I am sure everyone has heard this over and over, plan a menu and make a shopping list then stick to it. This does in fact work, but when everyone is busy it is hard to take a look at what you have, what you need and also important, what you and your family wants. I have been incredibly fortunate these past months while waiting for tenants and had quite a bit of food given to me. Still, this menu can be pretty cheap if you shop well and when you can use coupons and sales to make your menu decisions. Personally, there are only a couple of places I shop because I don't think that using all that gas, mileage on the car and quite frankly the value of my time makes going all over the place worth any bargains I may get.
Yes, I do coupon. I am not an extreme couponer anymore, that is true, but if I see a coupon for something that we will use, I use it. I get mine online as in my area the Sunday paper just isn't worth it anymore. The paper costs over 2 dollars now, and I only use a few coupons if any because most of it is stuff I wouldn't buy anyway. If you weren't going to buy it, it does not matter if you are getting a bargain because you are still spending money you normally wouldn't have.
On to the menu. This past week I sat down and figured out what I had in my pantry, freezer and refrigerator. Then I went to the store flyers that I go to and listed things on sale that we like. After that, it was online to find recipes that matched these ingredients.
Menu plan for over a week:
Stuffed Shells and Tomato Sauce: We had the shells in the freezer from a long ago sale and a friend gave me a box of plain sauce. She also gave us garlic, but any seasonings you have on hand will do, use your imagination! Garlic and onion powders should simmer a while to rehydrate though.
Seasoned Pork with Creamed Spinach and Roasted Herbed Potatoes: I also had a nice piece of pork from my friend (not sure of the cut though) but assorted chops can be found on sale often. Seasonings are what I have on hand. I purchased some frozen spinach and we have milk in the house. I had some russet potatoes that have seen better days, but added with a couple of red potatoes and a sweet potato (both purchased, but not a whole bag, just two pieces each) and tossed in oil, or whatever fat you have on hand and some herbs and it is quite yummy. If you have a little to splurge, try some fresh herbs in there too.
Curried Lentils and Rice: I have had two types of lentils in my cabinets for a while. We aren't big legume eaters, but we do like curry, so I found a recipe and will be using my red lentils for it. The rice was given to me, but it is also really cheap. If you are not good at cooking rice, try Freecycle for your area. Someone may be giving away a rice cooker. It does make life much easier. I even got a pound of yeast through them which I am still using. The seasonings I have in my collection.
Golden Sesame Tofu with Rice and Vegetable: When I wrote the menu I was not sure which vegetable to use, but we went with some canned green beans which said friend gave us. If you visit food pantries canned vegetables are often given out, so if you need the help, get it! Do not be ashamed, these are hard times. Tofu is pretty inexpensive when compared to meat. Even my husband liked it. The Whole Foods recipe called for honey, but any liquid sweetener will do in a pinch, just think about how it will flavor the dish before using. I had a lot of sesame seeds from when I was making bento for my daughter, so I toasted those up. This is a very nice dish, even for meat eaters.
Pizza: Flour, yeast, water, salt and a little oil is all you need for the dough. There are a million dough recipes out there, but this is what it boils down too. You do not have to make the perfect thin crust that you are used to from take out places. I stretch mine on a baking sheet and they love it. The cheese was on sale and I had a coupon, I was going to forgo toppings as it is extremely filling without any, but then at my second store found a stick of pepperoni for a great price. We have also put cut up pineapple on it, leftover chicken etc. With this I am using the mentioned tomato sauce seasoned, but if you like BBQ I have also use that sauce with Monterrey Jack and/or Cheddar cheese and it is quite yummy, especially if you have some chicken left overs or pulled pork etc. Very, very inexpensive meal, and it fills all four of us up perfectly. Rarely are their leftovers, and those are eaten the next day without fail.
Tuna Casserole: This is one of those things that you either love or hate I think. I always hated it myself, but we were given a bunch of light tuna and egg noodles. I used cream of chicken rather than cream of mushroom, which was on sale and I had coupons and it was much better to my tastes. I threw in some leftover frozen peas that were wasting away in the freezer, a few handfuls of cheddar cheese from that cheese purchase and topped it at the end with some breadcrumbs I found that needed to be used up, but you can use anything you like. Chips have been suggested to me as excellent, I know Ritz (TM) are really good crumbled on the top and my recipe suggested french fried onions. I tossed the plain crumbs with some butter, garlic powder and onion powder in a skillet for a little bit. It was not loved, but everyone said that they were fine with having it again. Better than I expected to be truthful.
