Thanksgiving Savings Benefit You Later

'I just love being ill-prepared and paying top dollar for everything,' said no one. Ever. And yet, it happens time and again, doesn't it? Admit it. Suddenly you need something right this instant and remember there was a great deal on it.....two weeks ago. So what do you do? Probably grumble and you just hand over your wallet to the cashier and sadly say, 'Here. Just take every last dime.'

It's probably one of the biggest indicators to why our budgets are always a miserable failure. We don't think ahead and we don't prepare like we ought to. If only we could do a better job, we would feel more in control of our money and much more prepared and organized.

That's all about to change and it starts with the Thanksgiving sales. It isn't hard; it's actually a very easy thing to do. Let's walk through the steps.

Buy it now, use it later. Much of the food items that goes on sale now is not limited to Thanksgiving use only. I stock up on some things this time of year because they are a much better price than usual and also because they will come in handy regardless of whether it's Turkey Day or not. Some of what I stock up on includes chicken broth, dressing/stuffing mix (makes excellent bread crumbs and a fantastic dish called Peach Glazed Stuffed Pork Chops. Oh joy!), canned green beans, baking goods like flour, sugar, cookie/brownie/cake mixes, ginger ale, fancy crackers, cream cheese, you get the idea. Buy a few more than you normally do and you've got the start of a well stocked pantry. If you're a turkey lover and you have the space, get an extra one for later this winter. To change things up a bit, just don't serve it with the same trimmings. Try Turkey Tetrazinni, grilled turkey breast with roasted vegetables, sub sandwiches, soups, stews or maybe an artisan salad. The list is endless and you get the idea. If space is limited, try a smaller turkey. Cornish hens, sausage and chicken are also great for stocking up.

There's more to it than food. Not all sales right now are about the food. Manufacturers know that once the feast is over, you've got to store your leftovers or send them home with your guests. Look for great deals on storage containers, zip bags, aluminum foil/plastic wrap, disposable plates and cups. There's also great deals on paper towels and dishwasher soap.

Don't forget to look beyond the season. The days following Thanksgiving will see a dramatic price drop in what is considered 'seasonal' merchandise but you need to think beyond that. Cream, gold and red items can be used any time. I purchase candles and household fragrance items in vanilla, berry and apple to use year round. Wrap a thin ribbon of burlap and a sprig of fir around that vanilla candle and voila! Merry Christmas to you! I just learned the value of having a lighter in the house. Our power went out and because I never replaced the old one, there was no way to light a candle. For about four hours, I growled inside at myself, but I did make up for it by using a coupon and finding a great sale on them (next to the cinnamon candles!) to purchase two.

Take advantage of the Thanksgiving sales (and clearance) to help take care of your future self. Using the same principles, do the same thing after Christmas and New Years Day.

You have an excellent opportunity to stock up on some basic supplies without breaking the bank, but you need to proceed with caution. Never buy more than you can reasonably use or share  and never buy more than you can reasonably store. Use some practical sense because  you will never need 145 cans of green beans and nobody would want them stored under the tv anyway. Remember to store things in a logical fashion, too. I guarantee if you hide your croutons in the back of your closet on some dark shelf, you will never find them when you need them.

Stretching Your Grocey Budget With Multipurpose Food

When was the last time you left the grocery store and said to yourself, 'Wow! I purchased everything I needed and  had tons of money left over?' I'm guessing never.  At least not in this decade.

 Admit it. Grocery shopping is painful for most of us. I go shopping armed with a plan, a budget, my list and some coupons. My intentions are good and I'll even go so far to say I do a pretty darn good job of feeding my bottomless pits known as children. However, there's always that painful sting I feel at the cash register when I see the total.

The best defense at preventing sticker shock is to purchase as many multipurpose foods as you can. I began doing that in college and have relied on it ever since. These are foods that can be used in a variety of ways without getting boring and are mainly on the healthy side.  Combined with sales and coupons, you will stretch your budget into infinity even further.

