How to cut down grocery bill, and still eat healthy?
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Ok, here's a pic of Ground Turkey I froze 2 days ago in a ziplock (brand, ziplock) and squeezed as much air out of it as possible:( I am going shopping for a Foodsaver;) PS the white is all ice, or frost I should say:(
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abbynormal52 wrote: »callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »The thing that is so subjective in posts like these, is what one deems 'a lot of money'.
When it's just my son and I, which it is most of the time, I spend (give or take) $75 a week. We eat mostly fruits, veg, and meat (generally chicken but will pick up others if its on sale). When my fiance is home, add another $40 to it, mainly because I cook more 'complicated' meals and bake when hes home.
There is no Aldi's in my area, but where i moved from there was, and I loved it, primarily for the spices, produce and snack type foods and baking supplies. Milk, butter and eggs were also significantly cheaper. Was never a huge fan of their meat and the only canned goods I regularly buy are canned tomatoes (which I did get there but were price wise on par with walmart most of the time). I will still stop at Aldis when I'm down that way, but it isnt often.
You are organized, and to me, that is more than half the battle. It's how we use what we buy as well, especially in things that we can either freeze and use later, or make a big pot of whatever, that will be good for leftovers.
I remember one of my friends saying "my husband won't eat leftovers" (I think it was a husband, or maybe kids) and my thought was, I'm cookin, you'll eat what is fixed. Of course some things have changed since I was being raised by my mom on her own
my fiance will eat what i put in front of him. Im the one who wont eat leftovers (or very rarely do). sometimes for lunch the next day, if i REALLY liked what i made (and feel like eating it again lol). Paul is one of those who can make a big pot of chili or spaghetti and eat it all week. not me. nope. not gonna happen. lolol1 -
I make a big batch of chilli from time to time. 500gm beef mince, 2x can kidney/chilli beans, diced flavoured tomatoes then bulk it up with anything you prefer thats low calories. Usually the 3 above ingredients with some spices are enough for me. Makes about 6 servings, versatile and come in about 350cal a serving plus its cheap!1
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callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »abbynormal52 wrote: »callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »The thing that is so subjective in posts like these, is what one deems 'a lot of money'.
When it's just my son and I, which it is most of the time, I spend (give or take) $75 a week. We eat mostly fruits, veg, and meat (generally chicken but will pick up others if its on sale). When my fiance is home, add another $40 to it, mainly because I cook more 'complicated' meals and bake when hes home.
There is no Aldi's in my area, but where i moved from there was, and I loved it, primarily for the spices, produce and snack type foods and baking supplies. Milk, butter and eggs were also significantly cheaper. Was never a huge fan of their meat and the only canned goods I regularly buy are canned tomatoes (which I did get there but were price wise on par with walmart most of the time). I will still stop at Aldis when I'm down that way, but it isnt often.
You are organized, and to me, that is more than half the battle. It's how we use what we buy as well, especially in things that we can either freeze and use later, or make a big pot of whatever, that will be good for leftovers.
I remember one of my friends saying "my husband won't eat leftovers" (I think it was a husband, or maybe kids) and my thought was, I'm cookin, you'll eat what is fixed. Of course some things have changed since I was being raised by my mom on her own
my fiance will eat what i put in front of him. Im the one who wont eat leftovers (or very rarely do). sometimes for lunch the next day, if i REALLY liked what i made (and feel like eating it again lol). Paul is one of those who can make a big pot of chili or spaghetti and eat it all week. not me. nope. not gonna happen. lolol
I could only eat something "all week" if I had nothing else. I'm definitely spoiled;) Some guys are so easily pleased by what we cook, I like that kinda guy;)
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I make a big batch of chilli from time to time. 500gm beef mince, 2x can kidney/chilli beans, diced flavoured tomatoes then bulk it up with anything you prefer thats low calories. Usually the 3 above ingredients with some spices are enough for me. Makes about 6 servings, versatile and come in about 350cal a serving plus its cheap!
Ok, you're making me hungry now, LOL!! I had to do a protein shake after my exercise, and I can't wait for dinner
Yum, Chili, haven't had that for awhile. I may try to follow your recipe, sounds really good (where's that drooling smiley when I need it) 
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abbynormal52 wrote: »Ok, here's a pic of Ground Turkey I froze 2 days ago in a ziplock (brand, ziplock) and squeezed as much air out of it as possible:( I am going shopping for a Foodsaver;) PS the white is all ice, or frost I should say:(
I forgot to point out here that I froze that "before" I learned about the "hot water" sealing method. I did try that but I must have done something wrong because it didn't seal up as tight as in the video;)
I think for me it's going to be easier to have a machine suck out the air so FoodSaver, here I come;)0 -
I have to say, as another single person, it seems like the most efficient way to save money isn't with a hundred dollar appliance that requires you to keep buying bags for it.
