Maximize your grocery budget part 2

THIS IS PART TWO IN A THREE PART SERIES. 

 IF YOU MISSED PART ONE YOU CAN READ IT HERE

The Grocery retailers know how to get us to buy product!  How many times have you gone to the store for milk or bread and come home with a whole cartload of stuff? Retailers are a major marketing machine.  They know how to arrange the store and place items so that you are tempted to buy.

I buy groceries, but I am careful about what I buy and when.  Here are some of my stragaties for buying the most for the least amount of money.

1. BUY MOSTLY SALE ITEMS.

When I go grocery shopping I buy mainly items on sale. usually 80%  of my cart is sale items, the other part is usually staple items.

2. MAKE SURE THAT A SALE ITEM IS REALLY ON SALE

Do the math. 3 for $5=$1.67,  4 for $7=$1.75  I personally saw people loading up their carts with an item listed at 3 for $5 thinking that they had a smoking hot deal. Upon closer examination the item was normally priced at $1.68. My brother had a simailar experience.  A place that he frequents has candy at the register priced at ten cents. He went in one day and noticed a sign  stating "special 8 for $1". He asked the cashier about it.  The cashier said that he had sold a ton of the product.  People were taking notice and buying in groups of eight. It just made my brother laugh.  He said to the cashier "Do people not know how to do simple math?"  Pay attention and know if it is a good deal or not.  As a side note, When the sign says 4 for $10 do you really have to buy 4? The answer is NO! The power of suggestion is strong and retailers know that. You can buy just one or two most of the time. There are exceptions and usally it is stated in the fine print. It will usually state something like this; 4 for $5 or $1.59 each.

3. READ THE ADS.

When you look at the ad you have an idea about what specials are going on. You can make a list of things you want to buy that are on sale. A good place to make a list is grocerysmarts The site matches up coupons with the sale prices. They also have a stock up scale that I like.  three gray stars means it is on sale this week. Four red stars means pay attention this is a pretty good deal.  Five red stars means it is a really good deal and it is a time to stock up.

4. STOCK UP YOUR PANTRY AND FREEZER WHEN PRICES ARE LOW

buying items when they are on sale is a great way to save. Buying not just what you need now, but for later is advisable. Many of the items we buy come on sale in a cycle.  The cycle is usually 3-4 months between good sales. Buy 3-4 months worth of product to get you through until the next big sale on that item.

5. CREATE YOUR MENU AROUND SALE ITEMS AND WHAT IS IN YOUR PANTRY AND FREEZER

Buying everything for a meal all at once can really hit you in the pocketbook. Pasta, and pasta sauce are an example of things that you never really see on sale together. Buy the pasta when it is on sale.  Buy the sauce when it is on sale.  keep in your pantry until ready to be married together.The other night I made a really great dinner. I found shrimp on sale that day for a great price. I paired it up with pasta from my pantry, and made a nice Alfredo sauce with the supplies I keep on hand. I had fixings for a salad in my fridge. The only thing I bought at full price was some french bread. The price of that meal (had I bought everything that day at full price) would have been a real budget buster. By buying each piece of the meal on sale and then putting them together later I really saved.  I really can live a champagne life on a beer budget. 

 6.  BUY IN SEASON

Buying produce in season is always a good idea, you get better product and better prices.  Yes, you can buy strawberries in November, but they are really pricy and been shipped from halfway around the world. 

This advice is also for other foods as well.  Right now we are heading for BBQ season.  It will be a great time to stock up on kechup, mustard, spices etc.  Fall time is a great time to stock up on baking supplies.

With a little bit of planning you too can save a substantial amount on groceries  Take time to know what is on sale at your store, plan meals around sale items and you too can live a champagne life.

Maximize your grocery budget part 1

THIS IS PART ONE OF A THREE PART SERIES

I decided to write a series on how to maxamize your grocery budget.  With the price of everything going up expecially food, I thought it would be a good time to share some of my thoughts.

1. GET TO KNOW THE STORES IN YOUR AREA

This is an important first step. Take some time to visit each one and find out about them.  There is alot of difference between stores.  Not all grocery stores are created equal! 

2. CHECK OUT THE PRICES ON BASICS

See how it compares to what you have been paying. Sometimes we really do pay for convienence. Make a list of everyday prices on the things that you use most. Compare prices and see what you may be paying for convienence. It may just shock you. 

