Money Saving Idea: Saving on Groceries

 

If you’re like most people, you’re feeling the financial crunch of the present economy. You’re probably looking for help saving money. One way you can help reduce the household budget is by saving on groceries. You might be surprised to discover just how much money you save with a little shopping and storing savvy!

 

Re-think your food choices for saving on groceries

 

Getting you family to re-think their food choices will go along way in the battle to help saving money. It might be that your family members have their favorite foods and their favorite brands and don’t like change. Maybe they haven’t tried different options! Sometimes brand names matter, and sometimes they don’t. For example, when it comes to ketchup, I strongly prefer Heinz instead of some bargain brand – UNLESS I’m using the ketchup to make something like cocktail sauce. In that case, I find that the store-brand ketchup works just as well, and if I’m making a big batch of sauce, I can save significantly.

 

Another place to really cut your food bill is in the meat department. When you have a craving for grilled steak, buy sirloin instead of T-bone or ribeye. If you properly tenderize and marinate, the cheaper cuts will be great on the grill, and since sirloin is lower in fat, it will also be healthier.

 

Does your family like filet mignon? Who doesn’t, right? Try chuck eye steaks instead. Have them cut thick, marinate them overnight with some red wine and meat tenderizer, and wrap them with bacon and grill. They’re delicious, and a fraction of the cost of filets.

 

Eat a lot of chicken? Thighs are just as nutritional as breasts, and they’re about half the price. When compared to boneless skinless breasts, thighs are usually only ¼ the price! If you have family members who like thighs and some who like drumsticks, buy a large bag of leg quarters and separate each quarter at the joint. Place a meal’s worth in baggies and place in the freezer.

 

 

Buy in bulk for savings on groceries

 

For more help saving money on groceries, buy in bulk or stock up when items go on sale. If you’re buying meat in bulk, just freeze meal-size portions in good quality freezer bags. How long will items last in the freezer? Here’s a helpful guide:

 

Breads – 3 months

 

Butter – 6-9 months

 

Hard cheeses – 6 months

 

Juices and fruit drinks – 8 months

 

Hot dogs – 2 months

Lunch meats – 2 months

 

Bacon – 1 month

 

Sausage – 2 months

 

Hamburger meat – 4 months

 

Beef steaks – 9 months

 

Pork chops – 6 months

 

Beef roasts – 9 months

 

Pork roasts – 9 months

 

Fish sticks – 18 months

 

Flour – 8 months

 

Lean fish – 6 months

 

Fatty fish – 2 months

 

Whole chicken – 12 months

 

Whole turkey – 12 months

 

Chicken or turkey pieces – 9 months

 

Cooked shellfish – 3 months

 

Commercially frozen vegetables – 12 months

 

Think of all the cash you could save! You’ll save money on gas, too, because you won’t be making as many trips to the store.

 

A great money saving idea is to buy turkeys after Christmas, when they go on sale. Since a whole turkey will keep for a year in the freezer, you’ll already have your turkey for the next Thanksgiving.

 

 

Money saving idea – leftovers

 

Too many people discard their leftovers. This is a huge waste of money. You could be saving on groceries by saving your leftovers! I save bits of everything to use in soups and stews. How long will leftovers keep in the freezer?

Chili will keep for up to 6 months, as will stews and soups. Cooked meats and cooked casseroles containing meat will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Fried chicken will last for 4 months in the deep freeze, and pizza will keep for up to 2 months.

 

When I have leftover chicken or meat, I take it off the bone and freeze it. I use it later in tacos, stews, soups, fajitas, casseroles, chili, or salad. Sometimes I chop the leftover meat up, freeze it, and thaw it out and add barbecue sauce to it. Then I heat it in the microwave and serve it on buns.

 

 

Money saving idea – canned foods

 

If you have the storage space, buy canned fruits, vegetables, and meats in bulk whenever you find a deal. Be sure to keep the canned goods in a cool, dry place – never over a heat source like the stove or oven. How long will canned goods last on the shelf?

 

Canned fruits and tomato products will keep for 18 months. Most canned meats and canned vegetables will keep safely for 2 years.

 

For more saving money ideas, read my articles about how to use leftovers, found below.