School days are here again, which means it's time for the annual conundrum: hot lunch or sack lunch? The problem with hot lunches is that a lot of kids don’t like them. School lunches often don’t cater to special needs, for example, if a child is a vegetarian or can’t tolerate gluten or … [Read more...] about Save money and give your kid a lunch he’ll eat
Food
17 habits you can change to save money
Everyone wants to save money. It can be easier than you think. Here are 17 everyday habits you can change to stretch your hard-earned dollars. From the fridge to utilities to bill paying and even at work, revising even just a few of these habits could add up to significant savings.Seven food … [Read more...] about 17 habits you can change to save money
Make your own sauerkraut and other German dishes for Oktoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest with seasonal — also called "cheap" — produce, such as cabbage, which makes hearty, filling, tasty meals on a budget.The first thing that comes to my mind (if not yours) is sauerkraut. Cabbage is dirt cheap this time of year, and you can make your own sauerkraut that will … [Read more...] about Make your own sauerkraut and other German dishes for Oktoberfest
For cheaper beer and wine, bring a growler. A what?
Welcome to Growlers 101. Just as I was several months ago, you may be clueless when it comes to growlers. As in, what the heck is a growler? I first learned about growlers when I received an invitation to a party. In block letters, so I wouldn’t miss the message, it read: BRING YOUR OWN … [Read more...] about For cheaper beer and wine, bring a growler. A what?
Get cash back when you shop for groceries
Already a coupon clipper but want to save even more? Or maybe you hate to deal with coupons? Either way, you'll want to check out SavingStar. It's a great way to shop at grocery and drug stores and receive cash back. No coupon clipping, no printing. What's the catch? As far as we can tell, there … [Read more...] about Get cash back when you shop for groceries
Easy way to save 20% on grocery and toiletry items
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Amazon's subscribe and save service is perfect if you're always running out of staples like cereal, snacks, paper towels, shampoo, diapers and kitty litter. Or, more important, chocolate. You can set up delivery on a recurring basis, whether that's once a month or once every six months. You choose … [Read more...] about Easy way to save 20% on grocery and toiletry items
How to store winter fruits and veggies
This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste.Food waste by the average American family is estimated at 25 percent of your grocery shopping dollars, or $2,000 a year. Fresh vegetables top the list. If you have a better use for $2,000 … [Read more...] about How to store winter fruits and veggies
Cut up your own veggies and save $1,000 a year
How many times have you grabbed a bag of baby carrots at the store instead of buying and cutting up full-sized ones? Or picked up a package of pre-shaped burgers instead of a pound of ground beef? While these pre-prepared foods may save you a few minutes here and there, the convenience may not be … [Read more...] about Cut up your own veggies and save $1,000 a year
Save money by dehydrating home-grown foods
My sister, Andrea Vargo, lives in Minnesota and is an avid gardener. She also is a dedicated dehydrator. She says if you grow a garden, dehydration is the best method for preserving all that bounty. It’s easy, the food retains its flavor, and it takes up way less space and equipment than … [Read more...] about Save money by dehydrating home-grown foods
Meat truck deals: How to tell a bargain from a bad idea
The idea of strangers peddling a side of beef, chicken cuts or maybe even bacon slices door to door isn't actually new. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says it has taken reports of meat vendors for "many years" now. But with the popularity of consumer items being sold from a moving vehicle … [Read more...] about Meat truck deals: How to tell a bargain from a bad idea
Grocery savings: Price book smacks down warehouse stores
A price book is simple, powerful cheapskate tool. You start taking notes of what particular items cost at different stores you shop. It does not have to be fancy; start by tracking items you usually buy, like this:PASTA Store brand: $0.89 (must buy 10 offer) Brand X: $1.25 Brand Y: … [Read more...] about Grocery savings: Price book smacks down warehouse stores
Kroger stores offer free product coupon every Friday
Every Friday, the Kroger family of grocery stores (including Kroger, Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen's, Pay Less, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's) each offer a FREE product coupon, which you download directly to your respective shopper loyalty card. The … [Read more...] about Kroger stores offer free product coupon every Friday
Are name brands really better than generics?
Shakespeare was ahead of his time. He asked if a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And guess what? Call it what you will, a rose is a rose is…. You get the idea.Maybe the same goes for name brands of products versus generic brands. Are they equal in quality? Well, the answer to that … [Read more...] about Are name brands really better than generics?
Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?
Backyard chicken keeping is sweeping the nation, but is it really cheaper to keep your own chickens for eggs? Unfortunately, there’s no hard-boiled answer. Consider a few facts from an experienced keeper to help you decide.First, do you care what sort of eggs you eat? If you always buy the … [Read more...] about Does keeping chickens save money on eggs?
Cheap! cheap! cheap! 1 chicken yields 4 meals
The goal of the government during the Great Depression was to have “a chicken in every pot.” Well, there’s a good reason they picked chicken. Even though the prices on poultry have gone up, along with everything else, it’s still a bargain. When my kids were growing up, a Sunday’s roast chicken was … [Read more...] about Cheap! cheap! cheap! 1 chicken yields 4 meals