I freeze things in jars: either mason jars or glass peanut butter jars that I've washed out. Works really well. I don't eat meat any more, but when I did I browned things like ground hamburger or ground turkey in advance with a little onion and sometimes green pepper. Then it was ready to go when I wanted it. I also pre-made patties with the raw meats and stored them in a ziploc bag separated by waxed paper. They were fine as long as I didn't forget them for months.
Cooking a bunch of beans is going to be WAY cheaper per pound than any other protein, and beans freeze beautifully. Just spoon them into a jar, then pour in the liquid you cooked the beans in to cover and freeze. No freezer burn, just remember to allow some room at the top.
Soups, chilis, and stews all freeze well without having to be vacuum sealed, and then you have individual portions of very healthy food ready to go and you don't have to eat the same thing all the time.
As we're going into summer, I switch up salads by using cabbage instead of or half and half with lettuce: it's cheaper, adds a nice crunch, stays good in the fridge longer, and is amazing especially with asian dressings. I buy the little personal watermelons when they're on sale and cut them up right away which works out to a great price per lb for fruit. I also eat a lot of bananas and apples and have found a store near me that ALWAYS has some variety of apple on sale. If you follow the sale ads in your area for two months, you'll probably find that the sales cycle so you can predict when certain things are likely to go on sale and buy accordingly.
Also, as long as you're eating healthfully, there's no reason to get locked into conventional "lunch" and "dinner" options, especially when you have no one to please but yourself. "Breakfast for dinner" is great and cheap. Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes, topped with chili or beans and salsa, make a great, super inexpensive meal.5 -
I'll figure things out and do what I think will work for me. I do like storing a lot of my dry-goods in Jars as well. I had some nice, large ones given to me like new. So after that, I starting getting different sizes here and there. Now I have about 10 or so:)0
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Pro tip: sterilize jars in dishwasher.1
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nickssweetheart wrote: »I have to say, as another single person, it seems like the most efficient way to save money isn't with a hundred dollar appliance that requires you to keep buying bags for it.
I freeze things in jars: either mason jars or glass peanut butter jars that I've washed out. Works really well. I don't eat meat any more, but when I did I browned things like ground hamburger or ground turkey in advance with a little onion and sometimes green pepper. Then it was ready to go when I wanted it. I also pre-made patties with the raw meats and stored them in a ziploc bag separated by waxed paper. They were fine as long as I didn't forget them for months.
Cooking a bunch of beans is going to be WAY cheaper per pound than any other protein, and beans freeze beautifully. Just spoon them into a jar, then pour in the liquid you cooked the beans in to cover and freeze. No freezer burn, just remember to allow some room at the top.
Soups, chilis, and stews all freeze well without having to be vacuum sealed, and then you have individual portions of very healthy food ready to go and you don't have to eat the same thing all the time.
As we're going into summer, I switch up salads by using cabbage instead of or half and half with lettuce: it's cheaper, adds a nice crunch, stays good in the fridge longer, and is amazing especially with asian dressings. I buy the little personal watermelons when they're on sale and cut them up right away which works out to a great price per lb for fruit. I also eat a lot of bananas and apples and have found a store near me that ALWAYS has some variety of apple on sale. If you follow the sale ads in your area for two months, you'll probably find that the sales cycle so you can predict when certain things are likely to go on sale and buy accordingly.
Also, as long as you're eating healthfully, there's no reason to get locked into conventional "lunch" and "dinner" options, especially when you have no one to please but yourself. "Breakfast for dinner" is great and cheap. Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes, topped with chili or beans and salsa, make a great, super inexpensive meal.
I am guilty of not reading this post better, and I was toast when I saw it Nick's sweetie. I just skimmed it, so I apologize because when I just read it again this a.m. There is so much good in this. I would have to make sure the jars seal well still. But I'm going to try freezing just one thing in a jar. I'd never heard of "freezing in a jar". I love the idea of just pulling something out to thaw, and also, making a large batch. My freezer is pretty, large capacity for one person.
I so believe in non-conventional meals, although I haven't gone there yet since I've started up "counting" my cals again. Especially love eggs, french-toast, waffles for dinner. I learned to make my waffles with a bit of protein powder, nuts, berries, and I do my pancakes that way too.