Shepherd's Pie: Ah, a standby. We had purchased a large box of instant potatoes a long time ago, but if we didn't have that we would use whatever potatoes are on hand to mash. The hamburger was part of my care package, but around here we can find it for about 1.99 a pound sometimes so I buy as much as I can and pack them in 1 lb packages. I have some canned corn from said friend and I got some gravy powder in bulk when I got the potatoes. I think we were preparing for a storm when we got them. You can use pretty much any vegetable, frozen or canned, though I have never tried fresh. I don't know if it bakes long enough for fresh, but hey, one can always try!
Minestrone Soup: Friend also gave me a box of kidney beans. At the discount store chicken broth was on sale, but I also have some in the freezer because I try to save bits from chicken and vegetables and make a broth when I have enough. Throw in some carrots, potatoes and whatever vegetables you have on hand and some pasta or rice and you are done. If you are feeling adventurous you could make some bread or biscuits.
Beef and Chicken Potpies: Okay, this was a cop out meal. The discount store had them pretty cheap and we each got the kind we liked for a fairly quick meal. Not the healthiest, but cheaper than take out.
Sweet and Sour Spam and Rice: Before crying foul, I am not a Spam eater generally. My husband and kids have an affinity for it, so if it is cheap I will buy a can or two. I also will always pick up canned pineapple in juice whenever I can. Add some cornstarch, brown sugar and a little vinegar and you have sauce. One can, four people. There will also be a vegetable as we have some canned and frozen still.
Italian Sausage and Peppers: The sausage does go on sale, but you can use any raw sausage that you like and can afford. I just sear the sausage, add some broth and chopped onions with cubed potatoes and simmer until almost done, then remove the lid so what remains after a while is a nicely seasoned sauce. The peppers I cook on the side and add in so they don't get mushy, but you can just throw them in if you want. I had some sausage leftover from our bulk shopping trip many months ago so they needed to get used up.
Spinach Egg Drop Soup: Seriously cheap, especially if you made your own broth. You can used canned/boxed or heck, bouillon cubes are okay too, just a little salty so keep that in mind. Bring to a boil, add chopped frozen spinach, bring back up to a boil and drizzle some scrambled egg over the top. It will cook quickly. Nutmeg is an awesome spice for this dish and to be filling it needs some sort of bread to go with.
Corn Chowder (or Chowdah around here): A little chicken broth, some milk or if you have it some half and half, corn, potatoes, onions and if you have it some crisp bacon or bacon bits to sprinkle on the top. If you like your chowder thick, make a slurry with some milk and flour to thicken it up, just make sure it cooks a bit to get the flour taste out. My family can not get enough of this. I am too the point where the only pot I have big enough to feed them is my stock pot. Even without bacon. There are no green or colored vegetables in this one, which is a down side, but it is cheap.
Beans, Rice and Cheese: I honestly don't know how this will go, but I have the beans and rice on hand and the cheese was inexpensive, so we will give it a try. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
There was also "homestyle" mac and cheese on sale which set us back about three dollars for a family meal. Making it homemade is not really cheap unless you have access to inexpensive cheese or Velveeta is on sale, which I am not terribly fond of. It is an easy meal my husband can make, so in it goes for a quickie, don't order out meal.
Because I made use of coupons and sales and what I have on hand, I spent roughly 100.00 for two weeks of meals and oatmeal, dried fruit etc. for breakfasts and lunches. I even got some generic cookies for a treat. Eggs, milk, bread, yogurt (coupons!) and some additional things like flour and sugar were also purchased, so if we had been a little more frugal it would have been even less. I also have enough here for some more bland dinner options, many in fact. Meatless Spaghetti and sauce can be tedious as can rice and beans, but we also have plenty for that too.
If your cupboards are bare do not despair! (no, that was not rhymed on purpose). First off, see what you do have. If you are in a bind, go to a food pantry! Please, do not go hungry because you are ashamed or feel that there are others more deserving. You deserve to eat! Sometimes we need help to stretch those food dollars, that is how I did it. While it isn't often you get fresh meat at the pantries, they often have tuna or canned chicken. The canned beef is palatable if drowned in a sauce you like, but try to avoid it. Frozen generic vegetables are rarely bad, although you may find a stem or two in them. Find uses for legumes. My family does not like them, but i am pretty sure that they will be okay with these recipes because of the flavors. Also, try for your food stamps. I might get flamed for that, but they are there to help. If you can, get them. Record numbers of people are on them because of the economy, you are not bad for getting them.
Once I am done with this set of menus I will do it again and post the results because I will have far less items on hand at that point, making it more of a challenge. Also, search for coupons! You don't have to be a fanatical couponer to get some savings. There are many sites on line, and I will make another post about that type of online support soon.
