Budget Cooking

Budget cooking and home canning go hand in hand. If you are the type of person who is interested in home canning I'm guessing that you are just like me and you are cooking on a budget.


Like me, you don't have unlimited resources for your food budget. Budget cooking is a skill. It is something that is learned and you will discover more and more ways to save on groceries as you experiment with different methods.

Menu Planning

• Make a menu and stick with it. I am great for making grand plans and then for whatever reason I don't stick with it. I don't 'feel' like having what I've planned or life gets in the way and dinner time is here and I didn't get my meal prepared. I realize that this will happen from time to time.... but when it happens often and time and time again... maybe it is time for a bit of self discipline and planning.


• One tip for menu planning is make breakfast easy. Have the same things each day of the week. For instance every monday is pancakes, tuesday is omlettes, wednesday is oatmeal, etc. Pick your favorite 7 breakfast meals and assign them a day. If you have a particular morning that you know is usually hectic... make that one an easy meal or make ahead breakfast casserole. You can occasionally switch it up but for the most part breakfast doesn't need to change.
  
  
• My menu plans don't usually include lunches. Lunches most often are leftovers from suppers that week.

• Shop at home. Before you make a menu for the week. Take a look in your cupboards and pantry. See how many meals you can come up with just from ingredients you already have. You might be surprised. Make it a goal to eat only from your own stock for a week. See what happens. You may need to buy milk or eggs but you'll be surprised at what you can come up with if you really try.


• I found a nice new site all about meal planning. If you want even more tips... check her out.

Shopping

• Have a shopping list. Stick to the list. This is a common tip but it is true. If you stick to the list, you won't end up with all the expensive surprise items that end up in your cart. Works for me everytime.
  
  
• If possible leave small children at home. I fully realize that it is not always possible, and really we should have our children trained not to be a distraction when shopping. If I am honest though.... it makes for a calmer trip.
  
  
• If you have older children give them a list. I have a friend who divides up her list for her older sons and they all grab a cart and meet back to check out. She has trained them to look for sales and compare prices yet they are aware of her favorite brands as well. She is my hero. I have yet to do this... but it is a great idea.
  
  
• And finally the classic, and over used, but oh so true,.... don't shop hungry!

Budget Cooking and Convenience Foods

• Convenience foods take up a HUGE portion of most families grocery budgets. Learn to cook convenience foods with those products that you have preserved. Things like sloppy joes or pizza can be made at home.
  
  
• Make ahead mix recipes are available for many sauces, rice mixes and seasoning packets.
  
  
• Can your own beans and meat for chili or soups. Home canned ingredients are easily and quickly combined into soups and stews.
  


• Even a chowder or potato soup base can be made and canned ahead of time without the cream or milk products. These can be added at the time of serving.