So I'm going to try it, and look up how long foods can last in a jar;) Just wanted to thank you for the education/ideas with freezing meals, or meat cuts like my thighs I love, and chicken tenders. Those chicken tenders I buy in a big bag always end up with frost all over them, so I need to get them out of that cheapo depot bag and put them in something more air-tight;)
Denise0 -
nickssweetheart wrote: »I have to say, as another single person, it seems like the most efficient way to save money isn't with a hundred dollar appliance that requires you to keep buying bags for it.
I freeze things in jars: either mason jars or glass peanut butter jars that I've washed out. Works really well. I don't eat meat any more, but when I did I browned things like ground hamburger or ground turkey in advance with a little onion and sometimes green pepper. Then it was ready to go when I wanted it. I also pre-made patties with the raw meats and stored them in a ziploc bag separated by waxed paper. They were fine as long as I didn't forget them for months.
I'm a single person too and I don't see spending $100+ on a FoodSaver as a waste of money at all, compared w/the same $100+ people spend on InstantPots or Nutribullet devices. Or the ridiculous (to me) $300+ that some will spend on a Vitamix blender. It's all relative.
The FoodSaver has been a great money and food saver for me and I'll just leave it at that.
However, I also store a lot of food in quart/pint and half pint mason jars in my frig and cupboards.
The only thing that I freeze in a mazon jar is bacon fat, which I strain and save after I bake (I don't pan fry it) my bacon. Adds great flavor to a lot of meat dishes that I cook.
I can cherries when they are in season and store kimchi, sauerkraut and soups in mason jars in my frig, which can last quite long stored that way.
I also store certain seasonings (like salt) and dried goods (like dried chilies and fruit) that I buy in bulk in quart sized mason jars as well.
I use the optional plastic caps for general food storage in the frig/cupboard, as opposed to the metal ring/seal caps used for canning. They are easier to use and keep the contents as fresh as the metal ring caps do.
However, no single method of food storage is best.
In my experience, there just are some things that are just better vacuum sealed and frozen; meat and seafood are 2 of those things. And there is nothing better IMO for keeping bulk cheese fresh, than vacuuming sealing it and keeping it in the frig.2 -
It's just personal preference as I see it. What am I willing to spend, first of all (or afford), and what work I am willing to do. I really can't say which would be an easier way, yet. But I will try without the foodsaver first. Then if I find that isn't working for me, I will eventually invest;) Both of you are doing excellent in my opinion, and I am grateful for all the replies here. Also, I'm seeing how disorganized I've been and am determined to do better this next month;) and I'm starting right now actually, as I will have to buy some things before the first, to eat;)2
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For what it's worth, I have good luck wrapping meat tightly in plastic wrap, then wrapping the plastic wrap in tin foil, before freezing. No special equipment involved. Also, visible ice crystals on freezer burned meat, while not very pretty, will probably not have much impact on ground meat destined to be used in something like chili. Might not make the best tasting burger but doesn't need to be thrown away.2
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I don't freeze much since I don't like leftovers. I will freeze the arroz con pollo I make or soups, but usually I eat them that same week or the next at the latest. I will freeze that in a plastic container. I don't use plastic containers in my frig--only glass, but I'll eat the leftover the next day.1
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rheddmobile wrote: »For what it's worth, I have good luck wrapping meat tightly in plastic wrap, then wrapping the plastic wrap in tin foil, before freezing. No special equipment involved. Also, visible ice crystals on freezer burned meat, while not very pretty, will probably not have much impact on ground meat destined to be used in something like chili. Might not make the best tasting burger but doesn't need to be thrown away.
Ty! This is helpful, and I could try it. So does yours get the frost like my picture? I even thought of buying wax paaper and wrapping it in that;)0 -
That's what I've been doing for years now, and I just have them in single portions in freezer, and I eat mine between a week or maybe two if I've bought enough meat;)lucerorojo wrote: »I don't freeze much since I don't like leftovers. I will freeze the arroz con pollo I make or soups, but usually I eat them that same week or the next at the latest. I will freeze that in a plastic container. I don't use plastic containers in my frig--only glass, but I'll eat the leftover the next day.
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If your freezer is attached to your refrigerator and it is a self defrosting model, the freezer may be fluctuating temp enough to cause what you are seeing.
I have a chest freezer.3 -
abbynormal52 wrote: »rheddmobile wrote: »For what it's worth, I have good luck wrapping meat tightly in plastic wrap, then wrapping the plastic wrap in tin foil, before freezing. No special equipment involved. Also, visible ice crystals on freezer burned meat, while not very pretty, will probably not have much impact on ground meat destined to be used in something like chili. Might not make the best tasting burger but doesn't need to be thrown away.
