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by: JudeWright
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Frugal cooking is very important now because it's costing more and more to just exist in these days of the rising cost of living. It's getting to be a real problem, especially for those on a fixed income or public assistance.

One way to help keep food costs down is to buy in bulk. I'm talking about canned goods and packaged foods that have a long shelf life. You don't want to buy things like fruits and vegetables in bulk because they will likely spoil before you get a chance to use them all. You can also buy foods in bulk that freeze well, such as meats and poultry. Also, watch for bags of frozen vegetables to go on sale. These will keep for quite a while in a good freezer, especially if they are "double" bagged inside another zip-lock bag.

Packaged foods contain all sorts of ingredients that we don't need in our bodies, such as excessive salt and who knows what else. Making your own "quick" casserole from leftovers can be just as fast and a lot more nutritious than some of the stuff you find on the grocery store shelves.

Generic or "store brand" foods are generally less expensive than the more popular brands. Quality is sometimes a bit lower but when you use them in casseroles or mixed with other foods, you won't be able to tell the difference. Some generic brands are actually better tasting than brand name foods. You can try different generic brands to see which ones you like the best.

I normally go to discount stores to buy canned and packaged goods. The quality is the same but slight dents in the cans will lower the cost, sometimes considerably. The only difference is the name on the can and the color of the label. Why pay full price for something that is just as good elsewhere? You can also buy flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar at discount stores cheaper than at regular grocery stores. Do watch the expiration dates on these items. Baking powder that is too old won't work as it should and you'll be wasting your money.

You should always use a shopping list when you go grocery shopping. Don't be tempted to buy anything that isn't on your list. The grocery stores put all of those items that are expensive, sweet and fattening on the shelves that are at eye level just to entice the impulse buyers.

Plan your meals for the week before you go shopping. Look for coupons and sales in your local newspaper and create your weekly menus around those foods that are sale. You'll save money and have that additional benefit of eating meals that are more nutritious.

Go to the "Dollar" stores in your area to buy spices such as oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning and basil. You can buy more than one jar if you want to. The spices will keep just fine as long as you don't open them.

Join a "membership" store such as Costco. You may think that the membership fee isn't worth it, but trust me...I've saved a LOT of money there. You don't always find exactly everything you want but you can get great deals on cases of canned goods, paper products and pet foods. Even though Fido has to eat, he doesn't have to have "Pet Store" food! You can also get great buys on meats and poultry at membership stores. They bulk package so you'll have to divide them into appropriate meal-sized portions before freezing.

Nobody likes leftovers, but people on a budget don't always have a choice. Leftovers can really come in handy for those days you're in a hurry and just want something that will be quick to heat and serve. Use generic brand freezer bags. They're nearly as good as the more expensive branded bags. If you feel they're too thin, just double them up.

About the Author

Come by LearnHomeCooking.com for cooking lessons, information about food and lots of recipes.

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