Go HERE to read a great article about what foods can be frozen, courtesy of Stockpiling Moms!
In addition to her list, I have also successfully frozen:
*Shredded Cheese (just pop it right in your freezer)
*Yeast (bought in bulk at an Amish store)
*Milk (pour a little off of the top first and then freeze; this is good for using in baking, mashed potatoes, freezer meals, cream soups, etc.)
*Bread (double bag it first and then freeze - yummy for French toast!)
*Bagels (thaw completely and best served toasted)
*Extra Chopped Onion & Green Pepper (when a recipe calls for 1/2, I cut the whole thing and freeze the rest in a freezer bag...this is great to throw in soups, chili, etc.)
By buying these items at rock-bottom prices and freezing them for your stockpile, you will substantially save on your overall grocery budget. The only trick is that you have to REMEMBER to use them! :)
Showing posts with label freezer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freezer. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Top Ten Ways to Save NOW on Your Grocery Budget
The grocery budget is one of the most flexible lines in your family's monthly budget. Utilites don't change much, car payments and mortgage are consistent, and gasoline is a requirement...but are the ho-ho's that you want to buy? NO! Grocery shopping is the one place where you can get flexible and creative. If you are struggling with your check-out totals, if you are bug-eyed when you get to your car, if you are embarrasssed to tell your spouse what you spent...then this is the post for you, my friends!
So, in traditional, Hope-Filled Home style, here are my...
Top Ten Ways to Start Saving NOW at the Grocery Store
10. Love Your List - make one every time you step foot in the store. Even if you are going in for milk and bread, write it down and keep yourself accountable to it.
9. Make a Meal Plan - know IN ADVANCE what you are going to be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week that you are shopping for. Knowing what you are going to be eating makes your shopping easier, promotes less waste, and gives you no reason to hit a drive-thru.
8. Shop Sales - make your meal plan based off of what is on sale. Hamburger on sale? I see meatloaf... Good price on apples? I see apples in lunches and apple crisp for a special desert. Don't plan your list around what you want to eat, plan what you want to eat around what's on sale!
7. Clip Your Coupons - clip coupons on Sunday afternoons. 15 minutes clipping and filing can save you major moolah every week. For every coupon I clip, I am able to: buy a luxury item (Dove chocolate), pay down debt, take a trip to Disney, etc. Don't believe me? Taking only 5 .50 coupons to Meijer/Kroger saves you $5 off your bill (they double coupons at that store.) That equals $20/month or $240/year. If you took 15 coupons each visit, that would equal $720/year. I think that's enough for park tickets, don't you?
6. Stockpile for Savings - when something goes on an exceptional sale, buy more than one. Buy as many as you have coupons for. Ask your neighbors to save their coupon inserts for you for a FREE way to get extras. Some people buy extra coupons that they want on ebay, but I see no reason to spend more money to save money. Regulary, frozen vegetables end up free after sale and coupon. Buy 4 bags, or 6, or 10 and use them when you need them.
5. Lose the Loyalty - don't think that you are always getting the best deal when you shop where there are "low prices everyday." You aren't. You are getting conveiniece, but may possibly spend more money. Check out your ads and go where the best deals are. I regularly shop at 2 stores and then hit Aldi once a month to stock up on some canned goods there. I never shop somewhere "just because." I know exactly why I am going there, and it's because the have the best deals on...cheese, chicken, crackers, pasta, etc.
5 1/2. Lose the Loyalty Part 2 - don't always buy Skippy because you've always bought it. Your family may like Peter Pan better...if not, you can always hide it in cookies :) Buy what's on sale and/or what you have a coupon for. More times than not, you will be surprised.
4. Make Meatless Meals - once a week, enjoy a meatless meal for savings on your grocery bill. Have pasta with sauce, pancakes with fruit, or baked potatoes and salad. Think simple and save.
3. Use Cash Only - never ever use a credit card to buy your groceries! Do you know how much you would end up paying for them after interest? I don't even recommend using your debit card to buy groceries. Why is that? When you take cash to the grocery store and you commit to only using that cash, (ie $60) you are less likely to impulse buy and more likely to stay under budget. What happens if you get to the register and your total is $62? Put something back. Don't use your debit/credit because then you are more likely to add even more (like the candy bar, magazine, gum, or pop by the register.) Just don't do it, trust me on this!
