Tips for Saving Money on Groceries

I have thought food prices are outrageously high for years now. I can't imagine what it's going to be like.

I started eating Hasmati and different kinds of rice and eating these Paneer Makhani, Paneer Butter Masala, Shahi Paneer and some other Indian dishes that are ready to eat. They have dozens of varieties but I like the Paneers. They are only $1.50 and fast. Just pour the bag on the rice and heat it in microwave for 2 minutes. I eat it all the time now. In Dublin there is the New India Bazaar but I'm sure there are other Indian markets in other cities that have or can order it.

www.mtrfoods.com/

www.mtrfoods.com/readytoeat/index.htm - With the ready to eat meals I tend to prefer the North Indian.

I just buy what I want. The devil take the cost.

Green Bags for fruits and vegetables, www.greenbags.com/
I tried them because I am always throwing out produce and they are really great for a lot of things.
I had grape tomatos last for 4 weeks before showing any signs of spoliage.
grapes to still perfect after 3 weeks
Not so good on salad greens though. Last no longer then the bags they come in
But for a lot of stuff they extend the freshness.
I was really impressed.
You can use them a number of times too.

Buy things you use all the time in bulk or when on sale (but only items you already use all the time). Buy fruit and veg fresh, and only enough for a day or two. Make big batches of various things and freeze them in portion size containers rather than buying pre-packaged meals (not only is it much cheaper but it's much better for you).

I'm saving money this summer by sharing a weekly organic food basket from a local farm with friends. It ends up being about $8 a week for a bounty of farm fresh, organic fruit and veg that is much higher quality than anything in local stores.

And most simply of all, consume less.

Things like peanut butter, jelly, hersheys syrup, etc. I buy the largest one. They last a long time, plus they are easy to change up.
Peanut butter goes with EVErything! lol
Jelly can be used for breaksfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack.
Hersheys syrup changes up milk, and ice cream.

We use Zatarains mixes. Some of them, like the Caribbean mix are low in calories and fat.

Beans.

Assorted rice and pastas. One bag of pasta and your favorite grated cheese(s) will make excellent mac and cheese.

If you get a good deal, or catch it on sale, the large packs of meat are great. I would sort into ziploc bags to make smaller portions.

Snacks: We have a hot air popcorn popper. A bag of popcorn is verra cheap. And a little goes a looong way. A little sugar , cinnamon, or cheese sprinkled on it, um um um.

Making from scratch, like was mentioned is a great idea too. I can make brownies from scratch that not only gives me more than what i would pay, but everyone loves them better.

This is a GReat Thread Blue!

I try to have the bulk of what I eat be made up by cheap staples (rice, homemade bread, pasta, potatoes, dried beans) with delicious dress up things to make them yummy. being Italian, I love pasta, and it's incredibly easy to make a pot of food my boyfriend and I can eat for several meals. He's even easier, curried bean stew over brown rice could be his meal two meals a day, five days a weak. I find myself looking for the "sad" produce (slightly older produce that's half price). It's hit and miss, and you have to use within a couple of days, but it's totally worth it. The same is true of high quality meats at some stores (I always choose very carefully with these, old meat is not to delicious).

I also love outlet stores. They have a strange selection, but it's worth it. Italian cured anchovies 3 for $1? Aged organic sharp cheddar for $2.50 a pound? Israeli sheep's milk feta only $1 a pound? I've even found $20-30 dollar bottles of wine for just $5-10.

what you cant buy in bulk, try buying at your local indian/asian/hispanic market. You can get a LOT of things way cheaper than you can at a regular grocery store.

the best way for me to spend less on groceries in general is to stay out of the store all together. i shop online and save a lot of $$ by just not being tempted by all those things i'd end up buying when i'm wandering the isles hungry after work. plus the delivery save me tons of time, which is in short supply for me too =] saves me $100+ per month and about 4 hours of my time.