Weekly Tightwad Tips thread?

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Hi everyone, I'm back after the holiday season and being down with a bug.

Normally I am a rather frugal person but the last year or so have not been as careful as usual. This year our financial situation is going to change somewhat and I would like to get back to my tightwad status. Since many of you are also tightwads (or wanna-be's), I thought maybe we could have a weekly thread for tightwad tips? The area I'm most interested in is cutting back on grocery expenses but am open to any and all ideas.

To start off: I usually do well staying within my limits for Christmas gifts and holiday meals. This year, I was hit with a number of unexpected guests (including several of dh's grandkids), and not only ended up buying last minute gifts, but went WAY over budget on food, especially snacks. The worst was New Years, I went from a couple of guests to a houseful. Some of these were young men (with HUGE appetites) and a family who couldn't eat what I had planned because of their religion and also allergies. So I ended up buying tons of extra (and expensive) food.

To cut back on the gift expense, I plan to make as many gifts as possible this coming year. But I would like suggestions for inexpensive "party" meals and snacks. I like to shop ahead to buy stuff on sale, this last minute stuff is for the birds. BTW, the guests I had the most problem with cannot eat anything with pork, shellfish, nuts, or anything with cow's milk in it. (You wouldn't believe how many foods contain cow's milk!) Any recipes that can be easily prepared or made in advance would be especially appreciated.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 04, 2002

Answers

I dont have any tips right now but I think this is a good idea.

-- willa (goodall6@hot mail.com), January 05, 2002.

Sounds good Lenette. do you want to start it each week or do you want me to?

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 05, 2002.

Maybe it would be helpful each week to have a different frugal topic-- like auto, home, kitchen, children, finance, beauty/fitness, gardening, etc... That way it would be easier later to find them.

Also, I was wondering, if I want to add to a thread that is in archives, will it be bumped into active so people will see it or should I tell Melissa.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 05, 2002.


If you add anything to something that is in the archives, it automatically comes onto the screen under new answers.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 05, 2002.

Go right ahead, Melissa. :) My internet time is often rather intermittent, so I'd hate for anyone to count on me to post on a regular basis. Ann's idea was good also.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 05, 2002.


My best tips for cutting grocery costs:

1. Make menus based on what you have on hand and specials in stores.

2. Shop with a list (and stick to it unless you find a "great" buy).

3. Never shop hungry.

4. Leave children at home if possible.

5. Learn to cook from scratch.

Works for me. I've reduced my grocery bill to about $30 per week for two adults.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), January 07, 2002.


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