Foie gras? Foie-get it!
Do you find that you are limiting yourself to one lunch out per week? Packing more bologna sandwiches? Choosing a bag of frozen broccoli over a head of fresh?
If so, you’re probably not in the minority. Even as the food writer (and someone who is supposed to be on top of all the new food trends and restaurant openings), I find myself trimming a bit off the old food budget these days. The economy is in the garbage disposal and Christmas is coming. How in the world are we to be learned foodies, much less put money away for savings?
This may seem like a very obvious topic, but I think it’s worthy of discussion. In an effort to scrabble together a list of tips that I could share with the general readership of The Roanoke Times, I wonder: What is your best money-saving tip as you tighten your belt on food spending? And do you have a recipe that feeds a lot but costs a little?
Personally, I continue to check the Manager’s Specials in the meat department at my Kroger store. I’ve found all sorts of excellent deals there, and I just try to cook or freeze the meat right away. I have also gone to more frozen vegetables, particularly spinach. I always keep a bag of frozen spinach in my freezer. It is such a versatile veggie that it can be incorporated into all kinds of dishes, from casseroles to pasta to pizza.
Coupons are also a big help. If you aren’t the type of person who clips coupons or looks at a sales ad, now might be the time to do it. In addition to the coupons that come out in the Sunday paper, you can get personalized coupons in the mail from Kroger or visit the coupon kiosk at Ukrop’s when you enter the store.
Other ideas: a Diner’s Club card, a designated day every week when you get to go out to lunch, a designated day each month when you get to have a nice dinner out, more cooking at home in general, requesting gourmet food items as Christmas gifts. What else?
October 22, 2008 - 11:22 AM
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I say, “Got chicken?”
It’s one of the least expensive meats in the grocery stores and offers many possibilities for dinner.
Last week I made Chicken Parmigiana with spagetti one night and Chicken Picatta another. I fed my family of five easily for about $10-$12 – total (less than the cost of McDonald’s for the whole family).
I will usually have mac and cheese night (out of the box – for my kids) once a week too. Each box only costs about $1 each.
I’ve definitely felt the pinch in my eating-out habits. I have HAD to cook at home more and from scratch more often.
For me, the biggest thing has been giving up on prepared junk foods and doing my own prep work with fresh vegetables instead of buying jarred minced garlic, salad in a bag, etc. I’m vegetarian, so my diet was already based on bulk grains and beans, dried pasta, and other pretty cheap staples. Buying local/in season foods, too–I’ve definitely been eating more apples and fewer mangoes. (And I save enough money by doing this kind of stuff that I can still invest in nice olives, vinegars, coffee, etc. and buy most foods organic without breaking the budget.)
I have cut down on my eating out, and I use more frozen veggies too. They are economical and taste better than canned. Since I’m single, I buy the family sized bags and portion the veggies into single serve baggies, then I can just grab one to cook for dinner or to take to work for lunch, along with whatever else I’m having. I go through the coupons in the paper each Sunday and cut out the ones I want, then bring the rest to work. I put them in the breakroom for my coworkers to go through. They do go through them too!
I use the coupons I receive in the mail from Kroger too. I appreciate that they know what I buy and send me coupons that I will use. I sometimes cook a lot of different foods on Sundays and leave some in the fridge for lunch and supper during the week, and freeze portions to save for later. Saves time during the week when I’m tired after work, and I don’t have to buy frozen dinners from the store.
Manager’s specials are great for meat but I’ve gone one step further and cut out most of our meat altogether. Daughter went Veg last year and rather than cook separate meals I have adapted to beans and other sources of protein. For school lunch shopping I’ve got my kids switched over to waters rather than Capri Sun and dividing up bigger bags of snacks rather than getting the snack sizes, though this isn’t all that new of a thing for me. We do buy soda liters but the cheap store brand which is typically half the price of name brand. I’ll go the store brand on most things if it’s cheaper, which it usually is.
I also try not to go shopping when I’m hungry and I also try to go when I know the stores will be less crowded, like on Sunday mornings. It seems to help to take my time and look carefully at what I am buying.
Plain white rice (cheap 25 lb bags at Sams). Easy to fix and season, keeps forever, and adds volume to any meal.
I have a great recipe for cold weather that feeds a lot cheaply. It goes great with a little cheddar cheese on top and eaten with tortilla chips or rice. My sister-in-law makes the same thing only with ground beef, but I think the canned chicken is easier – but both are delicious. I got it from allrecipes.com and it is very addictive:
SIX CAN TORTILLA SOUP
INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken (drained)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans (drained)
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (drained)
DIRECTIONS
Open the cans of corn, chicken broth, chunk chicken, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Pour everything into a large saucepan or stock pot. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through.
