Seriously, is there ever any way to get ahead?

[turney31]

I know that Schwans is expensive BUT I have cut my grocery bill almost in half by not buying any can goods or fresh veggies at the store. I buy the frozen vegies from Schwans. For example grocery store broccoli- majority you pay for is stem or waste. I do buy beans, can or dry at the store. I do freeze my extra garden stuff. Grocery store frozen foods seem to have a lot of stem and waste to me. And no, I don't work for them. lol

Don't feel alone we are on the merry go round also.

You can save on snacks for the little one and the others also by buying large boxes or bags (cheaper) and putting it in snack size portion baggies. I had a big basket on the counter and many times DH or grown children would grab a snack bag instead of eating the whole bag or box. Cookies, goldfish, marshmallows etc. Fruit bowl.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

I should also add.....I did not want to buy a new dryer when ours went out in April 09. So I spent spring summer & fall of 2009 drying clothes outside one the deck & in the bathroom on shower rod. My power bill was so low! I finally broke down when washer went out in Nov 09.
I waited until Black Friday though & got a set for a little over $500 cash -new. Washer does not have all the options my old one had.......but it works. I miss a couple of features but I don't miss them enough to wish I had spent more money! LOL

Our washer & dryer was purchased new in 1993. So 16 years old......it was time for both to go.
Waiting on fridge to go now.......we have had it since July 1993 also.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Same thing happened to us, and we don't have credit so we went to rentacenter. The washer/dryer got was only a couple hundred more in the long run and the number of loads has been cut in half and I use less detergent.

 

[kennedyscochins]

I have a dryer, but rarely use it because of trying to cut the electric bill. I hang shirts on hangers on the shower rod. I have a sock dryer that hangs from the shower rod as well. I use it for socks, underwear, dish towels, etc. I lay jeans and pants around on beds to dry. I throw towels over whatever doors are available. I have not used my dryer for months, but I have it there if I HAVE to have it!

I will be making my own laundry detergent as soon as this box runs out.

 

[Carols Clucks]

Quote:
I think you have to be a savvy shopper and watch for the good coupons

BUT

I also find the best coupons are often on the foods that are the worst for you. You can get a lot of the basic foods for a great price, but it does mean cooking for your self and not just heating up something packaged.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I really would LOVE to be able to hang clothes outside. The fact of the matter is I live in the desert, and if the clothes aren't dirtier than they started out, they are gone - we have high winds here all the time.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I think you have to be a savvy shopper and watch for the good coupons

BUT

I also find the best coupons are often on the foods that are the worst for you. You can get a lot of the basic foods for a great price, but it does mean cooking for your self and not just heating up something packaged.

You are SOOO right. The healthy foods cost alot more than the crappy ones. Wouldn't it be great if those $.79 banquet dinners were good for you????

 

[Carols Clucks]

Not sure what part of the SoCal desert you live in, but for those who have never driven through Palmdale on a windy day......it is DUSTY.... The road can be hard to see!

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:
Check at your local Home Depot, they were clearing out some of those cfl's for .27 each. (they were left over from a promotion)

Or if you know some one with a Costco card, they sell boxes of 10? for about $3

We are going to Costco this weekend to get the membership, we may have to wait a couple weeks to shop there because the initial ttip DOES cost a fortune. We decided that we need to start buying in bulk and shopping once a month instead of every week. With increased food prices, buying healthy foods and the little one with us, our grocery bill has been $1200 a month!!!

I would die.

During 2009 I used to cook one meal a day 5 days a week - meals to feed at least 4 sometimes 6. And never spent more than $60 a week.

 

[Carols Clucks]

The Costco 1lb frozen chubs of ground beef

Makes buying ground beef in the market hard to do (so little fat on it that there is almost nothing to drain)

And my kids love the individually frozen chicken breasts, very tender and juicy.
Butter, Milk, Cheese, Coffee, Bread, Tortillas, Cottage Cheese, Onions, Potatoes............all are a good deal And spices too!