Apples: Raw, chopped in salads and yogurt, sliced with melted cheese on top, dipped in peanut butter or other spreads, thinly sliced on pb &j's or bagels, baked, applesauce.

Roast beef: Main meal, roast beef au jus sandwiches (Meat, cheese, sub sandwich bread, gravy for dipping), thinly sliced in tacos, fajitas and omelets, homemade soups and stews, with rice and spices in lettuce cups/wraps.

Rice: Fried rice, chicken and rice soup, rice pudding, mix with warm milk and add honey/maple syrup, etc. for a nutritious breakfast.

Potatoes: Mashed, baked, oven fried, potato pancakes (add onion, egg, salt and pepper), can use as a thickener in soups and stews (mashed) for added nutrients, baked ones can be sliced and pan fried.

Tortillas: Soft tacos, burritos, baked chips (savory or sweet), shaped and baked to make salad and chili bowls.

Lettuce: Salads, sandwich fillers, lettuce cups and wraps.

Canned chicken: salads, homemade chicken noodle soup, omelets, tacos, burritos.

Eggs: Basic breaksfast dishes, deviled, sandwiches, salads, hard boiled and chopped in Asian noodles or broth bases soups, protein snack before work outs.

The options are endless. Your job is to find basic and simple foods with three or four (or more!) uses. Leftovers are always appreciated in a frugal kitchen but it's also a good idea to ask yourself  how much variety you can get from some of the ingredients you already have on hand. Cultivate that list and you won't go hungry.

How I Really Save at the Grocery Store

It's true that I use coupons, watch for sales and stock up. I do this to help me save as much as I can, but there are other tricks of the trade I use that really are the key to keeping my grocery store shopping as low as possible.

**1** Nothing Goes to Waste. This is one of the most important things to our budget. We literally don't throw away any food. That bit of mustard gets added to a few ingredients so that we have salad dressing. When there's not enough corn flakes to make breakfast, we crush them as fine as bread crumbs and save until later use. Conditioner that we don't like gets used for shaving gel and we squeezee the last dot of toothpaste out of the tube. Liquid soap and hand sanitizer gets smacked out of the bottle. You aren't being a Scrooge; you're stretching your budget as far as it can go and you're environmentally friendly, too. Here's a tip: If you can change the look/feel of the leftovers you and your family will be more likely to eat them. Roast can be turned into open faced sandwiches  two days later with sauteed onion, a little cheese and  homemade (and easy) sweet potato chips. Leftover pasta sauce and meatballs make wonderful subs and all you need to add is some fruit or homemade baked fries or chips.

**2** Do Not Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Who thought up that one? I think it's a plot to get us all to use more of a product, which means we have to buy more. Very good for the manufacturer, not very good for my budget. There are many times when you will need the exact amount of a product (certain ingredients in recipes) but there are other times when you can use a little trial and error to see what's really needed. Case in point: I found out that if I reduced the sugar added to those powedered drink mixes, it tasted exactly the same and I ended up buying a whole lot less sugar. Same thing with shampoo and certain cleaning products. And never lather, rinse, repeat.

**3** There is no Mindless/Spontaneous Shopping. I'm not referring to finding a great deal on applesauce cups that can be used in lunch boxes. I'm referring to running into the store for a gallon of milk, then asking myself, "I wonder what else I can find." Notice I said 'find,' not 'need.' That one distinction can be a budget buster. I'm also referring to when you are on your way to the dry cleaners and stop in next door at the organic store to window shop. You're going to end up leaving that place with a five pound bag of Honduran Almonds that only set you back $24.99 and in my universe, that same amount would make lunches for all four of us for a week.  I have no idea if there is such a thing as Honduran Almonds but I do know mindless shopping is a big money drain. And it's a time suck as well. Let me add, if I do find a good value on something, I will get it. That's not the same as aimlessly wandering around looking for unnecessary stuff.

