Living on your own

1. Living on your own Saving money

2. Avoid take-out/fast food • Use leftovers – soups/stew/burritos/stir-fries/salads • Make meals ahead • Make your own heat-and-eat meals • Freeze meals • Use the crock pot • Make your own skillet meals – remember ?  • Make your own sweets – cookies, popsicles from leftover juice, freeze yogurt, freeze fruits

3. Cooking Time-Savers • Precook as much as possible on the weekend for the week’s menus • Cut fresh veggies and put in baggies. Make salads in the beginning of the week. And use what’s left and not-so-fresh anymore in soups/stews/casseroles. • Use leftovers – don’t waste food/money • Roast in beginning of week as a meal; leftovers become bbq beef or philly cheesesteak sandwich

4. Meal $$ Savers • Only fill a beverage glass half full….can always pour more • Cook from scratch • Use staples not meat as the basis of diet/meals • Extend meats – use as an ingredient not main entrée, used canned meats, buy cheaper cuts • Have a “meatless Monday” • No how much it takes to serve someone – 3-4 servings/lb for boneless meat while only 2-3 servings w/ bone – charged by weight • Avoid prepackaged produce – stores trying to get rid of overhead…usually has been sitting there longer • Over-ripe bananas could be a good purchase….smoothies/banana bread/pancakes/frozen w/ choc for snack • Properly store groceries ASAP

5. Shopping hints • Make a monthly menu and then make a list – shop as infrequently as possible • Cut the junk • Plan menus around sale flyers • Eat before you go so you stick to the list • Use a calculator as you go • If possible buy in family-sized/bulk and re-package to appropriate sizes….many need to copy directions…and use unique storage spots but check unit prices • But buy perishable products in small amounts • Buy in season produce • Use store brands instead of name brands • Use coupons unless ???? • Join discount clubs • Watch while items are rung up – don’t let yourself be overcharged

6. Where to shop • Shop at grocery discount stores like Aldi’s first; rarely at a convenience store • Plan meals around purchases at the farmer’s market • Check out displays – usually put things together on sale – ketchup/hot dog buns • Know the store layout – expensive stuff around outside of store and in back • Shop there first so you know how much $$ you have left for fillers in middle • Hit the sale aisles first • Avoid areas w/ yummy smells like bakery and deli to avoid impulse buys • Know product placements – expensive usually gets eye-level shelves

7. Saving Money When Eating Out • Limit how often you eat/order out • Eat out at lunch instead of supper – cheaper rates • Go out for a snack instead of a meal – Applebee’s ½ priced apps • Shop around for good food/good prices • Eat only half of the meal served; box other half for tomorrow’s meal • Skip apps and desserts • Drink water • Use restaurant coupons; eat the daily special • Eat at culinary school restaurants