I think everyone, whether living alone or in a family, would like to make the food budget stretch. Here are some ideas that may help. Thanks to those who contributed tips.

"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." Benjamin Franklin

Tip 1.
Buy family packs of meats such as ground beef, chicken, or pork chops when they are on sale. Split the packs into whatever is a serving size for your family, wrap in plastic wrap or Ziploc freezer bags and freeze for use in future meals.

Tip 2.
When you prepare a meal, try to make double the amount of the main course, and then freeze the second half for another meal on a busy day.

Tip 3.
Some people find it worth the time to wash zip type bags hang them to dry, then reuse them.

Tip 4.
Purchase beans, rice, cornmeal, oats, and other legumes and grains that your family eats, from co-ops or farmers markets, in 20-25 pound bags. This saves on the food budget in the long run. You can get 5 gallon storage buckets with tight fitting covers from deli's or grocery stores that carry bulk foods to store the beans in. The grains should be stored in a freezer. This not only keeps
the vitamins intact but also kills any weevil or moth eggs that may be present.

Tip 5.
Save the juice from pickles and put in baby carrots, chunks of broccoli or cauliflower, even hard-boiled eggs or whatever you like. Store in the refrigerator. After a few days, you will have an inexpensive alternative to the expensive pickled veggies at the store.

Tip 6.
Buy cheese in large blocks and grate or slice it yourself. Cheese can be stored, well wrapped, for several months in the freezer with no damage.

Tip 7.
Save your bread bags and use them for storing leftover muffins, slices of cheese, and many other purposes; this saves on buying storage bags.

Tip 8.
Have a buffet style meal once a week or whenever the leftovers are taking over the fridge. Pull out all the leftover foods from the fridge, take stock of what you have and prepare only what is needed to make a balanced meal. Leftovers can be served wrapped in burritos, mixed into a stir-fry, simmered into a savory soup, flipped into a puffy omlet, or just eaten as they are.

Tip 9.
Using vinegar in the dishwasher can save lots of money. It can save money on rinse agents and expensive dishwashing detergents. Buy the cheaper (generic brands) of dish- washing detergent and use it with one cup of vinegar. Pour one cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher, add the detergent as usual, turn it on and your dishes come out really sparkling clean.

Article by Naomi Knudsen
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