Health Notes #35

Some Ideas for Cutting Food Costs

1. Plant a garden. Plant kale as a background for your flower-bed. A few cents paid on seeds can bring an abundance of produce.
2. Get a canning book and begin to put away like a squirrel.
3. Prepare your menus a week at a time, and shop accordingly.
4. Buy those items that are on sale. (You may have to change your menu a bit.)
5. Buy groceries in quantity when on sale or if the price is cheaper by doing so. (This will save you from having to go to the store so often, cutting down that temptation for indulgence.) Don't buy more fresh than you can use before it goes bad.
6. Check the refrigerator and deep freeze before shopping.
7. Use foods that are in season when you can, they should be cheaper.
8. Don't waste the leftovers. Learn how to be a creative cook. Experience does wonders. This is a good reason to plan your menus in advance. (Example: making enough dressing for the week; using leftover beans in a spread; baked potatoes today, hash browns tomorrow; freeze vegetable water and use in soup.)
9. Read the labels and compare store brand items to famous brands. They usually cost less and are just as good.
10. Start from scratch rather than prepared freezer or packaged items. (Example: raw potatoes vs. potato chips; whole grains vs. packaged cold cereals; macaroni and "cheese" vs. frozen variety; dry beans vs. canned beans; homemade bread vs. store-bought.
11. Get used to eating meals at home and make it a special family time rather than eating out.
12. Learning to cook simply, rather than rich and fancy, can save a bunch. Small things can make the food attractive without the added calories and expense.
13. Don't allow your children to rule the shopping cart. You set the standards and have them help you stick to it.
14. Glean from neighbors gardens. You'd be surprised how many are growing too much for themselves and would welcome a little extra income and someone who was willing to pick and use their extra.