I firstly try to buy as much as I can from Costco in bulk. I do smoothies every morning and Costco has huge bags of frozen fruit that's twice as big for the same price at a regular grocery story. I also buy alot of frozen vegetables, which often have more nutrients than fresh ones and are way cheaper! I think of ways to dress up cheap food (like beans and rice) that are also healthy to save money. I also try to buy as many ingredients as I can, instead of pre-made, frozen, or packaged food. Lastly I get most of my fresh produce from a local co-op, it is not only organic but gets delivered right to my door. You just can't beat the prices at the grocery store! I also don't eat red meat (which is very expensive) and eat poultry and fish on occasion. I stick to eggs and greek yogurt for the most part, which is cheaper and faster than buying meat. I focus on food that's going to fill me up, a bag of quinoa may be more expensive than a bag of rice, but it's going to fill me up alot more! I also use apps like Ibotta and Berrycart to get rebates for things I already buy and of course keep an eye out for coupons and stock up when I can!
In the mid 90s I was travelling to Japan on an almost full 747. Napa air knew that Japanese people did not like sitting next to gaijin So they put all the empty seats around me. I had 4 seats to myself on a totally ful 13 hour flight. Sometimes xenophobia oh as its benefits.
What???
"Each one saves $100 per month until they are 60 years old, and they both get the same 8.5% return."
What bank pays 8.5% for a savings account?
Well, why not just stay home for EVERY meal, since that's obviously cheaper. People don't eat out for a bargain, they eat out for the experience or convenience. I often eat out with friends or family. If I want to eat a salad instead of a heavier entree, who cares? A restaurant isn't Costco - I didn't go to get a "bargain." This article sounds like a real downer.
One thing that I teach is that investing involves more than the "market". For example, real estate is still a decent investment in some areas, where a 15% annual return is possible. Another is to invest in what you understand, and stay away from things that you don't. Peter Lynch always said this, and it's true. Lastly, to understand the difference between the cost of something vs the value of it.
I found a bouillon cube I like that stands in for half a dozen cans of chicken broth at a fraction of the price. Bonus: half a cube on the shelf is much easier to store than half a can in the fridge.
I found a canned spaghetti sauce that sometimes on sale goes down to 99 cents for 27 ounces -- less than half what I previously paid for jarred sauces.
Love these tips! Sometimes bulk bins will allow you to buy only the quantity you need for a rarely used recipe. And a $4 pot of thyme, rosemary, tarragon, or such stuck in the ground (or potted up and set on the balcony) can mean no further herb cost for the lifetime of the plant. A well-kept pot of parsley on the windowsill and you've got sprigs for almost a year.
I scan the sales flyers for boneless meats that are under $2/pound. Also for fruits and veggies closer to $1/pound or less. And sale prices that are 33% or more savings off regular prices. Having hard $$$ and % targets keeps me honest about whether I am really stretching my money as far as it will go. And I read anything Phil Brewer writes for Wise Bread -- I find his work to be both practical and motivating and his remarks on the rate of return you get from cutting costs on groceries really sold me.
We are fortunate to have several local stores that do a brisk trade and have bulk bins. I have a perennial herb garden and if I don't grow it, I buy it in small quantities from the bulk bins.
I use up via vegetables by once a week making "hamburger soup" on Mondays -- a pound of hamburger, a can of tomatoes plus all the veggies I can find in my fridge feeds the three of us for two days.
I shop meat sales and freeze what I won't use right away and I use frozen veggies as well as fresh -- especially spinach and other greens that compress down so much when cooked -- can cost $5/pound or up fresh, lose nutrients quickly when fresh that are retained when frozen, and generally cost under $2/pound frozen
Meal planning is the best way I save money on groceries, I try to buy only what I need for the meal plan, shop sales flyers when planning for the week, and don't waste food.
How do I describe Costco and Trader Joe's? It's like having two boyfriends - I love them both. Costco is the jock, well-known throughout and great bulk. Trader Joe's is the new-age intellectual who is easygoing and thoughtful with great insight. Costco is great for their Kirkland dog food, it is good quality and less expensive than anywhere else, but have someone very strong to haul that huge bag home. Their meats are good, as is their produce, although not much organic to choose from. Trader Joe's makes me swoon. I love most of their frozen veges, fruits and dinner meals. They have wonderful teas and coffee. But I want to let you all in on a secret. My very best favorite store, and equate it to the steady and dependable boyfriend to marry, is Aldi. Aldi is related to Trader Joe's in that it is owned by the same parent company. They also carry their own exclusive brands, (they are not no-frills brands but comparable), and their prices are unbelievable inexpensive. They are starting to get in more and more organic products, and it is a nice small friendly store. No hawaiian shirts or bell-ringing, but that's no biggie. I used to shop mostly at Costco but I do not so much anymore. Since they recently built an Aldi quite close to me and a Trader Joe's about 25 minutes away, I will be in those two stores mainly.
my in law's pay fr groceries...
Glad to have you pleasantly surprised, Guest! Let us know if you have any questions on effective techniques to teach kids about investing.