**4** Backtracking is a Bad Thing. If I forget to pick up an ingredient, I won't be going back to get it. I'll find a substitute or postpone that meal until I can get whatever is missing. Retracing your steps costs, time, gas and more money if I add more items to the cart than the original forgotten item.

**5** There is a Reason Junk Food is Called 'Junk.'  I confess that it's not just the kids who like junk food. I like a good candy bar or chips and dip myself.  I also know it isn't good for us and we don't make a habit of eating tons of it. It's as bad for my budget as it is for my health. If you have kids you may find that they balk at the absence of all that salty, fatty, expensive goodness. Guess what? Not only do they adapt, but if they are truly hungry, they will eat what's available. Did you know a bag of apples is less expensive than a large bag of name brand chips? I can do more with apples, too. If that isn't your favorite fruit, then look around, scan the grocery ad and see what else can be substituted for those Munchable, pseudo lunch-style snacks the kids love gobbling up.It doesn't have to be fruit, but find a way to back off the budget busting junk food.

My family consists of a newly minted teenager, a little one in elementary school, a husband who is a hearty eater, me and two pets.  They are all bottomless pit, eating machines. I have to feed them and I can't go broke doing it.  I use these time and again and if I ever get off track (and I do sometimes) all it takes it one look at the total on the bottom of the receipt to remind me these tips really work.

What is your most effective savings tools at the grocery store?

Scraping the Bottom of The Pantry

Maybe you were in college or perhaps it was when you lived in your first apartment. Or maybe it was yesterday. We all have that moment when we realize, 'Holy cricket! There's nothing in the pantry and payday is about six years from now.'

Well, that's how it feels, anyway.

Most of the time I can pride myself on eating pretty healthy. I'll buy the five pound bag of apples for $2.99  over the $3.49 bag of Doritos on most days. But I'm not exactly some nut butter lovin', organic honey farming, tree hugger either. So I try to feed the family right, but there is some ,uh, stuff just shoved to the back of the cabinet and when you have to eat, then you just have to eat what you've got.
Thanks to a bag of cookies that got mishandled by the little one, I was forced to remove everything from the shelf and clean up the cookie dust. And like all cleaning projects, one thing will always lead to another. And during all this cabinet cleaning, I kept wondering 'What am I going to do with this stuff?' Of course, that got me to thinking that a lot of you do the same thing; there's weird little odds and ends we just don't know how to use up. Here's some of the stuff I found and how  I tried to use it wisely. I bet you've got some of the same stuff in your pantry, too.

RAMEN: You have some. You know you do. Don't just boil that stuff then toss it in a bowl. Never ever do that. Try this instead: Add  sliced onion and some of last night's meat into the final stage of cooking. Use any kind of leftover meat you have: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, etc. Add in some leftover greenery (peas, broccoli) and you're good to go.  You can also use it as a side dish,

SPAM: You bought some for 'just in case' but it's now shoved in the back of the cabinet, hiding under the ramen noodles. Thinly slice and cook in the frying pan. Add some scrambled eggs and a banana and you are full. My youngest son thinks it's called Breakfast Ham. Or add it to your ramen. How about some Spam Fried Rice? A little bit will go a long way. Just pull it out of the cabinet and start from there. Use a little bit with some eggs, cheese and last night' left over broccoli and you've got an omelet.

SALSA: You got an extra jar from Party Night.  Add one cup to your chili for an extra flavor boost. Use as a topping for your baked potato or for your scrambled eggs/omelet. You can also mirowave some in a bowl with a little bit of cheese for a chip and veggie dip.

FLOUR TORTILLAS:  Very lightly coat with butter and then sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, or something savory like garlic and paprika. Cut into thin strips and bake until crispy.

CEREAL: Just crumble that stuff up and put on pudding, ice cream and yogurt.

RICE: If there isn't enough for a family meal (or leftovers in the fridge) make a single serving of rice pudding. Better, still, is to reheat with a dash of milk. Add honey and you've got a very filling and yummy breaksfast.

