Cutting Costs in the Kitchen

Last year we saved thousands of dollars on our food costs. Yes. You read that right. Thousands. I believe about $2600. I don't know what this says about how we were eating before, but I certainly feel good about how we are eating now.

After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Ah, Barbara, I love you...) and watching Food Inc. I made a series of small steps surrounding our food consumption. I am simply amazed at how things added up. And the best part is, I think we are eating healthier than we ever have before.

And I think we will save even more this year.

Now, I will be the first to admit that nothing here is an original idea. In fact when I look at this list, if I had just ate like I did when I was little to begin with, we probably could have bought a bigger house by now! But just in case you are interested...

1) I LIMIT OUR DINING EXPERIENCES. This was THE big saver. Almost $3000 saved here, though our grocery bill had to go up slightly to compensate. Now just so we are clear, by "dining," I mean every time we purchase food outside the grocery store, so this includes such fine dining establishments as McDonalds and even carry out pizza. To truly limit dining, A LOT of planning must take place. Sometimes it is really hard not to just swing into a drive thru and entertain the children with Happy Meals. I must always think ahead to what food we may need for errands, and Geoff has to remember to bring some leftovers with him for lunch. In addition, we sometimes dine with Geoff at the shop when he is working late. In the past I would usually have picked up something on the way. Now I try really hard to make a pizza or a casserole and pack a picnic. Though $20 at McDonalds doesn't seem like much, I can supply a well balanced meal for our family for literally half the cost.

2) I SHOP AROUND. I shop at our normal grocery store, the super discount store, and the health food store almost every week. In general, what I have found for our purchases is that baking ingredients and junk foods are cheaper at the discount store. Organic products and basic bulk foods like beans are cheaper at the health food store. And anything that falls out of these categories has to be bought from the supermarket. I have been amazed at the price difference on the same exact product from one store to the next.

And for the record, I do not like the food warehouse thing. I think it generates too much waste, takes too much storage space, provides inconsistent products so knowing pricing is problematic, and encourages spontaneous purchases. Though I'm sure it can save money, it requires a lot of discipline and ongoing research.

3) I BUY EXTRA IF THEY ARE ON SALE. I don't buy something just because it IS on sale. But if something I buy regularly is on sale, I pick up an extra.

4) SOME ITEMS I ONLY BUY IF THEY ARE ON SALE. This includes mac-n-cheese (we like the organic - less sodium) and hot dogs (Again - a specialty hot dog. Think of the money we would save if we weren't so choosy about our food!)

5) I LOOK FOR LESS EXPENSIVE COMPARABLE PRODUCTS. I used to be very hooked on certain brands. Now I compare labels and if something seems as healthy, and is less expensive, I will try it. Sometimes it doesn't work. Like the kids did not go for the generic cereals.

6) I BUY A LARGE SIZE PRODUCT AND PACKAGE IT MYSELF. It is more economical to package your own yogurt servings, and it is more ecological. Sorry, kids. No snack bags of crackers for you.

7) I AVOID PREPACKAGED FOODS. I refuse to buy cookies, cupcakes, and health bars. Granola bars and frozen organic hash browns are special treats. I do a lot more baking. And it is SO MUCH better.

8) I CUT OUT THE JUNK. Well, almost. No more chocolate milk flavoring. Ice Cream is no longer a staple. I'm done nursing anyway - who needs the calories!

9) I BUY WHAT'S IN SEASON. To some extent. I'm not quite the die hard like my love, Barbara. But I am so ready for strawberry season!

10) I DUG OUT THE SLOW COOKER. For those hectic days, it is so rewarding to come home to a prepared dinner. I also use the slow cooker for a lot of beans. Healthier than canned and even cheaper.

11) I PREPARE FOOD FOR LUNCHES. I usually make one meal a week just to stick in the freezer and eat as needed. Breakfast burritos, soups, and beef stew are favorites. Geoff can grab them on his way out the door, and the kids and I can eat them if we are rushed like on a soccer practice night.

12) I EXPANDED THE GARDEN. I used to just grow a "salad." Last year I experimented with refrigerator and freezer canning methods. How great to pull out home grown organic pesto, peppers, spinach, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, and jelly.

13) WE RUN OUT OF FOOD. This isn't as bad as it sounds. For example, we have been out of jelly for several weeks, and I refuse to buy more until I can buy some fruit economically and make some myself. And sometimes we have to eat our tacos without lettuce. Sometimes we have to eat something else.

14) I STICK TO THE BASICS. To sum up, my shopping cart now looks like a food pyramid pamphlet. It is filled with flour, eggs, milk, bread, fruit, vegetables, nuts, butter, meat, and not much else.