ways are you changing with the economy crunch (rising gas prices and rising grocery prices)?

Speaking of pizza... We've actually changed our pizza night. I'm exactly like you, friday night was the end of a work week, no need to rush and get ready for school etc, etc.

My favorite pizza place started a new promotion. tues& wednesday, 2 large pizzas with 1 topping for 17.99. So now we moved my relax night to Wednesday, I pick up the 2 pizzas (under 20 bucks) and I like it just as much, no cooking or cleaning and I saved 1/2 of what I'd spend on a Friday.

 

[OceanAnnie]

That's a good idea. I'm right with you on the gas! And the grocery prices! Less for more. It's really a tight squeeze.

I do cook dinner typically in the mornings anyway (as I get everything together for the day). I could throw something on the stove or oven for Friday on Thursday. That would work. It doesn't take that long in the mornings. But by afternoon/evening I'm not as peppy and it's chaos with the kids and unpacking from school, etc., so it helps a lot to do it in advance.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Speaking of pizza... We've actually changed our pizza night. I'm exactly like you, friday night was the end of a work week, no need to rush and get ready for school etc, etc.

My favorite pizza place started a new promotion. tues& wednesday, 2 large pizzas with 1 topping for 17.99. So now we moved my relax night to Wednesday, I pick up the 2 pizzas (under 20 bucks) and I like it just as much, no cooking or cleaning and I saved 1/2 of what I'd spend on a Friday.

I think we have something like that too around here. I'll have to look into it. Friday has been so ingrained.

 

[ccgirl]

We used to do pizza night on Friday nights and, like you, found it was getting expensive. So, now I buy frozen pizzas. Saves a bundle.

I have been using Peapod by Stop&Shop to deliver my groceries. While this may make some people confused it saves me my gasoline and time and cuts way down on my impulse buying. I only buy what is on sale (my pantry is already stocked) and then I use those items and make a 2 week meal plan. That way if I get stuck at work late my DH knows what to cook.

I have been buying meat in bulk. I got an 8 lb. pork tenderloin and cut that up myself into pork chops, two roasts and some pork that we can skewer on the grill. It is much cheaper doing it this way.

I have been asking myself the question, "do I want this or do I need this?" a lot.

I have been trying to coupon more.

I have been doing the double cooking as well. I work full time M-F so I have a little extra time to cook on the weekends.

It's amazing how much money I can save when I am more prepared.

 

[ccgirl]

I think we have something like that too around here. I'll have to look into it. Friday has been so ingrained.

Just a reminder, it is Lent now so a lot of places have pizza specials on Friday now too!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks, ccgirl. Good ideas!

 

[Free4Life11]

Gas:
Consolidate trips to avoid making unnecessary trips. Walk to the grocery store/Walgreens (both within 1 mile) for small stock ups. Use Shell Saver Debit Card to get $.10 off per gallon thru 4/30/11. Buy gas at Daily's so I can get the Shell discount AND earn points for free products. Drive the speed limit on the highway and accelerate more slowly and coast to red lights.

Groceries/Food:
Eat out less AND try to onyl eat at places with a coupon. Watch the deals closely and STOCK up on healthy staples.

Try to find discounts where I can...Winn Dixie Fuel Perks...Upromise...Coupons.com...Target Debit Card...Shell Saver Card, etc.

 

[v.t.]

We have been eating out of the freezer and the pantry a lot more. While they are not my favorite meals, venison meatloaf , I have saved quite a bit on the grocery bill as well as gas money.
We are also starting to carpool to Sam's and Aldi's. It much more fun to shop with friends. Of course then we have to eat out......

 

[leadfootlevi]

We don't go out to eat unless we have a coupon or we can get good happy hour specials (1/2 price appetizers - we get apps for dinner, applebees has $5 burgers with fries on Mondays from 4 - close, local mexican place has $0.50 cent tacos on Mondays, I have a few buy 1 get 1 free coupons for Ruby Tuesdays, etc). We try to limit our eating out to 1x per week. If we don't have a coupon or a good special - no eating out. During lent we go to the church dinners on Wednesdays (free will offering), so we're adding an extra day for a few weeks.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

The $5 rotissere chickens at Sam's club are my best friends. DD and DH like the dark meat and I usally just eat 1/2 of a breast. I only have to make a side and a veggie to go with it. The next day I use the left over breast for taco's, paninni's, cream chicken and noodles or chicken salad sandwhiches.

