Know what stuff costs, so when you see a deal you can stock up! I’m sure there are several items you find yourself buying on a regular basis. If you know your prices and you happen to see one of your regular purchases on sale at a great price, buy as many as you can, to get the most bang for your buck.
Of course, this concept also applies to items you don’t normally buy, but you do buy occasionally. 🙂
What are your stock up prices for the regular items on your shopping list?
Here are 6 tips you’ll love on how to stock your pantry on a budget.
Having a well-stocked pantry can help make or break your grocery budget each month. The thing is, initially stocking a pantry with all the necessities to create great meals can be quite costly. It also takes time, unless you want to pay a fortune!
Here are some quick tips on how to stock your pantry on a budget:
Watch for Sales
The first way to save big money when it comes to stocking your pantry is to watch for sales on the products you know you will use in a timely matter. Be sure to stock up as much as your budget and storage space will allow!
Buy Ahead
Don’t wait until you run out of an item to buy it. This is a great way to ensure you’ll be paying top dollar! By buying ahead, you can purchase the pantry items you need when they’re on sale or on markdown, allowing you to purchase twice (or triple?) the amount than if it weren’t on sale.
Know what your family likes
Don’t stock up on things your family would rather not eat. Say you come across an amazing deal on kidney beans, but you know most of your family members hate eating them, it’s not worth the cost to stock your pantry with kidney beans that won’t ever be used, even if they were a great price.
Use coupons
There are always plenty of couponsout there that come in handy for stocking up on cereal, canned goods, bread and more. Bulk Barn also has a great coupon or two each month if you prefer to purchase some items that way. Coupons are also great for stocking your “household” pantry. I’m never without a nice supply of toothpaste, shampoo or razors!
Buy in Bulk
The unit price of rice, beans, or spices often goes down as the package size goes up. So purchasing items in bulk can be a great deal! I like to buy rice, flour and sugar in big bags because I know we’ll use it up before it goes bad. This is much cheaper for us then buying small packages each time we run out. On the other hand, buying small quantities of spices we don’t use often at the bulk food store, also saves us money.
Another thought – If you find a great deal on something when you buy it in bulk, but you don’t have the storage space, consider splitting your purchase with friends.
Think outside the “can”
Rather than always buying canned goods, (beans, vegetables), consider purchasing a bag of dried beans or a bag of frozen corn instead. Often, your money can stretch further if you go this route.
Armed with these tips, you should be well on your way to a stocked pantry on a budget! What tips and suggestions do you have for stocking a pantry on a budget?
Growing up I hated getting the same sandwich in my lunchbox. I craved variety but a sandwich is what everyone got. Even though my little girl is still few years away from starting school, I've been thinking a lot about school lunches. I've been determined to come up with a variety of different lunch ideas for my daughter. I've recently started putting together a list of back to school lunch ideas and I thought I would share.
Back to School Lunches on a Budget
Tortilla Wraps
Tortilla wraps are perfect for school lunches. They do not require utensils, the kids can hold them in their hand and you can get really creative with what you put inside. You can even get creative with the type of tortilla you use. Take one look at the grocery store and you will find flour, whole wheat, spinach and even roasted tomato tortillas. You can add lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, turkey, cream cheese, ranch or anything else that comes to mind.
Egg Salad Sandwiches
When possible I like cooking meals in advance. Knowing that I already have food prepared is just one less thing I have to worry about. Egg salad is so easy to prepare in advance and have ready for school lunches. I do prefer to put my egg salad on buns as it keeps the bread from getting to soggy. This is a great lunch to pack for school because it gives the kids a hearty lunch with lots of protein. The perfect mid-day energy boost!
Soups
Have left over soup from dinner? Don't be afraid to pack it up and send it to school for lunch. You can pick up a thermos to keep it warm and it gives the kids something different for lunch. Sending soup to school on a cold day is perfect way to warm them up!
Pita Sandwich
Pita bread is so yummy and there is so much you can do with it! You can make a pita pizza pocket, a pita chicken sandwich or even stuff a pita pocket with salad! You can change up your pita sandwich to fit your child's food preference.
Bento Boxes
Bento boxes are all the rage right now and with good reason. You can create some really unique and fun lunches using bento boxes. A typical bento box has fruit, vegetables, grains, calcium and a protein. You can skip a certain area if your child has a food allergy. You can let your imagination run wild and even get your son or daughter involved!
Snack Ideas
Yogurt Covered Raisins
Kale Chips
Vegetable Cups
Hummus & Crackers
Rice Krispie Treats
What do you like to do for Back to School lunches on a budget?
Small rooms can be a blessing and a curse. A blessing because there isn't a lot of room for tons of stuff, which means less to clean. A curse because they can get chaotic if not organized properly.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to organize a small room without investing in any expensive equipment. You do not need to hire a professional organizer to come in and create more space in your small room. Most of the items professional organizers use are available at local stores, you are simply paying for their time.
