Lynnae: don't be too impressed. I went through my whole $350 in the first 8 days of February. That was two regular shopping trips, plus the monthly milk bill, plus $60 for the new food coop, plus one grocery bill from January, debited at the very end of the month, that actually falls on the February statement. I am hoping to make it through the month without buying anything else. Ha!

David: A freezer is a big investment, that's for sure. I recommend saving up for a new freezer, rather than buying a used one, because of the difference in energy efficiency. Now in Miserly Moms (affiliate link) by Joni McCo, the author writes that she actually got rid of her chest freezer due to the energy cost, and successfully stockpiled food in the freezer on the top of her refrigerator. She did this by taking everything out of its box and putting it in ziploc bags. She would also freeze foods that she cooked in a ziploc bag, laid flat, so that she could stack as much as possible in it.

Thanks for the bulk food shopping link!

Catherine Shaffer

Wise Bread Contributor