2. Freezer Cook - spend a Saturday cooking up some of your favorite meals or casseroles and deep freeze them for a later use. Have company coming? Pull out a lasagna instead of hitting the store. Need to feed a crowd? Thaw out that chowder in the microwave and crockpot it for down-home comfort food. Forgot to make a meal plan/feel uninspired with the grocery ads? See what's already in your freezer and go from there! In 5 hours (with the help of 2 girlfriends), we put up 45 meals (15 per family.) What a helper and a timesaver that was (and so much healthier than the local drive-thru!)
1. Start Small - be encouarged! Make attainable goals. Be realistic with yourself. You don't have to go into the store and save 80% on your bill... Evey dollar counts. Every time you eat leftovers instead of pizza, every time you say no to an impulse buy, every time you find something for free - celebrate! Bring out the nice dishes and toast yourself on a job well-done. You deserve it!
So, in traditional, Hope-Filled Home style, here are my...
Top Ten Ways to Start Saving NOW at the Grocery Store
10. Love Your List - make one every time you step foot in the store. Even if you are going in for milk and bread, write it down and keep yourself accountable to it.
9. Make a Meal Plan - know IN ADVANCE what you are going to be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week that you are shopping for. Knowing what you are going to be eating makes your shopping easier, promotes less waste, and gives you no reason to hit a drive-thru.
8. Shop Sales - make your meal plan based off of what is on sale. Hamburger on sale? I see meatloaf... Good price on apples? I see apples in lunches and apple crisp for a special desert. Don't plan your list around what you want to eat, plan what you want to eat around what's on sale!
7. Clip Your Coupons - clip coupons on Sunday afternoons. 15 minutes clipping and filing can save you major moolah every week. For every coupon I clip, I am able to: buy a luxury item (Dove chocolate), pay down debt, take a trip to Disney, etc. Don't believe me? Taking only 5 .50 coupons to Meijer/Kroger saves you $5 off your bill (they double coupons at that store.) That equals $20/month or $240/year. If you took 15 coupons each visit, that would equal $720/year. I think that's enough for park tickets, don't you?
6. Stockpile for Savings - when something goes on an exceptional sale, buy more than one. Buy as many as you have coupons for. Ask your neighbors to save their coupon inserts for you for a FREE way to get extras. Some people buy extra coupons that they want on ebay, but I see no reason to spend more money to save money. Regulary, frozen vegetables end up free after sale and coupon. Buy 4 bags, or 6, or 10 and use them when you need them.
5. Lose the Loyalty - don't think that you are always getting the best deal when you shop where there are "low prices everyday." You aren't. You are getting conveiniece, but may possibly spend more money. Check out your ads and go where the best deals are. I regularly shop at 2 stores and then hit Aldi once a month to stock up on some canned goods there. I never shop somewhere "just because." I know exactly why I am going there, and it's because the have the best deals on...cheese, chicken, crackers, pasta, etc.
5 1/2. Lose the Loyalty Part 2 - don't always buy Skippy because you've always bought it. Your family may like Peter Pan better...if not, you can always hide it in cookies :) Buy what's on sale and/or what you have a coupon for. More times than not, you will be surprised.
4. Make Meatless Meals - once a week, enjoy a meatless meal for savings on your grocery bill. Have pasta with sauce, pancakes with fruit, or baked potatoes and salad. Think simple and save.
3. Use Cash Only - never ever use a credit card to buy your groceries! Do you know how much you would end up paying for them after interest? I don't even recommend using your debit card to buy groceries. Why is that? When you take cash to the grocery store and you commit to only using that cash, (ie $60) you are less likely to impulse buy and more likely to stay under budget. What happens if you get to the register and your total is $62? Put something back. Don't use your debit/credit because then you are more likely to add even more (like the candy bar, magazine, gum, or pop by the register.) Just don't do it, trust me on this!
