Frugal Food and Cooking

Re: Bulk Buying

TizzyLizzy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:26:09 GMT

Oh, you'll hear, one way or another, lol...Liz

Re: Bulk Buying

Brandy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:19:52 GMT

Keep us posted on the progress Liz.

Re: Bulk Buying

TizzyLizzy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:16:03 GMT

Thanks for the tips, Tracy. It's still a work in progress, trying to limit store-hopping as he/we are seldom disciplined enough to buy just the sale stuff. I'll file your ideas - I like the less than $10.00 tip - I'll have to use that one on him!

An idea similar to yours that helps, I have recently found, is to let him go alone to pick up a specific sale item or two at a specific store or wait in the car while he runs in. He gets done faster if I'm not in there with him, it seems, and can stick to a short mental list rather than both of us just strolling the aisles to pass the time together, which always winds up with more money being spent than I'd planned on.

Thanks for thinking of me! Liz

Re: Bulk Buying

latenightleader — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:17:17 GMT

Liz, I like the grocery store, too, like your dh- sometimes what helps me on my 3 times a week shopping, is figuring I'll just get the 2 gallons of milk, then try to get just a bag or two of the cheapest items- try to fill the babt seat for under $10 or something like that, when it's full, I'm done! Then of course there are days that is gone in an hour or two- but if I plan the amount rather than a list, it seems to work. 15 minutes at the store, 8 minutes commuting, 2 minutes to put away- easy to do during naptime on the weekend, dh is happy to see mr back in less than 1/2 hour. I do enjoy going by myself, or with one kid.

Tracy

Re: Bulk Buying

Brandy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:20:05 GMT

Melanie, stocking up items that are suitable for storms is not really too far off topic.

I don't at this time have much prepared for a storm. With the housing we have, we have to evacuate so our storm plans are a bit different. If/when we get housing that is stable enough to weather a storm in then I'll have to prepare for extended living without power and water.

Re: Bulk Buying

babs — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:10 GMT

This sounds like Vermont too. We try to be prepared for the storms. Wood stove, food, paper products that can go in the wood stove so the trash and dishes dont pile up. Wehave town water that is gravity fed so up until now we have always had water. Occassionaly, we have had to boil it. That tends to be more summer in the dry times or floods. Neighbors tend to watch out for each other or go visit the person with the wood heat for a few days. Sleeping bags on the floor work if there is a need. Babs

Re: Bulk Buying

Melanie B. — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:06:15 GMT

Babs,

That's what my DM does too--cooks and doesn't eat it but she says it smells funny, doesn't taste right and she wonders now if it's from China. She has a 130lb. yellow lab who can hardly get up off the floor she feeds it too. If the dog won't eat it, she KNOWS it was bad! My DM can't cook and is famous for her burned green beans right from the can. I learned to cook by reading Woman's Day when I was 8 or 9 plus home ec. in the 7th grade on.

Sorry Brandy but I'm getting off subject. WHen we moved from Baltimore to the mountains and we were celebrating the move, buying a house at a local resterant the first thing the people told us was to start a pantry. Stock it with foods you could open up and eat. Have a woodstove for heat and to cook on in case the electric goes out because of snow storms,ice storms and just have enough incase you can't get out because the snow is so deep. It has come in handy more times then enough. Also make sure you have split, dry wood. Plenty of blankets for beds, to throw over windows, or put on cold spots on the floor. We also have canisters of propane for lights and a small camp stove. Store water in case the electric is off( we have a pump and septic system). WHen I know a storm is coming I get all the laundry done, have everyone get a shower and then fill up the tub with water. I use that and a bucket to flush the toilet. We also keep a supply of paperplates, plastic utensils, paper towels, handywipes,purrell, garbage bags, toilet paper, matches, lighters, candles, kitty litter, Iams dry food, go to the library and get a supply of books and magazines. We meet up with the rest of the community doing the same thing and find out all the local gossip. When the storm starts we start calling each other to check on our neighbors. Also make sure you have a full tank of gas. I know there is more but right now I can't think of it. Oh, also fill up the woodbox and bring some wood into the house and don't forget to get out the snow shovel and salt.

Melanie

Re: Bulk Buying

My Family's Interests — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:25:03 GMT

Well maybe after a certain age, you just want to eat what you what to eat lol. My mom is only 63 and lives off cookies and cakes for breakfast and lunch most of the time. Except she has to lay off them very once and a while when her jeans get to tight or start walking a lot more :) then starts all over.

Re: Bulk Buying

Brianschef — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:32:50 GMT

You're welcome! So how do you use the lists, for short term shopping or long term bulk buying? For my Gram it was pickled pigs feet and soda crackers, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for snacks. lol

Re: Bulk Buying

babs — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:53:23 GMT

LOl that sounds just like an Aunt of mine. Her last few years, she would only eat pringle potato chips, butterscotch candy and very black coffee. My mom cooks and doesnt eat it. I always tell her to call me. Dont throw it out. Someone will eat that food! Babs

Re: Bulk Buying

Melanie B. — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:58:37 GMT

Michelle,

Thanks for the link for the printout lists! I made quite a few copies for myself, my neighbor and a few for my Mother. My Mother will probably turn the paper over and write notes. She just turned 87 yrs. old and she has more speed and energy than people less then half her age. She hates to cook and she lives off ice cream, chocolate bars, and pound cake. She only weighs 105lbs. so she must be doing something right. I wish I could get away with a diet like hers!

Melanie

Re: Bulk Buying

Brianschef — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:19:35 GMT

Thanks, glad to help!

Re: Bulk Buying

Brandy — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:09:30 GMT

These are fantastic tips, Michelle! I have something of an inventory list but not this detailed and all I can say is DUH. That would help as I look to stocking up in greater quantities.

Re: Bulk Buying

Brianschef — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:01:53 GMT

I agree with Pat, for us it is the expense first. I use this method for bulk buying. I take a copy of a grocery list:

http://www.donnayoung.org/household/fullsize/ffiles/kifiles/grocery.pdf

Then I note what we have on hand. On an exact copy I note what we will use for one month, then I multiply by 13. This gives me a pretty good idea of what I use in a year and what I have on hand.

I know from experience that we will eat 2 bone in hams and 2 boneless hams a year, so I wait until Christmas or Easter and stock up. We eat about 28 pounds of pork a year, so I stock up in the spring and fall at slaughter time, and only buy the cuts we eat, and so on.

I always buy bulk spices and herbs

We buy almost all our starches, rice, pasta, instant potatoes, grains in bulk.

We love tuna and salmon canned, so we buy 48 cans of each when we hit a good sale. Other fishes, such as clams, smoked oysters, canned crab we buy as we come across a good deal.

We do the same for each room in the house, inventorying everything in that room. I know when I need new linens, new socks, toothbrushes, etc., just by checking my inventory. And it helps me keep things purged. : )

Re: Bulk Buying

Brandy — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:16:45 GMT

Agreeing on a plan is the hard part, Liz. Good luck.