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Libby’s wants to save you money in the grocery aisle and help get your family back to the dinner table!
Last night, Jennifer and I were talking about the “good old days.” Both of us married over a decade ago when we were young (read: poor) and lived on so much less money.
Back then, Phil and I had a combined salary that was less than half of what we live on now, (and trust me – we still are living on a tight budget,) but we were able to make ends meet.
Even though it was only a decade+ ago, it seems like a different era.
It cost only eighteen dollars each for us to fill up our two-door, second hand cars. And our grocery bills were a fraction of what they are today. Granted we now have kids and all the costs that go along with raising hungry, growing monkeys, whom we shuttle around in a minivan. But seriously – things are getting crazy!
Honestly, I feel like a financial failure most days. I look around and wonder, how is everyone else doing it? What is wrong with me? Why can’t we live on less? Why can’t I get my grocery bills down? How can I cut back even more on our driving?
But the truth is – it just costs more to live now. Gas, milk, eggs, chicken… everything costs more. And with incomes not raising to match these inflating prices, many of us are stuck looking at a budget that doesn’t add up.
Libby’s is responding to people’s concerns with their new campaign, Get Back to the Table. With a helpful website that gives cost-and time saving tips, Libby’s wants to save you money in the grocery aisle and help get your family back to the dinner table!
Get Back to the Table features:
- A recipe database featuring nutritious and tasty recipes that take just ten minutes to make for under $10 or less to prepare for a family of four
- Downloadable tools for managing grocery budgets and planning out the week’s meals
- Expert advice from Hannah Keeley, mother of seven and author of The Total Mom Makeover: The Six Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family and Life, whom we featured here at 5 Minutes for Mom last year.
What about you?
Do you have any tips or tricks that help to keep your family on budget despite life’s soaring costs or help you to get your family to spend time around the dinner table?
One of Susan and my survival tactics is to team up for dinner time. (Yes – Susan and I team up a lot in life!) Since we are both busy WAHM’s on tight budgets, dinner time can be a stress both financially and time wise. So once or twice a week, we crash dinner time at each other’s houses. We get the benefit of pooling our resources, and the kids get the added fun of having dinner time together. Granted in our small houses, it is loud and chaotic – and at Susan’s house there are not even enough chairs to go around – but it is fun and it saves us time and money!
Share one of your family’s tips – or simply hang out with the rest of us trying to scrape by (misery loves company right?) – in the comments below, and we will draw one lucky winner who will receive $500 courtesy of Libby’s to help ease their family’s budget pains.
We will draw the winner July 18th. (So sorry to our fellow Canadians, we have to limit this contest to US shipping addresses.)
leenga12 says
sales and coupons!!!
Bargain Shopper says
I use coupons whenever I get the chance. I would have to say that I don’t pay retail for anything, except maybe gas.
Terisa Carpenter says
With a large family ~ The key is menu planning. I try to watch for sale items and use coupons as much as possible. Once a week shopping to avoid over buying unnecessarily. With seven children and two grandchildren. I try to be a good scout for sales and holiday items that are staples to use for the next year. An extra refrigerator keeps my dry goods pest free and gives me added freezer space for leftovers. I buy snacks in large quantity and divide in my own ziptop snack bags about once every two weeks. I love this comment area, people really have some useful ideas. I am definitely going to put some of them to use. Thanks for helping stretch my dollar even more.
anthony yadwisinczak says
please send me 500 dollars in the mail
i live at 615 milmont ave
milmont park pa 19033
Steffani Davis says
The easiest way for my family to save money on food is no not eat out. We thought it was so much cheaper to eat fast food then it was to buy food and make it…which we found out was wrong. We spent $150 more on fast food then when we purchased groceries and made lunch and dinner. So my tip is to not eat out…its bad for you and your pocket book will thank you later. Also, when you walk into the store know what you are going to purchase ahead of time…that way you won’t just start putting itms in your cart that you really don’t need.
Peggy Gorman says
My tip is to learn to cook fast and easy,keep it simple, ,cook everything at once. I know when I come home from work I turn on the oven,put chicken or whatever protein you are going to cook in ,put veggies in also,be potatoes or even rice(as long as it is covered with water) ,you then have at laest 45 mins to do other things,get the kids stsrted on homework .Salads are great for getting your fresh veggies too. Also line your pan with tin foil for fast clean up. Count me in to win
Silver says
My family uses coupons and always makes a list before going to the store, And never go to the store hungry because your more likely to get things that arent on the list!
Dave says
I keep trying to win tickets to various places because it costs to much to pay for four…
Rashmi says
I’m going to say something preachy, something my Mom used to say and but which, only now that I’m a Mom I’m beginning to realize is utterly true – waste not, want not.
Patricia Oates says
Basically, we stick to a vegetarian menu. There are lotsa’ different beans (either cooked from scratch or canned if on sale), whole grains, fruit (apples and whatever fruit is seasonal at our farmers market). Since years ago in Australia, I use powdered milk mixed up every other day (using warm water to mix and then kept chilled like other milks). Salads are a mainstay with spinach, celery, sweet onions, chopped dried fruit, a handful of nuts, and my infamous “to die for salad dressing” all seem to appreciate. Whole grain breads, cereals, and whole grain crackers round out this menu. Dessert can be added with mixed stewed dried fruits. And, I always have pots of tomatoes and herbs growing.
Alicia says
I use coupons, they and meal plan, and try to keep my shopping to just a few stores and only once or twice a week. 🙂 Trying to cut down the gas. I also have a small garden and a few fruit trees so I can food for later.
Patricia Hill says
Menu planning is the best. Also, coupon shopping and not staying wedded to one brand. Also, a small amount of meat added to veggies, noodles, or pasta can go a very long way.
Zoey Smith says
We use to eat out a lot – four times a week. Now it is more like once a month. That has saves us a ton of money. Also we live on a 2 ½ acre lot. We have lots of fruit trees, and also grow artichokes. Right now the apples are ripe; so I spend part of the day making apple sauce and apple crisp. All the excess is frozen for use later. We trade our produce with other home farmers for variety. That also saves us a bunch of $$$$$. Of course I could still use the $500.00!
Rebecca says
I shop rebates. Many drug stores have items (like shampoo, soap, razors, cold medicine, etc) that are free after rebate. As long as you stay organized, you can get a lot of really great stuff for free!
danielle says
I use Tofu instead of meat. I cost so much cheaper. All you have to do is to use seasoning or spices and it takes that flavor.
Memarie Lane says
My husband doesn’t come home until 8:30 every night, but instead of eating without him, I just plan dinner for then.
It was funny to read this because money has worked the opposite for us. When we first married we made more than twice what we make now. It’s so funny to me to remember how poor we felt THEN! LOL
Stephanie says
We eat dinner around the table every night – it’s a fun way to reconnect at the end of the day and it’s a tradition we want to keep going as our kids grow older…
Grocery prices have skyrocketed and we’re definitely feeling the affects of the price hike on my wallet. Lately I’ve been trying to plan out our meals more carefully so we don’t spend too much money on “extras.”
Laurie B says
I look through the sales ad and buy several packages of whatever meats are on sale for the week and put in the freezer. When I cook a roast I use the leftover meat for vegetable beef soup the next day.We love having leftover casseroles because they are good for the next day for my husband and I to take to work for lunch.
Shaun L. says
We buy in bulk when the best sales are on and have a large pantry in the basement to keep things organized.
Regina says
Yay! This would really help!
Sierra Rendon says
We’ve been eating cereal a few nights a week to save on money (and calories)! We’ve also been buying less bottled water and drinking more tap water — which can actually be healthier for you. (http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com//ed_cheapskate.asp?ID=38968)
Heather M. says
I go to CVS for the rebates. If you use a coupon and the item is offered free after rebate then you actually make money. I have also started the mantra Reduce, reuse, recyle. I yardsale and go to autions. I don’t hardly ever buy anything new. Before you use something new or go buy something really think about what you have that can work. Use your imagination Use washable plastic containers instead of baggies. Cut up old clothes for rags. Use vinagar, Borax, and baking soda to clean. Buy marked down meat and freeze it. Buy cheese when it’s on sale and freeze it. Big Lots will mark down food to almost nothing when it’s about ready to expire stock up. Grow a garden. Just stop and think it’s amazing what you can come up with when you don’t have any money.
Jennifer Callahan says
About 2 months ago I found my favorite gallon of organic milk on sale… what usually would cost me close to $7 cost me $5, so I bought 5 and emptied about a few cups out of each gallon. I then froze them. I had enough milk on sale that helped with my grocery budget for the rest of the month. Wish I could have bought more! Think ahead, catch things on sale and freeze them!
Justin F. says
We make cheap meals like turkey dogs and potatoe’s o’brian, pasta meals and taco night. All these options are pretty cheap and the kids always gobble these things up. thanks
erin says
I know it’s probably been said before, but sales, store brands, and home gardens are the way to go. If you can, grow some herbs and veggie staples. That way, you only have to buy one thing like chicken or pasta, etc. and you have the flavor and seasonings already at home waiting. You are only limited by your imagination.
Donna Maria says
Our family does a neighborhood potluck every other friday night. It’s fun to eat all the different things that everyone makes! Plus it’s nice to have leftovers for the next two days.
April K. says
I love to shop in bulk! I also like to support our local farmers….you can useally get a good deal when you pick your own things (blueberries,strawberries, corn ect) It’s saves some money and is fun for the kids too :O)
Chris says
Awesome!
Jill L says
I use thegrocerygame.com I have saved so much money on my grocery bills that I am able to donate bags full to the food pantry. It’s a great feeling knowing that I can help my family stay on budget and still help others. I buy 5 newspapers a week and the coupons save me so much more that is really worth the time and effort.
Theresa says
We’re eating a lot of beans and rice nowadays – the money for meat isn’t there anymore – it all goes in the gas tank!
Sandy Gulliver says
The major grocery chains around here offer several BOGO items every week in their flyers. I study them religiously and stock up on any item we normally use. Of course I always check for expiration dates when doing so, because I don’t want something to rot in my pantry, but I notice even dairy products have dates well into the future.
Mariann Hudson says
The biggest thing we have found that helps with the budget is meal planning. With 5 children to feed ages 11 and under they are a growing bunch and eat a lot. If I don’t have meals planned I end up taking unnecessary trips to the store all the time. The cock pot is a life saver. Also, being sure to eat the proper portion of our food (instead of just pigging out) helps a lot. As people get the right amount of food, feel better after eating and then there are leftovers (sometimes) for another meal later in the week!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to post in this and for the great prize offered!
alana says
I wait for the really good sales, then stockup.
Erica C. says
my family is all about buying a bunch of things when they are on sale and always keep the leftovers!
karissa G says
Between menu planning and cutting coupons I save a lot. OH, and checking the sales on sundays. I love that time too, sitting and drinking coffee and reading the sale ads. And this year I even planted a garden! that has just now started to help save on tomatoes and sweet peppers.
peggy chandler says
I’ve always used a lot of ground beef for meals, added with tomatoes, rice, corn, chili powder many things to stretch it.
I love recipe I call porcupines. Ground beef, rice mixed together, pour canned tomatoes over this and cook til done. Excellent and inexpensive.
Tyette says
One thing that is always great and fun…is to make cooking a family affair. Have everyone come together and cook something or help prepare something for dinner that night.
Connie says
I hit the sales each week at my local grocery stores to keep my two large freezers well stocked.
Lisa P says
I use a cash system and only have a certain amount per week set aside for groceries. That really helps “keep it real” as far as how much I have to spend.
Lacie says
We save money by just shopping at our local Krogers because we get money off of our gas 🙂 We also buy store brands.
~ Lacie
Daniel M says
i’ve been buying more store brands
Danielle D. says
Meal planning and eating less meat and more vegetables has worked really well for us.
Bernice says
The biggest way I save money on my food budget is to pre plan my menu for the week. I check the store ads, coupons and yes Store brands. (the store brand isn’t always the best deal, if you don’t eat it!!) A little more water in a soup or sauce stretches enough, but not enough to loose the flavor. We eat of pasta, rice, potatoes,vegetables and eat smaller portions of meat.
Any leftovers are put up ready to heat & eat for lunches or a supper smorgasbord of pick your own.
Margaret V says
I buy chicken leg quarters (can get for .29 – .69 cents per pound on sale). I buy maybe 20 pounds at a time and cook ’em up & pick the bones. I freeze in one pound portions so I can make easy meals for a month w/ one day’s worth of work. Then I slow-boil the leftover bones for about 3 hours for the most divine chicken broth which i strain and freeze in 2cup portions for soups. (I also give my cats a few of the cooked bones as a treat…much cheaper than store-bought cat treats!) A lot of grocery stores also discount their ‘about to go bad’ meats each night. I got 1.5 pounds of angus beef for $1.16 last week. As long as you cook or freeze it within 24 hours you’re fine! Finally, I try to do all my errands on the way home from work.
Veronica Garrett says
Planning a menu and grocery shopping is a must. I buy what’s on sale, buy in bulk and buy store brands if the quality is similar.I stay around from smatrtly packaged items and small packages. I shop a warehouse supermarket. [email protected]
Tatiana says
I try to cut back on expensive desserts and go for healthier, cheaper options. I like to do chocolate pudding mix with skim milk and another dessert is to freeze grapes for treats.
Bes says
Clipping coupons and shopping for sales!
Rick Bucich says
My wife and I have found that certain formerly staple items just aren’t required anymore. Have you checked the price of meats lately? The food should come already prepared! We still purchase meat on occasion but now a nice steak is confined to our visits to special circumstances at our favorite restaurants. We’ve found that we can get most of the protein we need from a healthy mixed salad.
On a side note, we also rarely run around town bargain shopping anymore; it is much more cost effective to pick one local grocery and watch their ads for sales.
Denise says
I’ve been hunting online for lots of ‘try it free’ rebate offers.
Martha Andes says
meal planning starts with making a list of the week’s meals and their ingredients, don’t go to the supermarket with an empty stomach; and enjoy preparing dishes together.
If you don’t want your family to eat junk food, don’t buy them to start with, so nobody will have the temptation.
Lara H. says
We use a ton of coupons from newspapers. I also surf the net for various offers…tons of sites that offer coupons.
Brian E. says
…we use coupons, plan all our meals in advance, and always check the weekly ads for all the local supermarkets online before shopping.
KTanjaTK says
We don’t eat processed food and we consume only organic produce, meat, etc. so stocking and coupons don’t help in our case,
but, meal planning definitely does.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Bonnie Lograsso says
menu planning and we take a list and stick to it
Stephanie Bruce says
I USE THE GROCERY GAME TO HELP WITH GROCERY SAVINGS AND I USE WHATS ON SALE TO PLAN MY MENU FOR THAT WEEK. WE STOCK UP SO LATER IF WE FEEL LIKE HOTDOGS OR WHATEVER WE HAVE
Sylvia Porter says
I ALWAYS shop around when i want to buy electronics, you can always find a better price if you just look around on the internet, and make sure that what you’re buying is the best for you! A lot of people just go to one or to places to see the prices there, but you should shop around to find the very best deal, i have saved so much money buy taking some time looking around at different places.
Iva says
I simply do what I’ve always done – shop the sales. I try really hard not to buy meat that is over $2/lb (I’m holding out for Food Lions ground beef sale, again…but it’s slow coming). I also don’t buy fruit if it’s over $1/lb. (This past week, I bought bananas, peaches and plumbs.) Sure, my grocery budget is still high, but if I didn’t focus on the sales, it’d be a lot higher and there wouldn’t be any fruit in the mix. (Veggies, I typically go frozen as they keep better and we like them just as well.)
Barb Szyszkiewicz says
My biggest trick is keeping a well-stocked freezer and pantry. I have a freezer inventory list, and I make a list of possible meals I can make with what’s in the freezer & pantry. This makes meal planning a breeze.
Thanks for hosting this contest!
kristie says
meal planning, shopping lists and my freezer!
Hami says
I do my best at shopping smart. Having my own child care is difficult now that prices have risen so much. I don’t want to raise my clients rates because I know they are having a hard time as is, so occasionally I would ask them if they could bring a loaf of bread for the week or even a gallon of milk. Every little bit helps. It’s a tough time on everyone. I try to not buy any proceseed food for the kids and give them fresh fruit…I think everyone should be eating a lot better since they have to watch what they eat.
Tracy B. says
Planning. Taking advantage of summer and eating outside, taking picnics, the focus isn’t so much on the food, but on being together.
Cindy Phillips says
I don’t like to admit it but I’ve never been one to save leftovers much. I know, it’s shameful and embarrassing but true. Now with the rising cost of food prices I’ve had to change my ways. Now I save everything and re-use it. I call them garbage disposal meals because it’s what I use to put down the disposal. Funny thing is, now that I’ve started doing this I’m making some of the best, most creative meals I’ve ever made. Leftovers are great for soups, casseroles, and one-skillet dishes. Even if food prices go down, I’ll never throw food out again. Lesson learned.
Barbara Long says
I have always been a spendthrift. I hate paying full price for anything. I am a major coupon person and I try to buy things that are both on sale and I have a coupon for. When our local grocery store does their double coupon up to a $1.00 sale I spend as long as necessary in the store picking up things for nothing or next to it (especially shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant and razors). Eating out is a rarity now except for the occasional dollar menu fast food. I also try to limit running errands to once a week to save on gas.
Renee Turner says
To stay on budget, we only order pizza on Sunday or Monday evenings- our local pizza place has half-price pizza on those nights. When the kids want snacks, instead of buying them, we try to make something that is close to what they want. To save money on meat, we went to a local organic farm and bought half of a cow, had it cut to order, and put the meat in our deep freezer.
Heather Willman says
My husband and I both went to school (full-time) together. It was VERY difficult. Many times we found ourselves digging through pockets to come up with enough money to eat. Needless to say, we had quite a hefty credit card debt after graduation (around $14,000), not to mention student loans (we’re paying a little over $1000/month currently). We’ve been out of school for a year and a half now, and will have all of our credit cards paid off by the end of this month.
Here’s how we did it… First (and foremost), we do NOT live outside of our means. Yes, there are many attractive things that catch our eye everyday (especially since we live in LA), but they are just “things.” Once we build our resources, we’ll be able to afford them without causing more financial stress. This applies to every aspect of living: housing, car, clothing, eating out, etc.
Second, we set a strict and realistic budget for ourselves (which also includes money for entertainment and a few extras like clothes, books, electronics, etc. so we don’t always feel deprived). We have a calendar that remains on the fridge which includes the due dates of each of our bills, our payment days for pay checks, and when we will pay each bill. It remains on the fridge as a daily reminder of our ultimate goal: financial freedom.
Thirdly, (this is the secret) we were finding by using our debit cards to pay for our weekly necessities we were very easily loosing track of what we were spending each week and therefore spending more than our budget allowed. We set aside a realistic amount of money that we need to live on every week. That money was withdrawn from our checking account in the form of cash and split between us. This way, not only did we know exactly how much we had left for the week, but it also reminded us that we were spending REAL money everyday. We found ourselves having money left over from our weekly allowance rather than spending to much, and we used that extra to apply to another credit card or to treat ourselves.
To summarize: Create a strict but realistic budget. Live inside your means but still allow yourself some extras (as long as they fit within your budget). Create a system that is easy to keep track of so you will not only keep up with it, but it reminds you that you are spending real money.
Hopefully our story helps someone out there. Good luck to you all!!
Vicki Dahlstrom says
Watch the sales! When an item goes on sale, use the store coupon, as well as a manufacturer’s coupon. Take advantage of every buy 1, get 1 free offer. If you stock up when items are on sale, you can virtually never pay full price for anything! Oh, yes, make sure to send in the try me free rebates. I’ve had several cashiers tell me what a good shopper I am.
Mommy Magee says
The way I save the most for groceries is using coupons and lot of them! Since we don’t get the newspaper here, my sister and mom mail coupons to me and I mail them each others. It’s fun to get snailmail and save money!
Alexa Soto says
Buying in bulk helps out. I try to buy my meats in larger quantities, and then freezing them portion-size. However, like everyone else, meal planning is a must.
Lily Kwan says
I love using coupons!
Sky says
Well, we always have to bring one thing that we found interesting or learned that day to the dinner table. It’s really opened our son up. Instead of get this “It was okay” answer about how his day was, he shares, my husband and I share and it opens all of our conversations. I love it.