3.  WHERE ARE THE DISCOUNT BINS/SHELVES IN YOUR STORE?

If you do not know, find out!   There is a world of bargins to be found in the discount areas.  A word of advice A bargin is good only if you will use the product, otherwise it is a waste of money.  Avoid the temptation to buy something because it is a good deal.  I have to ask myself  "Would I buy this if it were not on sale?" If in doubt pass it up.

4. WHEN DOES YOUR STORE DISCOUNT MEATS, BREADS AND OTHER STUFF

Knowing when your store puts out discounted  items can really maxamize your savings.  We have one store that does in the morning and another that does in the evenings. Having that information gives me an advantage to know when to shop that particular store. I hardly ever pay full price for my meats( I can't afford it) I always buy when discounted and use right away or freeze it.

5. SIGN UP FOR THE STORES INTERNET NEWSLETTER

The stores in my area have internet coupons, and special sales only for those signed up to recieve their news letters.

6. KEEP YOUR EYES OPENED FOR UNADVERTISED/MANAGERS SPECIALS

My main shopping store is full of unadvertised specials.  They do not advertise very much.  The theory is that if they spend less on advertising they can pass the savings on to you.  Each store has their own style, look about for signs. One of our stores has blue signs, another has yellow ones.  Train your eyes to see them. I have saved a ton just watching for those signs. Another store in our area has a sign right by the front door listing the managers specials.  


7. CHOOSE WHICH STORE IS THE BEST STORE FOR YOU TO SHOP.

Once you have had a chance to try out the stores you will have the information you need to choose one or possibly two stores to shop.  There are some who spend time running all about town cherry picking the best deals from each of the stores, but my life is to busy for such things. I used to do that when I had more time. But for now I have picked one main store. My main store is a bit further out, but they have lower prices on the basics. They have a deeper discount on meats usually 50% off as compared to the other stores 25-30%. When you add the unadvertised specials on top of that, it makes the 6 mile drive worth it.

Armed with a bit of information you can make a choice that works for you.

What has happened to real food?

I am working on making my body and mind healthier. I am making strides, but sometimes old habits die  hard. Sundays can be a challenge because my husband and I both grew up with the notion that Sunday afternoons are for baking something yummy. I have been pretty good at resisting the urge to make something sweet on a Sunday afternoons, but this week it didn't happen.  "I want chocolate" my body was screaming at me.  I thought about making brownies from scratch, but that will not do, oh no not today.  If it is brownies, it has got to be fudgy brownies from a box.  I wanted that taste that you only can get from a brownie box mix.  I didn't want it all healthified (like some people I know) by mixing in beans, applesauce, pumpkin or other ingredients.

I made the brownies from a box and devoured them along with the family.  It worked, it filled that void and craving.  I don't know what chemicals they put in it that makes it cravable but yesterday I couldn't resist.  When I was in chef school one of my fellow students asked a very simple question.  Why can't I make a cake like Betty Crocker?  He then went on  " I have tried and tried, but I can't replicate that taste."  We grew up with that flavor profile and we think that cake is supposed to taste like that. I grew up thinking that all casseroles tasted like condensed soup. We are such a bottle, can and box society.  We are really good at opening packages, adding a few things to it and viola! dinner is served.


What has happened to real food?  Two years ago at Thanksgiving time this question was put past me; "Since when does Thanksgiving come from a box?" Instant mash potatoes, Gravy from a packet,  stove top stuffing, Rolls from a Tube, Pie from the freezer, and the list could go on.  I wondered that myself.  Thanksging used to be a time that we would get away from all the box stuff.  We would gather around the table and enjoy good home cooked food.  A number of years ago I offered to make the turkey.  I did this so that I could enjoy the flavorful, wonderful gravy that comes with the drippings that come from a roasted whole turkey.  I brought back my Grandma's pumpking pie.  I got tired of old yuck store bought soggy on the bottom pumpkin pie.




my son as a baby with a bowl of vegetables

  One of the questions that was posed to us at chef school "Where does the clients health fall in your duty as chef? Do you make your meals healthy, or do you give them what they want regardless of the calorie count?"  We all agreed that butter makes it better and making the customers taste buds happy was where it counted. As an example; On the way home from a trip we stopped at a hometown burger joint. Listed on the menu was a fruit plate.  When I asked about the fruit plate, the gal behind the counter told me that they no longer offered that.  She said that "people were asking for it, but when we actually put it on the menu, no one ordered it". People would think about it for a moment, but in the end  they would make a comment like "We are in a burger joint, I'll have a big juicy burger."