I firstly try to buy as much as I can from Costco in bulk. I do smoothies every morning and Costco has huge bags of frozen fruit that's twice as big for the same price at a regular grocery story. I also buy alot of frozen vegetables, which often have more nutrients than fresh ones and are way cheaper! I think of ways to dress up cheap food (like beans and rice) that are also healthy to save money. I also try to buy as many ingredients as I can, instead of pre-made, frozen, or packaged food. Lastly I get most of my fresh produce from a local co-op, it is not only organic but gets delivered right to my door. You just can't beat the prices at the grocery store! I also don't eat red meat (which is very expensive) and eat poultry and fish on occasion. I stick to eggs and greek yogurt for the most part, which is cheaper and faster than buying meat. I focus on food that's going to fill me up, a bag of quinoa may be more expensive than a bag of rice, but it's going to fill me up alot more! I also use apps like Ibotta and Berrycart to get rebates for things I already buy and of course keep an eye out for coupons and stock up when I can!
In the mid 90s I was travelling to Japan on an almost full 747. Napa air knew that Japanese people did not like sitting next to gaijin So they put all the empty seats around me. I had 4 seats to myself on a totally ful 13 hour flight. Sometimes xenophobia oh as its benefits.
I use coupons, paper, online and electronic, price matching and comparison shopping
What???
"Each one saves $100 per month until they are 60 years old, and they both get the same 8.5% return."
What bank pays 8.5% for a savings account?
I save money by planning meals and purchasing seasonal fresh produce, using bulk bins and minimizing processed foods.
Well, why not just stay home for EVERY meal, since that's obviously cheaper. People don't eat out for a bargain, they eat out for the experience or convenience. I often eat out with friends or family. If I want to eat a salad instead of a heavier entree, who cares? A restaurant isn't Costco - I didn't go to get a "bargain." This article sounds like a real downer.
One thing that I teach is that investing involves more than the "market". For example, real estate is still a decent investment in some areas, where a 15% annual return is possible. Another is to invest in what you understand, and stay away from things that you don't. Peter Lynch always said this, and it's true. Lastly, to understand the difference between the cost of something vs the value of it.
you can get travel ideas based on your budget @ flybreak
I was not expecting a lot. Pleasantly surprised. Great Article.
I found a bouillon cube I like that stands in for half a dozen cans of chicken broth at a fraction of the price. Bonus: half a cube on the shelf is much easier to store than half a can in the fridge.
I found a canned spaghetti sauce that sometimes on sale goes down to 99 cents for 27 ounces -- less than half what I previously paid for jarred sauces.
I shop the salad bar for small quantities of pricey "recipe" items
Love these tips! Sometimes bulk bins will allow you to buy only the quantity you need for a rarely used recipe. And a $4 pot of thyme, rosemary, tarragon, or such stuck in the ground (or potted up and set on the balcony) can mean no further herb cost for the lifetime of the plant. A well-kept pot of parsley on the windowsill and you've got sprigs for almost a year.
I scan the sales flyers for boneless meats that are under $2/pound. Also for fruits and veggies closer to $1/pound or less. And sale prices that are 33% or more savings off regular prices. Having hard $$$ and % targets keeps me honest about whether I am really stretching my money as far as it will go. And I read anything Phil Brewer writes for Wise Bread -- I find his work to be both practical and motivating and his remarks on the rate of return you get from cutting costs on groceries really sold me.
We are fortunate to have several local stores that do a brisk trade and have bulk bins. I have a perennial herb garden and if I don't grow it, I buy it in small quantities from the bulk bins.
Less groceries=less money
I use up via vegetables by once a week making "hamburger soup" on Mondays -- a pound of hamburger, a can of tomatoes plus all the veggies I can find in my fridge feeds the three of us for two days.
I shop meat sales and freeze what I won't use right away and I use frozen veggies as well as fresh -- especially spinach and other greens that compress down so much when cooked -- can cost $5/pound or up fresh, lose nutrients quickly when fresh that are retained when frozen, and generally cost under $2/pound frozen
Great article! This can be very useful after a stressful day of work.
I clip coupons, buy mostly what's on sale, and shop with a list.
I try to buy fruits and vegetables in season.
Meal planning is the best way I save money on groceries, I try to buy only what I need for the meal plan, shop sales flyers when planning for the week, and don't waste food.
How do I describe Costco and Trader Joe's? It's like having two boyfriends - I love them both. Costco is the jock, well-known throughout and great bulk. Trader Joe's is the new-age intellectual who is easygoing and thoughtful with great insight. Costco is great for their Kirkland dog food, it is good quality and less expensive than anywhere else, but have someone very strong to haul that huge bag home. Their meats are good, as is their produce, although not much organic to choose from. Trader Joe's makes me swoon. I love most of their frozen veges, fruits and dinner meals. They have wonderful teas and coffee. But I want to let you all in on a secret. My very best favorite store, and equate it to the steady and dependable boyfriend to marry, is Aldi. Aldi is related to Trader Joe's in that it is owned by the same parent company. They also carry their own exclusive brands, (they are not no-frills brands but comparable), and their prices are unbelievable inexpensive. They are starting to get in more and more organic products, and it is a nice small friendly store. No hawaiian shirts or bell-ringing, but that's no biggie. I used to shop mostly at Costco but I do not so much anymore. Since they recently built an Aldi quite close to me and a Trader Joe's about 25 minutes away, I will be in those two stores mainly.
I use a credit card with the highest cash back on groceries and I buy gift cards when it's on a rotating 5% category for future use.
I make sure to shop at cheaper stores and not buy brand name products.