As for staying on budget, boy that’s a toughie…I love to shop. I’ve been having fun buying up the clearance buys at my favorite stores, taking advantage of the free shipping offered, or the % off. Grocery shopping is another task that I’m not so good at. I’ve been really trying hard to watch for all of the deals, and use coupons. Last week we saved $30.00 by using coupons. Sure, it’s not a huge amount, but every little bit adds up!
Samantha Pruitt says
we try to find free things (or low cost things) to do as a family, like tonight we’re going to a free movie. People always think that you have to spend a lot of money to have fun as a family, but you don’t. Even if it’s somewhat far away, if the fun is low cost it’s really worth it, like we love going into the city to go to a museum, or walking down Hollywood Blvd, that is so fun, and free! It’s really all how you look at it, some people see it as walking down a street, but it can be so much fun if you give it a chance!
Amanda C says
One thing that we do to help save money, is by knowing how much money we have and what we need to pay. We have a “visual budget” on the computer. We put all of our bills on their along with any other expenditure, like birthday gifts, groceries, gas, daycare, ect. We know what our salaries are and when we get paid, so we have it broken down by pay periods on what will get paid. Since we do it on Excel – it autimaticly adds and subtracts so we know what is left over that can go to any lil extras. We stay within our set limits as much as possible for our spending.
This helps us to avoid any late fees, and missed payments. It gives us a clear understanding of our money.
This is a great contest. We spend about $840 a month on gas. We do car pool – which saves us a lot of money.
Dawn says
I always try to stock up when there are great sales (and always use my coupons). I also love shopping at CVS. I am going to try the meal planning for the week. I think that would help me with my grocery budget.
deelovesdis says
I only buy sale items each week at the supermarket. if you only buy the sales you will always save money and have all you need in the cupboard.
I also buy clothes at the end of each season when they are on sale and clearance . I buy clothes in the spring for the fall season. when all the short sleeve shirts are on sale that is when I grab them. It is warm here in NY until about Halloween, so she can wear short sleeve shirts and skirts for the first two months of school. while everyone is buying jeans I am buying skirts and skorts. The end of september the jeans go on sale, because school started already, thats when I grab them!
Jenn says
Make a list when you go to the grocery store. Don’t buy anything that is not on the list! Also, don’t go shopping when hungry.
Steph Elias says
We cut coupons, buy in bulk, only use one car, and dont go out. Spending evenings at home not only saves us money buts brings the family close together. It’s worked out quite well so far.
Beth says
I clip all of the coupons of stuff I USE (also look online for coupons). Then instead of stashing them away in hopes of remembering to use them, I use them right away even if I am not out of the item. I use to cut coupons and then always forgot about them. Using them right away on necessary items means you never miss out. Also, grocery stores rotate their buy one get one free items. Pay attention to the rotation and you can pick up cereal, jelly, condiments, spaghetti sauce, and pasta for free!
Wendy Yohr says
Every week I shop by the grocery store flyers. Whatever is on sale that week is what we eat. We also shop once a month at Sam’s Club. My parents sometimes go with us and we buy cases of items we both want (like a case of 12 cans of mushrooms) then split the case and the cost in half. That has worked great for both families !!!
Wendy
Larry West says
We solved the problem by finally moving our 23 year old “child” out of the house and into his own apartment. Our food bills (and other bills) are half what they used to be.
Theresa Jones says
My money saving tip is to use my freezer and sales to full advantage. If I find meat on a super sale, I will purchase as much as possible, cook it up and freeze it. Not only does this save money it saves me time in the kitchen as well. I can just pull fully cooked meat out of the freezer, thaw and add to what I am cooking that evening. Quick, cheap and delicious!
CHERYL A FRANCISCO says
I get my family to the table by cooking more. My kids have been raised on fast food, but now that I have lost 178 pounds and am eating much healthier, it amazes me how anxious they are to eat my cooking!!
Gianna says
I look at sale papers weekly online and print coupons for a lot of the sale items to make everything an even better deal. I also stockpile items we use a lot. Last time bacon was on sale for $1.25 a lb I bought 40 lbs and froze them all. Bacon around here costs $4-$5 a lb normally.
Dee says
Use less meat; buy only meat on sale; use crock pot for cheaper cuts of meat. When eating out, split an entree.
Eric says
A recipe I used when we just started out was mashed potatoes, mix in pan fried chop meat done with a little bit of onion then mix it all with drained off whole kernel sweet corn. Put in the over like a caserole. Good stretched meal that make for quick re-heat lunch or left-over dinner.
Suanne Giddings says
I first make a list of products in my local stores’ circulars. Then check the pantry and go through coupons. Then I plan my meals around bargains, coupons, and what is on hand (which were probably bought on sale). Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Susanne Troop says
I buy when items are on sale and I also have coupons. We eat as a family 99% of the time which makes our dinnertime very special!
jack says
we go grocery shopping twice a week. it’s less wasteful. we find easy things to make.
Denise says
I buy rice, beans, etc. in bulk, and then I shop for sales for all the other items my family needs.
Phoebe says
One way I found to save, is to pick a grocery store in a shopping plaza that has a variety of stores, such as a Wal-Mart and dollar store also. You can go between the stores to find the cheapest items at each store without using gas.
For example, paper products such as toilet paper are cheap at Wal-Mart. The grocery store offer some high quality products I can’t find elsewhere and the Dollar store is great for canned goods and other non-perishable items because they are never more than a dollar!
Hope this helps =)
Connie Lawless says
Lists, lists and planning works great. Keep inventories of pantry and freezers. Keep stocked up on staples. Make menus using the grocery sales. Cook extra meals and freeze. Instead of going out to eat with friends, cook a fancy meal together. We did this yesterday and had a blast! Plus we have leftovers. We didn’t spend $20 on this meal for six. Talk with friends and see what they are doing to save money. Two heads are better than one.
Marina says
Thanks for the giveaway, I would love to win this! Shop in Bulk!
Brandy says
Invest in a deep freezer if you don’t already have one; check out estate sales and auctions to find a used one at good price. We then buy our meat directly from the butcher and save a ton of money that way- we just bought 80 pounds of pork at $1.13/lb.
Lindsie says
We save in other areas. Food is a big problem area for us, we spend so much on groceries and eating out because both of us work. I will definately be checking out the website above.
Freni says
It’s been helpful to stick to the grocery list. On occasions where there is the urge to “go out” I look for comparable things in the grocery store and have “a restaurant meal” at home!
Casey Stump says
We plan our meals based on grocery sales. We carpool when we can, limit eating out to 1 day a week, and take leftovers for lunch.
Kathy Scott says
If it is not on sale it doesn’t go in the basket.
Michelle Best says
We’re just scraping by too. My way of saving money on groceries is to leave the kids with a friend (dads in Iraq) while I shop. Without the two boys there acting crazy I can stick to my list and not have to listen to all of the “can we get this/that”! It works!
Christina says
I also meal-plan. As long as I do that and stick to my list at the grocery store, I save money and don’t waste food. It also allows us the $$ to go out to dinner or do take-out once a week.
LaTanya C says
I agree getting on a cash budget helps, or you can keep a daily money/purchase log of everything you buy. It can be time consuming though.
Jason Lawless says
Getting on a cash budget helps us the most.
Kathleen McKee says
If it says Libby’s Libby’s Libby’s on the label label label you will love it love it love it on your table table table!
We save by coupon and sale purchasing, and trying the lower priced alternative brands.
Anna says
We do alot of crockpot cooking, throw in a meat such as chicken breast, add water, vegetables and any seasonings and let it cook all day on low.
Betty C says
I stock up whenever there is a good sale and I try to use as many coupons as possible. I take advantage of stores that will price match to reduce the amount of driving I do.
Jennifer says
We buy tons of generics at the grocery store, use coupons when a generic isn’t available, and I try to plan cheap, but nutritous meals. During the summer months, we stay home most of the time, because we can’t afford to buy gas so often.
John says
After I make my grocery list, I check online for the grocery store’s circular to see what’s on sale and then also do an internet search for coupons for any of the specific items I plan to buy. If it’s a really good sale, I stock up!
Erica says
I am a first time Mom to a now 1 year old and although I knew it would cost a lot, I didn’t realize to what extent! Baby food is expensive! This summer, we started our own garden and also included lots of peas and grean beans and other foods that my son can eat too. Whenm he started on solids around 6 months, we also decided to make our own baby food which saves a ton! An additional bonus was that I could do organic and preservative-free for less than the traditional non-organic store bought baby food! Although he doesn’t eat as much of the purees anymore, we still make his cereal which is also much healthier and cheaper than store bought. One other thing we do to save money as parents is we joined a coupon train with other new parents. We all save a coupons, keep what we need and pass the rest along!
Heidi says
#1 Way to Save? Plan our Meals.
Other ways? Slowly Build up a Food Storage and use it by rotating food out. It’s amazing how much less you have to buy because you’ve already got it down in the storage room!
Dddiva says
I am at a point in my life where except for milk and fresh produce we are able to stock up only with what is on sale.
We don’t have double coupons or anything neat like that, but if you start with just a little bit- say only spend a third of your weekly bread budget by getting it on the oops we overbaked rack or at the bread outlet and take that money and buy an extra pack or two of the chicken that is on sale and just keep doing that each week soon you will get to the point I am at.
We mostly only get the produce that is in season which both tastes better and is cheaper.
We have 5 different markets and a couple of outlets that are very close together so we cherry pick (get the loss leaders at each).
Having a freezer helps immensely.
Good luck, it can be tough sometimes but it is so worth it to have a huge variety and the ability to pick and choose what to eat when- I can’t menu plan per se because I never know what I want to eat a day in advance let alone a week or month, but having the items I need handy to make a wide variety of meals means I don’t have to.
Great, great contest, we could all use some extra in these times. Thanks.
Lori says
We shop sales and use grocery store coupons. We also plan our trips out to save gas.
Andrea V. says
We love going out for dinner on weekends, but on a budget, we can’t swing it all the time. So, we often make a tasty dinner and take a blanket and some candles to the backyard. We are still eating “out”, enjoying time together in the beautiful outdoors.
Susan Newman says
A MUST these days is coupon cutting and planning your meals for the week. Try to keep Sunday afternoon/evening for dinner with family. Too busy during the week due to everyones schedule–working late and school activites makes it almost impossible to schedule family dinners during the weekdays. Sunday is the best time for our family to catch up. Thanks for $500 opportunity!
vanessa hunter says
Make dinnertime a special time. Ask everyone at the table about their day. What was good about it? What was bad about it? This way, you have some idea of what’s going on in the lives of your family members.
Knitting Queen says
Help with the groceries? That would be so fantastic!!
rachel burke says
coupons and sale items of course
Patrice Pruitte says
I take note of the items on sale at the store and stock up on those, plus I use coupons as often as I can. I try not to buy any items on impulse, and to just stick to the essentials that I need.
PD says
I really try to get my family to minimized wasted food, as it’s just like throwing money away. Carefully monitering perishables and expiration dates really helps things.
PD
Lori says
Coupons and planning 2 weeks worth a meals at a time sticking to the list at the store no matter what…
P. Adams says
I’ve learned to cook lots of different casseroles. I search the internet daily for new recipes. I’ve even made up a few of my own. And coupons I use tons of those. I also frequent the Angel food program in our area. We have 8 people in our family , talk about high grocery bills…… Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Shannon B. says
I try to use as many coupons as possible and only buy most products when they are on sale.
Jean F says
Amazon grocery has been a real life saver for me-lots of great cheap products (check out their dried fruit) and free shipping!
David W Hawkins says
Grill, grill, grill!
Diana says
We like to skip one meal a day and fast during that meal…jk….we stock up on non-perishables when they are on sale…
Camille says
I check the sale ads every week and usually shop at 2 stores with different sales. I use coupons weekly and normally only buy what’s on sale. That means if ground chuck’s on sale it’s hamburgers, y’all!
Amy G says
First of all, we plan on dinners around the sale ads. Plus, when there is a really good sale we stock up on things that will keep well. Second, we are getting away from a lot of processed, pre-packaged foods. Third, I throw on a back-pack and ride my bike to the supermarket when I just need a couple things. That way I get 2 birds with 1 stone: save gas and exercise!
Colleen says
Our family definitely has to plan meals. We can’t go to the grocery store and decide there what we want to eat for the week –we end up spending much more money. Obviously buying things on sale and in bulk help save. Making casseroles is another way to help meals last longer.
Michelle A. Rosario says
I bargain shop. I take all my shopping ads from around my home and make a list. I don’t travel very far unless it is a really good deal and worth the gas used. Then I plan my meals by what I buy. We certainly don’t eat out like we used to. That is way too expensive.
Pamela says
To make dinner fun and exciting for the children and the adults I set up the dining room like a restaurant. Everyone gets a menu at the start of the week and each one places their order for what they want served on a particular day including desserts and also picks the style of clothing that they want everyone to wear. If bathing suits are worn then we dine in the dining room as if we are at a Tiki Restaurant on the beach. I decorate it with what we have to mimic the beach and use beachy plates, cupss, etc. If we dress up clothes then the dining room restaurant is a more refined restaurant maybe Italian with the same type of music playing in the background, etc. Dinner becomes more of a family affair and everyone takes part in it. The one who’s dinner gets served that particular night also gets to relax after and the rest do the dishes and clean up.
I also grow our own fruits and vegetables and trade or swap if you will with other gardeners for other fruits and vegetables that I don’t have at the time. That way everyone enjoys the “fruits” of all our labors! Coupons are a must and buying in bulk is always a great way to save $$$.
Lisa says
I try to limit my driving so that we save on gas. I also try to make only one visit a week to the grocery store and stock up on things when they are on sale
Dawn Johnson says
Sweet
Bonnie Day says
I have always used coupons and I buy what is on sale. If chicken is on sale this week I may buy 40 lbs and then freese it up into meal size. I grow many of my own veggies and fruits and either can or freeze them. To save gas I only make 1 trip out a week and schedule all doctor appts, grocery, post office, what ever that day.
Darlene says
My favorite grocery store runs a sale on different meat ea week, so I buy whats on sale then seperate into freezer bags for later. They also have alot of sales that are just for that day, so I will buy a pack and cook that night or by the next day.
ROSEANN KIES says
THE BIGGEST BUDGET SAVER IS THAT I HOME COOK MOST OF OUR FOODS AND STAY AWAY FROM PREPARED READY TO HEAT AND EAT FOODS. THAT WAY I KNOW WHAT IS IN OUR MEALS AND WE ALSO STAY FIT AND HEALTHY TOO!
Tammy Darling says
Instead of buying my kids expensive toys to entertain them, I let them help me prepare meals. Cooking from scratch saves money and we eat healthier too.
wrekehavoc says
i’m commiserating on the costs! i gave up on coupons awhile back, as i ended up buying a lot of things i didn’t really need.
but i’m loving the tips here!
kathy pease says
i buy grocery coupons on ebay usually 100 coupons for 2 to 3 bucks..i save hundreds of dollars on our grocery bill which helps out tremendously 🙂
susan p says
I try to use coupons for items I buy anyway. Also buy one get one free sales are great! I try not to shop when I am hungry and definitely learned not to shop with hubby as we buy way too much when we are together! thanks.
Rex says
I’m lucky enough to live in an area which has wild strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, asparagus, mushrooms, cattails and edible flowers. And there’s always enough to freeze for the winter months. This has developed into a hobby of forraging. So not only do I save a bit of money I also get a nice exercise. I suggest you find out about all the wild, edible foods in your area. If you don’t want to do walks in the woods, U-Pick fields abound.
Mary Ann says
In all recipes for casseroles, spaghetti, homemade pizza, whatever, replace ground beef with ground turkey which costs alot less and is much better for you heart-wise. I buy frozen Jennie-O brand turkey patties (12 for $4.98) and use them in a variety of dishes, but you can also buy ground turkey on the meat counter. I like to add Worcestershire sauce to the skillet when I cook the turkey patties because I think that makes them taste more “beefy”.
Jill Rivera says
I use coupons and plan my family meal around the sales at the grocery store!
CHARLES Johnson says
enter me in the contest please
Janet says
AD MATCHES,COUPONS, USE THE http://www.angelfoodministries.com IF U HAVE ONE IN YOUR AREA.TY 4 THE GREAT IDEAS AND SWEEPSTAKES:)
Amy Lutz says
I saved money, at the dinner table and elsewhere with a great book called the TightWad Gazette – you can see it here:http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/the-cheapskates-bible-the-complete-tightwad-gazette/ great tips like buying food items from lower shelves as the eyelevel shelves are more expensive.
As for family dinners – I love question books and games – it makes dinner fun: http://www.familieswithpurpose.com/family-dinner-games.html
A way for mom to shop, cook and eat more relaxed and with little stress to her pocketbook? Go t a local massage therapy school and get a luxurious massage from thestudent clinic for much less then a saln. And these therapist have just learned the body from the cellular level up!
Marc says
Whenever we have too much fruit that is about to become overripe–which would eventually become rotten–we cut it and trim it…then place the pieces in a container in the freezer. Eg. pieces of apples, bananas, melons, berries, etc. Then as the days and weeks go by, we will add the frozen pieces of fruit to a variety of dishes: like cereal, yogurt, ice-cream, servings of other fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, etc., (or you could add the frozen pieces of fruit to servings of canned fruits). Anyone can use their imaginations and just think up their own combinations of ways to use the frozen pieces of fruit rather then letting it go rotten and throwing it out.
Samuel Goldberg says
On sale,coupons, and bulk!!
Melissa says
I buy everything on sale!
A Casson says
Take the whole family to the Library once a week, u can save money by taking out cd’s books, or whatever the Library has to offer. Entertainment and a fun time for the whole family. At the Dinner table discuss your trip and the music cd’s or movies you have watched together until the next trip to the Library comes around
Deidra says
GROUND BEEF: I buy ground beef/chuck in a 5 lb. roll when it goes on sale. I will buy 10 – 15 lbs. at a time. A while back I bought a bunch of Tupperware patty-shapers from eBay and I use them to make patties to freeze with several lbs. of the meat. I usually use about 2 lb. to make my favorite meatball recipe, cook them on a cookie sheet in the oven, and then freeze them in meal-sized portions. I put the rest of the meat in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until done, stirring to break apart. When it’s done, I drain in a colander, separate the cooked meat (a little over 2 cups) into small containers…one container for each lb. of meat cooked…and freeze. These containers of cooked beef are great for a quick meal like tacos, chili, or any casserole that calls for ground beef. Boiling does not effect the taste and the grease washes off easily. This method cuts way down on the mess when it’s time to cook my meals.
kathleen Yohanna says
The biggest money saver is avoiding pre-packaged foods. We try to make most things from scratch, using fresh fruits and vegetables. We eat out less often. We also downsize the recipe if less people will be home that night. I used to cook for 6 every night which lead to leftovers and waste. Thanks for the giveaway.
Martha J says
My backyard garden!
mykidsmom says
One of the ways I save money is by buying meat in bulk, but I mainly limit it to meats that are low-cost to start with. This is an awesome giveaway!
danandmarsh says
We never did the meal planning thing before but last week we tried it(plan for 2 weeks)and actually we did very well!!
Angela says
I use a free site based in Atlanta called The Coupon Mom http://www.couponmom.com that tracks all the Sunday coupons and cross references them with the sales flyers to get super deals. I have gotten a lot of things free using her system. My coupon box is arranged by aisle and section at my favorite store, because if you can’t find your coupons easily, you can’t check out the unadvertised specials. Once I actually got $245 worth of groceries for $45. Having three teenage guys in the house, it is a necessity!!!
Kat says
We buy a lot of our groceries from Catholic Charaties here in the Denver area. They sell food at a fraction of the cost of a grocery store. It saves us a TON! And, to make it even sweeter, the proceeds go to charity!!
SS says
I do what most moms do. Check what’s on sale and use coupons. 1) But we also try to buy bigger size, and cook bigger portion on purpose. I freeze the leftovers so it saves not only money but also time. 2) We have reduced how often we go to stores. We used to go once a week, but now we write down what we need and go to the stores bi-weekly. It saves gas too. 3) We don’t buy bottles of water. We changed to water filter. It saves money and waste (hence saves the planet). 4) We eat healthier snacks. I realized that buying snacks like ice cream, soda, bags of chips are more expensive more expensive than fruits, fruit juice, loafs of bread (PB&J), and bags of pretzels.
Mommy Lounge says
We never eat out. I can’t remember the last time we went to a restuarant. It isn’t that bad because my two year old loves to help in the kitchen.