2. Freezer Cook - spend a Saturday cooking up some of your favorite meals or casseroles and deep freeze them for a later use. Have company coming? Pull out a lasagna instead of hitting the store. Need to feed a crowd? Thaw out that chowder in the microwave and crockpot it for down-home comfort food. Forgot to make a meal plan/feel uninspired with the grocery ads? See what's already in your freezer and go from there! In 5 hours (with the help of 2 girlfriends), we put up 45 meals (15 per family.) What a helper and a timesaver that was (and so much healthier than the local drive-thru!)
1. Start Small - be encouarged! Make attainable goals. Be realistic with yourself. You don't have to go into the store and save 80% on your bill... Evey dollar counts. Every time you eat leftovers instead of pizza, every time you say no to an impulse buy, every time you find something for free - celebrate! Bring out the nice dishes and toast yourself on a job well-done. You deserve it!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Freezer Cooking
Winter is a great time to do freezer cooking. The nice hot oven heats up the house too!
I am planning a freezer cooking day soon. I have a friend who is having surgery and could use some meals. I figure that I can do the shopping and put away a few extra things for her family.
I will be planning a ground beef day. That will include: shepherd's pie, tator tot casserole, beef enchilada casserole, sloppy joe casserole, meatloaf, and a few new recipes to try.
Why not plan a day and put away 8-10 meals for hectic nights and feed your family well?
I am planning a freezer cooking day soon. I have a friend who is having surgery and could use some meals. I figure that I can do the shopping and put away a few extra things for her family.
I will be planning a ground beef day. That will include: shepherd's pie, tator tot casserole, beef enchilada casserole, sloppy joe casserole, meatloaf, and a few new recipes to try.
Why not plan a day and put away 8-10 meals for hectic nights and feed your family well?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Freezer Cooking with a Turkey
With the great turkey sales right now, why not buy an extra turkey and freezer cook with it? By doing this you can cut your budget and have ready-made meals for the hectic holiday season.
Here are a couple of ideas to get you thinking...
Turkey Noodle Casserole
Turkey Enchiladas
Turkey Rice Soup
Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Turkey Stuffing Casserole
Why not take the time to cook a turkey and make some meals for your family this month?
Here are a couple of ideas to get you thinking...
Turkey Noodle Casserole
Turkey Enchiladas
Turkey Rice Soup
Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Turkey Stuffing Casserole
Why not take the time to cook a turkey and make some meals for your family this month?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Christmas Challenge
Are you having trouble making ends meet this year? Is the Christmas budget lean? Are you overwhelmed at the thought of "being Santa?"
Never fear, my friends, I have a challenge for you...
Can you...Would you...Could you...
*live off of your stockpile in December and use your grocery budget for gifts?
*have two meatless meals a week in December and use the leftover cash for stuffing stockings?
*make a monthly meal plan that utilizes staples from your pantry (things you already have) and slash your grocery bill?
*freezer cook in advance (this month) using items on sale in November (turkey, baking products, etc) to have ready-made meals in December?
If you are up to the challenge, think about how wonderful it will feel to have a cash-only Christmas!!!
Stay tuned to see some of the ways that I am slashing the budget for the holiday season.
Never fear, my friends, I have a challenge for you...
Can you...Would you...Could you...
*live off of your stockpile in December and use your grocery budget for gifts?
*have two meatless meals a week in December and use the leftover cash for stuffing stockings?
*make a monthly meal plan that utilizes staples from your pantry (things you already have) and slash your grocery bill?
*freezer cook in advance (this month) using items on sale in November (turkey, baking products, etc) to have ready-made meals in December?
If you are up to the challenge, think about how wonderful it will feel to have a cash-only Christmas!!!
Stay tuned to see some of the ways that I am slashing the budget for the holiday season.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Top Ten Easy Items That Freeze Well for Beginning Freezer Cookers
Is anyone thinking about trying freezer cooking? Here is a list of my favorite easy things that can be frozen without a lot of hassle.
A great way to get started is to simply double your recipe when you cook. Ex: If you are making lasagna for dinner, double your recipe and freeze the 2nd for later. This is easy to do on a regular basis and really saves on your drive-thru trips for busy nights.
Top Ten Easy Items That Freeze Well for Beginning Freezer Cookers
10. Pancakes - make the whole box of mix at once and freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick breakfasts.
