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Save money on food and dining out

Tips to save at restaurants, grocery stores and more...




Stockpiling for Savings: A Short Guide

The economy today has problems everywhere. One of those problems is the rising prices of groceries. Groceries are costing more and more each year. People are no longer getting the same cost of living increase raises they used to get, meaning grocery shopping is increasingly straining. Despite the difficulties, there are many ways to save. One of the best ways is to stockpile products when you see great sales.
 
While costs may be high, many stores have incredible weekly savings designed to draw people to the store. These usually require signing up for the bonus program, which is free of charge. When you see great deals, it's a smart idea to pile up on things.  
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Tips for Becoming a Coupon Crusader

Looking for bargains, no matter how small, can be a way to save money on the things that we need every day. Prices are inching ever upward, wages are stagnant, the dollar is weak and companies are selling smaller packages of the same product, at the same larger price. Manufacturers are cutting quality to save costs, but aren’t passing the savings on to you. Read the rest...

 
Even if we have no say with how companies market their products, we can have a say in what we buy and how much we pay for it. By using coupons, we can save money and find a subtle way of letting big business know that their prices are too high.
 


Living on One Income: How to Make it Work

 

Even in the best of financial times, living on one income is a challenge. From necessities like food, shelter, clothing, medical bills, transportation, and taxes to "wants" like entertainment and leisure, the drains on a family's financial resources are many. 
 
This is especially true in this American society built upon conspicuous consumption. Living frugally can seem impossible and unfair, especially when it seems that so many other people live wasteful lives. How does a family manage not only to survive, but to prosper with only one income?
 

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A Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part III

 

 If you enjoyed the condiment recipes in our Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part I or Part II, then you’ll love this follow-up containing salad dressing recipes.

 

Most popular dressings can easily be made at home. Whether you prefer Thousand Island (Russian), Ranch, Italian, Honey Mustard or my favorite “Whatever is Left” dressing, all you have to do is combine the ingredients listed. Let the mixtures sit in the fridge for a day to give the flavors a chance to meld. Oil and vinegar mixtures should go in the blender for about 40 seconds to mix properly.Read the rest...



A Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part II

make your own condiments

 If you followed our Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, you’d be glad to see these follow up recipes that use some of the condiments described in Part 1.  

 

 Many of the recipes here are made with simple and affordable recipes for basic condiments. When you have just a few essentials on hand, it’s easy to whip up other commonly used sauces, spices and dressings. It’s often cheaper than buying it at the store and certainly much more convenient than running out to the store when you are in a pinch. 

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A Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part I

Don’t run out to the convenience store to pay three-times the value of ketchup next time you run out. Just make your own. You can make most condiments right at home, often for less than you would pay to buy them, even on sale.  

There are so many condiments you can whip up at home, we had to break it up over a few articles. Today we’ll cover a foundation of essential condiments and tomorrow will move on other condiments you can make with them. Finally, we’ll look at salad dressings in the last part of this series.

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Should I Throw That Out? A Guide to Food Expiration Dates

Did you know that Americans throw away $75 billion dollars in food every year? It's true. According to a University of Arizona study on US Food Waste, the typical American family discards 14 percent of the food purchased in a year, which usually amounts to about $600. That's bad practice for cash-strapped families. Much of the waste is due to confusion over food safety. Sell-by dates and expiration dates can confuse consumers.Read the rest...



How to Save Money on Your Home-Brewed Coffee

My husband and I were recently gifted a Keurig home brew coffee machine. Having used one in the office at my prior job, I have to say it is one of the best products I have ever used. We were supplied with Green Mountain coffee and I was hooked on the French Roast. So when this $150 coffee maker dropped in our laps for free, I was jumping up and down…until I thought about the cost of ownership.Read the rest...



Road Travel Food on a Budget: 13 Great Tips

Weekend warrior or weeklong wandering, road trips are great low-budget getaways. Here are some tips to keep your stomachs from growling and your wallet from emptying...and don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to try road kill!  Read the rest...



Billeater’s Practical Guide to Freezing Efficiently for Food Savings

Did you know that you could save hundreds of dollars a year simply by putting your freezer to work for you? It’s not just about buying extra peas on sale and freezing them. There’s a lot more to it than that. By extending the life of meals, freezing some foods you never thought about, and taking better care of your freezer, you’ll save a bundle on groceries and energy. Read the rest...

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