We live in California where I think food prices are higher than other places–so pick me! pick me! lol If we win then I can have a dinner party 🙂
A. Ashley says
Since the other commenters have the food category covered and I also clip coupons, etc.,I guess I’ll comment on entertainment expenses.
To fight kids’ summer boredom, my family swaps DVDs and video games with a family we know, so that the kids get to borrow movies and play games they haven’t played before.
When that gets old. we also check out DVDs and audiobooks from the public library.
Even though times are hard,there are still ways to keep kids entertained.
AmandaK says
My family and I have a ritual on grocery shopping.
The day before, we always make a list. We use the receipt we got from the last time and make our list according to that. If we don’t NEED it, we don’t get it. We always buy the generic kind- instead of the brand names. They’re made with the same ingredients, just cheaper!! We also grow our own vegetables, so we don’t need to buy it from the store.
Jennifer H says
Take turns making dinner with friends and family and have a big get together. It can help cut down on the cost of food and also the time to prepare.
Lisa says
We joined a neighborhood produce co-op and save quite a bit on produce. Our family is also eating healthier because we have so much produce around.
Audrey says
One of the things that helps me the most is keeping track of what we spend with a notebook, seeing where the money goes helps me to reel in over spending. Another thing is making lists both for what we need to shop for and for what we have. This cuts down on last minute trips to the grocery store for forgotten items. I also like using coupons, every little bit of savings helps!
dana smith says
we go to certain stores that have sales and get the things we need that are on sale at the store and then go to another store and get the things we need there that are on sale
Nawapan Smith says
my family uses a lot of things we have growing in our yard with meals so we save money
kristen mcclary says
we shop at costco and buy in bulk it helps save money
vision says
As a stay at home mom living on a single income I have come up with many ways of pinching a penny.First off I keep an ice chest in the car full of drinks so everyday I only need buy ice and were covered on drinks and string cheese!!I also keep chips and fruit snacks in the car too so snacks are simple.Second tip If you are lucky enough to have a consignment store in your area take advantage of this great oppurtunity we consign all are clothes and use the money to buy our school clothes.clipping coupons is always good and never turn down an invitation to dinner church potlucks are great to.As for dinners around the tables they are a mandatory and enjoyable we all take turns telling about our day so we eat and catch up and sometimes even have leftovers.
Cathy says
I want to share a few tips, nothing earth-shattering, but they really do work. First, double meals. I make double batches of sloppy joes, meatloaf, bolognese, macaroni and cheese, and freeze at least half.
Eat leftovers for lunch. It takes little effort and saves a lot of money.
Finally, shop according to sales and coupons. I’ve always used coupons but in the last few months, I’ve done amazing things with them, all thanks to the marvelous internet where people pool information and generous souls take the time to match up ads to sales. The combination of the two sources of information really leads to huge savings.
DickJ says
Four years ago we decided to put every penny we could save each month into CDs (Certificates of Deposit). Each month we either buy one or add to one with an Add-On feature. We have them in several area credit unions and banks. The result is that each month we have a CD maturing and it adds enough to our income to help us get by.
Caron Rodman says
Coupons really help, and I make a list so I don’t buy random things we don’t need. With the coupons, however, I ONLY clip the ones on things we use so I’m not tempted to buy something “because it’s cheaper”.
Auriette says
Price shop online, and look at product reviews, too, before you buy. If you don’t get the paper, see if your favorite stores post their weekly sale papers on their websites. Before buying from a website, check the reviews at epinions and similar sites, to make sure the business is reliable. Search also for coupon codes — sometimes you’ll find a code or a link that will get you a discount or free shipping. If you’re buying in town, call the store first to make sure they have the item in stock or to ask any questions. In other words, do everythink you can from home, so that you don’t waste your time and gas on a fruitless trip!
James Baptist says
Crock pots rock
Elisabeth Patmos says
Do you ever have those days where your husband is not around, and your wishing he was. Your wishing that because he’s the Mr. Fix-it in the house…and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between your decorative snow globe and his level. Well every now and then you’d like to do something with the kids during the day while he’s at work, such as a bike ride. So if your anything like our family, you’d get the kids already come to find their bike chains are squeaky,your husband’s not there to grease them, and not only that but there is no grease to be found. Now here’s the secret…run back into your kitchen and find a fix. For that problem you’d pull the CRISCO from your kitchen cupboard and lather it on the bike chain…there you have a quick and easy fix =D
C Duran says
I have been stepping up my coupon usage and also cooking a lot more from scratch.
vicki andrew says
as strange as it sounds to save money if I just need to get bread or milk, instead of going to the grocery store, where I can’t ever just run in for one thing, I will go to the local rite aid, or wlsgreens because I can just get the few things I need without spendng more on extra shopping. In case you are wondering the prices aren’t that much more
Steven Brown says
Veni Vidi Vici
L Blackburn says
Sales, coupons, buy in bulk, plan menus, generic, I do it all and it’s still hard. Everytime I go to the grocery store the prices have gone up.
Dena says
I would love to win this. Since I bought my new house, I’ve really had to live on a really tight budget. This would really help.
Howard Broman says
Cooking with basic staples, not prepared foods. I know more time cooking, there are trade-offs everywhere
naomi bailey says
Buy one get one free deals on meat is always a good way to go. I also like to spice up my leftovers so they still look and taste great so there is no waste
Layla says
We always scan our kitchen/home before we go to the store so we know exactly what we have and what we need. We also try to plan menus and stick to our shopping list as much as possible. We use coupons, and look for sales so we can stock up on things we use often. We also get creative with leftovers and we try to do “big shops” to avoid the cost of driving to the store so often.
Bruce says
One trip a week to Costco, and avoid the food store
Kathy D says
I trade coupons with friends… I give them the one I do not use and they give me ones they do not use. Helps save money. I also have only the sunday paper delivered cheaper than the newstand and gas to go get it……
hazel hunt says
And I only plan a week in advance, so I can base it all on that week’s sales.
Laurie says
Scan the ads for sales, stock up on sales, do all the major meal preparation and baking at one time and then separating them into meal size proportions. Also cut down on the “individually wrapped”, single proportion stuff, and separate the bulk stuff yourself. It saves money and better for the environment also!
Joan says
My husband and I track everything we spend $ on during the month on a sheet of paper. We have been doing this probably for longer than some of you are old. It lets us see at a glance how much is left out of each category in our monthly budget and where the money goes (sometimes too much spending on eating out). Seeing where the money goes allows us to adjust our spending. I also try to cook a meal so it can be eaten for more than one meal; sometimes have the next meal (or meals) as leftovers or freeze them. Also, leftovers make great lunches — better than anything you can get in the cafeteria — and you can’t beat the price.
Jenny says
Drive less. We don’t go anywhere without figuring out where else we can go on this trip, what else we need along the way or near that destination, to avoid a future trip.
Chrystal says
Plan out our meals and shopping list ahead of time, and always keep a budget.
Robert says
I try not to buy anything that I don’t have to have
Laura says
Shopping in bulk
Renee Borders says
I use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream for my legs. It works much better and it’s much cheaper. It also cuts down on items you have to pack on trips!
Shana Thompson says
We try to cut down on waste! My husband refuses to eat leftovers, so I “trick” him by making “refrigerator soup” or casserole. Things like leftover potatoes, tomatoes, ground beef, cheese that hasn’t been used yet, milk, it all goes in. I generally buy “ingredients” instead of prepared foods, like rice and pasta, so this makes things much less expensive. After coupons and recycling leftovers, everyone’s happy!
valerie luczak says
pay with cash for everything
Arlyne McGregor says
my tip is to eat boiled water and ketchup.
Nancy says
Here are some great ways to save money:
Organize your pantry and refrigerator so you know what you have.You won’t let left-overs go to waste and you won’t over-buy. Before you go to the store for a weekly shopping trip, assess what you have in pantry and fridge. Plan to use items you already have for part of every meal. When non-perishable items are on sale – like Libby’s canned items – stock up. Arrange food items so that older in-stock items are used first. A penny saved is a penny earned!
Stinna K says
My tip is to buy a large package of bone-in pork chops (they’re cheaper) make your own center cuts and save the scraps for a pot of beans. Almost a 2 for 1 deal!
philip halter says
enter me please
ashley says
I need this prize! How cool would it be?!! thank you so much!
Ed Nemmers says
If you have a free coupon, use it when there is a BOGO sale; it’s a legitimate double!
Katie says
My biggest tips are clipping coupons, buying what’s on sale by scouring the weekly ads and meal planning. I’m new to meal planning, but am shocked how much money I’m saving by reducing food waste and unnecessary trips to the store for that ONE missing item!!!
Michelle H. says
Last month, we played hardball with our cable company. We were paying an huge bill for our bundle service of cable, internet, and telephone and we threatened to drop our service unless we were given a deal. At first they said no, so we turned in our cable boxes. They then offered us a deal which is giving us a $25 a month discount for 1 year. I also used to be a coupon queen, but I bacame too busy to keep up with them. I am now trying to get back into using them. They really do help.
Ronald Cox says
Libbys is the choice in can goods
Mondi says
We actually got into the habit of checking out the goodies in our local .99 cents store at least once a week. They oftentimes get some great stuff in their refrigerated section – from Pillsbury, Stouffer’s etc, as well as great fresh produce buys. They recently had Country Crock’s microwavable sides (mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, etc) that go for $5 in the regular grocery stores ~ with EVERYTHING selling for .99, we save a lot on our grocery budget this way!
Carissa D. says
I try to stay on a budget, but lately it seems impossible.
Rudella Custer says
Meal planning saves me money, but the number one money-saving tip that has always helped me the most is to eat BEFORE you grocery shop, it always keeps the extra junk from landing in the cart. It saves me an average of thirty dollars a trip!
Madeline says
My tip: Eat before you go grocery shopping. It’s a pretty classic tip, but it works every time.
Kathie says
I’m just hanging here. no tips – misery loves company =)
thanks.
Design your own Custom Tote; http://www.maddymoo.com/kathieb.htm
carmen a says
When buying snacks for my child I will buy a large bag of the item then split it into small snack size ziplock bags, instead of buying the prepackaged items. Good luck to all!!
danielle matlock says
When I grocery shop I only buy things that are on a GOOD sale (not those Buy One, Get ones where they hike up the price of the One) and on top of it i use a coupon for that item – sometimes if the sunday coupon section is loaded with stuff i use i will get 2 or 3 papers and then buy in multiples – always read the Price Per Unit tag on the shelf!!!! Sometimes bigger doesnt mean more for your money – I also plan to run all of my errands on the same trip (gas, bank, groceries, post office) and I also do it while the kid is at school and the hubby is at work so i dont buy extra things we dont need!
Sarah Stern says
I plan my menu and only buy what we NEED – and I’m very firm in telling my husband that Oreos are NOT a need. He can have oreos when we get out of debt!
Aimee says
Meal planning and car pooling are our two biggest savers!
Christina radich says
I would def say bring a list of planned meals. Try not to bring the kids if you can!! They want every other thing in sight! Plus they expect a trip over to the toy section haha.
Corn casserole is super easy and cheap dish made with libby corn
1 can libby corn(dont drain liquid)
1 can creamed corn
1 sm container sour cream
1 box jiffy cornbread
Just mix all together and bake for 1 hour at 375
That cost less than 5 dollars and feeds plenty
Marcia says
Potlucks are the best–for friendship, time, energy and budget. You prepare one great dish and your family gets to feast with friends. I make my dish revolve around whatever is a great deal at the market that week. Our family’s cornbread casserole is quick to make and always a hit with all ages. I keep Libby’s canned corn in my pantry for this dish.
beth shepherd says
I try to cut back by doing a once a month big shopping at Sams Club and implement bread and milk the other weeks. We only eat out once a week if that and we all pack lunches for school or work. We spend about $600 a month for a family of 5. We could spend a lot less but the men in my family are hearty meat and potatoes men.
mary anne smith says
Eat out less and brown bag it. Also in the winter I like to make soup and homemade bread it is so cheap nourishing and it feels so good.
Ashley says
We shop at stores with double or triple coupons to save extra. I can appreciate where all of these moms are coming from in being that it is getting harder to afford to feed our babies. Good luck to all!
Dottie L Hubbard says
I clip coupons and shop the sales. I plan my menu around the sale items and I have become very inventive with the leftovers; and I am using less meat in my dishes and more fillers.
Ronnie Winfrey says
absolutely pay yourself first! I charge myself 5% for each check I write and 5% off the top goes into savings.
Tamara Bennington says
Well, talk about stretching a dollar around this house I am the queen, not by my choice. We eat alot of salads, we became very inventive using flour tortillas. I use the grill alot and precook alot of extra food that we store in the freezer. With the heat here by cooking outside n the grill is keep my energy bill down. The best part is my children and I spend alot of quality time together now because we don’t have the money to spend on gas. We play alot of board games or card games. Hopefully they will remember the good times of being short on a dollar.
Catherine KingChuparkoff says
Lots of coupon clipping and price comparisons on fresh products i.e. fruits, meats, etc..
Lori L. says
We enlarged the size of our garden this year. I have always froze items and made my own sauce. Normally, we have a flower garden, but this year that space has been devoted to growing veggies. Also, I plan my driving. It really helps.
Dorothy R. says
Buy the things you like and use a lot when they are on sale, and stock up extra on them so you don’t have to buy them when they are high in price. Oh for the good old days when we had pantries.
Samantha S. says
Buying frozen food in bulk at Costco ends up costing us less per serving, and frozen veggies don’t go bad before I can use them, which sometimes happens with myy fresh produce.
jenn bobb says
I buy hamburger in bulk . You can get a great deal if you buy a lot of it. I have spend a lot of time on line finding great hamburger recipes. You wouldn’t believe how many things you can make with hamburger. Sometimes I dont even think my kids know there eating hamburger meat.
Sheila says
One way I have started saving on my grocery bill is to use coupons for items that the store has put on sale. If they have the item as Buy-One-Get-One free, you can use 2 coupons, 1 for each item. This helps save even more!
Cathy North says
We save money with Meal Planning also. I was amazed just how much we saved when I started meal planning. We also just started doing about 85% of our shopping at Aldi Stores. Great food at lower prices, we are saving at least 50%!
Heather B says
Clipping coupons, buying in bulk and trying to plan meals are big ones for sure. Lately I have found not taking the kids to the grocery store… or the boyfriend (sometimes I think he is worse) to the store with me prevents alot of the gimmes and oh can I have… oh that looks good.
Rhonda Martin says
I buy in bulk to save money it not only saves me money but time as well. I cook a big pot and then freeze it in family portions so all I have to do is reheat it and dinner is served. Buying in bulk can save you lots of money.And don’t forget to use coupons on those bulk items as well. Thanks for a chance to enter a great giveaway~!
[email protected]
toni says
I clip coupons and meal plan it is the best way to save money and I don’t shop when I am hungry because then I will grab everything in site
Laurie Emerson says
Our neighbors are pretty much in the same boat as we are when it comes to finances. We decided to hold a help each other out party one night. Although it was not really a party it was a way for all of us to get together and see how we could help each other out. The first thing we did was to find ways to help the youngest and oldest as our children were our first concern and our oldest neighbors were having the hardest time making ends meet. I know that people will say that any snacks or dessert are kind of a luxury but when you have little ones, they do not understand that money is in short supply. One neighbor loves to bake so we all chipped in a little money and now she bakes cookies, cakes etc. This will be so great for school time and school lunches. Another neighbor has a big garden so we all volunteer to help take care of it and we all share in the vegetables. Another neighbor loves to can so we all chip in and buy fruits and will share in the “fruits of her labor”. Most of all we have found that all of us a have a certain talent for something and we share it with each other. Three elderly neighbors love to quilt and sew so we gathered up all the supplies and when they were made they were sold and the money given those who made them and needed the money so badly. The recession has been hard on all of us but yet has brought out the best in so many. We found that if we all pull together in everything from food to babysitting to finding ways to earn money, not only are we able to live within our budgets but have also grown closer together as people.
Rich says
Some advice I have for you guys is set a budget and only spend that money. That means if you are going grocery shopping, only bring enough money for the things you need, that way you won’t be tempted to buy things you don’t need.
melissa says
i only buy enough fresh produce to last through the week in order to avoid waste. i also make enough dinner to allow for left-overs that are sent to work with my husband for lunch the following day (this helps avoid the expensive eating out habit and no extra meal preparing for me!) I also buy all groceries with a rewards credit card any pay off the balance every month. i get all the points without the interest!
Susan Park says
Meal planning, not buying pre-packaged meals, and not trying to hit all the food groups every meal (OH No!)
Nancy S. says
I plan our meals/diet around what is on sale, as well as what is growing in my garden. I limit meat intake to once a week and I use coupons as often as possible. I have yet to feel the repression “crunch” at the grocery store.
Crystal F says
All of our clothes are bought on sale. I can’t seem to buy any that aren’t. lol We buy a lot of store brand products and they taste great. Most of our lightbulbs are the energy saving lightbulbs.
Thank you!
phillip stacy says
I buy my groceries with a 5% cash back credit card.
Kimberly says
We do meal swap in our neighborhood. Its a great way to still have nice sit down meals.
Victoria L says
I always make a list and try not to stry from it. I use coupons for everything I can. I look to see whats on sale thats brand name and go to the websites of those companys to see if the websites have printable coupons. I always make sure have any left overs for lunch the next day or for dinner later in the week. Good thing my family isnt fussy.
linda "dunkiepunk" says
Grocery bills are eating us alive! I don’t know how people do it who have multiple kids…we just have the two of us and a 14 month old. Rarely buy meats, just staples and fruits, veggies, dairy and the grocery bill is around $80 a week!!!
Bonnie says
A few times a month I like to make a casserole of leftovers chop up meat add leftover rice and macaroni any veggies, gravy if mix is to dry add a can of cream of mushroom soup or a can of stewed tomatoes top with cheese and bake, they come out differant but are always good.
Suzanne Lewis says
I just try to buy things on sale, use coupons, not be wasteful with money.
Heather Tavares says
Our family has to stick to a strict budget in order to remain on track financially. We keep a running grocery list on the refrigerator so that shopping is made very simple. Only needed items are picked up on the shopping trip. We also use financial software that tracks our spending! Oh, and we always check the weekly fliers online for our grocery stores!
Julie says
My family buys fish from costco and we make it on Monday and it lasts us through the week for lunch AND dinner!!!
xo
Jeanne says
We’re all about the freezer bags in our household! We head out to the store and buy in bulk – can we say meat sale anyone? Then we split up our haul into freezer bags and eat off of it until they have another big sale (or until we eat it all up!). Hmmm, $500 would buy a lot of meat for my hubby and daughter – alas, I’m a vegetarian!
Terry Cross says
I have started shopping at a couple of different stores instead of just my usual one to get in on their sales. They are all close to each other so it doesn’t cost anymore gas to do that either. I also have been trying to stock up on really good deals when I can. We have also been avoiding any unnecessary trips and combining errands to save gas.
Mike says
a big way we save money is by getting rid of are usual telephone and using just cellphones.Its cheap, smar, and affordable. We even got this thing called magic Jack(look it up its good) that gives us our regular phones back for 20$ a year.
Savvy Housewife says
My mom moved closer to us last year and we typically go over to her house on Sunday nights for dinner. It’s “free” and a chance for my daughters to spend quality time at their grandmother’s house!
We also try to get the girls involved in cooking (although my husband is better at that then me.)
Sharon Seneker says
Hi! I try to buy local produce and involve everyone with canning, freezing the food to use later. We take advantage of local activities instead of traveling so much in the summer! Thanks!
Nicole says
With Baby #1 on the way, we have to be very mindful of what we’re spending money on. I just try to keep my eyes out for the best deals at various grocery stores, menu planning for the week. Daddy rides his bike as much as he can. Wish I could!
Michelle Simons says
stock up on the raven noodles cause they are cheap, clip coupons too. get used to powdered milk and get some northern beans and soak them overnight and add some cheap bacon bits and they are so good, you can eat off these things for days and save alot of money.
Michele P says
Since produce is so expensive, we have started a garden. Also, I am a coupon shopper and stock up if the items are on sale that week and am able to save money that way. I do rebates/refunds as well. It is time consuming, but a necessity in today’s world of high priced convenience goodies and higher than normal dairy and meat prices. Thanks to Libby’s for sponsoring a great blog contest, I love their canned veggies!
