9 Must Have Items For Feeding Your Family Frugally
Welcome!
Let’s talk economics, shall we? … … … chirp
Nah, let’s not. You could go over to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to review the steady rise of Consumer pricing, but you probably are already living knee-deep in that information first hand.
Times are tough, prices are on the rise, but mouths still need to be fed; am i right?
You can’t do much about how much gasoline your family needs for transportation, or the cost of soccer registration, or the amount you pay in taxes, etc etc. One thing we can do to ease the financial strain is look for ways to stretch our grocery dollar. Whether you buy local, organic, or run of the mill generic, there are some must-haves that will be inexpensive ways to get the most out of your food budget!
1) Dried Beans
Dried beans are simply filling, easy, and so very inexpensive. Do you enjoy a big pot of bean soup? One week I was grocery shopping and I went to grab my go-to bag of bean soup mix. No seasoning, just your standard mixed dried beans. It dawned on me and I quickly did the math… could I save even more? Yes! I spent only 3 times what I would have paid for that bag, bought 5 individual bags of beans, ended up with 5 pounds instead of 1, and went home and mixed them myself! (kidney, lima, pinto, split pea, black bean) Also, cooked beans are my favorite to have on hand for a quick and easy no-meat option; bean burgers and bean dips to use with raw carrots and toasted pita bread. Don’t pour your bean stock down the drain! It can be used later!
2) Lentils and Split Peas
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My family quickly grew to love both when I found them on multiple “Super Foods” lists. Extremely inexpensive, so very healthy for you and a tasty side that goes with anything.
3) Root Vegetables
I often use carrots and turnips as fillers. They easily compliment chili, strew, and soup and they make them s t r e t c h ! Sweet potatoes are a weekly event at our home. I adore anything I can pop in the oven and pull it out with amazing taste – no help from me. 🙂 Another super healthy, filling, inexpensive item!
4) 100% juice frozen / canned
Exchange your containers of juice, sodas and/or trendy flavored water for canned juice! I’m a firm believer in 100% juice as opposed to concentrate, and if it’s 100% how can you go wrong for a fraction of the cost compared to other prepared beverages!?
5) Cabbage
I use cabbage as a filler, much like I use root veggies. Cabbage is fiber-rich and has a mild taste – a great choice to stretch a week’s meals. If I don’t end up using all of it, I whip up a nice cole-slaw. And everyone’s happy. Today’s Dietitian gives some great nutritional information on cabbage.
6) Flour
A staple, right? Well, keep it on hand! Again, whether organic, different grain flours, whatever your preference is … it’s a snap to whip up a pizza dough! I just used my sourdough starter and made a quick little garlic, ricotta & cheddar pizza tonight to go with salad. A 5 lb bag of regular flour sells for $2-$3 and has 20 cups of flour in it. A dough recipe that generously makes 2 pizzas calls for 6 cups of flour. The toppings don’t have to be complicated, but consider the math… one bag of flour yields 13 pizzas!
7) Fat Back
Yep. That’s right! For any bean soups (which we eat once a week) fat back is an incredible way to add flavor without the expense of meat. It’s removed before consuming, and everyone loves the taste! I paid $3 for a section of fat back and cut it into sections appropriate for my cooking needs and put it in the freezer, wrapped in waxed paper and a brown paper bag. Hey… Gramma did it!
8) Whole Grains – Brown Rice, Quinoa, Oats, Barley etc
There’s nothing like a little side of rice spruced up with lemon and cilantro! Add barley to soups. Make up some oatmeal ahead of time and have on hand for busy mornings!
9) Eggs
Whether you keep hens or not, eggs are a very nutritious and frugal option. I have chickens, but even if I didn’t I’d certainly be buying eggs to keep up our weekly egg casserole tradition! My recipe is different every week so we never get bored… and it’s a hearty meal for minimal money.
What items help you get the most out of your hard earned money? Please share! – We would like to know! Will you be adding any of the items mentioned here to your list? We’d love to hear from you!
What a great list. I love all of your ideas and use many of them. We use eggs as a main dish once a week and beans as a main dish once a week also. Thanks for sharing at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party!
Cynthia L recently posted…#WIPWednesday – Knitting, Applique and Gardening
(Great minds!!!) Sounds like our menus are very similar:) Thank you so much for stopping by! ~Jayne
This is a great list. I actually JUST had lentils for the first time last week and I loved them!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…Alpine Lace Deli Cheese Event With Kristi Yamaguchi
Robin – That’s funny! – They really are a superfood! I’m glad you like them – it’s always nice to find we like something that’s good for us! 🙂 ~Jayne
I used to do the canned juice thing exclusively. I need to revisit that again!
Liz Mays recently posted…These Squishy Little Shoes #Skyscape
Liz, My only challenge is that I wish stores commonly sold generic versions of 100% juice concentrates other than apple, grape and orange. It would be so wonderful to have more variety inexpensively! ~Jayne
I eat a lot of egg whites and beans myself. Inexpensive & nutritious.
