Frugal Friday...

I have always tried to be frugal where I can... clip coupons, turn lights off when I'm not in a room, keep the heat low... little things like that. In these economic times, every little bit helps and I thought it would be good idea to share a frugal tip every Friday.

One of the most important tips (or advice) I can offer is to plan your meals and do your grocery shopping with a list... The later being the most important! There was a time when I used to go grocery shopping without a list and I would just "wing it". I would purchase duplicates of things I already had at home... sometimes not buying what I may have needed to make a specific meal or recipe. It was a disaster!

But then, I started making a list of what I needed... and then, I started paying more attention to the grocery store sales circulars... and then, I would try to match up coupons I had with items that were on sale (for even more savings).

And, now, I plan the dinner menu for the entire week, by going through the circulars (and coupons). So, I not only shop with a shopping list, but I actually have a plan! LOL I try to make at least one or two new recipes each week (because eating the same things all the time is boring!).

Here's what I do... First, I try to get an idea of what we'd like to have for dinner the coming week. I check what I have on hand (from my small stockpile that I've managed to build) as far as meats, dry goods, etc. Then, I check the sales circulars to see what is on sale, go through my coupons, plan the menu and then I start my shopping list (combining ingredients I may need for new recipes, together with staples or necessary items I need)

I also shop at 3 different grocery stores to try to get the best deal. (They are all local so there is no money wasted in gas).

This was my dinner menu for this week... In addition to what I needed to make each meal (what I didn't already have at home), I also purchased some staples/necessary items and few extras...

Total spent: $56.00 (that was with a few coupons totaling $1.10):

Sunday
Salisbury steak, noodles, peas

Monday
Chicken stir fry over rice

Tuesday
Chicken Francaise over linguini (*new recipe)

Wednesday
Leftovers

Thursday
Steak, twice baked potatoes, carrots (We didn't have this on Thursday night because it was too cold outside to grill... Instead, I had a smoked sausage in the freezer and made a meal from that. I will move this meal to next week or the week after)

Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & sausage
Dessert: Apple Crisp (*new recipe )

Saturday
Chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes, corn (*new recipe)

By making a shopping list (and sticking to it), planning the weekly menu, comparing grocery stores sales circulars, I've been able to save money each week... like I said before, every little bit helps!