Showing posts with label shopping tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping tips. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Internet savings
Since we have three students in the house, well minus one now that I have graduated, we really need internet. Going to the library isn't out of the question, but many people use it so there is a wait and also you only get a little time on the computer. When researching this can be a problem. My last paper took hours and hours of research time, mostly online.
The first thing that you want to do is look at the different providers in your area. Verizon Fios for us is FAR more expensive than Comcast, but in different parts of the country things change and there are more choices in some places. Look them up! The difference in price can be huge.
Another thing to check is to see if they have "student packages". These are usually only a limited time offer, from Fall semester until the end of Spring Semester, but can be a big help. Also, check daily for good deals. We got our internet and telephone for 50.00 a month (which comes to over 60.00 with all the taxes and surcharges). Internet is becoming a necessity it seems. Right now one can still live without it, especially if their college has facilities or their local library, but it does appear that everyone wants you to have an email address, including possible employers.
I think that the free email services are well known by now. While an address usually comes with an internet package, there is also Hotmail, yahoo, and Gmail plus others that are not as well known. I recommend having two, a professional one, usually with your name in some form that is easily recognizable and one for the sort of mail that gets you spam. My experience with Gmail sorting out spam has so far been excellent. I have rarely found anything of importance in the junk folder. I have one address for all my professional needs, and then I have my original which is connected with blogs such as this one, a Facebook page, recipe and coupon sites etc.. That also makes it easier to be sure that you don't miss that important email that is offering you an interview or giving you a job.
As it may have been noticed, I have yet to take advantage of the "ad sense" program here. I will be doing so at one point though because it will help to earn real money. Also, there is a program called MyPoints where you can earn points through clicking emails, making purchases from affiliated stores, using their grocery coupons, filling out surveys and getting friends to join. The link I provided will not be a referral for me though, as they seem to have suspended that particular way of acquiring members. They also have other ways. You will get mail that you don't want though, but that is what happens with many of these programs. You might want to make a different email for this.
With MyPoints you are collecting points for gift certificates or to make donations to causes, but with Inbox Dollars (and this link IS a referral link, if you click and join I will also get credit for your usage) you get actual money. It isn't a lot, particularly if you don't have a lot of time, but it does add up and could make you some pocket change. If you are really up for it, I am sure that much more can be made, but it takes time on the computer. They also offer grocery coupons and affiliated stores that will help you add to your account.
Lately I have been ignoring the emails because I have been so very busy something had to go. Since I am now just job hunting, I have a little more time to click through the ads and things. The hardest part to remember is to look their first before making online purchases! I have some anxiety issues about shopping in malls and such, so during the holidays everything but the stocking stuffers come from internet purchases. Yes, the shipping can make it less frugal, but if you are finding really good deals, which sometimes includes free or reduced shipping, it can be frugal. There area also some places where you can order online and have it shipped free to a local store for pick up. Payless shoes used to do that, but they seem to be closing down all around. I do believe Best Buy also has this program. So, you find a sale, you see if one of your pay sites is affiliated with them, enter the store through that site and you can find great sales, free shipping and also get points or dollars for the effort.
A final note on this for now. Be aware! Anyone asking you for money to join is probably misleading you at best, completely fraudulent at worse. Any site asking for your social security number or demanding a telephone number (this is usually optional, not mandatory) should also be approached carefully if at all. I never give out that information unless I am absolutely sure of the site I am using, such as the FASFA site for student loans. Also, the federal loan and grants site is a government site with .ed.gov as the end of the address. Any others are going to make you pay for something that you can easily do yourself, so do not fall for it!
Now I am off to update my accounts and start making some money again. Have a great day everyone!
The first thing that you want to do is look at the different providers in your area. Verizon Fios for us is FAR more expensive than Comcast, but in different parts of the country things change and there are more choices in some places. Look them up! The difference in price can be huge.
Another thing to check is to see if they have "student packages". These are usually only a limited time offer, from Fall semester until the end of Spring Semester, but can be a big help. Also, check daily for good deals. We got our internet and telephone for 50.00 a month (which comes to over 60.00 with all the taxes and surcharges). Internet is becoming a necessity it seems. Right now one can still live without it, especially if their college has facilities or their local library, but it does appear that everyone wants you to have an email address, including possible employers.
