Backyard barbecues are a great way to entertain, but even when you host a potluck, they can be a pricey way to party. Whether you are entertaining a small or large crowd at your backyard barbecue, you can still stay on budget. Here is our guide to cooking on the cheap for a crowd at your next … [Read more...] about Cheap recipes for your backyard barbecue
Food
Eating gluten-free on a budget
As anyone with celiac or gluten intolerance will tell you, the label “gluten-free” will automatically increase the price of your groceries.But with a little bit of nutritional know-how and shopping savvy, you can stay gluten-free and keep your expenses within your grocery budget. Here are some … [Read more...] about Eating gluten-free on a budget
Make the most of your garden’s harvest
In midsummer it's exciting to see that first bright red, ripe tomato dangling off of its vine or pick and eat the first zucchini. At first, you relish in your harvest and your neighbors love your homegrown gifts. However, by late summer it's a different story — you're up to your ears in tomatoes, … [Read more...] about Make the most of your garden’s harvest
Easy recipes with cheap summer corn
There’s something about fresh, sweet, juicy corn on the cob that just screams summer. You bite into those pearl-like kernels and taste a burst of sweet juice. It doesn’t get better than this.Except it does: Sweet corn, in season, is really cheap. It starts out at two for $1, then four, then … [Read more...] about Easy recipes with cheap summer corn
Got tomatoes? Recipes to make the most of your summer tomato bounty
It’s a fruit we treat like a vegetable, a nontoxic member of the nightshade family, born in South America but internationally famous. It’s the tomato, of course. And though it can be pricey in winter, in summer it’s indecently cheap at farm stands and markets. You can buy a whole basket for just a … [Read more...] about Got tomatoes? Recipes to make the most of your summer tomato bounty
Plan the perfect summer picnic for less
Use our tips to plan the perfect summer picnic on a budget. Whether you're planning to do a backyard picnic for the family or putting together a picnic in the park for you and your best friends, it doesn't have to be expensive. With a little forethought (and our summer picnic checklist), it’s easy … [Read more...] about Plan the perfect summer picnic for less
How to save money on a summer party
You like to entertain, but you can't afford to spend a fortune every time you invite people over for a party. Here is our guide to saving money when planning for a summer party or barbecue. Decorate with items from your house and yard Use green cuttings from your yard such as ivy, rosemary, bay … [Read more...] about How to save money on a summer party
How to keep summer veggies fresh to avoid food waste
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 about one-third of your grocery shopping dollars, and fresh vegetables top the list. Those crisp heads of lettuce and feathery … [Read more...] about How to keep summer veggies fresh to avoid food waste
Cooking for 1 – or 2 – without waste
When we live alone or with just one other person, it can be hard to scale down portion sizes so that you don’t waste a lot of food or end up throwing your grocery money in the trash.It’s not only a poor financial investment, it’s just wrong to waste that much food! So how do we avoid tossing out … [Read more...] about Cooking for 1 – or 2 – without waste
Ways to save money on groceries
You don't need a government statistician to tell you the inflation level when you can see the price of eggs go up every time you shop. Food prices are one of the most common ways people gauge the cost of living. Cutting your grocery bill is one of the best ways to save when money is tight, but … [Read more...] about Ways to save money on groceries
Vacuum sealers: Are they worth the price?
I hate wasting food almost as much as I love saving money. So anything that can help me save money AND food is a good idea in my book. Since those are the key benefits to vacuum sealers, you know I'm going to find the most cost-effective ways to use them.A vacuum food sealer is basically a small … [Read more...] about Vacuum sealers: Are they worth the price?
Save money with a freezer-meal party
When you’re trying to balance work, school and other obligations, coming up with dinner ideas can seem like a thankless task that renews itself each night. And chances are, many of your overscheduled friends feel the same way. Share the dinner burden by hosting a freezer-meal party. You’ll stock up … [Read more...] about Save money with a freezer-meal party
How to avoid wasting food in a power outage
The lights begin to flicker. You hear the regular hum of the refrigerator hiccup, then return. But then it all goes dark. Your power is out.Power outages are common when snow and windstorms take down power lines, or in the summer when power lines can't handle the increased demand. There are … [Read more...] about How to avoid wasting food in a power outage
Tasty recipes for cheap and abundant zucchini
The zucchini are here! The zucchini are here! The world’s cheapest ingredient has arrived in gardens, farmers’ markets and grocery stores, and it’s cheap, cheap, cheap. So what do you do with all this bounty? Well, you can pan-fry it as a side vegetable, cube it and put it on kabobs, slice it … [Read more...] about Tasty recipes for cheap and abundant zucchini
Save money in the grocer’s bulk bin aisle
The next time you are grocery shopping, don’t skip the bulk bins aisle. Tremendous savings can be had when buying grains, beans, spices, flours or other baking or pantry staples in bulk rather than packaged in bags and jars. Whether you need two pounds or two teaspoons of an ingredient, you’ll … [Read more...] about Save money in the grocer’s bulk bin aisle















