Limiting Grocery Spending But Not Limiting Healthy Eating
- Maximize leftovers into repeats or recreation meals.
- Really using items that have been in freezer and pantry for a while- getting creative with meals
- Forego favorites for meals, rely on just loss leaders (still delicious)
- You're probably sick of reading this, but more soups and homemade baked goods
- Bulk up the sides to meats with brown rice ( heavily seasoned because I much prefer white), other grains like quinoa or couscous, for a touch more fiber and calories, and a touch fewer carbs.
- Water, water, and more water! I know I snack less when properly hydrated and our bodies need to stay hydrated in the dry air of winter.
- As for snacks, popcorn made in the silicone popper for the win.
- Let my crockpot do the work with intentional larger volumes of pulled pork, currys like masala and dal, and hearty stews that I can freeze in reheat portions. We love the Trader Joe's frozen aisle but the single or duo serve items add up quickly.
- Drink down alcohol already on hand saving the celebratory budget for gatherings.
I spent a lot last week, so I'm hoping to limit the next two weeks before a big holiday shop. Here's a few meals we've had or may have this week into next after scanning the supplies.
- Chicken tetrazzini with spinach) ( I made a huge pan Monday night so ate two nights plus lunch)
- Marinated chicken breast, couscous and steamed vegetable
- Cheese stuffed ravioli in marinara
- Loaded baked potatoes
- BBQ Chicken drumsticks with sweet potato wedges and garlic green beans
- Black bean and cheese flautas with Spanish rice
- Homemade pizza with olives, onions, spinach, and anything else lingering that sounds good for toppings
- Homemade au gratin potatoes with tuna cakes and steamed broccoli
- Chicken pot pie made with mixed vegetables and potatoes with extra mashed on the side
We'll need a few things, milk, bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, deli meat, eggs, and cottage cheese. I'd like a big pork roast to use for pulled pork and stir fry. I'm aiming to shave 15-20% off what we spend each week and put that towards items for the 24th- 1st. With extra baking supplies, my contributions to family meals, and other miscellaneous events, my budget can easily creep up. Intentionally tightening for a few weeks will help me celebrate without January bill repercussions. What ideas do you have this time of year for stretching some budget lines to offset holiday splurging?
We're trying to eat from the freezer as much as possible, as both were full. I found a lot of allotment fruit in our old chest freezer, so have been having that with yoghurt, and using it in the little one's smoothies, rather than buying soft fruits which are expensive at this time of year. My daughter has also been cooking from scratch a lot more. We need space in the freezers to stock up on yellow stickered items from Aldi on Christmas Eve which always saves us money in to the new year.
ReplyDeleteI've got frozen sour cherries to make jam tomorrow and frozen strawberries for a jello salad for Christmas but that's it now for fruit. Your freezer sounds like a treasure chest of wonderful finds!
DeleteWe're trying to eat down the freezer and have slowed down the pantry accumulation in preparation for moving in the Spring. Since we aren't invited to any family gatherings here nor host any, the budget is pretty normal for us with no strain on finances. But I know how holidays can break a person's bank account. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAny folks you've met that might be in same position to connect with? Hopefully your son and his partner that you're in touch with will FaceTime or call.
DeleteCSA has ended so moving forward, it is veg from the freezer that was vac-sealed each week as new CSA arrived. We should be good for about 10 weeks among purchase of a few freshies (carrots, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli). This girl cannot live on frozen veg alone! And of course, fresh fruit. Love NW apples plus Clementine season will soon begin if FL doesn't get heavy frost!
ReplyDeleteI am stocked up on chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, Sockeye Salmon so no protein purchase needed before February.
Happy Friday to you Sam!
I had over soft apples that I finally used the last of in breads. Oh did they bake nice. I sort of "pre-lied" as I ended up going a bit mad sticking up when I get as only shopping for replacement items. Now, just a few things are needed for the actual holiday, so overall I m ok with where I'm at.
DeleteWe are eating from the freezer also, or at least we were until The Pig had stock up prices on a few things . Because we use ground chuck for a lot of meals, I bought quite a bit to freeze. I like to use it because a little goes a long way in casseroles, soups, etc. so I freeze it in individually small amounts. I did the same with stock up priced pork chops and freeze them in packs of two.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure when/if I will find stock up chicken prices, but when I find them I will add that to the freezer also.
I blew my own post. Record low prices on butter ball turkeys called to me. It'll take until next weekend to thaw, but I'll break down once cooked for the resy of winter!
DeleteI stocked up not on holiday foods, but rather regular groceries as my surgery is coming up at the end of the month, so we spent a little more than we normally do this month. Your dinners sound so good. It's been a long time since we've had cheese ravioli but that sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteDo you have additional help for recovery? My son was great, but it was so nice having people bring ready to eat or heat and eat meals.
DeleteWe turn to the freezer when planning meals, trying to get rid of a bit. When we do eliminate a bit, we find food to freeze at a good price. It is a vicious cycle.
ReplyDeleteThat's True- I now have a 22 pound turkey to thaw, cook, and repackage.
DeleteThis is a good list. I"m also trying to do some freezer eating, but mostly because I will likely buy Sam's favorites when he's in town for winter break. We will be eating plenty of meals out over our ski trip, and we will have an extra teen as well. For the actual holidays, we will be at my parents & contribute cash to the events, as we fly in after the groceries have been purchased & most of the food has been prepped. (Hawaii Planner)
ReplyDeleteI blew my plan...but overall will be savings. I realized all my baking cupboard needed t stocking. Spices are expensive!
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