Start Saving from Scratch – Part 3 of 6

November 15, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Hopefully, you are gaining momentum in the kitchen. In start saving from scratch, I feel like I can make an informed decision because I know what I have in my house and what I need to feed my family.

In the process of saving money while feeding my family, I have organized my food supply and created a menu. Rather than guessing, I know what is in my food supply and on the menu. Now, I continue saving by compiling a grocery list.

Part 3: Compiling a Grocery List

Preparing the Grocery List

My grocery list comes together from two sources: products needed and products on sale.

Identify Products Needed

To identify the products needed, I consult the pad of paper on the side of my refrigerator. Throughout the week as we open the last jar of ketchup or notice we are running low on flour, we add that item to the list. Also, any items needed to complete a meal are added to this list.

With a quick look over the pantry, freezer, and refrigerator, I can add any items that are low in supply. Usually milk and bread make it on the list from browsing my supply.

Identify Products on Sale

To see the deep savings, I shop the buy one, get one free and sale items at the grocery store. To save time, I consult blogs that specialize in food savings. My favorite grocery store match-ups are found at Southern Savers where I just click the box next to my selected item. At the end of that store’s sales, I can create my grocery list with those items selected.

Composing the Grocery List

With the products identified, I can then print the coupons from the links provided and collect the remaining coupons from my binders. Knowing how many items I can purchase and need, I add those numbers to my grocery list.

With the grocery list complete, I place it with the coupons into that store’s envelope. I then repeat this process with each store.

Any item remaining on the pad that was not on sale for the week at either Publix or Bi-lo, I will purchase at Aldi. In my area, Aldi is the least expensive solution for feeding my family.

At the conclusion of this process, I end up with a maximum of 3 grocery lists: Publix, Bi-Lo, and Aldi. Some weeks, I bypass a store if there are no deals I need. By shopping the sales, I am restocking my supply at home with products at a low cost. As I make my menu in the weeks to come, I will use the products on sale this week to feed my family for less.

In using time wisely, I have adjusted this process to work for me. As you work through the steps, make adjustments as needed to find a system that works for you. Happy savings!

Question: Where do you find the best coupon match-ups for your area?

Start Saving from Scratch – Part 2 of 6

November 8, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Going back to the drawing board provides a fresh start saving from scratch. Beginning with the basics and then working up allows the process to stay manageable. When the foundation crumbles, then one needs to start over.

In starting over, I took last week’s challenge and organized my food supply. This time around, the pantry took longer although I did not defrost my freezer. I stayed inside as much as possible this week with the drop in temperature.

In continuing this series with an organized pantry, freezer, and refrigerator, I move onto creating a menu.

Part 2: Creating a Menu

In discovering a menu plan, I have used a weekly and monthly plan. Though I no longer plan the full month in advance, I prefer to schedule our meals a week in advance on a monthly menu planner. I like the calendar in the kitchen and a place to add meals as I get inspiration.

1. Choose Meals

With my pantry, freezer, and refrigerator organized, I can “shop” from my food supply to create meals that I have in stock.

2. Assign Meals

Once I have a meal decided, I assign that meal to a day on my menu planner.

Sample Menu Plan

Sunday:

B – Egg sandwiches with fruit cups

L – Roast beef in crock pot, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and bread

D – Pancakes and bacon

Monday:

B – Cereal and fruit

L – Pizza at school

D – Baked chicken, rice, and vegetables

3. Partial Meals

After assigning the meals I can make with the ingredients at home, I might have a few days left on my planner for the week. I continue to see what parts of meals I have in my food supply. For example, to make open-faced pork chop sandwiches I might have the pork chops, cream of chicken, and milk, but I lack the hamburger buns.

For these partial meals, I add the meal to my menu planner on a day after I plan to grocery shop. I then add the remaining items needed, in this case the hamburger buns, to my weekly grocery list. I then plan hamburgers or chicken patties for another meal to use the leftover hamburger buns before they spoil.

