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How to Have Healthy but Cheap Food

Many people on tight budgets forego healthy food because they think it is expensive. While some organic choices and produce can cost more than some processed foods, the truth is that there are many good ways to eat healthy but cheaply. Substitutes Instead of buying inexpensive white bread (it is cheaper than whole grain) learn how to make your own wheat bread. A bread maker can be picked up at Target or even a thrift store. Just add the ingredients and let the machine do the work. Hot dogs are cheap, but they are loaded with nitrates, preservatives, fats and … Continue reading →

Tenderizing Cheap Beef

Beef may be what’s for dinner, but it is also what takes a big bite out of your grocery budget. With the price of gas going up, and the recent beef contamination scares, buying beef today is almost like buying caviar. Okay, it is not that bad, but it isn’t that good, either. Eating more meatless meals can help with the cost of your grocery budget, but let’s face it, sometimes you just want to cook a meat and potatoes kind of meal. You can go the route of using less beef in your meals, but that just might not … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Chicken

Chicken can be a good low cost source of protein for your family. It’s versatility makes it easy to use for main meals or even side salads. Chicken freezes well, too, either raw or cooked. Still, even though chicken can be inexpensive compared to other meat sources, the prices have been steadily increasing in the last few years. Getting your food budget to stretch as far as it can go is important for a family. With that in mind, here are some ways that you can make the most of your resources and save money when you buy chicken. The … Continue reading →

Potlucks for Frugality

Here is a great little idea to reduce the cost of feeding your family. I write frequently about eating out. This is because most people eat out more often then they should in regard to their budget. I am no different. I grew up in new York City, home of some of the best restaurants and even fast food places in the country. I also like the social aspect of eating out. You can get together with family and friends, spend time together and try something different. So back to my idea. Instead of eating out, why not schedule several … Continue reading →

Five Tips for Great Slow Cooker Meals

Using your slow cooker or crockpot is a great money saving idea. You can use inexpensive ingredients and have dinner ready with ease, avoiding the cost of eating out. I often get a lot of questions about using slow cookers, especially from people who find that their meals are dried out, tasteless, over or under seasoned or a strange texture. But most of the time, this can be corrected easily by following some basic guidelines or tips to freezer cooking. Here are five tips for great slow cooker meals. Be careful about opening the lid. While some recipes do benefit … Continue reading →

TVP and The Frugal Cook

Have your heard about TVP? It is an easy way to get the protein you need while increasing the number of meatless meals you make. TVP is a cheap, yet healthy, alternative to ground meat, and can be used in most of your regular recipes. TVP is textured vegetable protein. It contains a lot of fiber, and of course, protein, so it would make a great addition to anyone’s diet. It is also very economical. An entire meat loaf can be made out of TVP for very little money. TVP is made out of soy flour, and it comes in … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Options for Snacking Out

Even though we try to eat at home most of the time to save money, the reality is that we have kids. And, even though we can feed them before the house, the reality is that there are often frequent “snack attacks” when the kids get hungry. I try to prepare for this fact by keeping a cooler by the door that is filled with water, granola bars, crackers, fruit, etc. that can be grabbed when we leave the house. Inevitably, though, we sometimes get caught with being away from home without snacks. With three hungry kids, as well as … Continue reading →

Recession Food: Whole Turkey

As food prices are continuing to increase, so is the worry that many families, like my own, are facing. Staples such as milk, eggs, and now wheat will cost more that usual this year. Other products, such as corn and anything made with corn (which is a high percentage of foods, from goods made with high fructose corn syrup to processed meats) are also increasing due to the demand for corn crops being used as an alternative fuel. Add in the pressure of a recession, and well, let’s just say that it will take some clever shopping to make your … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Week in Review: February 11th Through February 17th

As usual, the Frugal Blog has been packed with all sorts of frugal ideas. I love discovering new ways of saving money. Of course, sometimes we can go too far, can’t we? I would love to hear all of your favorite ways to save money. Hmm, that sounds like a good excuse for a contest to come here soon. You heard it first! And now, here is a review of all of last week’s frugal articles. February 11th Frugal Living Week in Review: February 4th Through February 10th From storing apples and using alternatives to expensive “green bags” to saving … Continue reading →