Meat and poultry can be a large part of your grocery bill, but there are ways to keep the cost down. Going vegan might not be something you’re interested in pursuing, but you can incorporate meatless dishes once a week or more frequently if you desire. How do you save on the cost of meat?
Here are a few suggestions.
BUY IN BULK: Buy family packs or larger cuts, such as a whole ham, turkey or pork loins, and divide them into smaller portions when you get home or cook ahead and freeze. Consider buying a whole hog or half or quarter side of beef. Tell the butcher you’d like the soup bones, too. If it’s too much meat, have friends or family split the cost with you.
STRETCH MEAT: Dice, cube, shred or cut meat and poultry into strips.
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photo by Andrea R.
Summer dips are delicious to serve at backyard barbecues, parties and potlucks. They’re easy to make, can be served with most anything, transport well and are kid-friendly, too. Hot dips can be kept warm in a slow cooker, and cold dips can be placed on a container of ice. Homemade dip is going to outshine the tub of ranch-style veggie dip. There’s just one rule: No …
photo by myartfullife
Summer can cost a fortune. For some families, many weekends are already accounted for. There are baby showers, weddings and anniversaries, reunions, birthdays, work and family picnics, and various other parties to attend. Cha-ching. You don’t want to look like a cheapskate, but affording it all can be tough on your budget.
Here are a few gift ideas to help you get through your summer without going broke.
HOUSEWARMING: …
photo by Lance Fisher
DEAR SARA: What is the best way to store opened containers of ketchup? I buy my ketchup in the club pack. I did the math, and the club pack is extremely cheap compared to the regular size. It also helps save the environment because it’s less plastic being sold and put into this household. I am having an issue with ketchup cans, primarily. I bought a club-pack-size …
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Gathering your baking supplies can be time-consuming. Sometimes measuring cups and spoons get separated or pans get shoved far back into the cabinets. It can end up a real workout before you’ve even started mixing ingredients. You might end up buying replacements for supplies you’ve misplaced. The first tip is a wonderful way to organize your baking supplies. It will create fond memories for children, too.
ORGANIZE …
photo by Ellie Vanhoutte
Produce can be expensive. Fortunately, there are frugal ways to keep it low-cost. First, find out what is grown locally at your state department of agriculture Web site. Or visit www.localharvest.org/csa to find community-supported agriculture in your area. CSAs allow you to buy produce directly from a local farmer. You pay to be a subscriber or shareholder and receive produce throughout the season.
Here are a few more …