Alissa says
Now more than ever our family is keeping an eye out for sales and coupons. We have also discovered that a local thrift store often receives name-brand donations that only cost $1.00-2.00! My daughter has furnished an entire wardrobe with these resources and on averge gets her clothes 50-80% off–and still looks like she just walked out of a high end store!
Christine E. says
$500 would certainly help, lol. We use coupons whenever possible, take advantage of shopping club plans, and cut back whenever we can.
Irma Doherty says
Thanks for the giveaway. That’s a great prize!
Denise Reilly says
We purchase large quantities of what is on sale at our local market. We then store it in our closet, fridge and freezer. We will also go in with neighbors to purchase large quantities and share the cost.
JackieW. transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos) says
We raise our own beef.
Costel Coca says
I enter about 100 sweepstakes a day and end up winning all sort of things which I sell on ebay to make some extra cash. Thats why I have entered this contest
Pamela Ray says
We use to have taco-out-night, now we have taco-in-night.
JJ says
Shop the sales. Buy things in bulk that we eat a lot when they are on sale.
Meal planning is a big one too. Make a list and stick to it as best I can.
Matthew Hubbard says
I menu plan and coupon in order to save us money. It helps a lot-that way I’m not buying everything that looks good at the grcoery store!!
Jillian H says
I save money by matching coupons and rebates with items that are on sale.
Jerry Hubbard says
Mine is “buy when it’s on sale.” Stock up
Mannon says
Like Becca said “I plan my meals for the week ahead of time and only go shopping once a week. This helps me avoid “convenience foods” and impulse purchases.”
Cindy Thurman says
I make enough to where we can have leftovers the next night – sometimes disguised as something else!
Rhonda Mason says
Soups and stews do the trick around here! I freeze all my leftover cooked veggies ( corn, peas, carrots) in one container…then when I have a roast or chicken leftovers I haul out the veggies and throw it all in the crockpot with a can of crushed tomatoes, spices and onion soup mix! Yummy!
Angela C says
COUPONS!! I have turned to coupons and double coupon days at grocery stores. It’s the only way to go!! Also commuting with my husband to work every day, not just when we feel like it, but every day!
Darcie says
Our grocery bill is a nightmare these days. And unfortunately I don’t have any tips to help. I can’t even manage to trim my own bill down.
I’m all about the weekly meal planning though and I’ll have to check out the new tools from Libby’s. Thanks!
Brandy says
One of the best things I’ve found in our meal management/budget planning is bread starters! Amish Friendship bread that you bake once every ten days means theres a sweet and healthy snack in the kitchen already prepared. (no need to dig into the candy bars or other overly sweet snacks hidden in the cabinets) And a sourdough starter means that theres quite a few options for quick and easy bread in all its forms. (ie: waffles, biscuits, loaf)
We don’t buy sliced bread very often because we’ve almost always made some. It also means my family gets all its grains because we know we put it in!
Christi Brumley says
Coupons baby!
Suzanne B. (Crunchy Green Mom) says
We all eat together, we always have. Usually laughing at the TV, or all cooking in the same kitchen, but it’s a family affair. In the summer there are less people around, only because we don’t have A/C and the heat in the kitchen is horrible. But in the winter, we all hang out more. I’ll heat up tea for us to drink and warm our bodies and hearts! It’s a fond memory.
Nanette Olson says
I save money by matching coupons and rebates with items that are on sale.
melinda says
I shop with a list, use coupons from newspaper and on-line, complete rebates, and garden. We freeze fresh produce when it’s abundant in the garden and when it is in-season at the stores. We also have the freezer space to buy hormone-free meat directly from the producer – including an entire cow which we divide among three other families.
Becca says
I plan my meals for the week ahead of time and only go shopping once a week. This helps me avoid “convenience foods” and impulse purchases.
Melanie Coleman says
I made an investment in a budgeting program for pc. microsoft money helps me keep track of when bills are due and where my money is going in pie charts and things. it helps me pay attention to things a little better.
Liz Cooper says
Make a shopping list of the thing that you NEED to buy. When you go out, stick to the list. I allow myself to buy 3 items I didn’t add to the list per trip, so I don’t feel like I am depriving myself. This makes you more prepared when you go to the store, as well as leaves the items you don’t need on the shelves instead of your cart.
Tammy Kennedy says
I have a 12 and 16 year old still at home and With a 12 and 16 year old still at home, and our 2 grandsons spending the summer with us because their father had to have emergency surgery money is tight, Also daughter is getting married August 23, and son is expecting his first child in September, our older children and our families live 1200 miles one way from us. We are on a very tight budget.
I shop with coupons and use coupons on sale items to help the budget. I make extra’s when preparing meals then freeze leftovers for another meal. Hopefully I will win this prize as school is also around the corner.
The prize would be so awesome as I could use the money to feed us with less stress.
Thank you for a chance to feed my family.
Monica says
We have a very large garden which saves a ton on produce and we also have 13 chicken so we get about a dozen eggs a day. We use one and trade the rest for a variety of things (raspberries most recently).
gala2 says
the best time to shop is Monday through Wed. That’s when they reduce produce, meat and dairy prices from the past weekend overstock.
the very worst time to shop is Friday and Saturday. I don’t have to explain why to anyone who has ever done so.
Amy Stoesser says
I use http://www.couponsense.com. It saves me so much money by doing to legwork on all the sales/coupons for my area. Nominal fee to sign up. It is a fun way to save.
Andrea V. says
Coupon clipping, reading supermarket flyers for 2 for 1 sales and Buy 1 get 1 free items helps us save loads of money each month. I also look for overstocked or items discontinued in the pre-packaged aisle to save some extra dough. Lately – we have used some of the previously mentioned ideas of cooking with family to eat a lot for a little.
Christina says
I always buy things in bulk and also use coupons.
Denice says
WOW … lots of great ideas in the comments. Love the ideas about sharing a meal with others ~ wish my family lived close by so.
We watch the sale fliers, find the best prices of produce at a local international market, plant a small garden in container and whatever patch of sun we can find.
lauren says
I buy whole turkey breast and chicken to cook in the crockpot. I did a whole turkey breast with vegatables we grew in the crockpot this past weekend. I had enough left to plan 2 more dinners for this coming week.
Max says
carpooling, recycling
Michelle Lucero says
Dinner time IS a synonym for family time, according to my mother!!!!
One day, my son, who’s now 11, but was about 8 at the time came home from school and brought a recipe he was really excited about. It really didn’t look that great, but he was so proud because he had looked it up himself and printed it during computer lab. So, we went to the store, bought the stuff, and made it.
Ever since, he will pick recipes that my mom or I will try to make. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes not, but the family feeling is always fantastic!!!! And, now my 6 month old is added to our table.
To save money on baby foods, most of the time, I blend up what we’ve made for dinner for my baby. Then, we’re all included in the fun!!!!
Hetal Gandhi says
Eat as much as you can at home. Buy only what you need for produce and by end of week, finish everything even if you have change menus.
[email protected]
Jodi says
I always use coupons, and try to stick to my grocery list, and not shop when I am hungry. All of that helps those impulse buys.
Also my best friend and I do the same thing as you and your friend. This weekend I made a huge taco salad, and she came over, tonight she is making a big pot of chili, and we are going over there.
Jenni d. says
coupons-coupons and more coupons. people really look at me funny when I am paging thru my 3 ring binder, but I can save 50-70% off my bill almost every time.
Jennifer Hedden says
copouns
Katie says
For years I have been eating natural and organic foods and been a vegetarian. The things I was buying never seemed overly expensive to me (even as a college student) because what I was buying was just for myself and I don’t eat much. Well, it turns out that I was wrong. After getting married a few months ago I learned that to feed my husband like I feed my body would cost a small fortune.
Not wanting to sacrifice my healthy life style, I try hard to bring home natural foods that were a steal. I have always shopped the perimeter of the grocery store, made lists, and taken advantage of coupons. It has been hard to find new money saving tips, but I now shop at deep discount stores and grocery stores that double coupons in place of the natural grocery store. The selection is smaller but the prices usually are too.
I always cook more than we eat; my husband uses the leftovers for his lunch. When we got married we stopped going out to eat which helps to balance the hike in grocery prices.
Valerie C says
Coupon cutting – I spend 30 minutes or so on Sundays when the paper comes going through the coupons and ads and even searching for coupons online. It saves us a lot of money!
Timothy Selig says
God Bless Our Troops
Great Giveaway
Bobv says
Coupons and sales and just cutting back on the impulsive buying.
Autumn Howard says
It’s hard for us because I had always been a coupon clipper, sales shopper, non-impulse buyer – so we were already living cheap — and now that prices are going up, we still are at rock bottom! So as far as new tricks, I walk as many places as possible and think of fun activities to do at home (think coloring, bubbles, nature hunts, etc)
Invisible neighbor says
Never used to eat leftovers but now I chop and dice evry piece of leftover meat to create a crative next day meal.
Ann Marie Walker says
Sale shopping to keep us on budget. We always check the sales adds and plan dinner around it and also buy in bulk when its cheaper that way. Another thing I do to get the family around the dinner table is to have the kids cook with me. They are usually so excited they got to help, that they want to set the table all nice and serve the food they are so proud of making.
Marie Powers` says
I know that coupons can be time consuming, but with a little effort I can save 20-30$ per shopping trip!
Can Rien says
One of our ways to keep food costs down is to plan picnic dinners for our children and their friends. Bright colored canned vegetables put in a pasta salad, quesadillas made with some canned corn toasted up in a pan with peppers and garlic – all types of portable foods that can travel well to the beach or the parks near our home. Presentation and fun make simple low cost meals into sumptuous, and beautiful family events!
Steve Scott says
If it is not on sale, it doesn’t go into the basket.
Kelly Ann T. says
We have been making dinner together. The kids will eat more when they help make it. We discuss our menu for the week while looking sale ads. Then we go shopping for the ingedients. We clip coupons and we are all trying to eat healthy. There is a new farmers market up the street and we are buying our fruits and veggies there.
michelle says
One thing I do is have “pantry night” several times a month. It’s amazing what’s at the back of the cupboard. We often buy the same things at the store because they’re on sale, yet don’t eat what we’ve already got.
Jill Myrick says
We have done several things to try to cut our cost of living.
I combine all of my errands in one day according to furtherest away to nearest home.
We buy meats and paper goods in bulk at a much better price and divide and seal the meats for freezing. This also cuts helps by fewer trips to the grocery store.
We also grow our own vegetables in the summer months and buy vegetables and fruits that we can’t grow from local farmers at our farmer market. That way we are feeding back into our economy.
Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
I would LOVE to win !!
Rose Waletzko says
I don’t buy the brand name products. I try one product at a time to see if it tastes good and if it does, then I use it all the time. Usually the highest prices items in the store are eye level so either look lower or higher.
Brenda Prentice (Time and Season) says
Tell me about it!! I came back from vacation to find that the off brand milk I got a couple weeks ago for only $2.76 is now $3.00!! I try real hard to make a menu for the week before I go to the store and stick to the list. If I choose meals that use similar ingredients, I find that I spend less.
Ma Val says
Coupons, sales, leaving the husband at home with the children, and shopping with a calculator in hand. I’ve found that the “Family” size container isn’t always the best buy. Oh, my grocery also gives a discount for using reusable bags!
Heidi Todd says
The best I can do is I taught myself to can from our garden and I cook everything grandma style from scratch so all I need to have on hand is flour and cornmeal and eggs and milk and such.
Mary Ann says
Plan, budget, Coupons and sales
L McLendon says
I use coupons. I make a grocery list and stick to it. I cook enough at one time to eat several meals and/or use in several different dishes.
Saves time, money and energy. Just makes the budget and life a little simpler!
Lathres B says
Coupons and buy in bulk.
HeyJude says
I shop with coupons! You need to check each stores policy, I also ask for rainchecks, so I can get items at a later date.
Even if you do not have an acreage, there are some vegetable plants that do well being potted. Its also a great learning experince if you have young children, so they understand “how food is grown”
We can really cut our food budgets, by purchasing quality products, making larger batches to freeze for a later date.
Susan Ledet says
I always use coupons when possible and plan my meals ahead of time so I don’t splurge while shopping. I’ve gotten pretty creative with left overs and waste nothing. Milk is almost $5 a gallon here so I’ve started to use dry powedered milk for my baking needs and can’t tell the difference in taste. This is one giveaway that could really help out with food costs! Thank you for the fantastic giveaway.
Sweetpeas says
As costs have gone up, I’ve resorted to making more & more things from scratch. Great bonus, it’s healthier too!
Jon Kara says
My husband and I are a young couple just out of college… so we understand a tight budget. We clip coupons, use store savings cards, and menu plan. But the biggest saver we have is that we buy certain items bulk, either at Sam’s or when there is a really deep discount. Even with just the two of us it really saves money, you just have to make sure that you have enough storage space and good containers to keep items until you can use them. Once we got a really good price on 7.5 dozen eggs… we ate a lot of omelets, popeye eggs, quiches, dutch babies, and egg burritos for two weeks.
Cheryl says
I buy items when there are buy-one, get-one sales, and use coupons. I also try to make extra, so that I have leftovers for the freezer. This especially works well with spaghetti sauce and chili. There’s usually several small containers of these in my freezer for when someone wants a quick lunch.
Brandy Miller says
If the place you are going to is within 4 miles of where you live – put away the car keys and walk! Not only does this save gas money, but it’s good for you, too. Your family will have a chance to spend some quality time together and you’d be amazed to see the beauty that you’ve been missing while driving.
Joy Venters says
look closely at your grocery store fliers – find out what is on sale and match up the coupons you have clipped
Youlanda Ann Percifield says
I save money on meals by looking at the sales ads and buying the meat and products I like to use that are on sale. If it is a really good sale I buy the max allowed. One week a local store had rump roast for $1.79 a lb. they were wrapped in family packs of 2 roast. I bought 4 packages, separated them into freezer bags and put them in the freezer. I also took the smallest one to my elderly neighbors. Another week I found the 93% lean ground beef for under $2 a pound and bought 14lbs and separated those into freezer bags as well. We also buy at Sams club and do the same.
Angela Palmer says
I live for coupons! With 2 teens in the house, we go through a LOT of food. I wouldn’t make it without coupons and stockpiling. I also do little things no one will notice, like cooking with powdered milk instead of fresh. It’s a lot cheaper and no one can tell.
Tamara says
I try to keep dinner exciting by “moving” the dinner table every now and then. Sometimes we’ll eat on the back patio. If the weather doesn’t permit this, we eat picnic style on the living room floor. Everyone enjoys this special treat and never knows what mom will come up with next!
Tracy says
To save and avoid spending unneccessary money when I don’t have to, I put together a dinner with what ever I find in the freezer and pantry. I try to use all the food in the house before going to the grocery store. So one night it could be soup and chicken breasts sandwiches. The kids think they are getting a treat when they can choice from one meal. It is like going to a buffett and then I save the rest and eat the next day.
R Hicks says
I don’t know what we would do without coupons. We clip them and get them online and really look out for sales and buy those in bulk. Sams club helps out a lot too
Mitchell says
I always try to have my money/things work for me.
Examples:
1. I don’t earn any interest on change I am saving up at home in a piggy bank, so I created a separate money market account for that and earn interest on the change I save.
2. Printing coupons is like printing money. Combine that with double coupon days or piggybacking mfgr coupons on top of in-store coupons is even better.
3. All of my credit cards pay me back in some way for using them. One that gives me cash back, one gives me airline miles, and one gives me free gas.
StacyL says
I will place cash in an envolope for groceries, gas, and fun for the week. (we get paid weekly so you could do this bi-weekely or even monthly) Then I’ll make it a game when ever I shop how much cash is left over. At the end of the week what’s left go straight into savings for our disney world trip. But it’s you cash use it top pay off loans or even buy that great motorcycle you’ve been eyeballing. They get 70 miles to the gallon another great way to save some $$$$$$ Hope this helps!
Also when ever I shop online I use rebate service sites like Mr. rebates here’s the link: http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=139829
Rebates Go there now and sing up to get rebates for shopping at places you already shop at places you already shop at. then put the rebates into your savings. I’ve just added another $45 to my savings just from shopping threw mr. rebates site.
Chuchita says
I cook in bulk. And freeze the leftovers, no one likes to eat the same thing two day in a row.
Laura J says
I always plan meals for the week, and leave the kids at home while shopping. When they go with, there tends to be WAY more stuff than we need!!
sam mccandlish says
Eat at home.
Hannah says
Usually it is a matter of eating the leftovers. Say for instance we cook a large turkey, we end up making turkey sandwiches the next day or making turkey pot pie. Coming up with ideas like this help leftover be a little more enjoyable!!
Jaime says
It’s essential to use a grocery list and plan ahead for sales. Also, cut out and use a coupon organizer so that you can plan ahead for your spending.
Beverley Justice says
Thank you for sponsoring the giveaway. We eat in, use coupons to buy groceries, and have our own vegetable garden this year. We search the Sunday paper for sales, and co-ordinate our shopping trips to save on gas.
Amber S. says
I plan out meals based on the weekly sale ads and I try to match coupons with the sales. We also have 1 or 2 vegetarian meals each week.
mary weston says
I save best by cutting coupons and using them when the items are on sale. I go thru the weekly ads, match up coupons and then build a dinner menu around that.
kathy g says
We each have a water bottle we fill with water, Kool-Aid or whatever, to take to events. Buying sodas is very expensive and this way we each get what we want for free!
hampunch says
I make a painfully specific grocery list and stick to it! Also, we never go to restaurants.
Beth G says
I shop the store ads for the week and use my coupons and base my meals off of that. If chicken is on sale I’ll grab some corn flakes and make our kids chicken nuggets rather than buying them pre-made. There are ways around those high prices.
Audrey says
Wow, imagine the shopping I could do with $500. I am such a frugal shopper, I know I could get quite a bit with such a wonderful prize.
Leigh Nichols says
We cope pretty well by stocking up on the “Buy 1 get 1 free” sales at our local supermarket, If you buy only one, it rings up half price- and if we have a coupon for that half-price item, it gets doubled- and sometimes the item ends up being totally free. We stock up in cycles, as the sales alternate.
Also, our library is a virtual treasure trove for DVDS, books, and magazines- our entire family LOVES to visit the library once a week.
Tracey Byram says
I use coupons and shop weekly grocery sales to cut costs. It may seem that buying the cheaper brand like generic or store brand items would save you money but not if you have to use more to achieve the same results as the more expensive brands. For example, I buy name brand dishwashing liquid and paper towels because it actually saves money because I need to use less to achieve the same results.
david thacher says
Making left overs can be a fun thing ,have each member of your family add a simple ingredient to the left over.than vote to see which one everyone liked more or dont vote ,but its a fun creative choice for someone to pick a new ingriedient for a so so left over! Thanks
Renee T says
Meal planning is key. I also coupon to keep costs down on items we always purchase and to be able to purchase a few treats.
Thanks for the contest and GLTA!
Nicole says
Try to buy all your family needs when they are on sale or use coupons.
Joy Shepard says
I make meals that will last for several days and make sure that I do at least one no meat dinner a week. I also make sure that I use coupons and go through all of the sales papers to make sure that I am getting the best price for my money.
Beth says
Absolutely meal planning! I used to be horrible about it, but with some self discipline (and a few frozen pizzas “just in case”) I’ve become much better with planning. I’m working on my coupon-ing skills too, lol.
Also, we try to pick up our produce at the local farm markets – it’s the perfect time of year! Thanks for the chance to win-$500 would be such an amazing gift for our family!
Donna Coughlin says
Coupons, coupons, coupons! And I only buy what we need for the next 2 week menu
Marsha Lynch says
I keep plain rice cooked up and in the refrigerator. It is great to use as breakfast with milk,cinnamon, and sugar. It also is quick to add to a stir fry to help it go farther and it is a minimal cost to prepare and will save alot instead of buying the instant rice bags. It has helped me to save alot of money.
ANGELA PHOENIX says
To avoid being tempted into eating out for fast food, I cook all of my meals for the week on the weekend. I usually bake something, cook something in the crock pot and cook something on the grill or oven surface. I can usually manage to have at least 3 meals cooking at a time. With the meals already made, I don’t have to worry about cooking during the week and I’m not tempted to stop for fast food when I know prepared food is ready to eat at home.
Kimmy says
We do the meal plan too. And we only eat out once a month.
Summer says
I make sure to shop at the best priced places. I also use reuseable bags while shopping so I can get money back for doing that. Also coupons while shopping are a huge thing. They really cut down. With those three thing combined I can feed a family of four. Healthy meals with fruits and Veggies included for $125 every two weeks sometimes less.
