1/ If you live near enough to the shops, buy yourself a shopping trolley and walk there instead of driving a car.  (When I say close enough, I mean less than 20-30 minutes walking distance.) 

You should do this cos chances are, you need the exercise.

2/ Experiment with the cheaper version of products you normally use, if the price difference is big enough and the quality is still good enough, switch.

3/ Unless the public transport is really really crap and expensive, try using it instead of driving everywhere.

4/ If you have switched to a hybrid car that uses half the fuel, don't act all smug and drive it twice as much, negating the financial and environmental savings.

Mine are all food-related, mostly because groceries are pretty expensive where I live.

1) Bisquick mix. It's really versatile. Pancakes and waffles are a given, of course. I just made a decent batch of biscuits with it, but you can use it for dumplings or for frying batter as well.

2) Spice mixes. It costs a lot of money to build up a decent spice rack, so if you only need a certain spice for this one dish, then this is the way to go. I especially like McCormick's Recipe Inspirations, but I've only tried the Garlic Lime Fajitas so far.

3) Buy ingredients that you can use in multiple dishes. For example, I bought sour cream that I used in the fajitas mentioned above, but I had a ton left over when the fajitas were gone. So I used the rest for chicken paprikash (chicken in a sour cream and paprika sauce).

4) If possible, spread your shopping around multiple stores and compare prices. Canned green beans are pretty much the same wherever you go, but they may be cheaper at the drug store than at the supermarket. And I don't think I need to tell you to sign up for a store's discount card if they offer it.

5) Not quite food-related, but take a multivitamin every day to help fill in any nutritional gaps and to keep yourself healthy overall.

Wal-Mart is not a good place, but for anyone hurting in the money department right now in need of some bakeware, they have a new brand of really cheap stuff called E-Z Baking, which includes pizza pans, cookie sheets, loaf pans and cake and pie pans all for 96 cents a piece (intended for students).  Are they cheap looking and you will probably have to wash them gently by hand to make them last as long as you can, and the cookie sheets will probably temporarily warp every time you use them.... yes.  But the same can be said of slightly more expensive brands like Main Stay.   They will scratch easy, are thin, and prone to rust, but for 96 cents, they will get you by.


Also, for all those with cheaper brands of cookware... never put them in the washer, always gently hand wash them.  The finish washes right off cheaper stuff in a washer.  Also, as mentioned, DRY THEM THOROUGHLY.  Do not let them drip dry, wipe them with a hand towel or they will rust.  You can also dry them in the oven set at 250 degrees (then turn it off once you put in the pans), but energy costs may be a concern.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (09-10-2011 05:00:42 PM)

Actually learn how to cook.  Not only will you save money by not spending cash on eating out and instant dinners and snacks, but you will make less grocery trips because you will be more likely to know what to do with whatever odds and ends are left in your refrigerator.   You'll also shop smarter by buying ingredients you know you can make multiple, different types of meals from.   Plus no wasted money from failed kitchen ventures.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (09-28-2011 10:01:40 PM)