 

[OceanAnnie]

The $5 rotissere chickens at Sam's club are my best friends. DD and DH like the dark meat and I usally just eat 1/2 of a breast. I only have to make a side and a veggie to go with it. The next day I use the left over breast for taco's, paninni's, cream chicken and noodles or chicken salad sandwhiches.

I've been using the rotisserie chicken too, around once a week. We do the same things with the leftovers as you. We get two meals out of it, so it works out pretty well. Sometimes I can get the chicken for less than $5 at the grocery when they run a sale.

I've made chicken enchiladas with the leftovers (really easy, the recipe is on the enchilada sauce (can) --- sauce, tortillas, & shredded cheese. I think that's about it. Tasty! Last night I just shredded the chicken and added chicken gravy. Put it over mashed potatoes. It was good on a chilly night. I also like to make chicken pot pies.

 

[ccgirl]

The $5 rotissere chickens at Sam's club are my best friends. DD and DH like the dark meat and I usally just eat 1/2 of a breast. I only have to make a side and a veggie to go with it. The next day I use the left over breast for taco's, paninni's, cream chicken and noodles or chicken salad sandwhiches.

How could I forget that??? BJ's has the same. We try to have that once a week. It can feed all 4 of us and I still have leftovers. I can make chicken salad, chicken soup, and lots of good stuff!

 

[ccgirl]

I've been using the rotisserie chicken too, around once a week. We do the same things with the leftovers as you. We get two meals out of it, so it works out pretty well. Sometimes I can get the chicken for less than $5 at the grocery when they run a sale.

I've made chicken enchiladas with the leftovers (really easy, the recipe is on the enchilada sauce (can) --- sauce, tortillas, & shredded cheese. I think that's about it. Tasty! Last night I just shredded the chicken and added chicken gravy. Put it over mashed potatoes. It was good on a chilly night. I also like to make chicken pot pies.

Ohhh...I like the chicken enchilada's and the chicken with gravy. My kids would LOVE that! Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for starting this thread!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Ohhh...I like the chicken enchilada's and the chicken with gravy. My kids would LOVE that! Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for starting this thread!

You're welcome!

We have to get creative especially in times like these.

 

[amy-momofthree]

Little Caesars has large pizza, breadsticks and a two liter for 8.99!

We get this every Friday. It's not the best pizza but it's fresh and the kids love it!

Oh and just the pizza is $5. This is not a special, it's the regular price

 

[OceanAnnie]

My DH wanted to take us out to a burger place tonight for something different. They make the best milkshakes. Well I saw angus burgers on sale for $3.98 a package so I got a few (some for later). And I bought the makings for some milkshakes too. I think the trip out would've cost us at least $25. I can make it all at home for maybe a little over $10 (and have leftovers with the ice cream, bread, and we won't use all of the FFs I bought).

I'd rather eat out less and go to a nicer restaurant once in awhile. DH is just glad for the savings.

 

[DawnM]

We typically have pizza Fridays or Saturdays, but we get Costco pizza. I think the ingredients are fresher than the frozen stuff. We like it better anyway.

Dawn

 

[mdrob214]

Gas:
Consolidate trips to avoid making unnecessary trips. Walk to the grocery store/Walgreens (both within 1 mile) for small stock ups. Use Shell Saver Debit Card to get $.10 off per gallon thru 4/30/11. Buy gas at Daily's so I can get the Shell discount AND earn points for free products. Drive the speed limit on the highway and accelerate more slowly and coast to red lights.

Groceries/Food:
Eat out less AND try to onyl eat at places with a coupon. Watch the deals closely and STOCK up on healthy staples.

Try to find discounts where I can...Winn Dixie Fuel Perks...Upromise...Coupons.com...Target Debit Card...Shell Saver Card, etc.

You would be amazed at how much driving at or near the speed limit and not flooring it at every light can save! Just good luck not getting run over by the other cars who are in a hurry!

We stopped having pizza delivered. We either make our own, buy frozen, or pick it up when we're already out for other errands. Helps to have the pizza place # programmed into your cell!