And here I was about to relate my tale of the wonderful Foie-gras I had in Paris!
One obvious thing is to stock up on items you use regularly when they go on sale. Some items can drop by 40% on a good sale, and if you have the pantry or freezer space to handle it, it’s well worth it to buy as many as you can handle.
About the spinach: Do they actually sell frozen spinach in a bag? Or are you buying those salad-bags and freezing them at home? I always have problems with greens going bad before I use them up, yet I never thought about buying frozen…
I order from Omaha Steaks. I find that although it is a little expensive I don’t waste much. I can use 1 or 2 pieces and not have to cook a whole package of chicken or whatever. Also they frequently run specials like free shipping or reduced or buy one/get one. Everything comes frozen so I just put it in my freezer and use what I need.
Ukrops marks down meats, deli items,etc Saturdays, late afternoon, prior to closing, 33%. They probably do this because the store is closed Sundays. Great food, great savings.
It isn’t easy to budget when you have to cook for a person with Celiac…gluten-free foods are 2 and 3 times as costly as those with wheat. However, when I was raising three kids as a single Mom, my go-to meal on one of those nights when there was a Little League practice (with 2 boys, their teams practiced on different week nights)or another teacher’s meeting, was very simple: I’d mix up a batch of pancakes, drain a can of corn, dump it in, and make all 3 kids very, very happy.
Now, I use gluten-free pancake mix but I still add the drained can of corn. Anyone not needing to avoid wheat could use whole-grain mix.
I’m also using frozen veggies more than I did before, couponing, shopping on Seniors’ 5% off day, and taking full advantage of Kroger’s percentage-off gas prices. I’ve also found grocery-shopping less often to be a major cost-saver.
I purchased a chest freezer several months ago which has really helped me save for the winter. David, I too stock up on discounted meats, etc. I make a lot of chili in the winter and my local grocery had Jimmy Dean sage sausage marked down to $1! Of course I bought several and froze them.
Vegetarians stop reading: In a more extreme case, my friend acquired 20 chickens a couple months ago and we’ve slaughtered them and filled our freezers. I only had to pay for half the cost of chicken feed. They’re incredible roasted with fresh herbs and make decadent homemade chicken stock! You definitely look at your food a little differently after that kind of experience. Considering what I would normally spend at the grocery store on a whole bird and canned/boxed chicken stock – I’ve made out like a bandit!
I always look for specials when grocery shopping. I usually go into the grocery store with a plan in mind for what meals I can fix for the week and which items can play double duty, such as for our veggie night (another budgeting technique) if I buy black beans and rice, I make enough so that we can do chicken quesadillas with black beans and rice as the filling later in the week, then all I do is add cheese or whatever else. I also purchase more chicken, fish, and turkey because these meats are cheaper and can easily be switched out in dishes. We have been buying more dried beans, rice, and frozen veggies and definitely stay away from prepared foods (as much as I hate cooking when we get in from soccer practice), it just saves so much money.
As far as eating out, we only generally go once or twice a week and the International Diner’s Club is our best friend!
Also take advantage of the 10 for $10 at Krogers and stock up on canned goods and frozen veggies.
I’ve been clipping coupons, checking sales adds, and making multiple stops to get the best deals instead of buying everything we need at one store (easy to do in Salem since everything is either on or just off Main St).
I also plan my menu out for the week and look to see what I can cook once and eat twice: a roasted chicken can turn into a casserole; pinto beans can be added to hamburger, tomato sauce and spices for chili beans; and my favorite, a roast cooked in the crockpot makes the best vegetable soup (Mom’s recipe of course). All of these are not only money savers but time savers too!
Mom’s Vegetable Soup:
The trick to this soup is to cook your roast with a can of French Onion Soup. If I know I’m going to make the soup in a day or two from making the roast, I’ll leave the broth in the crock pot and stick it in the fridge. If not, I’ll cut up the roast the next day, add to the broth, and stick it in the freezer.
Leftover Roast (cut-up or shredded) and in broth
1 can each, drained: corn, peas, lima beans, pinto beans, grean beans
1 can diced tomatoes
5 sliced carrots
3 peeled and diced potatoes
1 large can of V8 juice
1 1 pound box of macaroni noodles
salt, pepper, and sugar (usually about a 1/3 cup or so to taste
Combine everything in the crockpot, stir, and cook on low for a couple of hours tasting occasionally to adjust the seasonings.
