Speaking of groceries-You can Save a lot by doing this!
8 years ago
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8 years agoRelated Discussions
how much do you guys save on your grocery bill from your garden?
Comments (20)It would be difficult (and time-consuming) to add that up, but especially if you buy organic vegetables, you will save money. Last year I purchased two kale plants and at the time I bought them I thought they were sort of expensive, I think they were over a dollar apiece. But they produced enormous amounts of kale for many months, until our weather got really hot in the early summer. I think I could have kept them alive through the summer if I had tried, but I needed the space for other things, and by then the kale leaves were tasting bitter. But for all those months, I noticed that organic kale of the same variety at the farmers market was about $4 a bunch. If I had bought just one bunch each week I guess would have saved between $80 and $100 just on kale. I was eating at least that much of it, and giving more away. Then there was the organic looseleaf lettuce I grew. I paid $2 or $3 for a large packet of mixed seed (still using it this year) and also supplied myself, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Organic lettuce was going for $2 to $3 a head but since I cut my lettuce leaves with scissors and let them regrow from the roots, I used the same plants all fall and winter and spring and saved an awful lot of money for myself and others. Beets were another good example. They are ridiculously easy to grow and a seed packet seems to last a lifetime. Yet organic beets (heck, even non-organic fresh beets) are very expensive at the market. Not every vegetable provides such a drastic cost comparison, of course. Zucchini squash is usually pretty cheap at the store, and of course it produces so much on the vine that you want to pay people to take it off your hands. Some other vegetables can be bought cheaply, although if you buy only organic vegetables most of those will cost twice as much as non-organic and that makes your cost comparison with homegrown a little more meaningful. But as most every gardener points out, the taste of homegrown food is much better, and the knowledge that food you grew yourself is safe for you and your family is priceless. When you factor in pride of accomplishment, convenience at cooking time, and the joy and pleasure of being close to nature, the value of gardening rises exponentially....See MoreDo you bag groceries where you shop?
Comments (49)Most of the grocers here bag your groceries and offer to take it to your car except for a afew of the high volume discounts which I rarely shop at as their meat and produce quality is poor. Competition is high among grocers here so I support the better ones, in the long run, I don't save much by shopping the discount stores except at Costco who still ring up your goods and put themm back in your cart. We stopped at a costco once that had self check out but we went on strike and opted for the clerk checkout. I hate self check out, if they expect to sell me something, the least they can do is collect my money and put it in a bag for me. Otherwise I check out Amazon for the items. I would rather support vendors that are trying their best to show you they appreciate your business....See MoreDo you think I can save this....and do I want to?
Comments (11)I do like the cider brined pork roast, but I never let it sit overnight, and I only use my own pork, the commercial stuff is nearly always already full of "flavor enhancers". I tried brining the turkey/chicken/pork etc. and just didn't care much for it and I seldom marinate beef either. I guess I just like the flavor of the meat itself, without adding anything. Plus brine just seems to add too much salt for my liking, I can taste the salt over everything else. Sorry about your pork loin, though, that type of experience is why I seldom buy prepared foods. I'm picky and I usually just don't like them. I don't think I've ever eaten any product at all from Smithfield, so maybe they just aren't good, as Beverly doesn't like their ham either. Annie...See MoreDo you use reuseable bags at the grocery?
Comments (35)I had a few and used them around the house and for traveling and then one store put them on sale for 49¢ and gave 5¢ credit for using it right away, and of course 5¢ credit each time you use them. The older female cashiers are pretty chintzy on how many bags they'll credit you so you need to watch for that at these stores although another nickel or dime isn't *that* big a deal. I also got a bunch for free from Menards so I have a bunch now and I use them for a lot of things. I was skeptical at first about whether I would use them consistently. At first it was just Rainbow that gave the credit but that's my preferred store most of the time anyway. I wondered if I'd remember them when I needed them but I started just leaving them in the vehicle and then just had to remember to bring them in. There's been a time or two I forgot to bring them in but that's not often. I've probably paid for them now from the credit. And I do line them for messy things. I usually prefer to pack my own groceries. Mine have the plastic card for the bottom and are very easy to clean. I can't help but think that the poly version would be more sanitary than canvas but who knows. A quick spray with cleaner, a wipe around and I usually let the cleaner sit on it for a bit then a rinse off and hang them up. Who says they're not washable? :) But even with the regular plastic bags, doesn't anyone else carry more than one at a time? Depending on the weight and bulk I can carry 4 or 5 in each hand pretty easily if they're not too heavy and bulky so I don't see how I can carry more in the reusable ones. I can often carry a couple of the reuseable ones in each hand too....See More- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
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lisa_flaOriginal Author