I've always cooked. However, now I'm cooking even more. Food has gotten expensive, so I continuously look for ways to save, cutback, and find better alternative ways to do things. There are three in my family. We spend around $300 a month on groceries, not including supplies. Not a little bit of money, but not a lot either. At this stage in my life I do not eat out much. Restaurant kitchens aren't always clean, neither are people's hands, and the luxury of dining out can add up. We probably eat out three times a month, spending around $30-40; using coupons at www.restaurant.com or www.diningperks.com.
Below is how we save money on groceries and cooking.
1. Have a set amount each week budgeted for groceries, and stay within the amount.
2. Shop for food one day a week. Go through cabinets and refrigerator for inventory. Create a weekly menu, and purchase according to what is on the menu.
3. My husband goes to Wal-Mart for most items and then to Kroger for fruits and vegetable one day a week, like clock work.
4. Once a month I order groceries from www.angelfoodministries.com. For $52 I get enough meat, vegetables, fruits, starches, eggs, and dessert to last a couple of weeks. For us, there is enough meat to last over a month or so. We aren't big meat eaters.
5. I cook on Sundays and Wednesday, only. I usually cook 2-3 vegetables on both days. Also, I mix up pasta, casserole, roast with potatoes and vegetables using lots of garlic and onions, on the other days.
The benefits of cooking at home:
a) Our gas bill is only $21 a month, because I cook only two days a week. Our stove is gas the rest is electric.
b) We have good food in a clean kitchen made with clean hands.
c) We save a fortune by eating at home.
d) We eat healthier because I'm cooking using fresh ingredients from scratch, and not boxed or processed foods.
e) We are able to enjoy a meal together as a family at the table and talk.
Are you cooking more? If so, how has it benefited you?
Are You Cooking More?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:04 pm
November 22nd, 2009 at 03:21 am 1258860087
November 22nd, 2009 at 04:20 am 1258863655
Another trick is to buy and eat fresh produce in season - cheaper because the supply is high. And don't poo poo frozen. $1.49 for 16 oz of frozen green beans works out to $1.49/lb fresh, and you usually get those prices only in the late summer.
November 22nd, 2009 at 07:07 am 1258873673
I shop twice a week - once a week for 'supermarket groceries' and on Saturdays I go to the farmers market for fresh fruit and vegetables.
November 22nd, 2009 at 02:45 pm 1258901148
November 22nd, 2009 at 03:52 pm 1258905170
November 22nd, 2009 at 06:24 pm 1258914297
November 23rd, 2009 at 04:44 am 1258951472
November 28th, 2009 at 01:30 am 1259371852
Jerry