Smart Grocery Shopping Can Save You Money

 

 

            Going to the grocery store today can be a very stressful time. Here are a few tips to try and keep the stress level down. Meal planning can help keep you within your budget. A meal plan and these tips can help a bit. 

Clip Grocery Coupons - Every little penny helps. The more you use them, the more the savings add up. 

Take Advantage Of Sales - Read the local newspaper and the grocery store ads. This is also a great way to stock up on items that you use a lot of. Watch for the sales and plan your meals for the week around what is on sale.

Write it down  - Make a list of what you need. Take the list with you to the grocery store and this will help you to not make unnecessary purchases. 

Organize - Keep your pantry and freezer organized. This helps a lot with saving money. If your pantry and freezer are organized then you know what you have and what you need. 

Save On Meat and Cheese - Meat and cheese that is already cut and cubed will cost a bit more. Buy the meat and cut it into cubes or stir fry strips yourself.  Block cheese can be shredded or cubed easily. This can save a bit on of your grocery budget. 

Buying whole chickens can be a money saver.  Also be on the lookout for family packs that you can break down and freeze into multiple packs for multiple meals.

Convenience foods can add up. You can make your own smaller packs of items from buying larger packs. Example: Don't buy the box of small bags of chips. Buy a big bag and make your own smaller bags. 

last and most important rule to save money grocery shopping - IF YOUR FAMILY WILL NOT EAT IT , DON'T BUY IT!

   

 

Recycle Used Candles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gather all of your partly used candles and place them in a metal coffee can or a pan that you can just use for melting candles in. Melt the candles down in a double burner style, coffee can inside a bigger pan with water boiling in it. Remove all of the wicks with a fork. Place a longer, new piece of wick into the center of the mold that you are using as you pour the wax into it. When the wax cools and sets completely remove it from the mold. Now you have a new bigger candle. You can get Candle Wicks online for a pretty low price. This is a great way to always have candles of a good size and not throw any candles out. Melt them down and reuse the wax. 

The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster

Food Storage Recipe - Potato-Bacon Soup

 

                                                           Potato- Bacon Soup

 

                                       2 cans of chicken broth 

                                       3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 cubes

                                       1 medium onion , finely chopped

                                       1 teaspoon Dried Thyme

                                       6 strips of bacon , chopped

                                       1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

 

                      Combine the broth , potatoes , onion, and Dried Thyme in a big pot , bring to a boil. 

                      Reduce the heat and boil until the potatoes are tender.

                      While the potatoes are cooking fry up the bacon until crisp.

                      Add the bacon to the broth mixture.

                      Season with salt and pepper to taste.

                      Serve in bowls and top with the shredded cheese.
 

Food Storage Recipe - Hamburger Casserole Ole

 

                           Hamburger Casserole Ole

                         NEED:

                              1 pound ground beef

                              1 package Taco Seasoning Mix   

                              1 cup of water 

                              1 9 ounce pack of frozen cut green beans 

                              1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese 

                               1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

 

     Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

    Brown the ground beef and drain it well.

    Add the taco mix and water. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. 

    Cook the green beans in another pot and then drain.

     Spread the meat in a greased 13X9 inch pan . Spread the green bean over the meat and sprinkle with the cheeses.

     Bake about 15 to 20 minutes . 

     Serving ides - Serve over tortilla chips and top with sour cream , chopped tomatoes, etc. 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Salsa Mac & Beef

 

 

 

                                Salsa Mac & Beef. 

                                       1 pound of ground beef , cooked and drained.

                                       1 can of beef broth 

                                       1 1/3 cups of water 

                                       2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni

                                       1 can of cheddar cheese soup

                                       1 cup of Chunky Salsa 

                                   In the pan with the drained ground beef add the broth and water.

                                   Heat to a boil and then add the macaroni.

                                   Reduce the heat and let cook until the macaroni is done. Stir often.

                                   Stir in soup and salsa. Heat through and serve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Storage Recipe - Mushroom Pork Chops

                               This low cost meal makes a great meal. Serve with garlic bread and a salad. 

                       I usually serve with some green beans , too.

                            

                                1 tablespoon vegetable oil

                               1 Pound of pork chops 

                               1 can of cream of mushroom soup

                               1/4 cup of water  

                         In a pan cook the pork chops in the oil. Cook until browned on both sides. Then set                    them aside.

                         In the pan that you cooked the pork chops Add the soup and water. Heat to a boil.

                         Return the pork chops to the pan. Reduce the heat , cover, and simmer for a few minutes. Make sure the pork chops are cook all of the way through. 

                        

                          

 

                 

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

                               This low cost meal makes a great meal. Serve with garlic bread. 

                            

                                1/2 package of uncooked linguine 

                                1 cup of either fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets

                                2 tablespoon of butter

                                1 15 ounce can of chicken 

                                1 can of cream of mushroom soup

                                1/2 cup of milk

                                1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese

                                season with pepper

 

                  Prepare the linguine as the package says to do it. Add the broccoli 

                      for the last few minutes. 

                 In a medium pan heat the butter. Add the chicken and heat up a bit. 

                 Add the soup, milk , cheese, pepper, and linguine. 

                 Heat through. Serve with additional cheese on top. 

                     

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken Quesadillas

                             

                                                      Quick recipe to make Chicken Quesadillas.

                                     1 can of chicken

                                     1 can of cheddar cheese soup

                                     1/2 cup of salsa

                                     Tortillas

                           Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

                        In a pan heat up the chicken, soup, and salsa to a boil. 

                        Place tortillas onto a baking sheet and 1/2 of each tortilla with the mixture.

                        Fold over the tortillas and press the edges together.

                        Bake for a few minutes. 

                        Serve with some Spanish rice. 

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken Pot Pie

 

                                                                 CHICKEN POT PIE

                                                 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup

                                                1 9oz bag of frozen mixed vegetables, thaw

                                                   1 can of chicken

                                                   1 can of biscuits 

                                                    

                                               Preheat your oven to 400

                                      In a casserole dish mix together the soup, chicken, and 

                                                    vegetables.

                                       Place the biscuits in a layer over that mixture.

                                            Bake until the biscuits are done. SERVE. 

              I am trying to share recipes that are low cost and use items that should be 

              in everyone's pantry. Everyone should have a stockpile of canned food.

Food Storage Recipe - Fried Rice

 

 

                             Easy fried Rice --- You can also use a small can of chicken instead of the ham.

              

                                           3 cups of cooked rice 

                                           3 tbsp of oil

                                           1 can of diced ham (or chicken)

                                           1/2 cup of chopped onion

                                           2 eggs , beaten

                                           1/4 cup of peas, cooked

                                           salt , pepper, and soy sauce to taste

  

                             Heat the oil in the pan and add the rice. Stir it steadily until it is lightly browned.

                            Add the can of meat, onions, ,salt, and pepper.

                            Cook a couple of minutes , stirring constantly.

                            Push the mixture to one side of the pan.

                            Pour the eggs into the center of the pan and stir them until they start to set.

                            Blend the eggs into the rice.  

                            Add the peas and the soy sauce.

                            Stir until well mixed and then serve.