I like buying items in bulk at warehouse stores. My sister and I split a membership at our local store and split a lot of what we buy. This allows us the money saving opportunity of buying in bulk but allows us to not be stuck eating the same things for days on end. We also make soups and stews in bulk based on what is on sale and split it up between us to be eaten or frozen.
another great option is thru the food banks or dept of soc services they offer boxes of food for 17.00 to any one, they only ask that donate an hour of time at some point.
and you can buy multiple boxes, and well worth the investment of time.
my family will use our left overs.. for example if we have dinner tonight and have left over vegtables, we will mix all the corn, carrots, potatoes and ect together and tomm nite we will make stew for dinner, we already have half the work done and we dont waste alot like we used to
I’m a list person. I make lists for everything and it really helps out when it’s grocery time. I look at the Kroger ads and make lists from it according to what I need and what’s on sale. I usually try to come up with a meal plan for the week on Sunday and then get groceries based on that. I base my meal plan around what’s on sale that week. And of course, if something is really cheap, say if chicken is crazy cheap, I’ll stock up on it. I try to go by my lists because I’ve got them budgeted and it really helps out even if it is simple. I try to buy only what’s on the list, but I also look for clearance items and those can help out keeping costs down too.
I also try to have small portions of the most expensive item at dinner. So I might eat a little bit of say, roast beef, but I’ll also have a salad and sides to fill me up too. That way I get full, but it’s a little cheaper.
If you shop at Kroger, don’t forget to get a rain check if they are out of a good special.
I agree that rice is a great stretcher.
You eat less meat when you mix it with something. Stew, soup, stir-fry, casserole, sauce tend to use less meat if you plan it that way. Meat is expensive now.
Turkey’s can be dirt cheap at times. I have no idea why.
I do a few things to save money. I buy in bulk and separate into one pound bags and freeze, use coupons, and of course plan. I like to try a new recipe at least once a week. I try to pick recipes that include stuff that is already in my pantry. Another thing is to try out other meals around certain ingredients. If you want to make a dish that calls for parsley, try to pick other dishes that week that will also use parsley. That way there will be less waste. I also like to do big meals and freeze them for later. We also, have lots of venison in the freezer. I haven’t cooked much with it yet, but if things get too bad it’s a very good option. You can mix it with hamburger and never know.
I made the mistake of looking at my 401K statement I rec’d today. I think I’m going to go to Cantos Books and buy the 101 Ways To Fix Ramen Noodles cookbook I saw there.
it’s hard to be thrifty when you cook for one person. i make stuff and split it into individual portions to freeze. mini-meatloaves= more surface area to cover with bacon. sometimes i freeze soup in single servings, as well.
oh, and sometimes i make bread! from mark bittman’s no knead bread recipe, which is unbelievably easy. it needs extra salt, though, so if you google the recipe, just double the salt.
A chest freezer is a great investment. Whenever I make a soup, casserole, tomato sauce, etc., at least one serving goes in the freezer. Having the already prepared food at hand is a greeat way to avoid the pricier decision to go out to eat.
Coupons, coupons, coupons are a great savings tool. With 4 little boys, every little bit helps.
I also try to use TLC with less expensive cuts of beef in lieu of more expensive ones. As an example, using stew beef in beef stroganoff, just simmering it longer. My husband cannot tell the difference.
The crockpot is another wonderful tool for preparing a large meal and then using the leftovers in another incarnation for yet another meal.
My favorite tip is to buy hamburger in bulk; cook it with onions and garlic and freeze it in 1 pound portions. This makes dinner prep much easier and saves money.
I do many of the things mentioned by other readers. Planning ahead is the hardest but most beneficial for me, though. Trying to make a plan, stick with it, and only buy items on my list for making the pre-planned dinners works very well. I’m also a big fan of coupons. Another habit I have gotten into is price matching at different stores. If Kroger has an item on sale, but I’m shopping at Wal-Mart, they will price match. Kroger also price matches Wal-Mart’s groceries. It helps me by saving gas on driving all over town trying to get the best prices.
I’m also a fan of making casseroles and crock-pot dinners that last for a few days. I made chili last week and we’re still eating on it! My favorite is a hamburger casserole my grandmother made. It’s great for nights when you need a quick dinner. It only takes ~35 minutes and tastes wonderful!