9. Chunked Chicken Breasts - crockpot, boil, or grill extra chicken and cut it up into quart freezer bags to be used for chicken alfredo, BBQ chicken pizza, chicken helper, or in salads.
8. Lasagna - make 2 instead of 1 and freeze the 2nd for an easy, satisfying dinner later in the month.
7. Cooked Ground Beef - cook extra and freeze in quart freezer bags to get a jumpstart on pasta sauce, tacos, or hamburger helper on a busy night.
6. Chili - make a huge pot and freeze the leftovers for quick lunches or a simple supper.
5. Muffins and Quick Breads - when you bake, make an extra batch or two for the freezer. Simply wrap in foil (breads) or put in freezer bags (muffins) for quick breakfasts on the go or to serve with coffee hour.
4. Tator Tot Casserole - ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, frozen veggies, tots, and cheese make a comforting supper. Make 2 - 1 for dinner and one for the freezer and have NO prep work next time around!
3. Twice Baked Potatoes - think about this, if you can buy it in the freezer case at Kroger, you can make it yourself and freeze it for later. Its healthier and cheaper this way too!
2. Meatloaf - when mixing meatloaf for tonight's dinner, mix a 2nd for later in the month. Put it in a loaf pan and freeze uncooked to save you time, next time.
1. Baked Ziti - my favorite recipe for baked ziti makes a TON. I fill a 9x13 for today's meal and freeze the rest in gallon sized Ziplocs for later. All I have to do is: thaw, dump, and add cheese for an easy family-favorite!
Hope this inspires you to put something away for a rainy day...or a hectic day...or an "I don't feel well" day...or a "company's coming" day...or a "help someone in need by providing a meal" day.
God bless you as you feed your families!
A great way to get started is to simply double your recipe when you cook. Ex: If you are making lasagna for dinner, double your recipe and freeze the 2nd for later. This is easy to do on a regular basis and really saves on your drive-thru trips for busy nights.
Top Ten Easy Items That Freeze Well for Beginning Freezer Cookers
10. Pancakes - make the whole box of mix at once and freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick breakfasts.
9. Chunked Chicken Breasts - crockpot, boil, or grill extra chicken and cut it up into quart freezer bags to be used for chicken alfredo, BBQ chicken pizza, chicken helper, or in salads.
8. Lasagna - make 2 instead of 1 and freeze the 2nd for an easy, satisfying dinner later in the month.
7. Cooked Ground Beef - cook extra and freeze in quart freezer bags to get a jumpstart on pasta sauce, tacos, or hamburger helper on a busy night.
6. Chili - make a huge pot and freeze the leftovers for quick lunches or a simple supper.
5. Muffins and Quick Breads - when you bake, make an extra batch or two for the freezer. Simply wrap in foil (breads) or put in freezer bags (muffins) for quick breakfasts on the go or to serve with coffee hour.
4. Tator Tot Casserole - ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, frozen veggies, tots, and cheese make a comforting supper. Make 2 - 1 for dinner and one for the freezer and have NO prep work next time around!
3. Twice Baked Potatoes - think about this, if you can buy it in the freezer case at Kroger, you can make it yourself and freeze it for later. Its healthier and cheaper this way too!
2. Meatloaf - when mixing meatloaf for tonight's dinner, mix a 2nd for later in the month. Put it in a loaf pan and freeze uncooked to save you time, next time.
1. Baked Ziti - my favorite recipe for baked ziti makes a TON. I fill a 9x13 for today's meal and freeze the rest in gallon sized Ziplocs for later. All I have to do is: thaw, dump, and add cheese for an easy family-favorite!
Hope this inspires you to put something away for a rainy day...or a hectic day...or an "I don't feel well" day...or a "company's coming" day...or a "help someone in need by providing a meal" day.
God bless you as you feed your families!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Applesauce: God Bless Megan! I was Looking for this!!!
Here we go friends! Megan has the scoop on how to make our own applesauce for our stockpile. I think that I will be attempting the freezer version as well as canning. Now, to find one of those machines...
http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com/2009/09/homemade-applesauce.html
http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com/2009/09/homemade-applesauce.html
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