I think that the free email services are well known by now. While an address usually comes with an internet package, there is also Hotmail, yahoo, and Gmail plus others that are not as well known. I recommend having two, a professional one, usually with your name in some form that is easily recognizable and one for the sort of mail that gets you spam. My experience with Gmail sorting out spam has so far been excellent. I have rarely found anything of importance in the junk folder. I have one address for all my professional needs, and then I have my original which is connected with blogs such as this one, a Facebook page, recipe and coupon sites etc.. That also makes it easier to be sure that you don't miss that important email that is offering you an interview or giving you a job.
As it may have been noticed, I have yet to take advantage of the "ad sense" program here. I will be doing so at one point though because it will help to earn real money. Also, there is a program called MyPoints where you can earn points through clicking emails, making purchases from affiliated stores, using their grocery coupons, filling out surveys and getting friends to join. The link I provided will not be a referral for me though, as they seem to have suspended that particular way of acquiring members. They also have other ways. You will get mail that you don't want though, but that is what happens with many of these programs. You might want to make a different email for this.
With MyPoints you are collecting points for gift certificates or to make donations to causes, but with Inbox Dollars (and this link IS a referral link, if you click and join I will also get credit for your usage) you get actual money. It isn't a lot, particularly if you don't have a lot of time, but it does add up and could make you some pocket change. If you are really up for it, I am sure that much more can be made, but it takes time on the computer. They also offer grocery coupons and affiliated stores that will help you add to your account.
Lately I have been ignoring the emails because I have been so very busy something had to go. Since I am now just job hunting, I have a little more time to click through the ads and things. The hardest part to remember is to look their first before making online purchases! I have some anxiety issues about shopping in malls and such, so during the holidays everything but the stocking stuffers come from internet purchases. Yes, the shipping can make it less frugal, but if you are finding really good deals, which sometimes includes free or reduced shipping, it can be frugal. There area also some places where you can order online and have it shipped free to a local store for pick up. Payless shoes used to do that, but they seem to be closing down all around. I do believe Best Buy also has this program. So, you find a sale, you see if one of your pay sites is affiliated with them, enter the store through that site and you can find great sales, free shipping and also get points or dollars for the effort.
A final note on this for now. Be aware! Anyone asking you for money to join is probably misleading you at best, completely fraudulent at worse. Any site asking for your social security number or demanding a telephone number (this is usually optional, not mandatory) should also be approached carefully if at all. I never give out that information unless I am absolutely sure of the site I am using, such as the FASFA site for student loans. Also, the federal loan and grants site is a government site with .ed.gov as the end of the address. Any others are going to make you pay for something that you can easily do yourself, so do not fall for it!
Now I am off to update my accounts and start making some money again. Have a great day everyone!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
When to Be Cheap and Recipe
Now that I am out of school and looking for a job I have a little time to post about what is going on in our family now. We are a family of four with only one full time worker at this time. Until I get a job and we get a tenant for upstairs we are living hand to mouth. As many of you can probably understand we are juggling our bills, paying one while letting the other be overdue and back and forth between things. We have a very tiny credit card debt from having to buy food and I will admit, ordering some take out. Yes, I hang my head in shame.
For the last six months we have had our food stamps cut to 90 dollars a month, but with the help of friends we do have some good staple foods and some other things also. If we did not have this help, we would be going to food banks, and folks? There is nothing wrong with doing that! These are hard times and most of us need all the help we can get. Things will get better, but until then, I will try blogging about cheap recipes, household tips and getting the most for your money. I will not talk about couponing. I have done this, and quite well. I averaged saving 70% on groceries a week. The problem is that most coupons are for junk. Sugary cereals that leave you hungry right after you have eaten it, cookies, crackers, canned soups and other things that I normally wouldn't have purchased in the first place. So, in an effort to not only be cheap, but also keep things as healthy as possible, I gave up on most coupons. That doesn't mean one shouldn't look for them. There can be some really good deals, especially if you can combine them with a sale (although I think the grocery stores have caught on to that trick because it doesn't happen much anymore around here).
There are also some things that are smarter to buy name brand if you can. One of those things for us is the Bounty select-a-size (tm). We don't use paper towels much anyway, but for somethings, like drying meat, it is really the best choice. I have used generic and we go through them three times as fast as the brand name. One roll lasts us about two months, so we buy the more pricey ones, one at a time of course unless we have a little extra and the sale is good. My point is that sometimes it is better to go with brands names because in some instances they actually save you money. A roll of Bounty for 2.00 which lasts two months, or a Generic for 1.00 that barely makes it a month? I think that the choice is clear.
So, take a good look at what you use regularly and decide if you would spend less on better quality items or not. If you are one to use things like cream of mushroom soup, the generics are usually just fine, same with most frozen vegetables. Other things like toilet paper and dish soap (yes, the name brand will often last longer, especially if mixed with a little water) may be less expensive buying less at a time but having it last longer.
