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10 Ways to Save Money on Food Costs

My grammy knows best when it comes to saving money. While other women splurge on potholders, she uses the leftover fabric from pants she hemmed to avoid getting burned. When big-spenders spring for the combo deal at her local McDonald’s, she opts for a double burger, saving one patty and half the bun for tomorrow. Since I have no intention of bisecting my own Happy Meal, I’ve put some thought into how to spend less on what I eat. So put down that expensive cookie and pick up a pencil my friends, for here are some great ways to save on food:

1. Can and freeze the excess.

Found a special on carrots and tempted to add them to everything from omelets to pudding? With just a few jars, lids, rings and a pressure canner, you can enjoy those same carrots for months to come.

2. Shop the sales.

Now that you know you can preserve foods on your own, buy as much as you can when you see a good sale. Stores like to advertise “loss leaders;” items that pull you into the store, where you’ll then spend more money. Take the bait but don’t take a loss.

3. Ask for your senior discount.

It may seem safe to assume if it’s not advertised, it’s not available, but this isn’t always the case. Keep an eye out for early bird specials. Those savings all add up.

4. Be creative with leftovers.

“Meatloaf again?!” As kids, we grew tired of leftovers quickly, wanting something new that would excite our taste buds. Why not save leftover servings of meat and vegetables for use in a stew, casserole or pie?

5. Grow without a garden.

If you live in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home or assisted living facility, you can still enjoy homegrown vegetables whether you have land to plant or not. All you’ll need is a planter box or a deep wooden barrel. To enhance your fertilizer, add some crushed eggshells.

6. Reuse, reuse, reuse!

That tea bag has more life in it than one cup, and likewise for those coffee grounds. The sky’s the limit on this one. You can even wash and save plastic baggies, waxed paper or tin foil.

7. Get free food.

Lots of websites advertise free samples of their newest products. Also, keep an eye out for food demonstrations at grocery and kitchen appliance stores. It’s not true what they say—there really is such a thing as a free lunch!

8. Glean at the right time of year.

Have the grandkids over for the day and looking for something fun to do outside? If you’re anywhere near farm fields, many farmers will let you take what they missed. Vegetable picking is smart and fun!

9. Save on milk.

In many cases, powdered milk is cheaper than fresh milk. When used in cooking, you’ll hardly notice the difference. You can also use the water from boiling potatoes in place of milk in many recipes for gravy, sauces and baked goods.

10. And lastly, eat out, family style.

By this, I mean plan several nights a week when you are a dinner guest at someone else’s house. You’ve fed a lot of mouths in your time and most likely are everyone’s favorite guest. If not, perhaps this is a perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with the neighbors!

Coveting your senior discount,

Frugal Gal (aka Lori Deschene)

Posted in: How to Save Money, Senior Homeowners & The Economy

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