https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:05:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-622914 Fri, 18 May 2012 13:12:36 +0000 Julie 622914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Read the ink off the pages of your grocery store flyers, and use coupons. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-622898 Fri, 18 May 2012 12:56:52 +0000 lyn* 622898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My tip is to shop ethnic - I'm not sure if you can find gluten free stuff there though; I cut a normal grocery bill of about $60/wk for two to about $30 by getting ethnic stuff from a smaller market (food which we prefer, anyway). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621967 Thu, 17 May 2012 10:33:19 +0000 ramya 621967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Are there any local farmers market??? Getting it there usually saves some pretty pennies :)</p> <p>I donot buy canned food too...</p> <p>Scout around compare prices... Cook in bulk , consume the quantity you need and freeze the rest ... these are the tricks that help me stick to my budget </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621961 Thu, 17 May 2012 09:47:33 +0000 Jjsloane 621961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think being in Hawaii you have a lot less options. I was also going to suggest as Diana did the Asian markets (here they have the cheapest produce) if you have them. Also do any of the local farms do a CSA? You buy a share in the farm and get a weekly or monthly lot of whatever they are harvesting. You get a good assortment (and try out new things) not sure if it's truly cheaper, but for what you are buying it might be a good way to plan. I also find the rewards from my supermarket (for gas etc..) add up if they offer those it's another way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621952 Thu, 17 May 2012 09:10:51 +0000 Deborah 621952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Victoria being in Australia I am probably no help but we have Aldi Supermarkets here and they are considerably cheaper than our two large chain supermarkets. This has helped us to maintain a budget that we feel is more appropriate for us Are there any such supermarkets where you are? I also eat gluten free and I am astonished at how expensive gluten free products are so I do try to not buy too many gf packet meals etc. Good luck and understanding the exchange rate I would say that they our grocery costs sound quite reasonable for the two of you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621948 Thu, 17 May 2012 08:40:13 +0000 StephanieR 621948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As others have already suggested, I find a menu plan for the week a great help. A shopping list is also a must, stick to it and avoid impulse purchases. If you can shop seasonally, fruit and veg in season should be at their best price. Much of what I do is probably irrelevant to you - I live in south Wales in the UK and live a pretty rurual lifestyle. I keep chickens and have a large vegetable garden which supplies us with fresh produce for a large part of the year. I also batch cook and freeze for quick and easy meals through the week. Also, waste as little as possible, the amount of food thrown away by households here in the UK is staggering. For 2 adults, 2 border colles and a cat I spend no more than £200 per month, but it's impossible to compare grocery bills being in different parts of the world. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621903 Thu, 17 May 2012 05:40:12 +0000 fashionista 621903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We just buy locally grown pulses, rice and vegetables. We seldom buy or don't buy canned foods here in our country (no culture to eat canned foods and difficult to get sometimes except some urban areas). Food, fish, poultry, mutton, spices, vegetables everything that we eat are fresh and locally grown either in our country or in our kitchen garden. So that is healthy and saves a lot of money. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621901 Thu, 17 May 2012 05:35:30 +0000 anne 621901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read this thread with interest, as I am about to start tracking and finding out how much my family spends on food. I suspect it is AT LEAST $200 a week ( for 2 adults, 3 kids and frequent visitors) so I didn't think your figures were unusual at all. We don't have the gluten issue. As for you, food is more expensive in Australia. </p> <p>While I have some ideas I am planning to try, I'll just share 2 I have already tried.<br /> 1. Making yoghurt at home<br /> 2. Keeping chickens. When they are laying well, I try to have 2 egg based meals for dinner a week (thus saving on meat), as well as using them for baking, lunches and occasional breakfasts. Makes me feel much better about food scraps too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621716 Thu, 17 May 2012 01:35:53 +0000 Victoria 621716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>velvetychocolate: thanks for all your advice! I am goign to try that quiche recepie for sure!<br /> I don't buy GF products except for bread because I like to have toast in the morning. Otherwise, I usually get brown rice, vegetables, eggs, tofu, cheese, and go to places like Coasco for frozen fish or shrimp. I don't buy organic stuff unless its eggs, chicken or turkey(its just too pricey othewise).