Food: First things first, what about food? Personally, I always have some sort of fat (margarine, butter, oil, vegetable shortening etc.), eggs, milk, flour, and sugar. If you generally have baking soda and powder around that is terrific. I can make a type of popover with leftovers. Add any condiment you have on hand, sweet or savory and you have a meal.
Sausage Popovers (this is what the recipe was called, but you don't need sausage)
2 beaten eggs
1 c. milk
1 Tablespoon oil (or any melted fat you have on hand)
1 c. Flour (all purpose)
1/4 teaspoon of regular table salt. Adjust if using larger grained salt, you will need more.
Leftovers. Meats of any kind, though flavoring them is a good plan, leftover vegetables (vegetables should be cooked first when necessary, like with carrots. Thawed and thoroughly squeezed out chopped spinach is also a neat choice. Originally the recipe was for breakfast sausage which is often on sale and are kept frozen. Just thaw first.
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottom of and 8 inch bake pan. This is what I use, but a souffle dish or small casserole will also work.
Beat eggs, milk, oil, flour and salt until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. (if you are using a chopped up vegetable it is good to mix it in there a little before pouring) Top with chopped meat. Bake about 35 minutes until puffy and a skewer inserted near the center comes out clean.
Server with syrup, molasses, honey, mustard, ketchup (yeah I know, but kids like it) or anything else you like that is on hand and you think would work.
For the last six months we have had our food stamps cut to 90 dollars a month, but with the help of friends we do have some good staple foods and some other things also. If we did not have this help, we would be going to food banks, and folks? There is nothing wrong with doing that! These are hard times and most of us need all the help we can get. Things will get better, but until then, I will try blogging about cheap recipes, household tips and getting the most for your money. I will not talk about couponing. I have done this, and quite well. I averaged saving 70% on groceries a week. The problem is that most coupons are for junk. Sugary cereals that leave you hungry right after you have eaten it, cookies, crackers, canned soups and other things that I normally wouldn't have purchased in the first place. So, in an effort to not only be cheap, but also keep things as healthy as possible, I gave up on most coupons. That doesn't mean one shouldn't look for them. There can be some really good deals, especially if you can combine them with a sale (although I think the grocery stores have caught on to that trick because it doesn't happen much anymore around here).
There are also some things that are smarter to buy name brand if you can. One of those things for us is the Bounty select-a-size (tm). We don't use paper towels much anyway, but for somethings, like drying meat, it is really the best choice. I have used generic and we go through them three times as fast as the brand name. One roll lasts us about two months, so we buy the more pricey ones, one at a time of course unless we have a little extra and the sale is good. My point is that sometimes it is better to go with brands names because in some instances they actually save you money. A roll of Bounty for 2.00 which lasts two months, or a Generic for 1.00 that barely makes it a month? I think that the choice is clear.
So, take a good look at what you use regularly and decide if you would spend less on better quality items or not. If you are one to use things like cream of mushroom soup, the generics are usually just fine, same with most frozen vegetables. Other things like toilet paper and dish soap (yes, the name brand will often last longer, especially if mixed with a little water) may be less expensive buying less at a time but having it last longer.
Food: First things first, what about food? Personally, I always have some sort of fat (margarine, butter, oil, vegetable shortening etc.), eggs, milk, flour, and sugar. If you generally have baking soda and powder around that is terrific. I can make a type of popover with leftovers. Add any condiment you have on hand, sweet or savory and you have a meal.
Sausage Popovers (this is what the recipe was called, but you don't need sausage)
2 beaten eggs
1 c. milk
1 Tablespoon oil (or any melted fat you have on hand)
1 c. Flour (all purpose)
1/4 teaspoon of regular table salt. Adjust if using larger grained salt, you will need more.
Leftovers. Meats of any kind, though flavoring them is a good plan, leftover vegetables (vegetables should be cooked first when necessary, like with carrots. Thawed and thoroughly squeezed out chopped spinach is also a neat choice. Originally the recipe was for breakfast sausage which is often on sale and are kept frozen. Just thaw first.
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottom of and 8 inch bake pan. This is what I use, but a souffle dish or small casserole will also work.
Beat eggs, milk, oil, flour and salt until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. (if you are using a chopped up vegetable it is good to mix it in there a little before pouring) Top with chopped meat. Bake about 35 minutes until puffy and a skewer inserted near the center comes out clean.
Server with syrup, molasses, honey, mustard, ketchup (yeah I know, but kids like it) or anything else you like that is on hand and you think would work.
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