LEFT OVER CHIPS:  This makes a great topping for homemade soups, stews, casseroles, and chili. Also, it's pretty good crumpled up on homemade sub sandwiches. It's got a little snap and crunch that makes it fun for the little ones.

BAKING GOODS: Little bits of baking goods like coconut, nuts, chocolate/butterscotch/peanut butter chips can be used in oatmeal and yogurt. You can also use these things as the base for your own homemade trail mix. Pudding and cake mixes make excellent cookies.

My frugal, logical self will not allow me to throw this stuff out; I bought if for one reason or another, so I'm going to use it. I won't say it's gourmet but I will tell you that necessity is the mother of invention and some pretty good meals can come from getting clever with the left overs.

Dare I say it?  Bon apetit!

From the Kitchen: Creative Leftovers

I love saving time and money. I do not love eating the exact same thing over and over again.  The trick to eating leftovers--and liking it-- it to use them in a way that is very different from the original dish. Recently, I've come across all kinds of things in the fridge and here is how my family 'recycled' them.

MEATLOAF-- I admit it, I don't enjoy meatloaf sandwiches. However, when cubed or crumbled, it makes a great addition to pasta sauce. The kids didn't even realize it was the same meatloaf they cringed at two days earlier. Love it!

RICE: I chopped up some onion and leftover cooked carrots into some olive oil with a tiny bit of butter. Once the onions were done to my liking, I added some leftover rice and a very small amount of low sodioum soy sauce. Once that was ready, I pushed it to the side of the pan and scrambled some eggs in the empty space then mixed it all together. I also used half of a pork chop sliced into small pieces. Pork fried rice in about 10 minutes. Wonderfully simple and the kids gobbled it up.

STRAY VEGGIES:  This is the easiest and cheapest thing ever. Take every stray vegetable you find and  turn it into broth. I did this today and it was crazy simple. During this past week, I froze remaining vegetables  for this very purpose. This included broccoli, green beans, and corn. I tossed this in the pot with as many other vegetables as I could find: three potatoes, three tomatoes, half a bell pepper, one onion, a sweet potato, fresh corn cut off the cob as well as all the juice scraped off the cob with the back of the knife. It wasn't very elegant. Just chopped up and tossed in the pot, skins and all. Next,  I added some multi purpose spice, garlic powder and a little fresh rosemary. I covered with water and cooked it for about 2 hours. You are trying to leech out every flavor and vitamin possible so the broth will be very dark and rich looking. Taste it and add whatever you like. Cool and strain through a collander as many times as needed until you're left with a wonderful broth that you can freeze in appropriate sized portions. Use for soups, stews or any recipe that requires water.

YOGURT: If this is getting close to the expiration date, blend with fresh fruit, a little honey and ice for a smoothie. Or layer with granola for a parfait.

EGGS: If you're not craving something scrambled, try supper omelets filled with leftover veggies with a bit of cheese or some salsa.

STEAK:  Slice thinly and cook with cubed potatoes, onions and peppers for a skillet dish that's restaurant-worthy. This also works with any kind of sausage, pork or chicken.

I thought I was saving money by having leftovers. Unfortunately, I was throwing away money because they weren't being eaten. I had to find away to make them more palatable. It isn't too hard to get creative with your leftovers. Just use what you have and do what you know. For me it's almost a game. I just tell myself, 'You've got such and such. Now how quickly and you do something with that so that no one recognizes it from last Tuesday.' It will only take you a few minutes to pull together something creative, different and tasty. You will get the satisfaction of having a great meal for a fraction of the restaurant cost and without the wait.

Bon Apetite!

