Money-Saving

How to Grocery Shop on an Extreme Budget

October 1, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Grocery shopping on an extreme budget doesn't mean that you have to eat rice and beans every night. Use these tips to make the most of your tight grocery budget.

picture of grocery store aisle with title text "How to Grocery Shop on an Extreme Budget"

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Don’t be afraid to eat the same thing multiple days in a row

Making a different and unique dinner every night can get pretty expensive when you’re on a tight budget. Make a large batch of spaghetti or chili and have it for dinner for two or three nights over the course of the week. Bonus tip: Bulk up meals like chili with budget-friendly canned diced tomatoes or canned beans to make the meal stretch even further.

If you aren’t keen on eating the same thing multiple times in a week, make sure to plan at least one “leftovers” night into your menu plan. This will give you a night off from cooking, and you’ll be able to use up leftover food that might otherwise get thrown away. You can also freeze leftovers for future lunches or dinners.

Choose one protein for the week so you can get the bulk discount

Small packages of chicken breast can cost up to $3.49/pound. This is usually just enough for one meal. Buy that same chicken in a 5-pound package and you can get it for $1.89/pound on sale.

Either plan meals in the week to use the whole 5-pound package or split it into 1-pound portions when you get home. Buying one pound of five different meats can really add up. Sticking to one protein allows for you to benefit from the cheaper bulk price.

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Homemade Cornbread Mix Recipe

July 20, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

This homemade cornbread mix recipe makes the equivalent of 5 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix. Keep some on hand for quick baking any time of day.

portioned bags of cornbread mix with title text "Homemade Cornbread Mix"

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Cornbread is a quick and easy side dish or bread option to go alongside chili or served with honey for breakfast. Those boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix make it so easy to dump and go, but what if you're out or are looking for a more cost-effective way to cook at home? This homemade cornbread mix is a delicious Jiffy copycat recipe and costs just pennies per batch.

Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour: You will want to use All-Purpose flour here, not Whole Wheat. However, if you are gluten-free, you can use an equal measurement of gluten-free flour as a substitute.

Cornmeal: For the cornmeal, you can use white or yellow. I recommend that you go for a small or medium grind on the cornmeal. If you use course-ground cornmeal it may be too gritty for your taste. The bag or container will state what kind of grind the cornmeal is.

Vegetable Shortening: I'm sure you're wondering why we are using vegetable shortening rather than butter or vegetable oil. The reason is that vegetable shortening is a vegetarian shelf-stable option that is really affordable. It also makes for a very tender crumb when baking the cornbread or corn muffins.

Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar will work perfectly.

Baking Powder: Make sure that you are using baking powder, not baking soda. You'll find this in the baking aisle next to the flour.

Salt: Baking is one of the few times I really recommend using table salt. It is finer than sea salt and fully incorporates with the other dry ingredients.

Equipment

Large Bowl
Fork or Pastry Blender
Quart-Size Plastic Storage Bags or Reusable Storage Bags

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How to Save on Back to School Supplies

July 13, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Use these frugal tips to help you save money on back to school supplies shopping this year.

chalkboard background with school supplies scattered with title text "How to Save on Back to School Supplies"

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If you aren’t careful, back to school can completely ruin your family's budget. Before you know it you could spend hundreds of dollars on each child and still discover that something is missing. But, there are a few things you can do to save money on back to school supplies.

Reuse Lunch Boxes and Backpacks

Unless there is something obviously wrong with last year’s lunch box and backpack, it is perfectly OK to reuse them. It may not make them the coolest kids with the newest stuff, but chances are the only one who is going to know that they are reusing the previous year’s bags are your child themselves.

This is one area where I tend to purchase plain, high quality items rather than fun lunch boxes and backpacks. Many backpack companies, like Jansport and Eastport, offer lifetime warranties on their bags. It is worth the investment when your child can use it all through school.

Shop on Back to School Tax-Free Weekends

Some states have introduced Back to School Tax-Free weekends which are…well, exactly what they say. You can do your back to school shopping on these weekends and the savings really does add up!

As of the 2020, the following states offer Tax-Free Weekend: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Each state has different stipulations on what is included, but you can regularly get not just school supplies but also coats, clothes, shoes, blankets, computers, and books.

Heather, from Passion for Savings, has the complete list of Tax-Free Weekend dates here.

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Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

April 7, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

There are many uses for apple cider vinegar so it is no secret that it is often a staple kitchen item that you will find in many homes. Not only can apple cider vinegar be used for cooking, it can also be used for cleaning, improving health, and as a natural beauty booster.

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When it comes to apple cider vinegar, you have two options. You can use the pasteurized kind that you find in gallon jugs for just a couple dollars, or you can use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the "mother."

There are benefits to both. I buy the pasteurized, cheaper version in bulk and use it for all of my cleaning and beauty products. I go through it like crazy and don't see the point in paying a lot when it is used in these applications.

For those occasions when my family will be eating or drinking the vinegar, I go for the raw version, so really you can choose which one best fits your budget.

Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar in the Kitchen

Add apple cider vinegar to the pot when making broth to help release gelatin and minerals from the bones.
Use apple cider vinegar in salad dressings and vinaigrettes.
It is thought that apple cider vinegar can help aid digestion. Start with a small dose daily of 1 tsp of raw, unfiltered ACV.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a wash for fruits and vegetables. Fill your sink half full of water and add one cup of ACV. Let fruit and vegetables sit in the wash for 5 minutes. Dry completely before storing.
Mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar are the base for many salads such as coleslaw and potato salad.
Use apple cider vinegar in your pickling solution.

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