So this is your first kitchen.

[amireal]

The thing that I noticed a lot in the last few years was that when you're used to seeing what shopping for a family looks like (especially one that doesn't have to watch the bottom line very hard) it's hard to really understand what shopping for a single person should feel like. Especially if you're suddenly really concerned with the price bread,

Comments

[jrho]

If something I normally buy is on sale and will keep well, I'll buy extra. Particularly juice, granola bars (my breakfast staple), pasta, kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, etc. I know it's something I will use, and I'd rather spend a bit extra one week to save a good bit over a few weeks.

Buy the generic store brand. The taste/quality of the item is often just as good as a name brand, and store brand items tend to be on sale more often.

Get a loyalty/frequent shopper card for your grocery store. Sometimes you get coupons or special sale prices. These are free to sign up for. You can probably get away with giving all fake information on the registration sheet if you feel uncomfortable giving out your actual information.

[amireal]

If something I normally buy is on sale and will keep well, I'll buy extra. Particularly juice, granola bars (my breakfast staple), pasta, kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, etc. I know it's something I will use, and I'd rather spend a bit extra one week to save a good bit over a few weeks.

Assuming I can afford it, yes totally. Last week my market had a 10 for 10 sale on pasta. I was totally there. My favorite cheese actually has a 18 month shelf life (laughing cow), so I'll nab that too.

Buy the generic store brand. The taste/quality of the item is often just as good as a name brand, and store brand items tend to be on sale more often.

Hmm I HAVE run into a problem occasionally-- I'd say, as with any brand change, don't bet the farm on it til you've tried it, odds are it'll be fine, but often I try a single purchase first.

Get a loyalty/frequent shopper card for your grocery store. Sometimes you get coupons or special sale prices. These are free to sign up for. You can probably get away with giving all fake

[mireille719]

Hmm I HAVE run into a problem occasionally-- I'd say, as with any brand change, don't bet the farm on it til you've tried it, odds are it'll be fine, but often I try a single purchase first.

But don't (and I'm sure you know this, but I'm throwing it out there for the general public) assume that because you hate Brand X's spaghetti sauce (for example) that all of Brand X sucks.

There are a few products I will not buy generic for. Campbell's tomato soup is one of my comfort foods (and it is, at least, one of the cheaper canned soups). I don't buy it often, but when I do, it *has* to be the name brand.

[amireal]

But don't (and I'm sure you know this, but I'm throwing it out there for the general public) assume that because you hate Brand X's spaghetti sauce (for example) that all of Brand X sucks.

Yes, always try it all over again with a new product. Sometimes they get it perfect (or better), sometimes-- not so much. ESPECIALLY when going generic on the vitamins and pills (I ran into a generic that simply didn't work on me, ick).

I won't buy generic pasta sauce most of the time, it's snobbery probably. I should try it once. There's a few other items I won't go generic for but they're not coming to me now.

[an_kayoh]

1. Rice. Make a lot on the weekend so you have something besides toast to eat with your protein.

2. Hotdogs. A bit salty, but I chop them up to add nutrition to ramen.

3. Canned soup usually comes two servings to a can. Only eat one at a time.

4. One of my housemates and I buy ground beef 3 pounds at a time, keep it in the fridge and cook it up with aji-mirin (sweet cooking rice seasoning).

[amireal]

1. Rice. Make a lot on the weekend so you have something besides toast to eat with your protein.

*G* I buy bags of yukon gold potatoes, my microwave does an excellent job with them. But a good point, vary up the carbs if you can.

2. Hotdogs. A bit salty, but I chop them up to add nutrition to ramen.

As long as you're not using most or all of the ramen spice mix, you're not overdosing on the salt. You can even add veggies or some basic sauce to ramen. I wouldn't suggest a stead diet of it, but ramen is cheap and with the money you save you can get some veggies.

3. Canned soup usually comes two servings to a can. Only eat one at a time.

Hmm. I tend to avoid canned soup, they're not always so healthy for you, but if you're portioning it and eating something else on the side (even a salad) then go for it. It's also more expensive than some other items, at least, for me.

4. One of my housemates and I buy ground beef 3 pounds at a time, keep it in the fridge and cook it up with aji-mirin (sweet cooking rice seasoning).You cook it all

[an_kayoh]

2. *g* Actually, I don't use any of the flavor packet. It's too spicy for my poor, wimpy tastbuds.

3. Low sodium isn't that bad in soup. And hmmm...salad...

4. *massive fake teenage eye rolling* Actually, we don't believe in bacteria.

Two girls go through 3 pounds of beef in less than a week, which is the max time for refrigeration.

[amireal]

*hee* Sorry! Had to ask. *G*

[amireal]

You know, I was trying to figure out how to get enough leftovers for stock, since as a single person I'll probably never have a carcass laying about. Hmm. I'll switch to boned chicken now and then (a lot of my cooking now is sautee, so I'll have to shake it up and bake some) and see if I can get enough sitting in my freezer. Thanks! (Also OMG the ice cube idea. Yes. That's-- yes.)

[graycastle]

dude, vegetarianism. nothing cuts down on expenses like cutting out meat: tofu, tempeh, edammame, beans, lentils, textured vegetable protein, powdered whey protein/soy protein, and eggs are all cheap and awesome. admittedly, some protein sources (like nuts and dairy) are more expensive, but are easily affordable if you're not sinking money into beef and chicken. most north americans eat too much protein anyway, so if nothing else, paying attention to how much protein you need vs. how much protein you eat (something I had to start doing when I went mostly-vegetarian) is a great idea for everyone

[mireille719]

I would argue some of that--if you live in a very small town, tofu, tempeh, TVP, etc., can be quite expensive. OTOH, beans are always cheap. (I'm not a vegetarian, but I agree that meatless meals are a great way to save money as long as you're not buying expensive meat-replacement products like veggie corn dogs.)

[amireal]

That's about what I said-- I need to understand beans better-- I just didn't grow up in a family that used 'em-- but I live in the south now-- I can find 'em everywhere.

[mireille719]

I live in the Upper Midwest and can find them everywhere, too, now. I think they're easier to find most places, these days.

Although I grew up in the South and am therefore *used* to having beans all the time.

[amireal]

Freezing bread: YES. I often buy two loaves at a time (bread is another one that goes on sale a lot) and since I tend to toast mine a lot, even if it does get damaged by the proccess (rarely), I don't mind.

Fruit: I keep EVERYTING in the fridge, even stuff I didn't use it. *G* Avocados and potatoes do really well. Avocados actually double or triple their lifespan.

Also? Never underestimate the brilliance of frozen chicken breasts. Yes that's one of my give a little/get a little. Sometimes they're more expensive to buy, but as a single person they're much more convenient. If I have the energy I'll buy 'em cheaper and separate them my self.

[mireille719]

Also--bakery thrift stores. Even the stuff like Healthy Choice that has whole grains and lots of fiber is a *lot* cheaper there.

[amireal]

Hmm-- honestly-- I'm just not in a place where I can find places like that. I'll ask the locals though for the smaller shopping places.