What about Value?  As stated in a previous post  I grew up where the Value menu hamburgers were what we ate at times. That is what my parents could afford.  A neighbor recently was talking with us about how his grocery bill has grown over the last few years, but his income has not. He talked about how all he can afford is junk food.  He said that they tried to eat healthy for about six months but could not afford it. I am a couponer and a frugal shopper.  Coupons have made it easy to supply my family with junk food. Coupons for truly healthy food (and the Staples) are few and far between.  I do have a stratagy, I use my coupons for buying toiletries and other goods.  Then I have a bit more in my budget for the good food.

But what is good food? We have been marketed to think that alot of things are "good food" It is amazing. healthy claims all over the boxes and bags of things we eat.  Just recently, in a hurry I picked up some juice for the kids; looking at the banner across the juice box reading 100% I placed it in my cart and when I got home realized that I had made a mistake.  100% daily recommened amounts of vitamin C not 100% juice. I could have kicked myself for that.  I usually do try to get real juice and not flavored corn syrup.  We drank it anyways.

Time for dinner now, but I will be back later with thoughts about our food choices, recipes, and more.

Slow down and savor your food and life

My kids favorite buddies "hanging out"
This is what we should all be doing more often "hanging out" together with our family

As I am on a journey of weight loss and good health.  One tip I have learned is to Slow down and enjoy life. We live in such a hurried world, running all about in a microwave "grab and go" society.  My father as a boy scout leader made an interesting observation.  The boys had gone out for a campout.  They had each brought a tin foil dinner to cook in the fire.  My father noticed that some of the boys were very impatient while waiting for the dinners to cook. He related to me that he sensed that these boys were the ones that lived in a home where the microwave was a main source of food.  He said it was about two minutes and they were ready to eat. This was about 10 -12 years ago.  I wonder what he would find nowdays. Do we ourselves exist where the microwave provides a majority of our food at home?  Or is takeout our best freind?  I am slowing down and cooking not only on weekends, but all the time. My body has been happier these last few weeks as I have made a move to pay attention to it. When we slow down our eating the body has time to respond to the food we are putting in. We are healthier today because I chose to slow down and pay attention. I want my family and I to be healthy in body and mind. Family time together at meals is something that I am begining to value. I am creating my world according to those things.

I grew up in a family that was on the go alot, my husband was different.  Both of our families value time together, but how we do that is different. We were always going and doing and on the move.  There were always games to play and places to see. My husbands family spends alot of time just sitting and chatting. It is hard for me because I want to be doing something more activity oriented. My husband values time together just sitting a while and watching the sunset etc. He is content to just sit a while. While I am sitting there I have a whole list of things going on in my brain. I think that as a woman I have to multitask. We get so distracted, Sometimes we forget to stop and take stock of what is really important. My husband is very important and he needs me to slow down and pay attention to him. My Children need me there. I am making them priority in my life. I am showing them by the things that I do. As Dr Phil says "You gotta get plugged into your family" My challenge to you SLOW DOWN, MAKE TIME FOR THE IMPORTANT THINGS  

Frugal food on the fly

I grew up in a frually fun home.We spent alot of summers going all about the great state of Utah and the adjoning states.  My parents were good at frugal food finding and feeding us kids when going out and about.  I learned alot of tricks from them.


1. The ice chest.  We ate alot out of the ice chests. Picnics are great entertainment for children.  My parents would fill up empty juice bottles or milk jugs and freeze them to keep the food cold. (There were always 2 or three in the freezer at all times)  It saved money and time. As an added bonus you had cold ice water to drink along the way.  There are alot of things you can make and eat from an ice chest, but sometimes a warm meal can go along way.

2. My parents were good at finding a hot meal for an inexpensive price We did not get a fast food combo meals, it was deemed too expensive. Dad would buy a pile of dollar menu hamburgers, tacos or such.  We would supplement the hot items with drinks, sides, and desserts from the ice chest.

3. Keep your eyes out for coupons and deals.  They do show up, you just have to look.  Sometimes places have a a deal of the day  buy one get one free etc. look for those types of things.  The local paper and/or local people can give you clues.

