Search Results for: blog can meal or menu planning really save you money

One Strategy For Taming Your Household Grocery Bill

If you are looking for ways to trim your household budget, it might be easiest to start with flexible categories of spending, where you do not spend the exact same amount of money each month. Food is one area of the family budget that is flexible, and also an area that you can improve upon by implementing simple changes. Don’t worry, I am not about to suggest that you eat less, or that you only eat cheap food. I am a foodie, and I know that a “good deal” means more than just the price per pound, it means getting … Continue reading →

Are You Spending Too Much Time In The Kitchen?

Working from home has many benefits, and a smaller grocery bill is one of them. Whether you are accustomed to stopping for coffee or a latte on the way to work, picking up lunch from a sandwich shop near the office, or both, you will spend less on food by eating three meals a day at home on most days. Eating meals that you prepare at home is not only economical; it can be healthier if you stock your fridge and pantry with foods that are good for you. All of this sounds great, and it is, but my inner … Continue reading →

Health at School: Lunch Time!

Ah, the school lunch. The cafeteria has come a long way since I was in grammar school, where you had one meal option and one “alternate” Sandwich choice. Even by the time I was in high school, the cafeteria had stepped up to compete with the local eateries in town, offering multiple hot and cold meal choices. Still, your kids might not want to chow down on cafeteria food every day — or you might want to save money and send lunch from home. Here are some tips to help ease the lunchtime battle. Set a lunch allowance. My parents … Continue reading →

3 Simple Things Not To Do To Save Money

With the economy in such an uproar, and the cost of living rising every single day, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many to set aside much of anything these days. With a few helpful hints, you might be able to save a little here and there, and not spend money on what you don’t need, or could live without. Here are three things you should not do if you are wanting to save money. Convenience Store Shopping – Don’t go! Stay clear away from gas stations except when purchasing gasoline, drug stores except when shopping for prescriptions and other … Continue reading →

Frugal Car Repair and Maintenance Tips

Cars are a place where saving money is not always possible. They are also a place that quality should not be compromised. However, there are a few ways you can save money on car repairs and car maintenance. Here are a few tips. Oil Change/Regular Tune Up – A regular oil change can add to the life of your automobile. A healthy car is a long lasting car. A good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 3000 miles or so. This tip comes from our local oil change store. The manager confirmed that a car with regular … Continue reading →

Groceries: Making a List and Checking it Twice

Sounds like a popular children’s Christmas carol doesn’t it? But making a grocery list is a serious budget keeper and money saver! Not to mention there is some truth in the “checking it twice” area. Let me teach you how to save a little money on your food, especially with the drastic rising costs. Grocery lists can be written on anything. A napkin, a scrap of paper or you can actually use those cute little pads of paper that say ‘grocery list’ at the top that you can find at popular stationary stores and other locations. Don’t spend your money … Continue reading →

Saving Money With Cookbooks

Cookbooks are a handy accessory in the kitchen, and they can make meal planning a much more pleasant experience. In addition, nobody in the family will get tired of eating the same old thing day after day. But how can cookbooks really save you money in the long run? Here are a few ideas. First of all, limit the number of cookbooks you purchase. It is ridiculous to own 10 different cookbooks if there is only one or two recipes in each cookbook that you actually use. Unless the cookbooks were hand me downs, there isn’t a cookbook worth its … Continue reading →

More Great Tips for in the Kitchen

Often I am asked for tips in the kitchen, and seeing that it is one of my favorite rooms in the house (other than my scrap room), I love to share tips for saving money in the kitchen. While I have dozens of other tips that might not save money but would be fun to do, these do save money. 1. Grocery Lists Make them. Meal plan if plausible, and if you find it difficult to meal plan, perhaps plan a list of meals you’d like to create in the upcoming week or so. This way, you don’t purchase anything … Continue reading →

3 Fantastic Kitchen Tips

Often I am asked for tips in the kitchen, and seeing that it is one of my favorite rooms in the house (other than my scrap room), I love to share tips for saving money in the kitchen. While I have dozens of other tips that might not save money but would be fun to do, these do save money. 1. Cookbooks Save your money and do not purchase these wallet drainers. Most cookbooks are beautiful, colorful and filled with delectable recipes. Except for our family, we don’t make even half of the recipes in the book. It is much … Continue reading →

How I Saved Money By Meal Planning

As I mentioned in the previous article, I have spent the greater part of this year utilizing meal planning to help stay more organized and save some extra cash. I was able to show you yesterday, that I did indeed begin saving money after practicing meal planning. And here is how I did it each month, what it included and my own brief review of each month. Month 1: $543 (average out to about $18/day in food) This was when I realized we obviously had a huge problem with food spending. I knew we had a large family, but there … Continue reading →