New job and huge paycut - need to ramp up frugal ways

bg · 05-22-2006, 09:47 AM

Well I quit my fairly high paying job and will now have a 70% reduction in wages. Besides whining, freaking out, having my first set of anxiety attacks ever, I realize that I need to be more frugal in my ways. After rent and bills I expect to have about $300 left over for groceries and everything else every month. I have asked for Not Just Beans to be borrowed via Interlibrary Loan (my library doesn't have too many books on frugal living).

The problems (as such) that I have are:
1 - small fridge that needs defrosting every 3 months so I can't have too much food in there. I rent and since the fridge is actually functional, I don't see a need to ask for it to be replaced.
2 - Food can be quite expensive when I purchase only for two people and
3 - Since we don't own a car going to big box stores for discounts is out of the question (too far, and I get motion sick really easy).
4 - I don't use coupons as I don't use the products that require coupons and many of the stores near me do not honor coupons (the stores are also a bit overpriced)

We are primarily vegetarians but get the occasional urge to eat a steak and potatoes meal.

Mainly, like everyone else I am trying to reduce my grocery bill. But I don't know how to reduce my bill. Can you help me?

TIA

P.S. Husband and I split everything down the middle. He works PT while attending nursing school and I am working toward an accounting degree. I will also be paying a $60 health insurance bill starting in June.

**Lmullin** · 05-22-2006, 10:30 AM

Can you cut out a cell phone?
Can you cut out internet access?
Can you have a yard sale?
Do you have anything of value to sell?
Do you already line dry clothing?
Have you cut out all dining out and drive thrus and coffee runs?
Have you checked out Freecycle.org?
Have you started shopping thrift?
Can you give up a car?
As far as grocery, even if you can't stock up on sale items that require refrigeration, I would say you should stock up on sales/loss leaders for other items. And get creative if storage space is an issue. The cans of beans don't mind being stored in your bedroom closet!
Best of luck to you.

**Kimberlina** · 05-22-2006, 10:37 AM

Can you look around for Price Rite, Aldi's, or Save-a-lot? They are very inexpensive most of the time. You don't need membership for any of them, and don't have to buy anything in large quantities.

bg · 05-22-2006, 10:46 AM

We do have an Aldis that we frequented before when we weren't making too much money - so thanks for the reminder Kimberlina. And it looks like there are a bunch of Save a Lots in some of the scarier parts of town that are probably along a bus route. Since I will be working 4x/week I can use Fridays to go to these places.

Also when my lease is up in Dec. we will be moving to a cheaper part of town. I've called my landlord and asked him to let me know when a studio becomes available, but the price difference isn't too much but I figured it wouldn't hurt.

**miss_thrifty** · 05-22-2006, 11:10 AM

try to amke meals in bulk and freeze them in individulas portions( a freezer a must)
dry goods are very important in my family and I bulk on them when I can
-baking from scatch and making in bulk to freeze(e.g. freezer cookie dough, biscuits,whole meals put in per serving plastic dishes)
_buying bread at discount places in bulk

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 01:16 PM

Vegetarian? Well when I used to cook a lot of veggie meals, I would use my crockpot a lot.

Cook beans, then freeze. (I suggest a small chest freezer that you can move easily to store bargains in precooked dry beans, frozen meals such as veg chili, beans, tofu on sale or bread from the day old bakery outlets)

I have a lot of recipes and tips, in my big mega threads over in our sister site, on once a month cooking. Part way down page one I give a lot of precooking tips for tofu, tvp and bean dishes plus recipes.

bg · 05-22-2006, 01:54 PM

Canadian gardner: Do you mean Homestead Garden? I thought the site was only about homesteading...

**Kimberlina** · 05-22-2006, 02:39 PM

There is all sorts of great info over at HG.

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 07:12 PM

yup, and it's where you'll find stuff to do with gardening, and self sufficiency lifestyle stuff.

I put 3 giant tutorial threads over there in the country kitchen area, I'll try to link here in another post.

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 07:14 PM

[ame="http://www.homesteadgarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756"]OAMC, the easy way, no burnout, just good home cooking in the freezer - Homestead Garden Forums[/ame]

bg · 05-22-2006, 07:36 PM

UPDATE:

After work I decided to stop by Save-a-Lot which is actually closer than the Aldis. I was pretty impressed because some of the quality of stuff was better than Aldis such as the produce and the beef. I bought some Pollock Fillets for $1.99 and marinated with Chilli powder, turmeric, salt and tamarind sauce and fried it. We had some for dinner and we have left overs! We purchased a lot of dry goods and canned veggies. Stuff we normally buy at place near our apartment is often marked 3 times higher than what we purchased tonight at Save a Lot. The walk to SAL isn't bad either. Additionally I plan on checking out the homestead garden for the links mentioned. Thanks!

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 07:38 PM

I have company coming in and out, so I'm on and off the computer but here is the homestead gdns, --it's also on top here in the village.

http://www.homesteadgarden.com/forums/index.php?

and here is the companion to my other big thread, both together have some pretty frugal grocery tips and recipes and methods. [ame="http://www.homesteadgarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760"]Grocery shopping for the simplified OAMC system, and how to do an easy pantry - Homestead Garden Forums[/ame]

**Kimberlina** · 05-22-2006, 10:24 PM

Glad Save-a-lot worked out so well for you. If you like it, and can find a Price Rite, you'll like that store even better- it is huge and has quite a lot of variety. Ours has tremendous produce. It is owned by Shop Rite.

bg · 05-23-2006, 07:52 AM

There are several shoprites that will be a 30 min bike ride away, however I don't know if pricerite has a website so I cannot do a store locator search. Shoprites here appear to be open at 6AM - which is good for avoiding some crowds, so I will check them out next weekend.

bg · 05-23-2006, 08:11 AM

Oh, Margery I spent the entire evening last night reading all about your OAMC cooking techniques. I really like the idea of component cooking and have done it to a very small degree but I'd like to ramp it up for more items.

So thank you for posting the tips and techniques.