Here are some great ways to organize small rooms on a budget:
Use Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards are great because they are affordable and they take up very little space. A bulletin board is great for pinning important documents, pictures and even hanging keys. You can do a lot of different things with bulletin boards and they truly do help to keep a small room organized.
Multipurpose Furniture
Using furniture for a variety for different purposes is a great way to save space and money. You can use a desk for work, but it can also be a TV stand. You can use a leather coffee table for seating and even storage. If you live in a small apartment or studio consider getting a futon as you can use it as a couch and bed.
Use The Closet
The closet provides more space than you might think. Need a home office but don't have the space or the funds to build one? Not a problem. Find a small desk and create a home office in your closet. This is a great space-saving technique and you can easily close it up when company comes over.
Use Shelves
Shelves are very affordable and provide you with much-needed additional space. You can use shelves in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room, garage or any other small room in the house. If you really want to save some money, purchase shelves used from a Facebook buy & sell group,a thrift store or a garage sale.
Use Existing Space
Take advantage of the space that you already have in your home. Even in the smallest of rooms you can make more space without spending much money. You can purchase plastic bins that slide under the bed, hanging organizer units for the closet and even organizers that go behind the toilet. Most of these items you can pick up at Walmart, Amazonor your local hardware store.
I'd love to hear your ideas and hacks for organizing small rooms on a budget. Leave you comments below.
This following is a frugal tip from Simply Frugal reader, Lorraine!
I thought I would simply drop you a line about how I try to stretch the clothing budget. Rather than buy clothing at the beginning of a season when items are at the highest prices, we wait until the very last two weeks of the season when clothing goes on sale for 80% – 90% off. We shop the quality clothing stores and although we do not spend a fortune, we are well clothed with items that last a few years. We also tend to buy mostly classic styles that are fashionable for many years and build onto the basic wardrobe of dark slacks and dresses and add a touch of colour in the tops or jackets. For instance, I purchased two jackets lately. One was marked at a regular price of $195.00 and the other was marked at the regular price of $145.00. I got the first one for $39.99 and the second one for $19.99. I purchased slacks that were originally priced at $110.00 for $29.99. Last March, I purchased a value of $899.00 worth of clothing for the frugal sum of $215.00 with tax. The secret is to drop into the store often and keep an eye on a piece of clothing that you need and wait until it is the best price it will be during that season. Then, ask the store manager if you can get a further reduction later on if the item is further reduced. Many stores will give you the lowest price within a certain time frame. The store I deal with has a two week grace period, so I drop in once every week during that period and check to see if the item is further reduced and take advantage of further reductions if they apply.
I pretty well use the same concept for all of our purchases and shop when the sale cycle for items is in effect. By having a good stockpile, this allows me to wait out the sales and stretch our budget further and be able to treat ourselves to occasional wants versus needs.
I hope this information helps your readers as I am sure that most of them are in the same boat as most Canadians just trying to live on a budget while still enjoying life’s little pleasures.
Dinner parties are so much fun to host! However, hosting a dinner party can get very expensive if not planned properly. Dinner parties don't have to be expensive, in fact you can throw a very frugal party! Keep reading and you will be well on your way to saving money on your next party.
Keep Appetizers Simple
Every dinner party needs a few appetizers, but don't feel like you have to go above and beyond. You can can create several appetizers on a budget. Buy a big bag of frozen shrimp and set them in some pretty dishes you already own. Have another bowl with cocktail sauce. Buying frozen shrimp is much cheaper than fresh! Make dips and cut up some fresh bread or chips. Your guests are there to enjoy time with you, not critique your appetizers.
Keep the Menu Simple
When it comes to the dinner menu, try to keep it simple. You really don't need to have six courses. Serve a nice green salad, the main course and a dessert. You should also think about shopping the weekly grocery store sales and creating your menu off what is currently on sale. You can stuff chicken breasts, top steaks with cheese and grilled onions, make a roast or anything else you can think of. Making something too unique will only stress you out and cost you more money than you want to spend.
Don't Turn Away Help
If a guest offers to bring something, let them! You don't have to ask them to bring a full-course but suggest an appetizer, bottle of wine or a salad. Even a guest simply bringing a salad is one less thing you have to pay for and prepare. Most of the time guests want to bring something. Take advantage of your guests wanting to help. It will help you out and your guests will be happy to help you.
Use Your Supplies
There is no reason to run out and buy all new dishes. Take a look around your kitchen and see what you already own. Get creative with what you can use for serving bowls or serving trays. Most of the time your guests aren't even paying attention to what you are serving food on.
Shop the Dollar Store
The Dollar Store is a great place to pick up items to decorate your table. You will even find serving dishes and bowls at the Dollar Store. For decorating the table, look for candles, candle holders, flower arrangements, vases and even tablecloths. You might be surprised at what you find!
What are your tips for hosting dinner parties on a budget?