Robin {Mom Foodie} recently posted…Back in Black! … Driveway Makeover Reveal
Robin, Absolutely! Such underestimated foods…. they are protein power! lol! ~Jayne
I must admit, I do buy my beans canned 95% of the time though. Not as budget friendly, but I love them in salads and tex-mex dishes and it is so fast and easy.
Robin {Mom Foodie} recently posted…Back in Black! … Driveway Makeover Reveal
Robin – hey, they work! I get some canned too – chick peas for making fast hummus and kidney for fast chilis! Fast and easy sometimes trumps price 🙂 ~Jayne
Fantastic ideas to save. I do most of these.
Debbie Denny recently posted…May is Lupus Awareness Month! #CURELUPUS #Powerof10
Hi Debbie, I have Lupus and appreciate your post. Thank you for stopping buy. I find those of us suffering with illnesses already eat frugally and healthy. Here’s to a cure in our lifetime 🙂 ~Laura
Debbie – I’d love to hear any of your secrets to saving for your family! ~Jayne
Thanks for this amazing list to have on hand! We eat a lot of beans in our house because they are so healthy and inexpensive!
Jennifer B recently posted…Book Blast: Rescuing Her Honor by Johnny Ray
Jennifer, I enjoyed making the list – my husband gets asked a lot at work about his lunches and ‘the guys in the break room’ are amazing how inexpensively we eat! lol! ~Jayne
That’s a great list. We always keep eggs and lentils on hand as well. Most of the items on your list are things we always have in stock. Just never thought of it that way as frugal eating. 🙂
Amanda Love recently posted…Zulily Phil & Teds Stroller Giveaway #ad
Amanda, awesome! I love it… and I really appreciate you stopping by and letting me know you enjoyed it! ~Jayne
This is a great list! Taking it to the grocery store with me today!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…demeter fragrance giveaway
what a great list!
We menu plan and when prices are good we stock up on extra so we can fill our freezer.
We also try to have at least two meat free meals a week to help cut down on the costs.
Heather, Great strategy! I haven’t been great at menu planning (at least as specific as I’d like) – but I do have ‘general target’ ideas for meals. I should really nail things down more… I know I’d save. Thankfully, we don’t buy meat. We have some venison in the freezer and we raise meat rabbits. The meat is extremely healthy and I find a lot of creative ways to cook with it. So, that helps us a lot. I’d love to hear if you have any other secrets! ~Jayne
Thanks for this post. I am trying to live frugally so I will definitely have to make sure I start purchasing these items.
Giveaways 4 Mom recently posted…TrueLipids Review
Giveaways4moms, I just want to encourage you — it’s so rewarding, that i love to hear people placing value on new choices! I hope you find great success in all your efforts! ~Jayne
I’ve been thinking about setting a place to keep some chickens but I just haven’t gotten the opportunity yet. Reading this really makes me want to get back on track with that project.
J.Merrill recently posted…My Interview With Drew Barrymore & Adam Sandler
J.Merrill – You won’t regret it! My girls feed us ALL WEEK LONG! hard boiled eggs in lunches, egg casserole for dinners… the list goes on! I’ve only had them for 3 years and I’m so glad I do! Let us know what you end up doing! I’d love to hear back! ~Jayne
This is a GREAT list! I’ve been making a lot of soup lately and can’t say enough about the root veggies! Love this.
Aly Mashrah recently posted…Million Dollar Arm Interview with the REAL J.B, Rinku, and Dinesh! #MillionDollarArmEvent
Aly, YES! I love making soups! I haven’t in a bit with warmer weather but the possibilities are endless!!! My brother in law made a very yummy escarole soup like a master that I’ve always wanted to try to duplicate. Thanks for dropping a line:) ~Jayne
We eat so many eggs. Since we buy them in bulk it is an even better deal, although we always compare ads to see if they are on sale anywhere.
Pam recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe
Pam, teach me your ways! hehe- i’ve never been a good ad shopper – seems like life gets so busy. I used to buy them from Costco before we had chickens and no one ever beat that price.
We love lentils! They’re so affordable, and one of the things I can ALWAYS count on my kids to eat!
Wendy, I never had them growing up so I was very surprised as an adult how great they tasted! I’d like to experiment with the red lentils – although I’m sure very similar in taste I think the nutritional content is different. ~Jayne
Our grocery bill is crazy as a family of 7 – I so need to incorporate beans more they are a great filler and gots nearly next to nothing.
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All Great Staples I Have Them All I’m Frugal Like That Too!1
Lisa – woohoo! It’s good to meet like-minded friends:) Thanks for dropping a line! ~Jayne
I read this article just before preparing my new weekly shopping list.
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Janeane, I’m glad you stopped by! I hope you found it helpful 🙂 ~Jayne