Money-Saving Tips from Our Kitchens and Yours

I am also baking more than I used to. I have always loved to bake and cook, and have always cooked most nights of the week, but with twin preschoolers running around I just didn't have the energy to bake as much as I used to. But then I got pregnant with our son and around the same time the economy was in full downward spiral. I started to really notice how much things like cookies, granola bars, & the like were costing us. So I started scouring my recipe sites and found a couple of recipes for home made granola bars- they are SO much better than store bought and way cheaper. And I've started making cookies, cakes, and pies from scratch again. Yes, it takes time and energy but my family is a lot happier for it, we aren't eating so much packaged food (with all of the benefits that entails), and I can go to bed at night knowing I'm taking better care of my family & our food budget.

Response to Mommel posting..Tupperware has awesome microwave items that do great dishes. I use the "vent N serve" for macaroni and potatoes to name a few things. The "micro-steamer" by tupperware does great rice, and browns groundbeef healthy without fat and meat drippings. There is tons of cool microwave cooking recipes about using tupperware. From microwaved baked brownies, to full course meals. I have a few favourites I use on my family all the time and my oven works. In department stores you can now purchase electric rice cookers for $10-$15.00. ((but I have never tried these as my family aren't as big on rice as they are pasta/noodles/potatoes. The tupperware is pricey,but it's guaranteed for lifetime and I've had no problems with returning items that I've had for 30 yrs + when they become cracked and fragile from years of use. I even had some of my grandmothers tupperware that split and I was able to replace it. So you have to look at it as a long term investment, and to also consider that you are saving landfills with the "dollar store" plastic that just does not stand up and leaks.

Response to Mommel posting..Tupperware has awesome microwave items that do great dishes. I use the "vent N serve" for macaroni and potatoes to name a few things. The "micro-steamer" by tupperware does great rice, and browns groundbeef healthy without fat and meat drippings. There is tons of cool microwave cooking recipes about using tupperware. From microwaved baked brownies, to full course meals. I have a few favourites I use on my family all the time and my oven works. In department stores you can now purchase electric rice cookers for $10-$15.00. ((but I have never tried these as my family aren't as big on rice as they are pasta/noodles/potatoes. The tupperware is pricey,but it's guaranteed for lifetime and I've had no problems with returning items that I've had for 30 yrs + when they become cracked and fragile from years of use. I even had some of my grandmothers tupperware that split and I was able to replace it. So you have to look at it as a long term investment, and to also consider that you are saving landfills with the "dollar store" plastic that just does not stand up and leaks.

I have a question my family loves their starches and right now our stove is out so i have been cooking with a microwave and slow cooker adn griddle and have been trying to be creative the family is getting tired of soups and stews any suggestions to make a full meal. I was thinking of making one thing in crock and veggies in the microwave but having problems making noodles rice and potatoes

My first husbands mom was a fantastic cook. When she was growing up her mom would take a pound of hamburger and mix it with a can of french onion soup. Add a little flour to thicken up and put it on hamburger buns. My family loves this and it is pretty cheap to make. Also, when making chicken, use whole instead of cut up. At my grocery store, I can get a whole chicken for less than $2.00 and a package of chicken pieces is about $6.00.

I also batch cook on the weekends. It's relaxing and makes me feel good to know that I am a good steward of my family's resources.

Here's what I do to shop smarter...

1. Make a shopping list and stick to it

2. Clip coupons ONLY for foods that I really need and that will decrease my overall food cost, i.e. buy a bottle of name brand salad dressing that I like (when it's on special in the store) and receive $1 towards produce purchase.

3. Don't shop when hungry.

4. Take advantage of store specials and plan meals around these specials. Over the years I have come to learn that there is a cycle to pricing and specials in my favorite store. I stock up when items are lower in price and use them up before replacing whenever the price is lowered again.

5. I buy meats in larger quantities, separate into meal sized amounts, season/marinate and freeze for future use. My upright freeezer is a great help in saving $$ on foods.

I save money each week by throwing in a couple of recipes that are meetless. You would be surprised by how many you can find and they are often so hearty you don't even notice they don't have meat. :)

I challenge myself to try and use what's left in my pantry or freezer...if I can creatively find a way to use up enough items to see the bottom surface of the freezer or pantry shelf, my prize is a trip to the grocery store! (Yes...I am still one who loves to traipse up and down the aisles on a restocking mission! Simon says no need for delivery...)

One thing that works for me is to spend Sundays cooking a couple different meals that I can freeze for leftovers. Usually I use those for lunches for the week.

But by cooking a couple different things on Sundays, I don't get sick of eating the same thing for 5 days in a row. Plus I have time on Sundays when I don't during the week when getting home from work.

I agree, ToLou, baking more does really help. We've been making more breads from scratch in addition to pizza dough. I'm really glad I bought that bread maker years ago!