Ty! This is helpful, and I could try it. So does yours get the frost like my picture? I even thought of buying wax paaper and wrapping it in that;)
If it's wrapped tightly in plastic wrap there shouldn't be any frost, since there's no space for the frost to form.
To find out if your freezer stays at a constant temperature, put a plastic cup in there with some water. When it's frozen, put a coin on top of the water. If the coin is ever sunk into the ice, you know it thawed. This is also a good thing to do if you go on vacation and want to know if your power was out while you were gone.2 -
Oh this is excellent! I never knew how this trick, thank you so much. I'm doing it right now!!0
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If your freezer is attached to your refrigerator and it is a self defrosting model, the freezer may be fluctuating temp enough to cause what you are seeing.
I have a chest freezer.
Yes, it's on top in the fridge. I'm checking on fluctuations today;) Thank you to both you gals for pointing out that very, important aspect of all of this "freezer" biz
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I live in a nice apartment complex, that takes care of every apartment's needs, almost immediately. I know I'm spoiled!! But I've noticed a few of the tenants having theirs replaced, so this one may have to be as well. It runs pretty loud, which I just got used to. The maintenance fella recently vacuumed out the back, and front areas, but it still runs loud.
Anyway, now that this was brought up, I can find out if it isn't working right. It freezes fine but I didn't know anything about one fluctuating 0 -
I buy frozen veggies and only cheap meat - lots of sausage, ground turkey, chicken (I only buy breast at $2 a lb or less).2
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I'm making my grocery list, and safeway app has coupons I'm looking at as well;)1
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kimondo666 wrote: »instead of cottage cheese(which is a little fatty), you can try curd(just with the least fat possible). And cheers. Curd has more proteins overall.
fatty? fat is good for you, why avoid it. that said you can by 0%, 1% or 2% MF cottage cheese, all of those would be lower fat options anyway.
I agree on the fats, they are essentials in my diet. I shoot for the polys, but not perfect at it;)
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We do aldi. And HEB store brands are great taste and value. About $500 per month for 2.0
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Just bought 5# of a corned beef (flat cut) for 98 cents/# (regular price around, $4/#) and 6# of unsliced cured ham on the bone for 78 cents/# (price sliced about $2/#).
Will portion, vacuum seal and freeze the corned beef and ham in a day or so.
Also bought a qt of coarse salt and a, qt yellow corn meal for 59 and 73 cents/# that I'll store in the cupboard in qt sized mason jars.0 -
You found the corned beef in an ad sgt? And the rest as well? I have a coupon app for Safeway, and checked our local paper (coupon ads). I need to go back and read your posts here again. I'm just too tired tonight, thanks for sharing what you are finding though;) so appreciate it;) I imagine it will just take practice for me to find the good buys;)0
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If you want to reduce the amount you spend on groceries, there are a couple of things you can try
- avoid buying fruit and vegetables in supermarkets, they are always more expensive than a local shop or farmers market
- Buy in season fruit and veg only, out of season food is more expensive and never tastes as good
- Build meals around pulses and veg, much cheaper than meat, lentil dhal is one of my favourites and is so cheap to make.
- Try and avoid pre-prepared food, it is more expensive, and it often has loads of non natural ingredients added along with sugar
- It does not have to take a long time preparing food from scratch. There are lots of good cook books out there for 30 minute meals.
Hope this helps, this is first time post for me!4 -
JanetBiard wrote: »If you want to reduce the amount you spend on groceries, there are a couple of things you can try
- avoid buying fruit and vegetables in supermarkets, they are always more expensive than a local shop or farmers market
- Buy in season fruit and veg only, out of season food is more expensive and never tastes as good
- Build meals around pulses and veg, much cheaper than meat, lentil dhal is one of my favourites and is so cheap to make.
- Try and avoid pre-prepared food, it is more expensive, and it often has loads of non natural ingredients added along with sugar
- It does not have to take a long time preparing food from scratch. There are lots of good cook books out there for 30 minute meals.
Hope this helps, this is first time post for me!
Thanks Janet, the first 2 especially, jumped out at me;) I will do those for sure. I do love lentil soup, and not familiar with dhal, but can google it.
I cook all my food except on occasion, I will open a can of peaches or other fruit, rinse it well in a cauldron at least.
I need to learn what things I eat are in season and what time of year. You can tell I don't know a lot about fresh produce, but we do have a Farmers Market here. It starts June 3rd at our Fairgrounds. It always looks like a "rat-race" but I need to brave it early (starts at 8 a.m.) and see how I do.
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In my part of the world the supermarket produce is cheaper than what is available in the farmers market. Check the prices.
https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide3
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