Budgeting!?

I can totally understand. The average shopping trip I restock using $60 and it can be mind boggling in the store sometimes. Just remember, the more stressed you get, the worse you get, so even if you have to sit down on a store bench for five minutes to think, do it. Don't leave feeling bad about your purchases. There's nothing more frustrating than having to plan what's good, satisfying, and will last.

Test your freezer before you ever consider buying bulk and freezing. Many people think 'oh, buy bulk, freeze it' and a couple weeks down the line it's freezer burnt, tastes like shit, and you've just wasted money on having to throw out stuff that is near inedible. You must know how to properly wrap and protect items to avoid it from going freezer burnt, and your freezer might not be that great. Research about the proper way to do things and give it a couple weeks of testing to make sure it's working the way it should be and not ruining food. I have had an entire freezer full of food that I had to throw out, and subsequently only bought freezer items I was going to eat within like three days.

Also, homebrand is not always the right choice. I've heard lots of homebrand fans saying, 'Oh it tastes just as good!' and it does not always and it will get thrown out. Pick your products. It is never worth it to purchase cheaper when you end up not liking it and tossing it. I'll buy homebrand honey, but I won't kraft dinner because I've tried it once, and it made me gag. Consider VERY carefully what you discount down. Basics like salt, sugar, honey, flour, eggs, vegetables, that stuff is usually okay to homebrand. You can't really ruin them. Things like your favourite sauce, your brand of milk, stuff that are comfort staples, risk less.

Make sure that you purchase food you do enjoy eating. Being unsatisfied is a great way to eat more.

I would never shop and spend all that cash in one go unless you can honestly go out to the store only once. It's horrible to have an empty wallet. You also will likely do better with a tighter budget because you must focus more. Always try and have some money left at home with you, because you want to be able to restock small staples like milk, eggs, bread when you need to. That stuff runs out surprisingly quick and once it's gone, if you have no more money, it's gone.

Think about not freezer storage, but cupboard storage. What keeps well in any condition? Also think about how you regularly eat. Do you need something other than water during a meal? Some flavour to keep it going? Look at not packaged drinks, but powdered ways to make water better, and canned juices that can store better in the freezer and be whipped out. A jug of minute maid from the freezer costs a quarter than a 2L in the fridge aisle. Consider that.

One of my big staples is rice. I always make fried rice. It's a great way to empty out leftovers and it is a filling meal. Got a few stray vegetables laying there? Some last minute pieces of leftover meat? Fried rice! I try and have an onion around because for me that's a rice staple. Even if it's just fried with some soy for extra flavour, or just plain, rice is a good staple if you like rice. You can also make thicker stews with rice. It's a great plain bulk staple to add lots to for flavour.

Home made soup is a good idea too for emptying out leftovers or just for a good soup. You can do amazing things with a pot of water. My mother makes soup like you wouldn't believe, and her base staple is chicken base mix. It's the basic for chicken broth. She puts that in, and from there she decides what she wants. Rich thick vegetable soup? Veggies and blend. Put rice in there and make a nice rice, vegetable and meat soup. You can do anything with soup. Vegetarians can make really healthy delicious soups very easy as well.

Potatoes can be turned into soup. They can be mashed. They can be fried. A side, a main, whatever.

The first step is to look at what you like to eat. Figure out how to make that. Think about what your tastes are. And think before you go shopping. Get a real general idea, and don't be afraid to spend some time in the store. Go down aisles you wouldn't.

Also, when it comes to cleaning supplies, look for stuff that is multi-use. You don't want to be crossing chemicals anyways, and you'd be amazed what one thing can do. I've cleaned a bathroom and kitchen with a bottle of Vim. If you're willing to rag and water it, you don't need a bunch of fancy separate entities. And easy stuff, like Lysol wipes, are pricey for their convenience. When you're saving money it's the elbow grease that gives you a return. Always make sure though that you have a decent dish soap, and laundry soap.

Spend time on the web for the local flyers! Plan trips around flyers and you will be very happy! Also, don't be afraid to take advantage of deals that cause you spend more than the norm, but save in the long run on staples. Things like toilet paper, if you can get that as a good deal, get it. You don't ever want to run out of things like toilet paper. Expensive items like laundry soap, search for the deal. Look at stores you hate because they might have a damn good deal on. Look at stores you don't think of. Flyers, if you're in the states where coupons are a big things, coupons. And yes, if the cards are free, GET THE MEMBERSHIP CARD. Loyalty cards are there for a reason and the people who say no are actively paying more money than they have to. Even if you shop there once every few months for that one good deal, get it! And if it's a points card, even better. I have had a few dinners paid for in points thanks to the card. Do not however buy into big bulk stores like Costco. They have a smaller selection of bulk only products and you will likely never finish a shopping list there alone. It's not worth it for tight budgets.

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Budgeting!?

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