Joni says
I am usually in a big hurry when I do our grocery shopping, so that helps me avoid the “not on my list” items. I do meal planning. I make a once monthly trip to Walmart 20 minutes away and then weekly trips to my local store for produce since I was throwing a lot of it away before. I think I might start going to the local farmers market too. $500 would help out SO much!
cindi hansell says
i need all the help i can get my daughter and i stretch every little penny thanks so much
Kelli says
Aside from food and services, I don’t buy anything unless I’m replacing something. And that doesn’t mean something I just don’t fancy any more, but is completely gone or broken. I’ll buy maybe one or 2 articles of clothing a year because they don’t break often. This tactic saves me a bunch of money!
Alka says
Our family has always been keen on saving, but we have to keep coming up with new ways with the way the economy is heading…. we’re making cheap meals and not eating out often. I like to use coupons for everything and go only to close stores to buy things.
Ina says
I agree completely.Also another thing that helps is not thinking you have to stick to the fancy brands of food products.Sometimes the generic brands taste even better.
Kathryn says
I use the green bags. The ones you use to keep your veggies and fruit fresher longer. They really work. And I always keep my bread items in the fridge to keep them from getting mold on them. And we also have a garden in our back yard.
Holly MAyer says
I meal plan and shop with a friend. we never can use all 8 hot dogs or buns so we split the package. less goes to waste and we both get a good meal.
Patty says
We only eat out once a week, it’s a treat for us, days vary. Also, sorry Libby, but mix generic with name brand foods, and stock up on sale items. Take a look in your pantry and see what foods you are wasting, sometimes we shop by habit, ask your family if they really like the things that you are buying.
Emily N. says
I always make a list before going grocery shopping and try to use coupons every time I shop.
Kathleen W. says
Buying store brands is a big money saver.
I also make lots of soups, which are cheap and nutritious with canned beans, canned pumpkin (to thicken it), frozen veggies, and rice. I also have a bread machine which is great as it’s cheaper to make loaves than buy them.
Mary Briner says
We just try to get the most we can from the money we spend. We got meatless for a few meals a week, we stretch a ham to 4-5 meals, we make soup. It’s hard, but it does save money.
Erin H. says
It sounds strange, but I’ve found that my family tends to overeat when we eat highly processed foods such as frozen pizza, french fries, and the like. But when I prepare food—like beans or lentils—from scratch, we only eat until we’re full, even when we like them. So it’s a money-saving double whammy! Thanks for the contest.
Nancy S. says
I just purchased some Green Containers and bags. They keep produce fresher longer and the containers I am using to store homemade soups and so on in and freezing for later. This is stretching out our food budget.
Donna Lawrence says
I have found that planning our meals and using products that make the meals faster and more convenient is the way to go. I make some of each meal from scratch, but use products like pie crust, and prepared cookie dough to finish it off. I use a lot of pasta, because it is a fast fix, and I just add fresh ingredients to make it my own. I love the recipe for the apple crisp made with the oatmeal cookie dough bars…so simple and easy, but very yummy!
Elizabeth M. says
I’m in the barely scraping by club and we’re not able to save anything out of the paycheck. However, whenever I get a rebate check or refund, etc. I always put those in the savings account. Gradually and oh so slowly it will have some value.
Michelle says
Thanks for the great contest!
Kim in NC says
I cook from scratch a lot. Every week we have pasta and homemade sauce and then use the sauce for homemade pizza. There are always leftovers of both that we eat for lunch and my husband takes to work. I also make chicken broth from an inexpensive roasting chicken (less than $4 for the chicken) and get several meals out of it. The chicken is used for either a roast chicken dinner or I make a batch of chicken salad from it and we have enough for a dinner and a couple of lunches during the week. Then the carcass is used to make broth for potato and vegetable soup with homemade biscuits another night. We have plenty for dinner and at least one lunch during the week.
Peggy Gorman says
I buy in bulk paper goods and somedays all I do is eat from the garden,make it an all veggie day,saves money and the best because its free
Storm says
One of the best things about my kids is they know dinner time is family time. We almost always (95% of the time) eat dinner together as a family. I love it. We also have two family dinner traditions: (1.) We have to say something we are thankful for every day. (2.) We have to say one thing we are good at. Its a great way to start out our family dinner.
Angie says
For me, it’s all about stockpiling. I subscribe to multiple copies of the newspapers so that I can get lots of coupons, and I save them until the item goes on sale. I haven’t paid anything for shampoos, conditioners, toothbrushes or toothpaste in months! Between the price matching (yes, I go to multiple stores) couponing, and stocking up during sales, I have managed to cut our grocery bill by $200 per month over the last year. All this while being married to a die hard carnivore who LOVES his steaks.
Jerri says
I save money through meal planning, sticking to my shopping list, and comparing prices in weekly adds. I also use coupons, and I look at unit price, and on some products I look at the prices of various name brands and generic and base my choice on price.
Mommy2Twinkies-Deb says
We’ve stopped driving as much. We eat our leftovers (BIG for people who really don’t like leftovers 🙂 We’ve looked into changing our cable, and phone plans. We use coupons. We reuse the white rice from Chinese take out by turning it into fried rice.
Some of you all have some great ideas!!
Kimberly Criss says
If you want to be on a budget and eat out too, I like to buy gift cards (i.e. $25 to Starbucks or $30 to Chili’s) and then only use the gift card for my month’s spending.
Eryn says
My tip? Do NOT let my husband do the shopping. EVER. He comes home with Oreos, soda, all sorts of things that we love but really don’t need. You can eat through a food budget (dont you love the puns?!) so quickly by buying foods that have low nutrient density. The thing I get the most out of is making meals that turn into a 2nd, different, meal the next night. Pork roast on sale? Have roast and potatoes the 1st night, hot sandwiches for lunch, and then shred up the remainder and make enchiladas. You made one bargain meat purchase turn into 3 great meals, all with different tastes so your family won’t even think to complain.
Janet F says
I save money grocery shopping by comparing all of my local grocery store circulars every week.
I mark everything I need and then I find coupons for the items.
If I don’t have a coupon I try not to buy it unless it is a very good sale.
I plan my weekly meals around the items that are on sale.
aimee says
I am really trying to get my grocery bills down. I sale shop and stock up to save! I am so glad to see I am not the only one.
Amanda says
I shop at Costco every six weeks to stock up. Buying in bulk really makes a difference.I also always use coupons when going to the regular grocery store….One other thing I do is make big meals on the weekend and freeze them to reheat during the week…saves time and money.
Thanks for the chance. I sure could use it!
Jen says
Ever since I quit my job to stay home with my first daughter back in 2003, I have really had to be budget minded. I love finding wonderful bargains and it makes hubby happy too.
First, I never pay full retail for anything. For our clothes, I always but at the end of season. Like for this summer, in September I will buy for next year’s summer season because I can get the clothes 80 to 90 percent off. I just pack the clothes up in tote bins and bring them out next year.
If I do need to buy something in season, I make sure to do a google research to find coupon codes to bring my order even further down.
Our phone bill, we switched from our local phone company to Vonage. You can unlimited long distance for 24.99.
We cut our phone bill in half by just using VOIP each month.
Christmas Shopping, buy throughout the whole year when store’s have their different season clearance sales. That way if you are buying a little bit each month it will not be as costly when christmas time comes having to pay the inflated season prices.
Grocery Shopping. Make sure to get your local Sunday paper as it has all the coupons. Sit down and look at your weekly grocer’s sales ad and compare your coupons. See where you can save the most money and who has the most Buy one get one free offers. If you see these offers stock up, so you can have them last the whole month. Get a coupon organizer so you can separate the coupons into categories in case you do not use all the coupons in one week. Also make sure to sign up for your store’s rewards program if they have one, so you can be rewarded if you purchase so many items.
These are just some ways, I try to keep our budget low. I have been home going on almost 6 years now and I even have my daughter’s bargain hunting at stores now.
Jami Wells says
As a faily newly single mom, I am really struggling to make ends meet as I am sure so many of you are. First, I find if I plan my meals and stick to my list, keep myself from making more than once a week, shop at a “bag your own” grocery store and clip coupons, I can save at least 25% on my groceries. I also feel that I am saving gas too by not making lots of trips.
Denyse says
Plan a route when you go out to get as many errands done at once as you can- it’ll save on gas and time.
Becca says
My parents are senior citizens and not in the best health, but they live in a rural area and have several acres one town over from us. My family plants and maintains an organic garden on their land. They do help us out here and there w/the watering and weeding, and of course we share everything with them.
sandra says
I save money by not going into the store to begin with, because every time I enter one I usually find something to buy, whether I need it or not. So I try to limit my trips to the store and try to buy only what I need. The exception to that is if I see something on sale for a great price and know that it will save me money to buy it then.
dianne says
I cut coupons and read and compair prices w/ all local adds.
Jackie W says
I buy when it’s on sale not what I am making for dinner. It’s hard to do. Especially if you don’t have the extra money and you are counting your pennies.
renita terrell says
Meal Planning and adding in a Leftover night. Making more products from scratch and using whole boiling chickens in multiple recipes. I am still learning, and hope to gain more ideas from others!
jennifer m says
I’ve started making beans using dried beans instead of buying canned. I’ll make a pound of them, use what we need for one night and freeze the rest for a “quick” meal.
Heather Beckstrom says
We have a small garden in the back yard that has veggies. A bag of seeds is only $1 and you can grow so much. This saves at least a few hundred every year!
Joan Koczon says
Please don’t laugh at this one… I used to buy cat and dog food… now the dog gets a share of my portion of food. The cats get a half can of ‘wet food’ over the dry I set outside but since they are all ferral they don’t complain much.
Shelby Clark says
Buying from the outside aisles of the store and avoiding overpackaged foods. That does not mean canned foods, though, which I find to be one of the best bargains going. Whenever possible, I buy my canned goods by the case load.
Jenny says
I agree that doing less big shops saves me money in the grocery store. And when you do the small shops, don’t stray from your list!
amira says
we eat less meat and when we do, we use ground beef for flavoring. We buy in bulk and freeze and use coupons
Rena says
Many of my ideas are already listed in previous comments: PLAN, always, ALWAYS shop with a list to cut down on unnecessary buying. I am now trying to slowly stockpile. This is something our generation just hasn’t done. With hurricane season upon us and very shaky economic times, just adding a canned good or two helps. I usually do not buy lots of canned goods as I prefer fresh, then frozen for veggies. But canned goods are much cheaper.
I also like to buy whole fryers. Most women don’t cut up whole chickens nowadays. But thank you, Mom, for teaching me.
COUPONS are obvious, but really do help. They are available online for printing. This helps to just click and print the ones that you know you will use. There are lots of websites out there for food companies.
Thanks to the blogosphere, we can also find tons of recipes with minimal ingredients that are proving to be inexpensive, easy AND delicious!
Thanks for the opportunity to win big!
Johannah B says
We buy groceries that are on sale and use the “marked” down meat for the week. Often we can get our meat 1/2 off or more. Sometimes I do have to cook it all when I get home, and then eat thru it during the week. We have stopped overbuying (on sale) and freezing, because we found we never fully used up the food before it went bad. We try instead to take a moderate approach to “bulk” and try to rotate all our staples, buy fresh meat/veggies and “creating” new meals around them. This year we also have a dozen tomato plants and 3 pepper plants (that’s all we could fit in the sunny part of our lawn :))
Kristen H. says
We organize a neighborhood bulk buying shopping trip to Sam’s Club or Costco – we all make a list of our must have items and pool our money (and ride in one car) and then buy what we (those participating) need. Then we split everything equally-including the costs. If someone needs a specialty item, they pay for that item separately. It’s a great way too save on groceries, gas and the cost of a membership to the club (we do spend a little of our savings on lunch before shopping).
Roxann says
I know it’s an old idea, but save the pennies and nickels. I started my daughter’s college fund just by putting all my change in her bank.
Justin says
We have joined our local food co-op it helps us save some money gives us different varieties of meat each month and fresh produce it also helps in supporting some of the businesses and farmers in our local community
Tawnda says
Tight budget here as well… Search the sale adds & coupons… and never turn down free stuff that you can use
Annie - Savor This Moment says
I plan my trips to town and try to run my errands all in one day per week. Sometimes I can even go less often! We’ll hit the grocery store, bread store, library, and any other places we need to go. I try to make it fun by taking a picnic lunch to the park and letting the kids play for a while.
Heidi Durham says
packing home made lunches saves incredibly and it is better for you.
Melanie Lee says
My tip is to shop the sales and stock up. I like to buy in quantity when possible and make up future meals to freeze. I go to the supermarket that has the best sales each week.If I have enough money, I can actually shop at three supermarkets as they are on my way so I don’t have to waste gas driving all over. Its not fun going to 3 different stores but it is cost effective!
Jodi says
plan my meals based on whats on sale at Publix Supermarkets this week. Thanks for the great blog.
Lana Fornes says
Could use that $500 for gas out here where the skies are big and the miles long on the prairie.
susan says
We plan our meals,shop sales,clip coupons and eat
breakfast one night of the week and soup and sandwiches another night of the week! We make our own pizzas instead of ordering out too! Winning from Libby’s would be a big help to our family!
Michelle Hohertz says
I just discovered coupons. There’s a great site called couponmoms.com which itemizes everything that’s on sale and lists what coupons apply to it and where to find them- woot! saved 100 dollars:) I still haven’t figured it all out yet but it’s really exciting to get stuff you would have paid 3-4 dollars for for 30 to 90 cents!!
Tammy Hare says
Buying in bulk is best. We have been cooking venison in the crock pot with Libby veggies. Don’t forget to use your coupons! Times are getting hard. Thanks for sponsoring this contest. Would like to win and share this money with the family.
Tuyet says
Eat out less! An individual meal at a sit-down restaurant could easily feed a family of four if cooked at home.
Julie S. says
First, always prepare a list before you go shopping, and STICK to the list. Prepare enough for dinner for two nights, and then serve leftovers the next night (also saves cooking time and expense). Lastly, don’t throw away uneaten food. If the family’s finished with it, then pass it along to the dogs. They’ll really appreciate the treat!
Thanks so much for sponsoring this contest!
lisa (lost pezhead) says
We have started to walk around town a lot more. I have a double jogger and I push my kids to swim lessons and the library etc. It takes about an hour round trip, but I don’t have to use my car (gas) and I get to exercise too.
Jennifer Still says
I agree with what many previous posters have said: go homemade almost all the time, plan ahead, use up leftovers, clip coupons. Another resource that I’ve heard saves a lot of people money is angel food networks; unfortunately I don’t have one in my state, but many friends in other states say they get perfect food for a tiny fraction of the cost. Another great way to save is by combining those coupons with store sales and double or triple coupon times that your local store may have. We eat almost all meatless meals too, which saves a ton on our food bill and has helped our waistlines and health dramatically too. I would love to win this prize! Thanks Libby’s for sponsoring such a helpful website and giveaway.
Lisa Morrow says
We have stopped eating out and started shopping at discount stores like Sam’s and Cosco.
Cindy says
I am a SAHM with two girls. I budget everything like crazy from school supplies to my husbands lunches. I spend hours planning menus and cooking things that can be used for more than one meal. My husband has a 45 minute drive to work which costs us about $100 per week in gas plus tolls so I have to make that money up from either only doing errands once a week or having him stop and pick things up for me on his way home. I try to buy as much as possible in bulk. It’s stressful and I worry all the time what if something happens to his job or he becomes ill – man I miss the simple ways of life.
Janice Kucera says
Watch sale ads for Libby’s products on sale and stock up then!
Kristin Harmon says
I sit aside a certain amount for bills each week we get our checks, and we do not spend any of our money until we get the shopping list on the fridge done..
Shelly says
I sign up for the emails from all my favorite stores, then carry the savings coupons in a wallet when I shop.
elizabeth spanioli says
Crockpot leftovers. Once a week I throw in all vegetable leftovers [corn, peas, carrots, onions, broccoli etc], small amount of either noodles, rice or potato leftovers, several cups of broth or water to cover, salt and pepper to taste, one large bouillon cube and one cup tomato juice or half cup tomato sauce. I let this simmer for several hours. Saturday night Souper Supper! I let the kids float fish crackers on top. It’s so savory and delicious. Sometimes I add leftover chicken or beef. Just throw it all in and at the end of the evening you’ve got a hearty meal that doesn’t cost a penny, it’s just the leftovers.
Debbie says
Oh wow. I could really use this $500!! Like many of the other commenters, I only shop once I have made out my menus for the week. And, I am very careful to make everyone eat what we have before it goes bad, or I freeze it. Amazing how much that adds up!
Stephani says
I plan like crazy, making sure I have what I need, and go to the store with specific things on the list. Plus it always helps to get family and friends involved in the preparation, they can get excited for what is on the menu.
Beth says
Don’t be afraid to use the store brands! Most of them are just as good or better than the ‘fancy’ brands! And, sometimes they are still cheaper than the ‘fancy’ brand with a coupon.
Aniela R. says
I try to buy everything on sale & then use coupons on those things that are already on sale.
Belinda Charpentier says
I watch for sales and buy in bulk when possible which has saved on number of trips to the store. I probably have a year’s worth of grocery items without really trying.
sandra kao says
i try to stock up when items are on sale or i have coupons
Sara G says
I keep track of ads and when something is super cheap I stock up and buy as much as I can.
sara l. says
I usually buy in bulk on items like meat and canned goods….I also take advantage of fresh vegetables since we live in the south, so my freezer is always stocked!
Romie says
Use the internet! You can find a recipe for anything. I almost bought BBQ sauce the other day, but after reading the ingredients I realized I have all those ingredients and could find a recipe and make my own (healthier too). I also use a website to match coupons up with sales.
Paula Hephner says
When my husband and I first got married, we had a combined 7 children between us. We had 4 living with us and the other three would be at our house on the weekends. I have to say the most important money savings tip is to do weekly meal planners. Some of you could do it monthly, but we got paid weekly so it was easier. Plan out meals for 7 days, (you can fix them in any order, but 7 day’s worth) and use coupons to help cut costs.
Courtney says
I’m trying to get better about meal planning and I’m couponing.
Stacy Taylor says
I agree that menu planning is a must, but I also buy ground beef in family packs when it is on sale. Sometimes we freeze it raw to make meatloaf or burgers later, but other times, we brown the entire package and then freeze in 1 lb. bags for quick and easy dinners, like spaghetti or tacos.
Angela says
Unfortunately this tip won’t help most people, but we are able to get some savings from shopping at the commissary on base. The prices are not always that much better than civilian grocery stores, but they do have really good deals on some products and offer significant store wide savings during special events. The best I can offer civilians is to do comparison shopping at local grocery stores, stock up on good priced pantry items or items that can be frozen and consider joining a wholesale club like Sam’s or Costco if that could be right for your family. Buying in bulk helps. Some parts of the country even have grocery stores with good bulk sections, so that could save the membership fee of warehouse clubs. The price of the membership of those clubs is easily paid for by the savings though.
Jen says
We plan our meals ahead, and use coupons and sales to stock up. My husband rides his bike to work, and we live in town and walk wherever we can. We live in a small house which is sometimes cramped but ‘back in the day’ it would have fit twice as many people so we try and remember that expectations of how much space and stuff we need has become overgrown in the past 40 years!
Sasha says
I price match, so that way I save gas and grocery money, not to mention time.
Paula S says
I do once a month freezer cooking. If you have dinner in the freezer you won’t have to buy overpriced foods or horrors, eat out.
Heather (A Daycare Life) says
My advice would be to Menu plan, make a list based on your menu for shopping for that week, or 2 weeks. We shop weekly and have found we spend LESS because we don’t waste as much (produce spoils fast) We also have been using Canned Veggies to save money as well viruses the fresh, most veggies have the exact nutrients in the can as they do fresh. Make sure to get the no sodium added or less sodium veggies.
hermashaw at gmail dot com
joshua perry says
i clip coupons and keep them in a binder.
Sara says
I actually grow my own fruit and veggie garden to save money. It’s amazing how much can be saved in this way… and how easy it is to grow, and grow so productively.
We also buy in bulk a lot of items, and store or freeze the excess to save money.