<br /> I usually go to the s tore couple of times a week and buy enough for a meal or two, I always bring my lunch so I make enough to have leftovers </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621667 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:46:13 +0000 velvetychocolate 621667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wanted to chime in on the idea of planning meals/recipes in advance of shopping. </p> <p>I don't do this. I might have a list - as in, I really need some eggs, some onions, some T.P. or what have you. But I like to see what's there, what's on for a good price and what looks freshest/best. From there, it's, "Ok, what am I going to do with this ___________?" and I'll go searching for recipes.</p> <p>It might well be that I only need a couple of carrots for a recipe - so I'll dash up to the corner market and get them as needed. Not sure I'm making sense here, but I don't shop with set recipes or meals in mind at all. I like to pick and choose when I'm out there and then come up with meal ideas after the fact. I feel I get the best deals and freshest food this way. </p> <p>I buy the so-called "fab finds", and then I come up with meals and recipes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621644 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:17:25 +0000 velvetychocolate 621644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That doesn't sound like very much for groceries to me! But the thing is, I cook everything from scratch at home and I'm very picky about ingredients/whole foods etc. </p> <p>Like you, I also have to eat only gluten-free food. That said, I don't really ever buy any "gluten free" products because they're so much more expensive, they don't fit within my diet guidelines (still trying to lose some more weight here) and they don't usually taste all that great anyway. I do buy almond flour from time to time, but the recipes where I use it only call for something like 1/4 cup or something (for example: homemade turkey meatloaf with grated carrot, zucchini, onions, celery, almond flour, egg, organic ketchup). </p> <p>I'm not sure what kinds of things you buy on a regular basis, but my #1 suggestion for cutting down a grocery bill while being gluten-free is to simply not buy the 'replacement' gluten-free versions of old stand-bys. Things like rice, potatoes and such are naturally gluten free. Buying gluten-free breads, cereals, cookies, pasta or what have you - these things cost twice or three times as much as the regular version. </p> <p>A few other suggestions:</p> <p>Try crockpot cooking - even less expensive cuts of meat work out beautifully when slow-cooked in a crockpot all day. Bonus in the summer is that you don't have to turn the oven, stove or BBQ on at all. </p> <p>Frozen broccoli florets aren't too bad. I don't normally like frozen vegetables at all, but frozen broccoli is handy. I can sautee it from frozen in some olive oil with garlic, or I could sautee in bacon bits or what have you. I can also roast it in the oven on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper - spray broccoli with an olive-oil mister, sprinkle on a wee bit of seasoning salt. It's quite good, and there's no chance of overcooking it, since you're putting it into the oven frozen. I used to buy big bags of fresh broccoli florets but found that I could never eat it all up before it was time to toss it. It will cook in the oven in 15 minutes flat (350F) from frozen. No fuss, no muss. </p> <p>Keep an eye on any/all berries in your fridge. If they've been there for a few days, freeze them. Rinse, pat dry. Line cookie sheet with parchment, arrange berries in a single layer and stick in the freezer. Once frozen, slide them into a freezer-safe container or ziploc bag. Voila - berries aren't frozen all clumped together. Works for all berries. </p> <p>Cheap and good meal: an egg casserole of sorts - a crustless quiche, I guess you'd call it. Large 13X9 glass baking dish. Line with parchment on the bottom. Put crumbled browned sausage, or other favourite breakfast meat (eg. chopped bacon or whatever you like), throw in some sauteed red bell peppers and sauteed sliced mushrooms. Whisk up 12 eggs, pour over top. Sprinkle in some chopped green onion ends. Throw in some grated cheese if you eat cheese. Bake at 350F for half an hour. For dinner - just add a salad. The best deal is that you have a great "on the go" breakfast or lunch for the next day. </p> <p>It's really good with spicy ketchup:</p> <p><a href="http://www.mayakaimal.com/prod-ss-spicyketchup" rel="nofollow">http://www.mayakaimal.com/prod-ss-spicyketchup</a></p> <p>The breakfast casserole can be eaten for dinner, lunch or breakfast. It's good hot, and even good cold the next day. The sky's the limit on what you put in there - could be sun-dried tomatoes, roasted asparagus spears, could be chopped up proscuitto, you could have spinach in there - you get the idea. I threw in a couple of pics of the last one I made. </p> <p>I could go on and on (and on) about this, but I won't I have tons of ideas, but don't want to turn this into a novel. </p> <p>Do you shop at Costco at all? If so, I can give you a few more ideas. </p> <p>Meanwhile, your grocery bill is really quite reasonable, if you ask me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621496 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:14:26 +0000 Sylvie 621496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you as we are in a similar boat with a ridiculously high grocery bill - we're vegetarian too, so it's not like we're spending money on meat either.</p> <p>We started implementing our plan last week, so I can't say yet whether these will be helpful or not.</p> <p>1) I've started tracking food prices at the different locations that we shop in a spreadsheet (same things as the price book everyone else has mentioned), just to understand where the money is going.</p> <p>2) We made a menu out for this week ahead of time and I made a grocery run to the ethnic grocery store to get the vegetables/herbs that we knew would be cheaper than our local store.</p> <p>3) We plan to start buying grains in bulk/on sale and store them - quinoa, rice, oatmeal are staples.