| ign="center"> | | | | It is best to skip the isles with the snacks, sodas |
| There are many ways to save money on food. | | | | and prepared foods, if trying to save money on |
| We are going through a very bad economy and | | | | food. These items as well as many of the frozen |
| many people are asking how to save money on | | | | dinners, frozen entrées, frozen desserts, etc. |
| food. With a desire for a more simple living, they | | | | are usually much more expensive than preparing |
| want to know how to live cheap. The elderly who | | | | at home. Make homemade snacks like popcorn, |
| went through the economic collapse of the | | | | cookies or desserts when desired. They are |
| depression could give a good guide to living cheap. | | | | cheaper, better tasting and healthier. Try adding |
| These people are still living a very frugal lifestyle. | | | | fresh lemon juice to ice water for a refreshing |
| They tell how the memories never leave their | | | | drink instead of sodas. |
| minds of not having food to eat. Many of these | | | | If space is available, a lot of food can be grown in |
| individuals want to pass on their tips. | | | | a very small garden space or even by growing an |
| There are many methods to save money on | | | | edible landscape in the yard. If this is not possible, |
| food when shopping. Each time a shopper enters | | | | check out the local farmers markets. Often these |
| a store it is very likely that an unnecessary | | | | prices when in season are much lower than the |
| purchase will be made. Therefore, by eliminating | | | | grocery store prices. If visited near closing time |
| the trips to the grocery one will eliminate | | | | on the last day, the venders at the farmers |
| unneeded items and save money. Save more by | | | | markets might prefer to sell at a discounted offer |
| shopping less often and purchasing bulk items. To | | | | than to truck all the items home. Another |
| extend grocery buying periods, keep extra | | | | possibility is buying directly from the gardeners in |
| supplies on hand like powdered milk for | | | | the area. They might sell from their gardens or let |
| emergencies. Canned fruits and canned vegetables | | | | others come in and pick for themselves. If the |
| can replace fresh until grocery day. Much money | | | | opportunity arises where purchases of bulk |
| can be saved by purchasing bread items from the | | | | produce can be made, dollars can be saved by |
| day old bread bakery. Keep some in the freezer | | | | preserving the products for future use. A freezer |
| for when you run out of groceries or learn to | | | | and canning equipment would be a good |
| bake homemade bread and biscuits. Canned | | | | investment to consider, especially if you are |
| peanuts last a long time in the pantry and are | | | | feeding a family. Open your mind to all possibilities |
| good for a snack or to add additional protein to | | | | and don’t be afraid to ask. Bartering is |
| the diet. Fewer trips mean food savings as well as | | | | another option; offer a service for food products. |
| savings on gas. | | | | A guide that is good to follow when applying the |
| Keep a running list of every food item needed. | | | | cheap lifestyle in the kitchen is never throw |
| Never go food shopping without a list and only | | | | anything away so effort must be taken not |
| purchase what is on the list. Compare prices at | | | | to have any food go bad. Be sure to rotate all |
| the different food stores. Get to know the local | | | | items and refrigerate, freeze or leftovers |
| food stores and the managers. Very often they | | | | immediately. Reusable containers or milk cartons |
| will give alerts to special sale items or mark | | | | are good for storage in the refrigerator or |
| downs. When these sales arise, it is time to stock | | | | freezer; plastic food bags can get to be quite |
| up. Always check the quantity of the containers | | | | expensive. Make it a practice to prepare small |
| for the price. Sometimes a larger container will be | | | | servings on the plates and reserving as needed. |
| cheaper than a small one of the same quality. If | | | | This will prevent wasting food left on the plates, |
| sale prices are found on flour products, pastas or | | | | especially with the childrens’ plates. Keep a |
| grains, it is important to freeze them for two | | | | container in the freezer for all the leftover small |
| weeks before placing the items in food storage | | | | portions of meats, vegetables, pastas, etc. When |
| containers. This will prevent an infestation of bugs | | | | making a pot of stew or soup, add all of these to |
| in the products. | | | | it. |