Frugal Style: Saving on Food Staples

We all have certain food staples that make up our kitchen, but not everyone’s kitchen are created equal. I cook a lot from scratch so naturally we use less boxed goods than someone who needs to produce quick meals. In my kitchen I could not get far without my spices, herbs, stock, broth, grains, beans, and oils. I cook with several types of oils including olive and coconut verities. All my needed essentials add up in the ol’ pocket book so I have to always be one step ahead of sales.

Keep a list: It helps to keep a running list of everything you have in your pantry. Then you just check the list before going to the grocery store. Include your family in keeping an updated list. Have your kids help after school a couple times a week or ask your spouse to do it a few times a month after work. Having the list will save you money in the long run because you won’t overbuy and you won’t make extra trips for that pound of sugar you forgot to purchase this morning.
Homemade: Make as many staples as you can. We all have time constraints but making time for this will save you hundreds of dollars each year. Mayonnaise is one of the easiest items to start making and homemade is healthier. Another idea is to buy dry beans in bulk, cook them up on the weekends and then freeze in freezer bags. I also make homemade bread and roll dough instead of purchasing and then freeze. You can then unthaw, rise, and bake as desired. If you don’t have recipes for these items you can find thousands by searching Google.

Stock up on boxed sides: I use boxed side dishes on days I’m running late so I like to keep my pantry stocked with boxed Knorr, Rice A Roni, Pasta, Hamburger Helper, Instant potatoes. Of course these items are purchased for next to nothing by using coupons and stacking with good sales. I also shop at outlet stores to get items I need but don’t have coupons for.

With a little planning you can save hundreds of dollars every year just by purchasing things in bulk, stocking up during a good sale, or making needed items. Take mayonnaise for example. A jar of mayo with a coupon can still be around $2. To make mayo you need eggs, oil, and mustard, all items that are relatively cheap to purchase with coupons. In fact I often purchase eggs for under $1, mustard is usually free, and I recently bought olive oil for .99 after coupons & double. If you use a jar of mayo each month you are spending $24 a year on just that one item. A batch of homemade mayo will cost practically nothing.