</p> <p>4) More lentils. Lentils are cheap.</p> <p>5) Eating at home/bringing packed lunches saves money but is time consuming. Therefore I'll need to chip in on the kitchen duties instead of leaving it all to the one person.</p> <p>6) The occasional pack of biscuts, bars, soft drinks, other treats probably adds in more than we think. We will cut down a bit, and decide how much effort we want to put in to alternatives (making our own cookies for company?) depending on what the price spreadsheet tells us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621490 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:07:08 +0000 Diana 621490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, this does not seem high to me at all. (I buy a lot of fresh and sometimes organic food too, and I don't buy processed things and I probably spend around $50/week on groceries for just me, more if I splurge on things like fancy cheese or wine). I stopped worrying about my grocery bill long ago because I realized that I do not go out to eat very often (I bring my lunch to work every day) and the price of groceries is miniscule compared to restaurants, plus it's healthier. </p> <p>You could probably save on things like pantry staples by stocking up when there is a sale or shopping in bulk at a place like Costco. I don't do this though b/c I don't have a car and I don't fancy lugging 50 pounds of rice or something home on foot. </p> <p>Oh, and if you have ethnic markets nearby, they are often a great source of cheap and good produce! In Hawaii, I'm sure you have fantastic Asian markets, although there may still be a markup because of the island location. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621489 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:03:33 +0000 Victoria 621489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christianne: I actually buy enough veg for couple of meals otherwise it goes bad, then go shopping again. I never see coupons or stuff like that for fresh produce unless its fruit in season and they are doing like 2 boxes for 8 dollars or something </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621487 Wed, 16 May 2012 21:01:00 +0000 Victoria 621487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>annagybe: I know, the prices here are very high for everything. I was just trying to see if I can save anything at all on food.<br /> Kiki: we do eat out actually couple of times a week, usually sushi or something like that. And yes, I have to say that eating out is actually cheaper than preparing fresh meal from the scratch. And unfortunately, GF anything is three times the prices of regular stuff here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621485 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:57:33 +0000 christieanne 621485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hawaii has got to be importing all the non-local fruits and vegies at a huge cost and mark up which is going to be a disadvantage.<br /> My best tips are to use your pantry wisely - I read on some blog about keeping a smaller pantry of dried things (like pasta, etc.) and making sure you rotate through to reduce waste. Have been trying that out and each week I go into the cupboards and pull out things to use for the week so we can get through the accumulation.<br /> Also, reducing waste in the perishable items. I always used to buy more produce than we could effectively eat before next shopping trip and we would end up being wasteful.<br /> Now I try to cook a little extra to eat next day for lunch or freeze things like bananas, zucchini and squash so I have it for adding to other dishes. </p> <p>Sadly, I never see coupons for vegetables and basic things I buy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621478 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:47:17 +0000 annagybe 621478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a huge part of it is that you're in Hawaii. I was shocked at the grocery prices there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621477 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:46:07 +0000 KikiG 621477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Price and records about your local sale cycles are a big help. </p> <p>A menu plan is amazing, in that you can shop much more efficiently, less frequently and eliminate waste. Can you make GF muffins on the weekends and freeze them, for breakfast, or master the art of baking GF bread? </p> <p>You may be spending more at the grocery store because, due to your restrictions, eating out is not an option like it is for other people. If you look at "food" not "food at home" and "food away from home" your number may actually be very reasonable. Lots of couples eat lunch out every day and dinner out several times a week, or pick up takeout. If you are packing lunches and eating in, obviously, you will spend more on groceries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621474 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:44:02 +0000 Transcona Shannon 621474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of the things that has turned out to save me a ton on groceries is making up a menu for the week (it's me, hubby and my 16-year-old son - who at 6'3" is like feeding two!). We get our flyers in the mail Thursday evening. I pull out the three for the stores I frequent and go through to see what are exceptionally good buys for that week. Where I do my shopping depends on who has the better specials for the week. Then I go through my recipe books and make up the menu for the week (literally what I'm making for dinner each night of the week, also including lunches since we all take a lunch with us to work/school) based on what those specials are. I'm not