So, now that I'm not working, we have to be even more frugal then ever. I also am taking this chance to become more self sufficient by trying to figure out my own recipes for common every day food items that we purchase regularly. I found a great recipe for tortillas, and will never buy store bought again. My next thing I'm working on its homemade sandwich bread. We spend so much money on bread for our weekly lunches. Bread is getting expensive. The good bread is over $3 a loaf! Why can't I just make it?
That's my goal this week. Make bread that we can make sandwiches on.
Today, I went to the grocery store to shop. Smith's, in my opinion, is the best place to shop. Winco is pretty good to, but I prefer the quality of food that Smith's has. You are what you eat, so don't be cheap. At the same time, we gotta be affordable. I've been working hard on making dinners with all natural ingredients. I need to be able to pronounce the items.
As I've been doing research the last few weeks/months, I've found a reoccurring tidbit of a tip. Avoid the inner isles of the grocery store. Stay on the outside. That's where the fresh, healthy food is. I did that today. I had my little list of items I needed to get. All of it, was on the outside isles. By not traveling to the inner parts of the store, I wasn't temped to buy anything full of preservatives or processed foods. Smith's had a great sale on produce going on, I took advantage of it.
I've slowly been learning how to cook for only 2 people. I've grown up cooking for an army of 8+. Downsizing to two people has been tough. I usually end up overestimating and buying or preparing more than necessary. Today, I did pretty good. I got less than I thought I'd need. After spending time thinking on it, that was the best move. I know food won't go bad and have to get thrown away.
I've also learned, don't be afraid to buy the off brand items. We've done this with milk. It all tastes the same, and I got 2 gallons of milk today for 3.98, saving .80 cents a gallon. This was the Mountain Dairy brand. I was pretty excited. We go through so much milk - it's Trevor's favorite.
One sneaky advertising I've found is the sale on pounds. Like fruit: 99 cents a pound! Awesome! But then you realize that one apple is a pound, and end up paying $4 for some apples. Measure your produce.
When the cashier hands you your receipt, there are often times a survey you can go and do. Free savings, yay! I did one for Smiths and got 50 extra fuel points and got entered into their sweepstakes. More savings for me, yay! I also did one for Costa Vida, and next time I go in, I get a free small chips and queso. YUM!
Anyway, it's been fun to learn all these things as I go. Hopefully, as I go, I'll get better. Good luck.
- SamiMae
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