Tiffany, I have been using your meal planning service, and I feel like I am getting better each month at eating out of my pantry. So this month — navies.

Thanks for all you do — you and your family are inspiring to mine! LOVE this post! My husband recently passed away, and I often find myself at the grocery, getting to the checklane with very little in my cart.

I am often nauseated, which makes it difficult to choose what might sound good over the next week. I have at least a few times purchased a particular item that sounded good at the time, take it home and eat part of it for a meal, then not being interested in it at all, so the remainder goes in the garbage, because I ignored it until it was not edible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And, by the way, my doctor wants me to go gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and walk 10 minutes on the treadmill after every meal.

I told her that this would qualify as another major life event, but I would do my best to work on it. Martha — have you considered shopping and cooking with someone else who is in a similar situation as you?

Maybe the companionship a couple nights a week would help off-set the side effects of mourning. I know this is a tough time, and I will pray that God gives you peace! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Start Here Grocery Budget Bootcamp Blog About Search this website.

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What a great find Marcia! So glad the weekly newsletter helped! Thanks for leaving this encouraging note! Get a second opnion on that that is an expensive lifetlye change. Good luck. Be sure that when you are buying in bulk you will actually eat what you are buying and also have a way to store it.

Do you do these things? What tips would you add? Your email address will not be published. Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Skip to content. Learn to Stock a Frugal Pantry If there was one thing that the generations that went before us knew, it was how to feed their families on a small budget and fill their pantries with frugal, filling ingredients on a dime.

Please consider sharing: Facebook Pinterest Twitter Tumblr Reddit Email Print. Previous Previous. Next Continue. Similar Posts. We need to get back to the basics of stocking our pantry and putting food up like our grandparents did. I'm flagging this post to refer back to and share!

you are so right Maribeth. I am sharing and teaching this concept to everyone who will listen. basically just he prepared.

there are lists on here that address shopping and what to buy each week to stock pile on a budget. this is a 52 week plan and very well done and easy to adjust to your needs.

HI Missy, thanks for your practical wisdom on this topic. Finding frugal ways to feed my family is fast becoming a passion of mine. Your blog has been a great resource for me!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the blog and thanks so much for letting me know Erin! I love this, but isn't it also true that our grandmothers didn't work outside the home and thus had time to make everything from scratch? I work from home and I have more time than most, but my hubby does not cook disabled.

I can't imagine running my business and making everything from scratch! Valid point. Life is sure different than it was back then, but I think with careful planning and prioritizing cooking from scratch is definitely still possible in our culture. And I take advantage of convenience items too.

They didn't work outside of home but mine cooked 3 meals a day. She took care of her chickens, washed clothes in a wringer washer and in general helped on the farm. My mom worked a full time job and cooked from scratch.

I work a full time 40 hour a week job. I too understand what it is like to not have time to make everything from scratch. However you can make a big difference in just a short time. I make mixes which enable me to "cook from scratch" every weeknight even when I am dead on my feet. I have cornbread mixes made in individual ziplock bags that all I need to do is throw the dry mix in my bread machine and add the wet ingredients and hit a button.

I make crockpot dump meals frozen where all I need to do is empty one into my crockpot in the morning and by 5pm dinner is done. I have a ton of those recipes and they are very easy to find online. My weekend consists of about hours of "meal prepping" cutting up vegetables, make the seasoning sauces or mixes and getting it all ready to bake or prepped for other means of cooking.

Believe it or not, we rarely eat anything out of a box and do not do take out. It can be done with just a little effort. Wow Sandy, thanks for the tips about mixes and sauce preparation.

That's a new way for me to try out when I need to work at day and still cook my family meals everyday. Good luck and God bless! I find that getting into a routine with cooking from scratch makes it less time consuming.

Planning ahead also helps. I use to do all this bulk buying but as it's only me and now instead of a huge farm house i live in a tiny condo no point but I've always cooked fresh and have a tiny pots garden lots of pots full of fresh food and I never buy instant foods I make my own bread everything is home and hand made cheese also.

I buy short dated meat and cook it immediately or the next day or freeze it. Especially in hot weather, it is nice not to have to run the oven! And I never have to throw out an old bottle of barely-used spice. Remember, a frugal pantry is not about deprivation.

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The Benefits of Building a Frugal Pantry Stocking a frugal pantry can provide many benefits, including: Savings : Buying in bulk or during sales can significantly reduce your grocery bill. You can also avoid pricey last-minute takeout or fast food when you have ingredients at home to make a quick meal.

Emergency preparedness : A well-stocked pantry can be a lifesaver in a natural disaster, financial crisis or pandemic. Convenience : Having a variety of staples on hand allows you to create meals on short notice without making a shopping trip. Less stress : Knowing you have plenty of food on hand can reduce stress and anxiety about meal planning and last-minute shopping trips.

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Rice Rice is a staple food that is versatile, filling and affordable. Beans Dried or canned beans are a great source of protein for many dishes, such as soups, stews and salads. Canned Tomatoes Use canned tomatoes as a cheap base for sauces, soups and stews.

Oats Oats are an affordable and nutritious breakfast option that are also great for making baked goods. Peanut Butter Peanut butter is an affordable source of protein, great for sandwiches, smoothies and baking. Oils I always keep vegetable and olive oil on hand. Onions You can add onions to so many dishes for added flavor and depth.

Baking Staples Keeping basic staples on hand, such as flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, will allow you to stop buying baking mixes at the store.