[email protected]
Melanie A. says
As a SAHM to a family of 9 (counting me and hubby) I definitely try to cook from scratch as much as possible. I also make our menus from what’s on sale coming up-love the loss leader items. Use coupons, rebates, stock up and buy more of something if the price is good whether I need it or not, then should DH’s job end we’d still have food for awhile. Our grocery budget is $100-$150.00 a week:) so it can be a challenge sometimes for sure! We rarely eat out. McD’s dollar menu takes care of that, hit the drive threw with our own drinks and head to a park. I make my own windex/spray cleaner and use vinegar in the dishwasher instead of jetdry. Drink water or lemonaid. I try to have the mindset or how did they do it a hundred years ago. They sure didn’t pay $5 for a jar of pickles-they made em themselves.
I see frugality as a choice to be proud of and never feel deprived:) I’m not shopping at thrift stores because I’m poor-I’m enviromentally friendly and recycling:)!
Amy says
I make sure when shopping I look at lower shelves – because the higher priced items are always placed on the higher shelves.
We save money by shopping at Sunflower Market – they have great coupons on healthy food and they have a double coupon day in the middle of the week.
We also save up money for food by being frugal in other areas, like using our local freecycle.org and by hanging up our laundry rather then drying it, not using the dishwasher, recycling things like plastic baggies. Walking to the grocery store – if you buy fresh you have to go every few days anyway and your grocery list is shorter.
I shop for myself in thrift stores, where I can find good quality clothes in excellent condition -some with tags still on.
I get outside and exccercise with my toddler rather then spending money on a gym membership. I bought the TightWad Gazette which gives all kinds of ideas for saving money around the house and with your car and its good to subscribe to the caretaker’s gazette so that you can plan your next vacation around a short housesitting assignment rather then spend money on a hotel and all those meals out. Doing all this, I don’t have to compromise on good nutrition and quality foods – which doesn’t always mean the well known brand names – but rather those brands that don’t have ingredients like high frutctose syrup and are certified organic. And of course Dove Chocolate – well that brand name is the best chocolate!
Stephanie says
My best tip? Only buy products that can be used in multiple recipes. My fave is those cooked chickens in the deli. You can eat them straight, make them into tacos, bake into a casserole… they have so many uses for the price!
Cynthia says
I try to plan my menus and make a grocery list to go along with the plan…then stick to the list! Using and freezing leftovers is also a money saver. We have a bread outlet store that saves a lot of money on bread.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Em's mommy says
I budget for groceries and purchase only the food I have written out on a two week menu. I try to use store brand items, unless it’s something I’ve totally got to have the name brand. Also, my friend and I meal swap every other week. We both have young families that enjoy the same food, so we take turns providing a meal for the other family (trying to focus on something simple and cost effective) and bring it over every other tuesday. It is not only nice to have those days off from cooking, but it is also not so expensive to add a few more beans to the pot.
Emmy T says
Do not take your husband shopping! As funny as that sounds, it is easy for the person that doesn’t take care of the bills to choose things that are not needed. I give in, because he does not often get to choose the foods I buy. Then boom, the bill is 50 bucks more than it should be, because he talked me into things!
tangie c says
Well, we save the most grocery shopping by buying all of our meat in bulk, then separating it into individual dinners for our family, then freezing. We have a second freezer to hold extra foods.
DEBBIE says
when cooking meals…
….make several side dishes and a smaller
main dish(meat/chicken)
…you will save $$$ when buying groceries
and you will eat healthy!!!
Katie says
I shop for things on sale and with coupons before I need them so I don’t have to pay full price. I also meal plan around what is on sale and what I already have in my pantry so I can buy more for less. That is some of they ways I save for our budget.
Teresa says
We do it the old fashioned way and shop for produce that is in season. Then I make sure to use what’s purchased in favorite recipes saved by season. This helps avoid that forgotten bell pepper taking up the back of the lowest shelf in the refrigerator until it’s a yucky mess!
Lori Stone says
I server filtered water with dinner instead of soft drinks or juice. It not only saves calories, it’s a healthy alternative to keep the kids hydrated without spending extra money.
Tonya Froemel says
We plan all our meals at the beginning of the week. We have several frugal cookbooks and try to take advantage of sales. We also try to use coupons whenever possible. This is a big help with a hungry construction worker hubby and three quickly growing, always hungry kids.
Sandra Jensen says
Don’t be afraid to plan inexpensive meals – cornbread and beans – tuna casserole – grilled cheese and tomato soup – all just as yummy as a big red meat meal and way more economical!
Cat says
With my girlfriend next door we have started a veggie garden! You wouldn’t believe how much food can be grown in a small space, she and I have fun hanging out with the kids, and they enjoy digging in the dirt too!
Lisa says
I am lucky enough to have a dollar store right next to my grocery store. I pretty much know exactly what the dollar store has so if I need something and I know they have it, I head there first. Liquid dish soap that costs $1 still cleans the same as the stuff that costs $3, same goes for coffee filters, dryer sheets, cookies. True, it may not be as pleasent smelling or the filling on the cookie not as creamy, but when it can easily shave $20 off my grocery bill, we do it. I also plan all me meals around what the store has on sale. SOme weeks we may eat smoked sausage, spaghetti, or frozen pizzas a few times and other weeks we may actually get real chicken breasts.
tami says
I always make a list. I go through the sale flyer for whats on sale and then I see if i have coupons and I only buy it if its on sale and I have a coupon. Publix has great buy 1 get 1 free deals. We only eat meat once or twice a week. We always use leftovers and not let them go to waste. Im trying to learn how to shop at CVS and save all this money that everyone is talking about. I do get the freebates at Walgreens.
Stefanie says
I shop the ads, and stock up on Buy 1 get 1 free deals.
Timothy Sternberg says
The biggest thing that saves us money is meal planning.
Justin says
my wife and i take turns shopping. whoever gets the most bargains for their week wins. the prizes include foot rubs, back message ect. it can get very competitive! please sign us up for this one….thanks
Pamela says
I’m a new SAHM, and we’ve totally had to do a money makeover since I’ve been home. We plan our meals for the week before shopping, and I use the crockpot a lot. We’ve almost totally scaled back our eating out (sigh), but it really does save a TON of money.
dawn says
Oh, here’s a tip!! For $25, get a monthly box of food in your state at one of your local churches. go to http://www.angelfoodministries.org Every month, the menu changes and you get meat, veges and dessert, check it out!!!
dawn says
We try a lot of different ways. I make big meals, freeze half and take what wasn’t eaten to work for lunches. I make the kids ice pops by freezing juice in popsickle containers (made by tupperware) I do add water to the juice so it’s not so sweet. I have a Sam’s club card so we can buy stuff in bulk and store it. I use coupons and look for sales and have a coupon club at work where we all cut and share coupons. I have decided to start my own vegetable garden to have my own non-contaminated veges and it teaches the kids how to take care of a garden. Next year I’ll teach the kids how to go fishing to add to their skills besides getting some fresh fish. I make banana milkshakes with very ripe bananas or bread cake. I try to make a recipe of some sort with food that is getting too ripe. I got my mothers extra freezer to put extra food in and put it in the garage.
Mia J. says
I really need to start menu planning to help save some money.
katie says
The thing that helps me most is to not go grocery shopping when I’m hungry. I know it sounds silly, but I always end up buying more than I need when I’m hungry because everything looks so tempting. 🙂
I do have a US shipping address, even though I’m currently in HK…
Colleen says
I ALWAYS plan our week’s menus around the grocery stores’ sale fliers. In addition, I buy loads of store brand items and (gasp!) I’ve even started buying many staples at our local Super Wal-Mart. (We could easily go broke on the kids’ snacks alone! These little ones may not weigh a lot, but they sure can EAT!) Lastly, when the groceries are packed away, I make a list of every possible meal option and hang it on the fridge. That way I don’t forget what I have on hand. I also include any muffins, breads, or treats that I plan to make. It really helps me to stay focused and on budget — which, as we all know, is no easy feat these days.
Jodi N says
I plan on having leftovers one or two times a week. The family isn’t always crazy about it, but it’s less wasteful.
Tammy says
We always stock up on something we use when it is on sale. It never goes to waste, and we always have our favorites around without paying full price.
israel y says
we buy food in bulk when its possible, its cheaper. we also take home alot of food from my parents and in-laws whenever we can. finally, pot-luck dinners are nice to have friends over and not have to spend so much on food since everyone brings cooks something for the meal. thanks for the contest
trisha says
My tip is to premake meals on Sunday night and freeze extras. Your less likely to go out and spend money on resteraunts, when you have a full meal in the house! Also, do picnics with neighbors…enjoy the food AND the fun and you only pay for half!
trisha
Alyssa says
Shopping at CVS! I have saved over $1400 since March.
By playing the drugstore game with coupons and extra care bucks, we are spending less than ever before for our family’s needs.
Cheryl MacFadzen says
Buying in bulk, using coupons and meal planning seem to work best for us.
Thanks to Libby’s for the opportunity to enter for $500!
Alyson says
We have found many new casserole recipes and make up 3 – 5 of them and freeze them. Just this spring we started growing our own tomatoes and herbs (they are expensive in the grocery).
We don’t save any money on this idea as we are the older parents so once per week our grown kids and two grands come to dinner (we feed them). They love it as they say it saves them money (and we do it on Thursday evening so it is closer to the end of the week and helps with their meal planning). But money is getting tight so we shop once per month then only a few stops in between for perishables. More beans and rice!
Alyson LID 01/27/06 IA China
Becky says
We do coupons, meal planning and using leftovers for the hubby’s lunches. We also take up anyone that wants to invite us over for dinner.
Jen says
I put a lunch size serving of our dinner in a tupperware container while I’m dishing out dinner for the family so I can bring it to work the next day for lunch.
Jen
laurie says
We’ve cut back on red meats. We’re buying less junk food and saving our money to spend on the healthy foods.
Kimberly says
I save money by planning meals around foods that I stockpile when they are on sale. For instance, if I go to the store and find that canned black beans ore rice are on a ridiculous sale, I will buy more than I need. Then when it comes to dinner time I’ll make a meal that I can reuse the leftovers into something new. My favorite is to make spicy chipotle black beans and big pot of rice and then transform the day old rice into a Chinese fried rice dish. It the meal that keeps on giving 🙂
Karen R says
Stock up when there is a good sale. Use those leftovers.
Meshellyn says
I try to avoid buying much of anything new that I could buy used. This doesn’t mean that I have to sacrifice quality or taste, but when it comes to buying furniture for my home or making purchases on a multitude of things I shop Craigslist.com first. I’m almost addicted, but I can tell you it has saved me $1000’s of dollars. Not only is nearly my entire home furnished secondhand, but most of my daughter’s toys and clothing are too. And nothing looks like it’s been previously used, I’m still allowed to be picky!
Jai says
I have a meal plan that now involves breakfast four times a month for dinner w/ pancakes or waffles. We are making almost everything at home that we used to eat when we were eating out.
We eat out once a month instead of every weekend.
We grill every other week and use the meat and veggies all week for lunch and dinner. My family comes over to eat and help.
I use coupons for and plans my meals around what is on sale on the three grocery stores w/i 1 mile of me.
I buy more whole chickens and use the breasts for my husband (who only likes white meat) and use the others parts for cassaroles, stews, and sandwiches.
I shop at the Bread Store which has still been way cheaper than the grocery store and I have seen the bread truck drive away from the store and you can still smell fresh bread.
Thanks for letting me share!
Aimen says
Because of all the activities I often have to serve dinner at 430P 600P and 800P. It feels like I am cooking and cleaning half the day. We try to eat fresh food but it can be costly if you can’t plan perfectly. I do best saving on everything else and when I see a great sale on whatever, clothes, tires, Christmas presents in February – I buy!
Anna F. says
My cost saving tip is to cook a roast with potatoes and onions the first day. The second day add carrots and make a stew. The third day add whatever vegetables are on hand and make soup.
Thanks for the give-away.
DARIJAVAN says
I cut costs any way I can from doing all the rebates I can to only buying things on special and plan my meals around them. I make large meals and freeze half for another day. I have a container garden and try to grow as much as I can.
C Sawyer says
My husband and I are retired now and of course that means living on a fixed income. We have a small garden out back which helps tremendously. Also when we cook, we cook enough for 2-3 meals and go ahead and make up a couple of meals in the sectional rubbermaid plates. A day or two later, just pop it in the microwave and presto–it’s a meal !! Sure beats throwing away those leftovers like we used to do, and it also helps with portion control.
Anne says
My best way to get my family to stay around the dinner table is to sit after dinner and make a menu for the next day. Also I try to shop at my store and only compare prices when things are on sale.
JUDY NO says
Don’t eat lunch before Costco. Just sample
Marla says
Well, I try to use coupons whenever possible for the items I would buy anyway. I try to shop with a list and fix meals at home rather than eating out. This chance to win is GREAT! Thanks!
Megan says
After the grocery ad’s come out on Wednesday, I start matching my coupons to the sale prices and make up a menu for the next week mon-fri (we never know what we are going to do on the weekends, no since planning for meals…) and I only buy what I need for the meals I plan to make. i plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. Then I go shopping WITH MY LIST on Sunday, so I dont have to take this kids. You would be suprised how much I save by not having to rush because of the kiddos. I have cut my grocery bill in 1/2! Pluss less trips to town!
Michelle Y says
Definitely agree with the above…by not eating out very often and instead having a home cooked meal is a huge money saver. Also when leftover are not eaten, I wrap them up and put it in the freezer for another day!
Glenda D says
I use all the coupons I possibly can for the weeks groceries and go on days that they double the coupon. Can plan menu for week after clipping coupons on Sunday. Saves a bundle.
cheryl says
I hit the stores that sell the dented boxes and cans and things near their expiration date. My family goes through cereal fast so buying a box that is close to date is no problem as it’s going to be eaten within the week. I find cereal at $1.49 a box and dented canned foods at 3/$1 and load up. It allows me to splurge on better cuts of meat.
Robin S. says
We have just plain cut back on everything that isn’t essential. Making fewer trips, having less company, making more meals with less groceries. Trying to make every dollar go as far as possible.
anna t. says
I ride the bus everyday to work and back home. We recycle our cans, bottles and plastics.
Heather Sebastian says
I force myself to not shop when I feel like we’re getting low on food so I use what we have, which is always plenty to make a few dinners with. Saves money on groceries and keeps food from going to waste.
Timothy Dehart says
My wife does it all!
Elizabeth Dehart says
Having a garden with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs helps ALOT!
Karlina says
We planted a garden this year, soon we’d eat our own vegetables. We use a lot of coupons. we are becoming vegetarians. Also we drive less. No more restaurants
Babalu says
My local fruit and vegetable store has a good deal on bulk produce that is overripe. I often buy boxes of it totaling 10 pounds for $2 and cook the ugly fruit and veggies. I have tomato sauce whenever I want it, and stewed fruit. It’s yummy and nutritious. Some of them also freeze well.
Demetra says
For grocery shopping, I read all of the mail advertisements we receive so I know where I will save the most money. If something doesn’t spoil or has a long expiration date, and it’s an item we use frequently (like soy milk) we buy a few if we find an insanely cheap price. Also for big purchases we look for coupons online, or go to a nearby town where the taxes are cheaper. I also started taking the train to work b/c of the insane gas prices.
Comparison shopping, coupons, budgeting, and meal planning are always at the top of the list.
Adrienne Gordon says
plan our emals in advance so we only buy what we need at the store
Marisa M says
I shop grocery sales, and am a member of thegrocerygame.com which helps me to know how to get the best deals. The key is to stalk up when things are on sale.
Steve Maughan says
Meal planning. ugh.
Casey says
To save money I shop on a full stomach and always take a list with me, so I can stay on track.
John says
We could really use this!
alison says
My husband and I car pool when we have to run errands, so we can help cut the price of gas by only using one car and one trip. We’ve also limited our budget on food, making a weekly amount we must stick to. It has helped us save money as well as not purchase unnecessary items.
Lois says
I so need to read all these tips!
Lois
Ann Pinkerton says
I go to the store on senior day, combined with triple coupon day. Then I buy the items that are on special. My savings are usually cut my expense by 50% or more.
Trisha Dowling says
i clip every single coupon and keep them all in a baseball card holder, then everyweek i go through all the ads and try to maximize my savings. i shop half price items (b1g1) and double my coupons, often i leave spending under 10 on a buggy full of groceries.
also another idea. we cut our juices before the kids drink them. they get helf the sweets and we get twice the juice!
Tami says
I just wrote about this topic on my blog earlier in the week. Here is what I wrote:
“Unless you live with a 6 month supply of food on hand, I am sure you have noticed that food and staple items have been increasing in price on an almost weekly basis. What are you doing to cope with it? I have implemented several strategies.
I use The Grocery Game to help me track sales and coupons for my favorite grocery store, Walgreens, and CVS.
My husband and I decided to split a cow with a friend. So we have about 6 months’ worth of grain-fed, hormone-free beef in our deep freezer.
My husband and children planted a garden this year.
I have stopped buying certain items that we really did not need.
We have a flock of chickens who are just starting to lay about 4 egss per day. That should increase as the younger chickens mature. We have 13 chickens right now, but my husband wants a few more. I can easily use half a dozen eggs at breakfast time.
I also try to make a monthly trip to Sam’s Club and Aldi’s. Both of these stores are close in proximity to one another, but they are about 30 mins away from my house. I try to plan several errands in that area. And I take a cooler and ice. Our Aldi’s has been the best place for eggs, milk, and baking ingredients. At Sam’s, I buy large bags of rice and flour and a few other items. Most of my Sam’s purchases are office supplies for my business.
I also read Money Saving Mom’s blog daily. She has the best resources listed, and I always find links to other bloggers who are saving money on various items.”
Tom Bellamy says
Get rid of your credit cards.
rin says
Get a Sam’s Club membership, because it’s worth it. I got a membership discount through employer’s discount, but the main thing is that you can find really good high-end clothing that got marked down. I got a Nicole Miller top for nine bucks and my mom got a gorgeous black sheath dress for 5.94!!!! We were so shocked that we had the cashier double-check the price!
Jana Cole says
Coupons are a good idea, but the best thing is if you can plan a week’s worth of means at a time and make one big shopping trip, with only another trip or 2 during the week to fill in perishable items. Make a list of all ingredients and stick to it.
To get our family back to the dinner table, we play “game on the table” where one person thinks of an item on the table and gives everyone the 1st and last letters of the item and tells how many words it is. The person who guesses it correctly gets to pick the next item. My kids can’t wait to get to the table and start playing. They also stay at the table much longer than they used to, trying to stump everyone else! I actually have to stop dinner at some point or we would be there past everyone’s bedtime!!!
Fresh Girl says
We’re big coupon clippers at our house! Sometimes we amaze ourselves at how much we’re able to save that way. Takes some time though, but I think it’s worth it.
Pauline M says
My family is doing as much as we can to keep costs down and trying to make it fun at the same time. Last night we rode our bikes to the grocery store to pick up some staples, attached to shopping bags to the handlebars and found out this works great! I also started taking the train to work, which has saved our family 70.00 a week in gas!
Mimi Rodriguez says
We save money and gather for dinner and a movie. I watch for buy one get one free items at my grocery and plan my meals around those sales. Then I check out a FREE movie from my local LIBRARY. They offer just about the same movies as Blockbuster or Netflix, but only FREE! The Library is a great money saving resource that is often under used.
Shelly says
I try to watch the sales and fill my storehouse whenever the opportunity allows. Yesterday, I went and picked 12 + gallons of apricots with my mom at our pastor’s home. It is a good year for fruit trees in our area, so we are putting the apricots in the freezer as jam and pie filling. Previously, I’ve done the same with apples, tomatoes. We also stock up at specials and use coupons to make things more affordable.
james says
I buy 10 pounds of chicken a week and 40 cans of tuna a month. These are my staples and each week I get different vegetables, potatoes, soups, etc. Generic spices are cheap, to give different tastes. I mix cream of mushroom with tuna and cream of chicken with tuna (1 can soup to 2 cans tuna) for sandwich spreads and throw some pastas in for difference in the month. I shop at aldi and big lots and my food bill never goes above 100 a month, but usually averages 70-80. I eat well and don’t pay a lot for it…if need be, i could live on 40-50 a month comfortably, but i’m spoiled…lol
Shelly says
I clip coupons. I also sign up for email lists for stores I frequent to get more coupons…then have a wallet to keep them all in so I always have them with me when I shop.
Melanie says
Fortunately, we are able to do our shopping on the military base which definitely saves money. However, now that gas is so high, going to the base for anything other than a major trip doesn’t make sense.