In using time wisely to prepare for the week and to save money on food items, I use what we have at home and then write down the missing items on my grocery list for pickup during the week.

Shopping your food supply may only generate a meal or two, at first. But as you build your stockpile, you will find more and more meals in your food supply. Start where you are and work from there, and the savings will come. Happy menu planning!

Question: What type of menu planner do you prefer?

Start Saving from Scratch – Part 1 of 6

November 1, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Without constant attention, my kitchen, meal planning, coupons, and grocery shopping trips began spiraling downward. Yikes!

Now that life is getting back to my normal, which is still very busy but manageable, I am pressing the reset button.

If you have wanted to start saving on your grocery bill – using coupons or not, then tag along with me in this 6-part series on Start Saving from Scratch.

Part 1: Organizing the Food Supply

The best way to save money, energy, and time when feeding my family is to make meals with the food we have in the house. However, with numerous individuals helping in the kitchen recently, I’m not really sure what items I have. To start saving from scratch, I take an inventory while organizing my food supply areas.

Pantry

The time it will take to organize your pantry depends on the size of your stockpile. If you purchase multiple items at discounted prices, then you probably have lots of items in your pantry.

When I organize my pantry, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour. I have designated specific shelves for different items. This arrangement saves time and energy when retrieving a desired product.

While I organize my pantry, I jot down items that need replenishing on my grocery list and make notes of any meal ideas on my menu plan.

Freezer

My side-by-side refrigerator/freezer houses frequently used items. Organizing my inside freezer takes less than 15 minutes. This short time frame is nice because my outside freezer needs another deep clean complete with defrosting.

Organizing my well-stocked freezer takes somewhere between 1 and 2 hours. However, knowing what freezer cooking options I have available saves our family money, energy, and time.

Refrigerator

The easiest of the three spaces for me is organizing the refrigerator. Routinely having a leftover night keeps our refrigerator cleaned out. Spending less than 15 minutes, I can take a quick inventory while organizing my refrigerator.

To start saving from scratch organize your food supply. With the food supply areas organized and an inventory of what is on-hand, you are ready for part 2 – coming next week. To be continued . . . Happy organizing!

Question: Which food supply area takes you longer to organize: pantry, freezer, or refrigerator?

Freezer Cooking to the Rescue

October 25, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

On field trip day, the morning progressed along beautifully. By the afternoon, I was getting tired and my allegories flared. With a stuffy head and lack of energy, I made it through the activities and was ready to go home.

Upon arrival, I needed to rest. Getting the toddler tucked into bed and my older children settled to play quietly, I retired to bed for some rest. When I awoke, I felt a little better, but cooking or even standing in my kitchen required too much exertion.

Though the menu plan suggested baked chicken with sides, I needed something simple. So, I went to the freezer. Tucked inside were a number of options. Choosing Mexican Dip, corn, and a salad, our dinner came together without spending lots of time or energy.

In using time wisely, I often bake or cook double batches to save money, time, and energy on days that just don’t go as planned. As you plan for the best but prepare for the worst, freezer cooking can save the day. Happy saving!

Question: At your house, how has freezer cooking saved the day?

2012 Third Quick Tip Week: Wendy’s Coupon Booklet

October 18, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Wendy’s

Quick Tip Week continues! Hope this week of shorter posts highlighting one tip in each category helps you in using time wisely.

For series already in progress, I will continue with the next segment following our Quick Tip Week. Embrace this week, add your tips in the comments, and continue using time wisely!

Quick Tip #5: Wendy’s Coupon Booklet

For a limited time, you can purchase a Wendy’s coupon booklet for $1. The booklet contains 10 coupons. Each coupon is good for one Jr. Frosty. Yum! My favorite is the chocolate, but my daughter prefers the vanilla option.

In addition to offering a great trick-or-treat prize, 90 cents of every dollar spent purchasing these booklets benefits the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

As you prepare for your Halloween celebration, enjoy a chilly treat benefiting a cool charity. Enjoy!

Question: What do you plan to gift on Halloween night to those who trick-or-treat?

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