How to Afford Groceries

I got my feelings hurt yesterday when I saw the total of my grocery bill. I didn't fall down crying but I wanted to. Looking around the store, I saw that almost every customer had that same sad look. Some of us are living on budgets that are squeezed beyond anything we ever imagined. Some of us are living paycheck to paycheck, while others are trying to make an unemployment check stretch out just a few days more. There are hiring freezes, pay freezes, downsizing and prices rising. I couldn't believe the prices I saw. I knew they were creeping up but things that cost .79 are now 1.29. And if it lived, breathed and roamed the plains it's so expensive, who could afford it. Let's just call it like it is and say we're living in tough times. I strongly urge people to stock up as often as possible, but this post is about taking care of the moment when the money is really, really tight.l

We can do without a vacation, the cell phone, the fancy kitchen counter upgrade but we cannot do without eating. You can't exactly eliminate breakfast and lunch everyday. You are stretching pennies until they scream and you're wondering "How am I going to afford to eat without living on ramen noodles and Kool-Aid?"

You can do it and it isn't as hard as you think. But you have to THINK before you shop. Don't get in a panic. I know a person who fed 4 people for a week for less than $30 and the very meager remains in the cupboard. If he can do it, we all can. You will not be eating lobster, but you will be full as well as nourished.

Get a general idea of what you will be needing from your shopping trip. Skip the junk food and the bakery. Think minimal but hearty. On the front of an envelope jot down some meal ideas. Utilize what you already have and try to make one meal last for two. On the back of the envelope, jot down the supplies you will need to pick up. Try to shop in one spot, rather than driving all over town wasting gas that cost more than the car did. If you've got a coupon, put that inside the envelope and an asterick by the item so you know to give the cashier that coupon. Think minimal without being stingy. My kids love apples. And I love that they are very multipurpose: sliced plain or dipped in peanut butter, chopped into a fruit salad, on a peanut butter bagel, etc. One apple will last my little one all day. I use what I need, refrigerate the rest then slice the thin brown part away that's caused by the air and eat the frest part. I don't need to buy 5 pounds of apples today. If my budget is small, I can just by 3 singles.

As for those coupons, this is Survival Week, so we aren't stocking up as usual. We're only getting what we need. Use your coupons carefully. This is a good time to use them on paper goods and laundry.  Skip the Mega Lasagne Italiano on sale for 9.99 with a coupon. That's going to hurt your wallet, not help it. Make spaghetti then use the leftovers three days later for Baked Spaghetti. Way better for the tight budget.

Think of multipupose foods. Chicken breasts, bagels (they hold up great in a lunch), ground beef, foods like that. Just ask yourself  "what else can I do with that?"  Take your ground beef and brown all of it. Use half in your spaghetti sauce because you need to cut back on the meat any way.  Later in the week, break out those ramen noodles (don't deny it, you have some) Throw in the ramaining ground beef, thinkly sliced onion, the whites of two hard boiled eggs, some leftover broccoli or peas from spaghetti night and you have a meal that will fill you up. This summer my brother will be sharing his plums and blackberries and I will gladly take all I can. My kids don't like them, so that will be my fruits of choice, saving the apples, grapes and oranges for them.

Also skip the processed junk food. A box of Cheerios cost the same as a large bag of Doritos. But you cannot pour chips in a bowl for breakfast, You can, however, snack on Cheerios. Sometimes I like them better than the microwave popcorn. You will actually eat healthier because you are being so selective. A head of lettuce is cheaper than the bagged stuff and if it isn't in a salad or on a sandwich, you can shred it for Taco Night (there's another use for half the ground beef). I realize the ramen isn't high on the nutrition scale, but one meal like that is fine. Remember, you are looking at the overall weekly meal plan.

None of us want to live like this all the time. You can do it until payday. We've done this and we ate better, without any hiccups.  Nobody died from lack of snack cakes. Nobody complained. If someone asked if there were any chips, I merely said we were out and look for something else. People were snacking on yogurt (which was also a breakfast meal with some grapes and a glass of milk).

Things will get better.  Just remember: you are smart, efficient and very capable of tweaking the grocery store numbers to work in your favor. Let me know how you're stretching your food dollars.