I combine errands now to save gas so if I’m in Target and cereal is on sale, I buy it. If I’m in the area of Henry’s or Trader Joe’s, I’ll go in and refresh some of the staples.
I’m also a big coupon clipper and can generally save $11-20 per trip. Thanks for the great contest and good luck to everyone!
Susan French says
I use rebate credit cards for gas and pay them off every month so there’s no credit fees. 4% back on gas takes a little sting out of the prices (though not much!).
holly says
I am just glad my husband has a job! I try to meal plan from what we have in the pantry and use coupons. It doesn’t always work, since coupons are usually for new, brand name products. I definitely could use help! [email protected]
Patricia Treskovich says
We garden and try to be creative with left-overs, and not waste food.
Rebecca says
We garden, a lot. Oh, and we discovered that the row of hedge between our house and the neighbors, which is 18 feet tall in places, is actually neglected blackberry bushes! I’ve been picking quarts of berries everyday.
Berries on everything!!!
Kathryn says
Hey Charla – which fruits do you freeze that way? Will bananas freeze? And I bet fresh pinapple would be perfect for this!
Charla says
We freeze our leftover fruit right before it goes bad and gets tossed out. Then we use it to make smoothies by adding some plain yogurt and fruit juice. Makes the kids feel like we splurged on a trip to the smoothie store without leaving home!
Donna says
To stretch my food budget:
1. stockpile- when a food is on sale, I buy as many as I have coupons for.
2. coupons- I use coupons and even trade for coupons to buy items I use. Libraries sometimes have coupons they give away besides buying the Sunday paper.
3. Rebate to get free items- Walgreens, CVS & Rite Aid have free items every month. I do not pay for shampoo, toothpaste, etc.- This week it was free diapers!
3. Shop grocery stores after they do their mark downs. One Kroger always marks down milk to 99c after noon; plus other items such as bread and dairy are clearanced- short dated items.
4. Dented/Surplus stores- find stores that sell these items and cans of soup are 33c and many items under $1; but be selective.
5. Freeze short dated items I have gotten on clearance and meals that I have to much of.
6. Never go to the store hungry and never buy things just because I have a coupon.
7. Know prices- just because it’s on ‘sale’ doesn’t mean it’s a good price. I shop at more than one store to make my doller stretch farther.
Erica M says
Buy extras of things when they are on sale, buys store brands, meal plan, and don’t buy things we don’t need. Our bread thrift store is also a huge help… I can get wonderful chips and snacks there for much less than the grocery!
Kathryn says
Two words – hot dogs! I have all boys and if we build a fire and let them roast hot dogs then they will eat. If you wait until a holiday (like the 4th of July) then you can probably get hot dogs for almost free. Many stores mark them down to nothing as an incentive to draw in customers. Also, buy extra and freeze a package of hotdogs with a package of buns in a freezer bag. You’ll always be ready for a fun dinners at the snap of your fingers (and it won’t cost much at all)
AJ says
I go to the bread thrift store and buy bread and put it in bag from our regular store.Nobody knowns the difference and everyone is happy to have thier favorite brand but not at $2 a pop!
Valerie Mitchell says
What a wonderful prize!
Andrea says
Many many things that can be done.. Grow vegetables,cut coupons, search internet for free samples( many of them out there), entertain at home
(movies,games,etc.
shannon generazzo says
Ok so I don’t eat vegetables… maybe this would be a good way to start!
Michelle M. says
I have 2 sisters and the 3 of us get together regularly to swap coupons. We don’t all buy the same brands so it works out very well that if one of us can’t use a coupon its likely one of the other two can.
Also, at my local grocery store, I leave expiring coupons on the shelf by the item so someone else may be able to use it if I can’t. I have benefited from other shoppers doing the same.
Michaele says
Although I’m really struggling to keep our grocery bills down, with three teeangers home for the summer, this is a weekly battle. What I have found that works, however, is things like making my weekly meal plans based on what is on sale in the Wednesday supermarket flyers. Keeping trips to the store down is a huge thing, especially since my kids are with me a lot, and when they are, the bill is always bigger…(please, Mom…please can we get….) We’ve also stopped buying canned dog food and now they only get dry. My husband brownbags it to work everyday and during the school year, the kids do too. Hopefully these things all manage to add up to some savings..it’s just hard to see it when everything else keeps going up in price, too!
Crystal Gleason says
Coupons, coupons, coupons!
Mercy V. says
What I have been doing lately is shopping on a per week basis so that I don’t over spend. Previously I would overspend on lunch items for the work week or overspend on breakfast items. Also I search for coupons on the internet always go to the grocery store with a budget! 🙂
Beverly says
I scour the internet for coupons. I get so excited when I get free stuff or rebates or cents off! But my most frugal savings, is eating at my Mom’s a couple times of week. It’s free and filling.
Kelly G. says
We are staying home more too! We enjoy re-watching old movie favorites or teaching our young daughter to count by playing a fun game of cards.
Deborah Meyer says
I make menus for every day so that I won’t buy things I don’t need. I pick recipes that are inexpensive and nutritious and I plan for variety during the week without buying items at full price or unnecessary items.
Joanna Smith says
There are a lot of things that my husband Hudson and I do to save money and also enjoy quality family time at the dinner table. We are both what I call culinary artists (LOL) so we truly involve the entire family (all 5 of us) in preparing our meals. We engage our kids in stirring and mixing, and they enjoy and laugh at us while we decide what ingredients we are going to throw in the mix for that evening’s meal. The kids enjoy watching us create healthy and savory meals and they actually look forward to sitting down to eat because not only have they been a part of the dinner’s creation, but they are anxious to try what the final outcome is. Involving the entire family in preparing meals is a wonderful way to bond with your kids and we create a lot of magic memories each and every night. We have joined both Sam’s Club and BJ’s to save money and we purchase large quantities of food which really cuts down on our monthly food spending. We also cook large quantities at one time so my husband packs leftovers to bring to work for lunch the next day and I pack leftovers for the kids to bring to school. We no longer get nickeled and dimed by paying more to go out to lunch or pay for lunches.
Kasey says
We are a family of movie watcher which gets everyone together for an evening dinner and a movie. The pay per views which were once taken for granted because it was so easy to just push a button became no more and we ended up getting a mail service for the movies. They still get to pick what they want to watch on movie night and the good thing is it cut the cost in half and that was do-able.
Margaret McClatchey says
Cut greeting cards so that you can reuse them as postcards.
M.A. says
Grown some fresh, healthy fruit and/or berries: raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, grapes, apples, plums, pears, lemons, limes, oranges..(depends on where you live) and share the wealth with your neighbors.
Jess says
My tip is Once a Month Cooking and having easy meals on hand, to prevent from eating out “because there is nothing to eat!” (we’ve all heard that one). I also try to find coupons and deals that are going on at the same time, to get the most for my buck. There are a lot of website that do the searching work for you.
D. says
Plant a garden!
Dandelion Quilts says
I plan out our meals before heading to the store. I try to plan a few meals that share some common ingredients. We also try to eat in more and watch the adds.
Elisa Perkins says
Our biggest way to save money is to stay home. It’s hard with three kids who want to be on the go, but their dad just got fired so we have to watch EVERY penny. The kids understand and I try to keep them entertained here but it’s hard.
Kristi Price says
Eating lots of leftovers, having meals that you can stretch like spaghetti, beans and rice, chicken pot pie, buying what’s on sale each week and using coupons when I can. Things are getting really tough..thanks for the giveaway!
Jenelle says
We save money on groceries by using coupons ONLY for what we need (as opposed to buying it ’cause it’s such a great deal). I agree with the other posters about meal planning. I find that I will through away a ton of food, especially produce and left overs. By planning meals I use what I have on hand (because I only buy what I need) and I’ve have planned – overs to eat. Since I work full time out of the house the planned overs are life savers and keep us from eating out alot too.
Debbie says
I’ve invested in a vacuum sealer. I now buy meats and produce on sale and prep them for the freezer. I can also use the sealer to reseal bags of pretzels, chips and cookies so I don’t have to throw them away because they’ve gone stale. It also allows me to prepare some meals in advance. It’s nice to be able to come home and grab something already prepared. It saves us from the temptation of going out to dinner.
Cheryl says
enter me
lovedandamazed says
One way that I have helped my budget costs is by buying turkey bacon instead of pork. I can get it for $2.23 a pound, and unlike pork bacon, its turkey counterpart has almost no fat and I can use every bit of that 16 ounces. This has helped us in a small way, but I feel good about it because bacon had become a real treat.
Thanks for the chance to win such a huge help!
DebE says
I read the store ads and try to stock up on the featured products on sale for that week.
harlin says
always clean up the leftovers. In 52 years of marriage we have never thrown out food. Yum Yum
Brandy Bush says
We definitely have to plan ahead. I try to buy canned goods and such once a month and buy bread and meat once every 7-10 days to avoid waste. We wil spend way too much eating out if I don’t prepare ahead! It’s just way too convenient but also too expensive!
Jeff says
I always bring my lunch to work.
Ashley McCourt says
As a full-time working mother of an 8-month-old, time is precious. I don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen when I should be spending time with my son and husband. What I do is prepare a lot of simple meals during the week like frozen pizzas, Hamburger Helper, etc. and on the weekends, I cook like crazy and freeze the leftovers in single size portions. Makes for an easy lunch later!! I bring my lunch to work, don’t eat fast food anymore, and drink water from the fountain (or bring my own) instead of hitting the soda machine.
I also do lots of research online to find coupons for everything I normally purchase. I’ll normally shop all the stores, too, to make sure I’m getting the best deal.
JenPerkins says
As a working mom, it’s tempting to take shortcuts and spend extra money on snacks and lunch. To save, I always bring my lunch, avoid the candy/soda machine, and no longer pick up a cup of coffee when I’m out.
Carl says
I shop from multiple grocery stores to get the best deals. Believe it or not, there are a lot of items at Whole Foods than are cheaper than Ralphs or Vons.
Tracy says
With 2 young children I haven’t a lot of time to spend fussing with dinner. As a newer parent I stuggle with trying to find a happy medium. I so look forward to reading tips from other more seasoned parents and try to implement some new technique each month. I’m finding that setting up a meal schedule at the beginning of the month (so that my kids don’t have the same meal at home and daycare on any one given day). Thanks for your great blog !!
Mattie says
We are fortunate enough to have a freezer here at work, so when lean tv dinners go on a big sale I stock up and keep them in the freezer here. They’re handy and I don’t have to use space at the house…leaves me with room to stock up on other items when I catch a good deal.
Melanie says
I try and fix meals that can be easily frozen and/or eaten more than one day during the week. I try to look for meat on sale–buy one get one free–and fix the entire batch and freeze half of it for later. That way, I knock out two or three days worth of meals in one shot and also cut down on the effort of cooking it all.
Diane Elliott says
I have a contest with the kids about who can come up with the cheapest dinner idea (healthy of course), have them shop with me to pick it out and then we eat it as a family!
cheryl bailen says
love to use libby products.
Mel Jeffrey says
Planning menus each week is our best way to save money. It keeps us from going out when we can’t think of what’s for dinner.
During the summer, my 9 and 5 year old daughters each get a night to plan the menu, help shop and prepare the food. They are getting to be great cook’s helpers and really enjoy looking at new recipes. It helps me because I don’t have to to think up a dinner idea!
Mary_Freebies says
Our number 1 tip is to buy for the month, or else for the week. When you buy small quantities of anything from food to cleaning materials, you pay for a huge difference. Not to forget the trips it takes.
Tia Carter says
i hope i win
Gina says
I make a weekly menu and stick to it. When you don’t plan you tend to eat out every meal. I also make a list of everything I need and don’t get anything that’s not on the list. (unless my husband comes with me… then he throws things in)
Vilma Rosado says
I am such a good coupon user that most stores dread me, and before that habit was stopped, after using coupons store managers actually OWED me money. Once before coupons stopped paying the difference if the item was on sale. I did a $265 grocery shopping where the store manager had to hand me $2.00 back, and with rebate items, that trip turned out free! Set a budget, cut coupons, go where you find the best sales for items you really use everyday.
Molly Capel says
The biggest thing I think I do to help with our family budget, is concerning our food. I find myself not buying all the “usual” snack & food items. sitting down & actually planning out menus & writing out a shopping list. I’ve also started making double meals- one to eat right away & the other to get put in the freezer for another night. This is actually really helpful for my time budget. I also find that we aren’t driving around as much as we normally do. If we can walk somewhere, we do.
Cori Westphal says
My biggest money saver is coupons. My tip for saving the most: Clip every coupon. You may not think you need the product but if it goes on sale, combined with the coupon, you can get things for either very cheap or sometimes free. I just went to the store today and saved $38.00 on my $60 bill. Even the cashier was impressed. Clip every coupon…it works! Thanks for the contest!
Jean says
We use cash to stay on budget. However much fun money we get, we get it in cash. It’s so much harder to spend!
goose022 says
My biggest money saving tip is to stock up when an item is on sale. With the high gas prices I now limit my grocery shopping to one big shop versus many little trips.
dawntrenee says
I clip alot of coupons, I get the Sunday paper just to get the coupons, it more than pays for the paper. Along with that my husband and i have been making better use of leftovers, we are taking them for lunch and not throwing food away. I also try to shop less, I use to stop and get something almost every day, I have cut down on that tremendously.
Laura says
I grocery shop every Wednesday. Thats the day the sales change. I also try to only buy when things are BOGO.
[email protected]
Laura says
Know your prices! I use a price book to keep track of the prices in my area. I know which item is the least expensive at the four stores. This enables me shop for those particular items at those stores. Our town is small so those four grocery stores are close together. I also shop stores such at Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Fred’s for sale items that come out cheaper than the regular price I pay. I buy in bulk and only use a coupon now if it makes the item the least expensive. We have two chest freezers in addition to the fridge/freezer. I keep those stocked with sale meats, etc. We reuse leftovers to make other meals and I do some OAMC (once a month cooking). We also grow a vegetable garden, herb garden and are starting to get more fruit trees in addition to the grape vines, cherry trees, and blueberry bushes we have. I can an surplus of fruit and veggies to get us through the lean winter months.
Shop yard sales and thrift stores for clothing too! I also sew many of the girls’ dresses as I can’t find ones in the store long enough for us. I buy $1 material from Walmart for the dresses and jumpers and then use old white sheets to make their pantaloons (think Little House on the Prarie and you’ll see the dresses and jumpers with pantaloons my two youngest wear… keeps them modest as they like to climb with their brothers).
tracey c says
we buy on sale, use coupons, buy store brand and family packs of things like ground chuck and chicken. We also make our own pizza and buy the snacks at discount stores. We have a meal plan and stick to it.
Karen W says
I like to stock up when things go on sale!
Dawn says
Wow – look at all the entries! We only buy store brand items on several things, which saves alot. We also bulk shop with sales and freeze lots. It helps!
Blair says
Just about everything possible to cut costs we do. With just the 2 of us I can stretch main meals and servings. I buy red meat, pork, fish and chicken when it’s on sale whether it’s a manager’s special to cook that night or week or to freeze parts of a bulk purchase. I serve 2 non meat meals a week. I use leftovers creatively. If we had salt potatoes left over one day, they become part of a Spanish omelette for dinner the next day. And of course I use coupons and look for BOGO free offers which I can usually find regularly in one of our 4 main supermarkets.
I also use my frozen vegetables from the garden from last summer or fresh when in season.
MELISSA says
I use lots of coupons and look thru all the grocery sales, planning & organization is a key to saving money!
Andrea R says
I buy my meat on sale & freeze it. Then I plan my dinners around what meats I have in the freezer.
Sandy F. says
we definately do meal plans before we go shopping and check out the circular to see if what we need is on sale. cutting coupons is also a must! oh and thank goodness for Grandparents….useally we get at least 2 meals a week from them!!!
Caryn B says
Wow…yes…the rising cost of everything is truly difficult. I cut coupons of course. I do a ton of comparison shopping with the weekly ads but try not to run around because I have a little boy who keeps me busy, I work part-time as a nurse, and have a household to care for. Plus running around defeats the purpose of saving when gas is at least $4.50 here in So. Cal! We use Quicken to calculate our expenses. It tells us exactly how much we spent, what we spent money on and how much we saved. It’s a wake-up call when you see how much/how often you spend money on things like coffee, eating out, etc. We TRY not to eat out because the money we spend eating out could be groceries which means several meals as opposed to one. We try to make my son’s food…it helps that he’s starting to eat what we eat. We try to buy local/organic and at least all-natural so we use Mamo Sprouts’ coupons which help.
Heather Otis says
I shop in bulk. Once a week I spend 1 day cooking 3-4 meals. So its all ready for the week. then we arent tempted to eat out.
Terri Fisher says
My husband works second shift, so during the summer months, we make lunch our big meal of the day so that we can eat together as a family. Very rarely do we make other plans that will take us away at that time of day so that we can have that one time together without interruption.
Laura says
I use coupons when I can. Remember if you wait a week or two after the coupon comes out in the paper, the item will go on sale. I also buy the store brand for many products and not the name brand. Lastly, Big Lots usually has crackers, cookies, cereal, water, and some canned goods at discount prices.
Kathy Thrasher says
whoohoow!!!! Food
Colleen says
We have set a limit to spend every week, and no matter what, don’t go over it. It can be tricky, but forces you to decide what your really need, and get creative with meal planning.
sandra smulevitz says
Libby’s veggies are wonderful, they taste like fresh vegetables and their price is very reasonable. We go out of our way to purchase them.
leslie long says
Coupons, sales, lists and planning…home cooking with the basics keeps costs down. Thanks for all this great info>
Tara Hill says
We scrape by with coupons and sales. We are trying to sell my car, so we will only have one. We don’t have cable or watch TV, so that enables us to spend lots of time together, not just at the dinner table!
Jill says
I have a few tricks I use. One is meal planning and then making my shopping list and completely sticking to it. I make my list in conjunction with The Grocery Game which helps me combine coupons with sales. I have cut $150 a month off my grocery budget and it is continuing to decrease!!
Vikki C. says
Most of the best ways I have found to save money are pretty basic. Some meals are really cheap, like spaghetti, so we have that once a week. “Fill out” meals with inexpensive vegetables, like adding peas or chopped broccoli to your side dish. It is healthier for you and will save you money. Use coupons matched to sales whenever possible. Cut down on the processed packaged treats and try making some snacks yourself. There are a bunch of things like rice krispy treats that are easy to make and inexpensive.
laurie says
We go only every 2 weeks, and find we spend less in total that way. if we need bread, milk, eggs or produce in between, the local markets are cheaper on those items anyway.
Teresa Hoyt says
I always try to shop bulk, so I’m not making a unnecessary trips to the grocery store!
Melissa says
We only go to the grocery store AFTER we have eaten…we spend so much less that way than we do when we go hungry!
Anna says
One thing that I try to do is never go to the grocery store when I am hungry, seems to me I buy quite a bit moe, I try to make a menu, make a list and stick to that. I check the sales paper and try to plan meals around the items that are on sale,I use coupons. I also stick to making home cooked meals, rather than eating out.
Christine says
The one thing that helped save a lot of money for our family was a vegetable garden. I used the square foot method and it was amazing how many different vegetables I could grow, even melons and corn. It’s great not having to buy any. Thank you so much!
Glenda Warden says
Thus may not work for everyone, but we have a large deep freezer and I purchase milk when it is on sale and freeze it. Simply pour out some of the milk into another container so the milk had room to expand as it freezes ,and thaw when needed.
laurie says
I never head out to food shop without a list, and I try hard not to fall for impulse buying. I meal plan around whatever is on sale.
Andrea says
We do as much cooking as we can from home. We prepare a list based on the recipes we plan to make throughout the week, which keeps us focused on the grocery store and away from the quick fix items that cost so much.
Elizabeth says
Coupons help. Thank you for the contest!
Jennifer W says
Our biggest money saver is shopping at Aldi and if we have to shop somewhere else then using coupons.
Kristyn Martin says
Clipping coupons and buying generic brand foods has helped save us bundles!
CAROLYN says
I go to the dollar store first!
Shay says
COUPONS! That’s all I can say I shop at Publix and they double up to 50 cents. I usually save anywhere between $30-50 per weekly visit.
Carol Russell says
Shopping for sales, useing coupons, planning meals, reworking leftovers, adding a can of vegtables to strech a dish are just some of the ways I save on my grocery bill.
Megan B. says
I plan all my meals the week before and shop every Sunday with a defined shopping list on a FULL stomach so I don’t make any impulsive buys. We don’t eat take out anymore, we eat in so we can conserve more money.
