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<\/a><\/p>\nSince the challenge goes through Sunday, I\u2019ll be posting my wrap up and thoughts next week, but wanted to share some budgeting tips I\u2019ve learned along the way that I plan to keep using in the future:<\/p>\n
Use juices from canned tomatoes to cook onions and potatoes in a pot instead of olive oil when making soup or chili.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Buy plain Greek yogurt because you can use it as sour cream or stir in a spoonful of jam to make it a snack. A large container is cheaper than buying individual servings.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches aren\u2019t just for kids. They\u2019re freaking delicious.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Dried beans aren\u2019t nearly as intimidating as I thought they\u2019d be and soaking them overnight, then cooking them and spooning off the foam actually eliminates their flatulence tendencies. More info <\/span><\/strong>HERE<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Cooked brown rice freezes and reheats incredibly well. More details <\/span><\/strong>HERE<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Buy diced tomatoes with spices in them to eliminate the need to add spices. For my chili, I used diced tomatoes seasoned for chili and didn\u2019t need to use any chili powder or other spices.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Frozen vegetables are great for a quick side and for baby meals (especially frozen peas).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Boiled eggs are wonderful for a quick snack and protein boost. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n These are just a few things I\u2019ve really noticed over the past 5 days, but here are some awesome money saving and dollar stretching tips that people sent me!<\/p>\n Kim says: If we have any type veggies leftover, I keep a large plastic (Folger\u2019s coffee) container in the freezer marked \u201cSoup Bucket\u201d and I just dump them in. When it is full, time to make soup!<\/em><\/p>\n Emily says: We use <\/em>emeals<\/em><\/a>. They are easy, cheap, delicious, and healthier than other choices we would normally select.<\/em><\/p>\n Kimberly<\/a> says: Have you tried the bulk bins at a health food store for spices? I go there to get something that I don\u2019t use often when a recipe just calls for a little bit.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHi\u201d says: to check out Depression Cooking with Clara<\/a><\/p>\n Kay<\/a> referred me to an interesting link<\/a> that shows chefs putting together meals using only food items readily accessible at food banks.<\/p>\n Blackhuff<\/a> says to try: Baking your own bread instead of buying bread, buying whole wheat pasta (500g) packet and eating 2 nights in a row on it, and eating tinned tuna, tinned pillchards, tinned sardines instead of meat for a week or two.<\/em><\/p>\n Andrea says: Buy whole chickens. At $0.88\/lb they\u2019re a bargain because you can eat the breasts for a meal, the dark meat for another meal, and boil the carcass with some of the hard to reach meat and make a wonderful soup. And beans\u2026dried beans, lots of them. Nutritional power-houses and cheap. But splurge on things like good Parmesan and Romano cheese because a little of each add a ton of flavor.<\/em><\/p>\n Christina says: A couple of my go-to\u2019s: chicken sausages, quiche or veggie frittata, homemade black bean burgers, pasta (usually with a dose of veggies and quesadillas with whatever leftovers I have on hand. Also anything in the crock pot! Frozen veggies are usually served on the side.<\/em><\/p>\n ELizabeth says to try: buying frozen vs. fresh, buying store brand, making meals that will stretch over more than one day<\/em><\/p>\n Erica\u2019s family has eaten on $100 a week for years and shares her tips are: We rarely eat meat. We buy things in bulk such as dried black beans. Lots of tofu and pasta with homemade sauce. We don\u2019t buy a lot of fancy fresh fruits, just bananas and apples. Frozen berries for smoothies. Yogurt, granola, and soy milk are staples. No cookies or crackers unless they\u2019re on sale. I make kale chips and try to roast veggies at least 4 times a week. We also make large pots of veggie curry or refried beans. No alcohol or juice. <\/em><\/p>\n Links to check out:<\/p>\n http:\/\/purposelyfrugal.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Christina<\/a> sent me this one about eating for $8<\/a><\/p>\n Katie said to check out The Hunger Challenge<\/a>. For the past few years the SF Food Bank has challenged people to eat on $4.72 a day for a week.<\/p>\n Misty<\/a> mentioned checking out 100 Days of Real Food<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n