Food

1. Get a coffee maker - don't buy coffee
2. Make dinners at home - as much from scratch as you are capable
3. Use your crockpot to save home cooling costs
4. Make sure eating out is special; once a month or once a week
5. Keep a substantial snack in your car for "just in case"
6. Make double meals and freeze one for later
7. Once a month cooking; one major grocery list, shopping, cooking and frozen dinners are waiting for you all month
8. Shop with coupons
9. Plan your menu around sales sheets
10. Keep something quick in the freezer so you don't order out
11. Buy from a wholesale club (Costco, BJs, SAMS)
12. Premake breakfasts once a week and refrigerate or freeze
13. Drink water not soda
14. Get a filter pitcher and reusable bottles
15. Eat less meat throughout the day
16. Plan meals with smaller meat portions
17. Try occasional vegetarian meals
18. Keep small portion desserts in the freezer
19. Immediately freeze any fresh produce you don't plan to use (if you buy bulk packages)
20. Create a menu and shopping list to limit shopping trips and extra purchases
21. Shop with a shopping list and don’t buy extra
22. Use a crock pot on busy days to make sure dinner is ready
23. Plant herbs and vegetables
24. Ask for freebies and discounts - military, kids, senior, teacher, …
25. Use generics (often the same exact product)
26. Watch for unit pricing! Sometimes the BIG jar is not the best deal!
27. Split large packages of food with a friend
28. Package your own individual sized snacks and foods-no vending machines!
29. Package your meat from bulk into portion/meal packages
30. Invite friends over for dinner instead of going out
31. Apply for assistance; utilities, wic, food stamps
32. Take your lunch!
33. Create a pricelist for watching for good deals on regularly purchased products
34. Get a Sunday paper for coupons (or sign up for coupon swap sites) plus printable coupons
35. Don't by 10 for $10 if you don't need 10. They really cost $1 each and you don't have to get 10.
36. Watch sales sheets for good sales on items you use often
37. Buy name brand coffee for your maker if you need to splurge - remember though, it's all just coffee
38. Learn to make a few of your favorite restaurant's dishes
39. Super Supper and Let's Dish for entertainment, great food and reasonable take home
40. Make date night at home after kids are in bed
41. Make your own birthday cakes
42. Do not buy drinks when eating out - drink water
43. Keep a zip lock with sliced cheese, pepperoni and Ritz crackers ready to grab and run
44. Don't grocery shop hungry
45. Plant a fruit tree for fruit (long term)
46. Use your food processor instead of buying labor+food; shredded cheese, chopped veggies
    
    
47. Plant a garden
    
    
48. Try the generic brand
    
    
49. Get a raincheck even if you may not use it
    
    
50. Know the coupon policy/rules for the stores you shop
    
    
51. Take advantage of double coupons
    
    
52. Bring your own bags - some stores will reward you for it
    
    
53. Don't walk out of your house without a bottle of water and a snack
    
    
54. If you HAVE to have something - buy it intelligently. Must have candy bar daily? Buy a bulk pack not individuals at the vending machine
    
    
55. If you must eat out - eat out for lunch not supper or order off the dollar menu
    
    
56. Complain - if something wasn't right - tell them. If it was really bad you may get something free out of it but management should know when things are affecting their service
    
    
57. Every few months (or every month) make note of what's in your pantry and freezer and use everything up
    
    EATING OUT
    
    
58. Split entrees at restaurants - with a friend, with your child, or take half home for the next day
    
    
59. TRAVEL: cooler and fridge space