4. When staying in a hotel/motel take advantage of continental breakfasts. If that is not offered take advantage of coffe makers and microwaves that seem to be widely available.  With a coffee maker you can heat water for oatmeal and such.  For lunch there are many (just add water) options.

5. A crockpot or electric skillet can be a great way to cook a hot meal.  There are plenty of easy recipes that use canned ingredients with little prep. Simple things like dehydrated mash potatoes with chunky soup or meat in a gravy served over the top.   A bowl of canned chili or stew with bread bought from a local grocery store. Chicken and rice cooked in the slowcooker.  Mom would heat breaded veal or chicken patties, a can of creamed soup with frozen vegetables would be served over the over the top.

6. Ask about a room with a kitchenette. There are extended stay places that have kitchenettes. Sometimes these rooms are just as reasonable as a room without. 

I grew up thinking that these things were normal and that everyone picknicked at lunch, and ate from a slowcooker in a motel.  My husband is amazed at my parents and their ideas. It is fun finding our own way as we travel. 

More and more people are foregoing family vacations because the cost of food and fuel, and it is sad. Some of my best memories are of family vacations where we were away from the normal stress of life. We had fun together we made some fun memories. Saving on food will enable people to afford a fun family vacation.  With a little planning it can be done.

food choices: reconnecting with our food

There has been alot on my mind lately about my food choices. Before I met my husband, I was on a quest to lose weight and become a better version of me.  It worked and I was happy! Now as I realize I am only about ten pounds less then I was at my heaviest, it is not working for me.  I am turning into an emotional eater again, and I am taking my whole family down with me.  We have made half hearted attempts the last year or so, but NOW IS THE TIME!  

I know what I need to do, it is just getting it done with the family in tow. 

1.  Breakfast with a protien
2.  Move
3.  Journaling
4.  Recognizing eating patterns
5.  Eating mostly whole foods with high nutritional value
6.  Sitting down to eat a meal

Breakfast with a protien gets your body going.  I spent alot of years not eating breakfast and feeling lousy.  Eating sugar for breakfast just made me feel lousy later on in the afternoon when the sugar wore off.  I know this, but at times I get busy with the kiddos and I forget to eat breakfast. on a side note cheese is not considered a protien food; it is a fat.  (I made that mistake for a while).

Before I married and had the responsibility of raising these three wonderful children I was walking at least two miles each morning.  I was working hard at my job and I was  feeling good.  But three children that close together being pregnant and feeling lousy gave me a good excuse to sit about and not get the walking in. We walk our Andrew to school each day if the weather is nice.  But with the kids sometimes we wander so slowly that it isn't much excercise at all. 

Journaling helped me to be aware of what I was eating.  I am a picker.  If there is food out on the counter, I am picking at it. My husband asked the other day why I dish up the food from the counter and then sit down to eat it.  I told him that this is just the way that I do. He grew up in a family where they ate family style where everyone sat down and passed the platters of food around the table. The kids aren't really big enough to pass the plate around and dish their own food. I'm thinking that maybe we should start that in our family, but I am a picker, I end up picking and adding just one spoonful more until I have eaten more servings than I should. 

When I was single I was on a journey of healthy, but not always yummy foods. I still continued into the begining of our marriage There were several things early on that Gregg said something like "That was Ok, but I wouldn't care to eat it again!" Then I was pregnant and snacking took over.  If I didn't snack all day I felt awful.  Cooking was really a chore. Three pregnancies in a row and three children in four years has really changed me.  I cook differently now. I cook to please their taste buds.  We eat alot of "kid freindly" foods. I often cook foods that may not be as healthy, but I know they will eat it. I also like to please my husbands taste buds too.  

We sit down to dinner at night together, but during the day I find myself picking and foraging around for food. I am eating breakfast an hour or two after the kids and they are ready for lunch when I am not.  Lunch seems to be grab and go for me.  I know that when I sit down and eat a meal my brain remembers that and it resets itself.  I found that I could snack throughout the day and my brain would say "I haven't eaten".  If I sit down and eat a meal then my brain says "oh yeah I had luch it was ______"

Having the courage to make changes can be hard.  I find myself not wanting to fight the battle of new foods with the kids. I think that I will not pick that battle right now.  But I will pick the battle of eating breakfast with a protien and sitting down for luch. I think that playtime with the kids and more walking than just the 6 blocks to school is a good starting place.