How to save on groceries

I have been asked to explain how we are able to spend so little on groceries. Here are some of the reasons, off the top of my head:

1) We eat smaller meat portions than most. We eat the recommended serving size per meat, where as most people will eat double or even tripe that. There is 1 serving of meat per person, per meal. If you want seconds, there will be plenty of grains and vegetables available, and there is always fruit in the refrigerator.

2) We have no problem eating a meat free meal, and do so usually 1-3 times a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

3) I am not a short order cook. I make one meal and everyone in my family sits down, shuts up and eats is. Harsh? Probably. But I made the decision long ago that I would not make multiple main dishes per meals. I am the person who runs this house. It is my job. Me staying home and pinching pennies has saved us enough that it is as if I were employed outside the home. While I would never go to Marty's place of employment and tell him how to do his job, he offers me the same courtesy. As a result, my kids will eat just about anything that is put in front of them, even at a friends house.

4) If someone does not like what is put in front of them, they have three choices. Make a peanut butter sandwich, make a salad or go hungry. Those are the only three choices, period.

5) I do not use processed or convenience foods. Well, unless you count canned tomatoes. I do not buy pre-marinated, pre-cut, pre-shaped, or pre-anything. There are a few exceptions- canned diced tomatoes, pre-cut cole slaw mix (took the tip of my finger off cutting a head of cabbage, so I usually avoid them like the plague), pre-cut bagged broccoli... If I buy it, it is because it is cheaper than buying it unprocessed. The broccoli for example - I can get a 3lb bag of broccoli florets for less than what 2 bunches of unprocessed broccoli would cost. I make my own hummus and spaghetti sauce, cook beans from dry, and even make my own yogurt.

6) We eat real food. If my kids want chicken nuggets, I cut chicken breasts, bread them with corn flakes and bake them. If they want french fries, I cut a potato and bake it. If they want... well, you get the idea.

7) I buy in bulk whenever I can. If I come across a really good sale on chicken breasts, I wouldn't think twice about buying 20-30 lbs. If you buy grains, beans, etc, in bulk, Gamma Seal Lids are your best friend. If you want to find out more about bulk food storage, as a Mormon. They are the Rock Stars of food storage!

8) We are food snobs... but aren't food snobs. Let me explain. I have no problem spending $20lb on good cheese... I will NOT buy fake "cheese food." Make me a food snob? Probably. But... we eat a lot of peasant food. We can't help it. It is who we are. I am German, Croatian and Amish. Marty is German and French. Peasant food is on our blood. Polenta topped with sauteed greens and beans? I'm there! Stuffed cabbage rolls? Yes please! Red beans and rice? My mouth waters. Harira (a hearty bean soup from Northern Africa)? Yummm...

9) We don't buy a lot of snack foods. We snack on air popped popcorn and fruit, not chips and ice cream bars. I bought popsicle molds and freeze some of my flavored homemade yogurt. The neighbor kids knock on my door and ask for these over the sugar filled stuff their moms give them. Just sayin...

10) We buy no soda. If you want soda, you get a job and buy it yourself. Very rarely we will buy a couple of 79 cent 2-liters, but I would say we average 6 a year?

I have hit a mental wall, so I will pick this up when I can think again. If you have any tips to share, lease do! Just be sure they are in English, because I will not post a comment in Japanese. So stop commenting every damn day.

By the way... I forgot to tell you about another great blog. Cheap Healthy Good is full of tips and recipes that are, well, cheap, healthy and good. Scratch that. Cheap, healthy and great!