Awesome reading, and as usual started by a timely post from Lindsey. So, I say “Thank you again, Lindsey!” We do a lot of the things that have been listed above, esp. eating leftovers! When we do eat out we often have leftovers and we always bring it home and use it. I am a regular shopper at Dollar General, Big Lots, and the dollar store! You can get some REALLY good food bargains in those three places, almost every time you go in there. A lot of the product is “off brand,” but much of that is just as good as name brand. And they will have name brand stuff, too, sometimes in smaller packages since it’s only $1, but if you watch your pricing it comes out cheaper many times. Another thing I try is to take an inexpensive packaged item, and add to it. An example is that I buy Zatarain’s boxed black beans and rice and prepare it as directed on the box. I also buy a can of black beans and a can of Ro-tel, drain both and add it to the Zatarain’s. You have a very tasty side dish that will feed 4-6 people, and probably for well under $5. My wife has a recipe that she’s used for MANY years that is very cheap to make, and will feed 2-4 people. It’s “Full of Bologna Casserole.” Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 – 2 cups cubed raw potatoes
1/2 lb bologna
2 tbs. raw green pepper, chopped
1 can cream of celery soup (do not add water)
2 slices American cheese
Mix everything but the cheese and place in a casserole dish, bake at 350 for an hour and fifteen minutes. Place cheese on top after cooking time is up, let cheese melt and serve.
Kroger has been running Gwaltney Great (chicken) bologna on sale, a lb. is 10/$10. I also watch the Kroger ad each week, they do have some good specials. Also, look in the produce dept. where the bagged salads are, I find “manager’s specials” there like in the meat dept. On fresh spinach, salads, all kinds of stuff.
Aside from cost-saving measures such as coupon clipping, purchasing bulk items that are on sale, using non-name brand versions of products, the best way I found to save on fresh food was to plant a garden.
This past season I’ve planted items that run high in price in the produce section. Spinach and tomatoes were expensive, however, the cost for two packs of seeds was about $3. Any way you look at it, that’s either a pound of tomatoes or a bag of spinach – but this time, I have an entire summer’s worth! With a little time and proactive planning, a garden could pay for itself depending on how far the gardener is willing to take it.
As far as recipes, I’m reminded of a dish my mother used to make for us when I was young that didn’t cost more than $5 or $6 and it fed a family of five! A comfort food known as Tater Tot Casserole.
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion – chopped fine
- 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of celery soup
- 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (11 oz.) corn
- 1 package (28 oz.) frozen tator tots
Preheat oven to 350°.
Coat the inside of the baking dish with cooking spray.
In a heavy skillet, brown the ground beef and drain off any excess fat.
Place the ground beef in the bottom of the baking dish.
In the same skillet, brown the onions until soft.
Place them on top of the ground beef.
Drain liquid from the canned corn and layer it on top of the onions.
In a small bowl, combine the two soups together and then spread this over the corn.
Place tator tots on top of the casserole and bake for 60-70 minutes.
When I buy canned fruits and veg. I buy the store brand which is the same thing for much less.
I also try not to bring along my son or my boyfriend which often makes the total much higher
I also often notice that at several stores I have been to the discount price you get with the card doesn’t always get applied at the end. Has anyone else encountered this?
The comment by Dennis made me think of a new grocery store here in Christiansburg, the Super Dollar. Super Dollar is the offspring of Food City, which is a major grocery store where I grew up in Southwest Virginia and in Kentucky and Tennessee. They sell mostly Food City brand (Great Value) products, but still have the brand name products. Everything seems to be ~40% less expensive than in other grocery stores! If you have one near you, definitely check out Super Dollar!
Hey Autumn, we live in the far west end of Salem, and LOVE to go up to C’burg to shop at Wade’s and at Dollar General Market. The DG Market is a DG store w/ an expanded grocery section, and you can really find some bargains there! As you can at Wade’s. I’d love to try Super Dollar, where is it in relation to Wade’s and DGM?
Hi Dennis,
Super Dollar is closer to Wal-Mart in Christiansburg. It is also on Franklin Street, so if you’re coming from Wades, just stay on Franklin, going through downtown. After you pass Christiansburg High School, a McDonald’s will be on your right. It is in that shopping center, across the street from a Food Lion. If you get to Cambria Street, you’ve gone too far.
I’ve been very happy shopping there… fresh produce (although a bit limited) and the meat selection is pretty good. Let me know if my directions are a bit unclear. Happy shopping!
It is now hunting season and I’m sure many readers will have access to lots of free game, etc. Any chance of running some recipes and tips on how to properly cook and serve the various cuts, etc? seems like a great way to reduce the food bill but if you don’t know what you’re doing ….
Excellent question, Craig. And also very timely. I happen to be working on a column about cooking venison right now. If anyone has any favorite venison recipes that they would like to share, please post them on the blog!
What other wild game would y’all like to know more about?
The Super Dollar Foods in Vinton is scheduled to open next week in the former Winn Dixie location. I’m anxious to check it out and see how prices and selection compare to other stores. It should be convenient for those of us who shop for groceries in Vinton, because it is situated between Kroger and Food Lion.