going to lie, this take about an hour and half to do but the first month I did this, my grocery bill was $120 less for the month. </p> <p>I also do not buy my meat from the supermarket. I buy mine from a local butcher shop where I find it's not only less expensive, but better quality and from local farmers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621471 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:41:07 +0000 MsMary 621471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A price book is a way to keep track of what you pay for the things you buy regularly. If anybody is interested, I have an Excel version I can send you if you want to PM me your email address. If you know the regular prices, and the lowest sale prices, of the things you buy regularly, then you can only buy things when they are on sale and you can save a bundle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621466 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:31:45 +0000 Victoria 621466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ana and Kristin: thank you for input. I keep thinking that I was spending a LOT of money for just the two of us because 1)I used to live in MN and my grocery bill was a lot less2)because all of my friends who have families spend a LOT less(but then they are buying a lot of processed foods)<br /> Sarah: thanks for the tip-I do make a lot of these grains for lunch or dinner but i don't find it appetizing for breakfast(that's just me though, I know it would be a lot cheaper if I did that for breakfast also because I eat glutten free toast in the morning which is like $8 dollars a loaf where I live(and when I lived in MN, its $4 there) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621457 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:16:22 +0000 Anonymous 621457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What is a price book? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621451 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:08:38 +0000 Kristin L 621451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that your grocery bill sounds about right. It's about what my guy and I pay a month. Do you shop for fresh fruits and veggies by seasons? That can help save. And with the strides food scientists have made in processing, frozen veggies are just as healthy as fresh. Plus, if your grocery store is having a sale on fresh, buy extra and you can freeze or can it for later! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621449 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:05:39 +0000 MsMary 621449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seconding the price book. You will be surprised at how much you can save by tracking prices and shopping sales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621448 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:03:20 +0000 Inge 621448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just an idea, I'm not sure if this is the case in the US, but over here fresh fruit and veggies, eggs and dairy products are sometimes less expensive at small local markets than in the supermarkets. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621447 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:01:54 +0000 Sarah A 621447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I usually buy kasha (buckwheat, not in the wheat family), quinoa, millet, and rice in the bulk section. Every few days I make up 2 cups of grain (most take 4 cups of water) for that and then put it in the fridge. I eat a scoop of this for breakfast with fruit and sometimes yogurt on it and find it a lot more economical than GF bread (toast) or ready made GF cereals for breakfast. It is good both hot and cold depending on my mood and the weather I'll switch it up. I also make my own GF all purpose flour and use it to make pancakes and waffles instead of buying the GF mixes. </p> <p>GF all purpose flour<br /> 2 c brown rice flour<br /> 1.5 c millet flour<br /> 2 c garfava flour<br /> 1 c masa harina<br /> 3 c tapioca starch </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621446 Wed, 16 May 2012 19:59:47 +0000 Ana 621446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually, I think $400-450 a month for two people seems very reasonable to me. That's only $50 a week per person. Maybe it's just expensive where I live. I'd like to get money saving tips from you! ;)</p> <p>If you can't find coupons, one other way to save money is to start a price book and go to the nearest 3 or 4 grocery stores to see who had the cheapest average price on the things you buy most. Then shop at that store. I've heard you can save about $20 that way on average. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621435 Wed, 16 May 2012 19:45:34 +0000 Louise 621435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here in the UK some supermarkets have home delivery service, you order your goods online pay and small delivery charge. Before I moved back in with my parents I used to use it to save money as I was never swayed from my list by good bargains, buy one get one free deals and yummy junk food x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-needs-tips-for-saving-money-on-groceries#post-621426 Wed, 16 May 2012 19:33:45 +0000 Victoria 621426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was keeping track of our food bill and it comes out to almost $400-450 every month for just me and DH. Some of it is probably because I don't buy most processsed foods(partially because I have glutten allergy and in part because I have chronic health problems and I try to eat as healthy as possible). I never see coupons for any stuff that I buy at the store, only for boxed and canned goods. I wonder if anyone else has this issue and how do you save money on groceries </p>