Living on your own Saving money

Avoid take-out/fast food  Use leftovers – soups/stew/burritos/stir-fries/salads  Make meals ahead  Make your own heat-and-eat meals  Freeze meals  Use the crock pot  Make your own skillet meals – remember ?  Make your own sweets – cookies, popsicles from leftover juice, freeze yogurt, freeze fruits

Cooking Time-Savers  Precook as much as possible on the weekend for the week’s menus  Cut fresh veggies and put in baggies. Make salads in the beginning of the week. And use what’s left and not-so-fresh anymore in soups/stews/casseroles.  Use leftovers – don’t waste food/money  Roast in beginning of week as a meal; leftovers become bbq beef or philly cheesesteak sandwich

Meal $$ Savers  Only fill a beverage glass half full….can always pour more  Cook from scratch  Use staples not meat as the basis of diet/meals  Extend meats – use as an ingredient not main entrée, used canned meats, buy cheaper cuts  Have a “meatless Monday”  No how much it takes to serve someone – 3-4 servings/lb for boneless meat while only 2-3 servings w/ bone – charged by weight  Avoid prepackaged produce – stores trying to get rid of overhead…usually has been sitting there longer  Over-ripe bananas could be a good purchase….smoothies/banana bread/pancakes/frozen w/ choc for snack  Properly store groceries ASAP

Shopping hints  Make a monthly menu and then make a list – shop as infrequently as possible  Cut the junk  Plan menus around sale flyers  Eat before you go so you stick to the list  Use a calculator as you go  If possible buy in family-sized/bulk and re-package to appropriate sizes….many need to copy directions…and use unique storage spots but check unit prices  But buy perishable products in small amounts  Buy in season produce  Use store brands instead of name brands  Use coupons unless ????  Join discount clubs  Watch while items are rung up – don’t let yourself be overcharged

Where to shop  Shop at grocery discount stores like Aldi’s first; rarely at a convenience store  Plan meals around purchases at the farmer’s market  Check out displays – usually put things together on sale – ketchup/hot dog buns  Know the store layout – expensive stuff around outside of store and in back  Shop there first so you know how much $$ you have left for fillers in middle  Hit the sale aisles first  Avoid areas w/ yummy smells like bakery and deli to avoid impulse buys  Know product placements – expensive usually gets eye-level shelves

Saving Money When Eating Out  Limit how often you eat/order out  Eat out at lunch instead of supper – cheaper rates  Go out for a snack instead of a meal – Applebee’s ½ priced apps  Shop around for good food/good prices  Eat only half of the meal served; box other half for tomorrow’s meal  Skip apps and desserts  Drink water  Use restaurant coupons; eat the daily special  Eat at culinary school restaurants