Grocery Savings and ST-RET-CH-ING!

Today I recieved a comment from Heather Lynn that said this (in response to my posting "A Month or More of Groceries") :

"After spending $200 (AFTER Kroger card savings), I'm very curious to know what you got and what you plan to make in order to make it all last for a month (or longer). My husband and I pack our lunch every day and cook most nights, but my grocery bill has never been that low and it's usually only good for two weeks. Your advice would be greatly appreciated!"

I thought I could answer this and give her my ideas, but it would be great if others of you would chime in too so that she might get other ideas on how to save and stretch her grocery budget.

First off, not to be misleading, but I also purchase a big bag (or two) of boneless chicken breasts from Sam's (It is one of only a couple things I buy there: butter, chicken, and dish washer detergent) about once a month. This is not added to that picture you saw posted.

From there, I also keep a stocked pantry and freezer. Each month just like what you saw posted I don't end up using everthing, so I have things left over each month. These are incorporated into next month's calendar. Also, I pick up things from CVS and Walgreens when they are free or giving them away! :)

After that, I cook most everything from scratch. Prepackaged dinners are overpriced and most the time I prefer my homemade meals. Since I work, and get home later, I refuse to cook meals that take longer than 45 minutes (most take 20-30 minutes). So, prepackaged dinners aren't really faster either! Also, just because dinner is quick doesn't mean it can't be delicious and nutritious!

In addition, I do not buy seasoning packets, I buy dried herbs and spices that last forever (unlike what others will tell you - they last a good, long time - you just might have to use more!). Also, I don't buy a lot of prepacked dinners (as said before) unless they are nearly free. It is nice to pick them up when they are super cheap because you can cook even when you don't feel like it! :)

For lunches, we almost always have leftovers from the night before. Other than that, as you can see from the picture, I pick up cheap quick lunch items when they are at their rock bottom prices (like soup at hand, Campbell's soup, frozen dinners, and noodle dinners that cost less than $1).

Most dinners we have a meat, like hamburger, chicken, fish, or bratts (although most the time, like with chicken, I eat half a piece and save the other half for lunch) and two sides (like a starch -potatoes, rice, pasta AND a vegetable -green beans, cooked carrots, or frozen spinach [you can usually get a bag for under $1 at Kroger & I hear Aldi has great prices too if there is one near you]). (Other than carrots and potatoes and the occasional citrus fruit and apples, I don't buy much fresh produce because it spoils too fast for the two of us to eat it. Instead, I buy mostly frozen-just as nutritious and last much longer! :)

As you will read at other frugal sites, I have begun planning my meals AFTER I find out what is going to be on sale. I also survey what I already have on hand and only pick up the items that help round out what I already have. (This in addition to items that are ridiculously low because of coupons and sales-buy while it is CHEAP). But, for the most part we don't have too many repeats (on meals) all month! (I am also a recipe LOVER!!)

I will post more later on what we are having for dinners this month along with some recipes. But, for now I would like to hear some of the advice of others.

(Heather- if you really want to know EVERYTHING in the pic send me your email and I will give you the low down. I am not sure everyone else wants me to bore them with the entire grocery list from last week! Thanks again for your great comment- hope this helps you and others as well!)

Now it is YOUR turn... Any advice for Heather? Or ideas for stretching your grocery budget and groceries that you like to share with ALL of use? Thanks in advance for your "SWELL" ideas! :)