The Frugal Files

I mentioned earlier that Nick and I are in super saver mode. We have a few things to pay off and it's high time to build up some savings. I'm still adjusting to the "new way of living" especially with this no shopping rule.

As I come across new tips and ideas for saving, I thought I'd post them here to share.

Groceries:

Some shopping is still essential, groceries for instance. I had to find a way to cut back here too. We've been eating in on a more consistent basis for a few months now, yet oddly enough, it hasn't saved us much money. My philosophy in food shopping had been replenishing the staples we'd run out of, and then picking up items that happened to catch my fancy. Within a few days it felt like we were already out of meal options and I was going back to the store.

For saving mode, I realized I'd have to try something new. I built out a two week dinner menu. Aside from lunch foods and breakfast items, I kept to the food list needed for the upcoming menu, no exceptions.

Some meals called for a unique spice or ingredient. Instead of purchasing a whole container (how much cumin do you really need?), I bought in bulk and just enough for the one recipe.

All in all, I saved about $50 compared to my usual grocery trip. Not bad, eh?