EJW says
I plan meals, cook from scratch, and eat those leftovers for lunch. That’s been a huge money-saver in our grocery bil.
Linda says
I shop at discount stores where there is no name brand.
tracy mccarty says
I can’t wait for this giveaway! I have 5 young children and am always on a budget! I love libby’s and am greatful for this great contest! It will definitely help whoever wins!
joanmurraycefalu says
Not only menu planning and taking into seasonal savings, but shopping with a list ( and leaving the children and husband home). The more people who shop with you, the more people to add extras to the cart. She shops cheapest who shops alone!!!
Sarah says
We’re starting a veggie garden!
Aryn says
Meal planning is definitely key. I always try to make sure that if I’m using something “exotic” like coconut milk, I make sure to find another recipe for the week that will use up the left-over ingredient.
If something isn’t on the list, it doesn’t get purchased.
I also have to keep myself away from Target, my number one stop for impulse buys. 🙂
500 dollars would really come in handy right now!
JenO says
We have trouble with impulse buys in our family. (all of us, including me I’m ashamed to admit) The first trick is to only send one person to the store. The second is to allow ourselves one impulse buy. Giving ourselves permission is very gratifying, but since it’s just one we’re more thoughtful about what lands in the cart that wasn’t on the list.
Barbara Richards says
I’m enjoying the tips on here.Thank you for the giveaway!
Carlos Pandiella says
Easy way to cut cost, Try out a light any easy fruit diet. You can buy them cheaply and it helps you cut back on bad foods.
But the bad ones do tatse sooo good.
Monique Rizzo says
We save money by using coupons and doubling them up with sales. We also plan our gas usage by doing all our errands on the same day. We keep lights off as much as possible in the house, and we recycle ziploc bags.
on the Rock says
Having to find ways to cut back on costs is also helping stay alittle more slim. We actually now share any take-out food to make sure a meal will cost as little as possible. Then just wait atleast thirty minutes to see if you’re still really hungry – and voila! We find we’re actually quite satisfied with our portion.
Shimmy Mom says
The thing I do most is to buy in bulk (Costco has become a very good friend to me) and when ever something is on sale I buy two instead of one or 5 instead of 2 or 3 and put them in my storage room in the basement so I always have some “food storage” on hand.
Kathy says
websites- this one of course, but also saving dinner.com,freecycle,dollarstretcher- you can learn so much
Ashley says
The thing that saves us the most money is that I plan every shopping trip beforehand. If I go without an itemized list all kinds of junk ends up in my cart!
April says
I will purchase certain foods when they are on sale, e.g. chicken, and then cook ahead my meals and freeze them. Not only does this save money but it also saves time on busy nights.
Tania Edwards says
I make a dinner menu to make sure I buy everything I need at the grocery store. It helps to avoid impulse purchases when running back to pick up one or 2 things! Not to mention saving the gas not making a second trip!!
Perky says
I’m a host site for a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) this summer, so I’m getting all the veggies for free. It just takes a little work and we get so much back in return! It’s definitely helping to keep our grocery budget in line!!!
Ellie says
During the winter I make a lot of soups from scratch, then freeze part. My son is only 2, so we don’t have a problem sitting down for dinner.
Ronda Garnett says
I am like all the others, coupons & sales…combining trips to save gas…walking to the store if I need only a few things…but…we also fish…so if you can catch your own bait…you get free fish and free entertainment.
Evelyn says
This is a great prize. it could really help save some money and help in feeding the kids as well. Practical and useful!
kate5405 says
I’m a retiree with a limited income. I scan the grocery ads and make menues for the week and make my lists according to the sales. Luckily several grocery stores are within a few blocks of each other so I can visit several in one trip. I must also limit impulse buying–so now I just put Ben & Jerry’s on my list and know that is my splurge for the week. An extra $500 would be wonderful.
Amanda Titus says
We design meals like shepard’s pie that lasts for a couple days. I always pour in a couple cans of carrots to our pasta sauce & with my shepard’s pie, I add cans of peas, corn & green beans. It’s a HUGE hit.
Megan A. says
Planning our meals and snacks based on what’s on sale and making a list are musts, but the most important thing for me is to do my grocery shopping with cash. I used to use a credit card for the reward points, but if I’m limited to the cash in my wallet, I save more than the 2% I would get back from using my credit card.
Denise says
We need to do a better job with shopping and meal planning, but we did join a CSA a few years ago so we get great local, organic produce. We also drive very little.
Laliev says
Shop for bulk once a month and then hold my breath!
DW says
Hope we see more manufacturer’s do more of these ease the pain types of promotions. When someone wins one they seem to be more appreciated than in the past. And, yes I hope I win this too.
Lisa says
Coupons, coupons, coupons! I use the usual ones in the Sunday paper, but I’ve also found out that if you sign up for online email newsletters for various restaurants, you will be flooded with freebie offers for meals, appetizers, ice cream cones, etc. around your birthday. Yummy!
grubmama says
I do my bulk shopping on Sunday and then get little things like milk during the week. I try to get one of each…fresh produce, fruit, meat and carb. I try not to buy too much all at once and have to throw out some of the vegetables if it goes bad. I also use canned vegetables if I can.
Jacqueline says
It seems we’re being forced to do what I gradparents (and perhaps some of our parents) did – get creative with leftovers. One large roasted chicken means chicken enchilada casserole the next day and then leftovers of that the day after. But it’s not all bad – kids tend to recall those leftovers as some of their favorites when they grow older!
Carrie Cabral says
I cook from scratch and we have started a neighborhood garden co-op. Our seeds were free from the government’s “America the Beautiful” fund. They sent 100 seed packets… vegetables, herbs and flowers. We share and can what we have as excess.
Kari Follett says
We only shop twice a month to save on gas out to the superwalmart, and we started buying in bulk as much as possible.
Lisa Foster says
I plan my meals a week in advance and always have at least 2 cheap nights–like breakfast for dinner or a big loaded bake potatato and salad
ANNE SRODA says
We live in the country, so I save up my errands for one trip into town per week. Also started hanging my clothes out to dry.
Christina W. says
It takes a master plan to keep a food budget as tight as we need to. Always have a meal plan, with complete shopping lists. Use coupons, and shop at discount grocery stores that double them. Take the extra time to determine if generic might be cheaper, even with the double coupons (bring a calculator!) Buy fruits and veggies at local farmer’s markets. My son has a serious milk-protein allergy, so we can’t skimp on his formula, instead I make his baby food at home.
Liz says
Even with a small household, menu planning is key. And making double portions to freeze for later – it saves time and if you’re already making spaghetti for 4, why not make it for 8?
Anna Martin says
Planning is the key to sucess on a tight buget. I plan nightly meals that are light and simple! Breakfast is always satisfying and light on the stomach with the soaring heat that the South produces! You can eat healthy even if it means times are tougher than usually.I’m a heart paitient and eat better than I use to, using lots of fruit and cold vegetables for salads is one way to curb your appetite!
greg bern says
check out angelfoodministry.com for week of food for 30.00. 38 states pick up in. 40 to60 value.
Wendy says
We plan our meals so that when we go to the grocery store we buy what we need for those dinners. It helps us from impulse shopping. But hey, you gotta splurge on a cheesecake once in awhile 🙂
Jessica T says
This may sound like an oxymoron, but I buy meals from CareFree Chef (where you go and pay to prepare oven ready meals and then keep them in your freezer). It costs a bit more than making them from scratch, but it prevents me from eating out or ordering in when I’m unprepared or don’t feel like cooking! So, in the long run, it saves me $$!
debbie tyler says
We love Libbys. I use lots of coupons and often get free items. I also buy whatever meats are on sale for the week. There are 2 grocery stores just a few miles from me so I go to both for the specials. If it is a great buy and you can only get one or two I will go in the beginning of the week then again later.
LVLP says
We are fortunate to have 4 different grocery stores within a 4 mile radius….so we shop the ads and keep our pantry well stocked! Canned goods, boxed goods, dressings and cereals will keep for a while so we rarely have to run out and pay top dollar.
Greta says
We have pretty much stopped eating out too AND we have severly limited our driving.
I would LOVE to win this particular giveaway. Thanks for the chance!
Bhavana says
We have almost stopped eating out. I always keep trying out new recipes to avoid getting bored at the dinner table.
Also we try to finish everything in the refrigerator , we buy what we need and use it up.
I try not to linger around the aisles at the grocery store, I notice that I spend a lot lesser that way!
Lois says
Like to buy in bulk and freeze. Also do breakfast
for dinner once in a while.
Amy says
We make meal plans, use LOTS of coupons and shop the sales at several stores to get the best prices. It’s time-consuming and sometimes exhausting but it’s so worth it in the long run! We also make one large meal and sometimes freeze 1/2 of it (like lasagna or pizza or a casserole) so that all we have to do on a busy night is heat and eat. Those nights I don’t have to cook are really a treat for all of us! More time with the family = a happy mama! 🙂
kris hickey says
I love saving moola by using coupons for things that are also on sale and by cooking and crafting things from scratch when I can.
Becky says
I make out my grocery list and next to each item I write the estimated cost. As I go through the store I keep track of my accuracy and know if I am over or under budget. Since I have a tally already before I go into the store can keep everything straight rather than forget the litte items that add up! I never go over budget and frequently come in $20-40 under! It has worked for years!
zoz says
I bought a freezer, which allows me to buy and cook in bulk.
I cook enough for several meals at once, then freeze in individual portions. I menu plan using the store circulars, and only shop at stores that offer double coupons. I shop at Costco once every six weeks for certain staples that I know are always cheaper there, and I only buy what’s on my list. For all the rest of my non-bulk groceries, I order them online and have them delivered. This eliminates any impulse buying, and saves time, energy, and gas money.
Michelle Goebig says
I make dinner every night. This makes everyone meet at the dinner table. Also, to keep us in budget i use cash. Once the cash is gone, then i have to stop spending money.
MELISSA says
I watch all the weekly grocery flyers and use lots of coupons! I tend to save a minimum of $75 a trip!
Jennifer Russell says
We havea fish bowl filled with “conversation starters” that we keep at the dinner table. It helps keep us at the dinner table and keep us interested in whats going on in eachothers lives!
Carolyn says
Okay, this sounds wierd, but it works. Make your morning coffee as usual the first day. The second day, reuse the grounds but add half the amount you would usually use. You can do this each day until the filter holds no more then start over. It still tastes great and I save on coffee and filters. I didn’t believe it at first, but it works.
Michelle Rosborough says
In the summer we eat more fruits & veggies..less meat.
Laureen says
We try to make lots of casseroles with this and that, usually involving leftovers so that we can eat the newly created casserole for a few days in a row, saving on cost of more ingredients and time in preparing meals.
casual friday everyday says
meal planning, shopping at a variety of stores and growing your own veggies. great contest!
Barbara M says
I cook a lot with all kinds of beans.
I even them to goulash soup whatnot.
Saves a lot!
Melanie says
Definitely planning my meals ahead of time, making a list and STICKING to it at the grocery store. I also use a lot of coupons. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Stacy M. says
-Plan a meal menu, buy items in bulk that can be made into many different meals and use COUPONS!!!
-Use the library—it’s the best kept secret for poor people! you can order almost any movie or CD online and if you have patient they will ship it in from another library that has it–all for FREE, and you can keep it for 7 days!
-One of my trickier ways to saving $ is by the expensive cereal one time, save the box then by the generic equivalent and put it in the name brand expensive box—-my fussy kids had no clue for many years when they were little, not untill they busted me making the switch!!LOL
Heather Brandt says
We succeed when we plan our meals and actually have our shopping list arranged according to where things are in the store (like vegetables/produce are grouped together on the list).
heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) net
Heather Brandt says
We succeed when we plan our meals and actually have our shopping list arranged according to where things are in the store (like vegetables/produce are grouped together on the list).
heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) nete
Becky says
I d a lot of couponing but, these days, there aren’t many for food! I told my husband we may have to live on cereal and yogurt…there are lots of Qs for those!
Would Love to win this! We need it! thanks!
Deanne says
These are my money saving strategies:
*Buy 85% of your kids clothes at garage sales….there is alot of great stuff out there. (once your kids get older this gets harder, but for young kids it works well). The other 15% buy on sale or full price for special occasions clothing.
* Have your own garage sale and sell the clothes you bought at garage sales once your kids grow out of them. It’s like clothing your kids for free…make your money back (or at least half)!
*Buy store brand foods. 80% of what I buy is store brand and it saves me a bunch!
*I have rotating “cheapie” meals that I make 2-3 times a week like hot dogs and mac and cheese or melted ham and cheese sandwiches, turkey smoked sausage, a can of baked beans and a baked potato.
*Find fun FREE things to do together! Instead of going out to eat, pack up your family, grab your kids Big Wheel and some lunch and picnic at the park. My son enjoys this more than eating out and it saves mommy and daddy $$$.
Thanks for sharing Janice! It’s nice to know others are in the same boat…I’ve realy enjoyed reading all the comments. I’d love to know what other people have as their “cheapie” meals. I’m always on the lookout for kid friendly (and hubby friendly) cheap meals!
*
Amber says
I will save time and money sometimes by making multiples of one dish and freeze the extra for a quick easy meal later rather than being tempted to grab fast food or pizza. 🙂
Catalina K says
Find out from store catalogs when they have sale periods for groceries, go buy your food supplies from those particular stores. Use coupons, as someone else has already said. Save on the electricity bills by hand-washing the dishes from time to time. Cook your own meals instead of eating out.
jay says
change your own oil
Jenny M says
Form a hand me down/pass along club. I have a network of good firends that pass along their kids clothing and toys that have been outgrown.
I shop rummage sales- church/group ones are my favoirte
Plan meals in advance
Write down where your spend every penny for a month and see where your biggest leaks are
use your library- get videos and books instead of buying them
Kristine says
Not forgetting to eat left overs is about as clever as we get lately. Oh, that and I make all of my 7 month olds baby food. I think that saves us some money.
$500 would help us so much!!
Sarah C says
I try to buy in bulk (we have a deep freezer), and to plan menus around what is on sale. I also try to plan to use leftovers. If I fix a bunch of chicken one night, the leftovers go into chicken salad or a casserole for another day.
Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway!
Amy S. says
I use a LOT of coupons and really try to plan out my grocery shopping so that I can stay within my budget. I also make bigger meals so we can have leftovers to stretch one meal into two.
Molly B. says
Don’t throw out your receipts, keep them in a prominent place as a reminder of how much you have already spent each month.
LisaW says
We’ve become nearly vegetarian. Cooking less meat (and buying less pre-packaged lunchmeat) saves money and time. I also buy in bulk and make several casseroles at once to freeze.
kelli says
I have learned that not taking my children with me to the store helps a great deal – they seem to want to buy the character on the box! Thanks for the chance at such a great prize – [email protected]
Cindi says
Happy Sunday! I attempt to budget in categories. Food, utilities, clothing, etc. I hardly ever pay full price for any family member’s clothing! The only time I do that is if it is a special occasion and that is what is needed. Otherwise, I wait until items are really marked down. To help with fuel costs, we turn up the thermostat in the summer and down in the winter! We used to eat out a lot, but don’t do that nearly as often. My younger actually likes some of the clothes of his older brother, and that saves money. I would love to win this Libby’s prize and give it to our “Ministries Unlimited” pantry or the “Glen-Ed” pantry to help family’s out that need it more than ours. In these times, especially! Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
Gwendolyn Germaine says
In addition to clipping coupons and sale shopping, we give each other Supermarket and Restaurant gift cards for gifts instead of junk they have to return.
Tonya says
I clip coupons and every Sunday do a menu plan for the week. I do a lot of big meals in the crockpot and then freeze for leftovers. We also purchase our fruit and veggies directly from an organic farm.
Every few months I have a big clean out the pantry and refrigerator cook-off and another blogger gave me the wonderful site http://www.supercook.com which you enter some ingredients into and they give you some great recipes to try. It’s free so there’s nothing better than that.
Dawn Langis says
I keep my 3 grandsons all summer long and usually we are packing picnic lunches. My food budget gets unmanageable during the summer. I can use some help or ideas for lunches.
Shannon says
Have a “clean out the refrigerator/pantry” meal.
Colleen S. says
My mom gave me a gift certificate to a garden center for Christmas. Our family had so much fun picking out all sorts of veggie plants. Now because of her insightful gift, my family will have fresh veggies all spring, summer and fall. That has been a great help in “getting us by” giving us a exersize and just a good time puttering in the garden.
judy brittle says
I use a lot of coupons and plan the meals on a monthly basis. I’ve also been trying to make some meals that we eat for 2 or 3 days like homemade soup,spaghetti,chili etc. A lot goes a long way.
Kristie says
I know this wouldn’t work for many people, but we are fortunate to be able to raise our own beef. We also have a vegetable garden and can or freeze the veggies that we grow.
kelli says
We buy meat & other items in bulk (at places like Costco) and repackage in smaller bags in the freezer for later use. I’m also working on meal planning which saves last minute trips to the store.
Jonathan says
We save by buying bulk and packing as much as we can into our freezer and cupboards. Also, buying staples when they are on sale, rather than when you run out, really adds up!
Teresina Coleman says
We have a white board inside out cupboard and write down what we need. My husband shops every Thursday. If it is not on the list he does not buy it. (He refuses to take me because I spend alot more than him).
Joan says
When my husband’s company sent his job to India five years ago, I went into panic mode. I bought a freezer, I started collecting coupons like a maniac, and I joined all the loyalty programs I could get my hands on. It turns out that those are great things to do even when times are no too tight. I continue to use websites that offer promo/discount codes, I clip and trade mounds of coupons, and I buy extra meat when it is on special and pack our freezer. I make recipes that are pasta, rice, or vegetable based at least twice a week.
Beth W. says
We cut coupons every sunday and are downloading them from coupons.com ALL THE TIME. The coupons there are name brand and have some really great deals sometimes. Winning 500.00 in groceries would be great! We just found out that we have another little one on the way, so this would make my day better then it has already been! Thanks for the giveaway
Julie says
We save money by using coupons and not going out to eat.
Kathy Conley says
I don’t have any real tips except try to raise some of your own food in a garden if possible – this can expensive as well when you figure seed and watering cost etc but at least you won’t go hungry!
Jacqueline in Atlanta says
I have a sheet on the side of my freezer listing what is in there and the date I put it in. When I sit down to make a menu I work from that list as well as the weekly grocery ads. That way I don’t end up paying $5/pound for boneless chicken breasts.
Then when I am in the grocery store and run across a great buy, short-dated meat, for example, I can take advantage of that sale, knowing it won’t go to waste. I take it home, pop the whole package into a Ziploc bag for extra protection or reportion if necessary and add it to my freezer list for future meals.
Yesterday I added several portions of baked beans to the freezer after I hosted a cookout at my home. Next time we make hot dogs, hamburgers or sloppy joes for supper I’ll already have the side dish in the freezer – a much better choice than grabbing another bag of chips!
PS Thanks for the drawing! Whoever wins will be thrilled with $500 in grocery money. What a blessing!
Brie says
Major coupon shopper here…with store saver cards and coupons i have been known to save 60% of my cost. which is nothing compared to those coupon sense shopper’s but hey its what i got for now!
Kathy Stallings says
We raise our own beef and grow a large vegetable garden. I also clip cupons and stock up on sale items. I was out picking wild blackberries
along the fence rows yesterday.
Denise U says
I find the best way for our family to save money is planning out the meals for the week and sticking to them. Making a meal at home is MUCH cheaper than going out to eat…plus it is healthier for my family! Since the gas has gotten so high, I have also started taking my lunch to work rather than going out, and I make my coffee at home to avoid spending that extra $1.50 a day.
lisa ward says
I try to make different variations of “skillet goulash” with different veggies, pasta etc. it comes out delicious and uses very little amounts of ingredients, so if you have leftovers mix together makes an inexpensive meal..Buy on sale, clearance, when able.
Lauralee Hensley says
If a recipe calls for 1 pound of ground meat, I only add 3/4 a pound. In meatloaf I’ll add another slice of whole wheat bread to make up for the decreased meat. In rice dishes, add more rice or add more vegetables. If you go for the fancier cuts of meat, instead of giving each person their own steak or chop etc., dice the meat up or slice it into thin strips and portion it out from there, that way you can cook one less chop or steak etc.. This year I am growing a big garden and plan on freezing cantaloupe, squash, and many other items to help make a dent in the winter grocery budget.