One of the tricks I use to save money on food/groceries, is to use up EVERYTHING in the frig. I force myself not to go grocery shopping until the refrigerator is practically empty. It makes you use your creativity to put meals together with very little. Making something out of nothing.  Like, for example, fried ham cold cuts with sauerkraut, egg, and mustard on tortillas. Also, rice, pasta, and beans can make a meal out of anything.....just add the "insert"  items, like olives, tuna, egg, blue cheese, tofu, lettace, or any vegetable fresh or frozen etc.....When one goes grocery shopping "just because it's Saturday", or when it's payday, but really doesn't need all that stuff, one ends up having doubles of items. This is because the frig is simply filling up, and things get pushed to the back. Out of sight, out of mind. Also, I noticed when my refridgerator is full, I seem to have a mental block of what to make. This is similar to the concept of not being able to see the forest through the trees, and visa versa. I find that I can always make something that is tasty, eventhough it may not be conventional. It's a feeling of beating the system when the grocery shopping trip can be stalled just one more day!!!! Here are some tips to save money:

Tip #1: Try the shelf stable milks. They have come a LONG way! If you have to run to the store just to buy milk, there's always the chance to spend money on something that's not needed. If you have the boxed milk in the cubbard, you don't have to go. Just pour it into the empty milk container with noone looking, so your family doesn't fuss. Also, have a can of evaporated milk for coffee creamer on hand. Same concept.

Tip #2:  Oatmeal is the perfect breakfast! Cheap, easy, and filling! I like the Quick Oats, because they cook quickly (1 minute) in the microwave. Oatmeal is so good for lowering cholesterol and pumping you up (and then out) with fiber. I love to add fresh fruit, cinnamin, honey, and sometimes even feta cheese. You don't need to buy the more expensive "packettes" of oatmeal, because the bulk containers are just as good. It's good to have on hand when you want to bake oatmeal cookies too!
 
Tip #3: To save money on electricity while having your morning coffee, get an insulated carafe for hot beverages, instead of keeping it on the burner. You can turn your coffee maker off and unplug it as soon as the coffee is brewed, while keeping your coffee fresher off the heat in the carafe. Appliances that produce heat eat up your household's wattage! You'll feel like you're at a restaurant also.

   Eating well on a food budget 1: Shop wisely
The conventional grocery store is not the only place to buy food. Many options are available that you may not be aware of. Some of these “new” venues may offer a significantly cheaper way to purchase food. Search out these types of stores and markets in your area and compare prices. It can save you a lot of money.

• Discount stores: Warehouse or club stores like Costco and Sam’s offer great bargains. Just be sure to only purchase what you will use. Seasonal produce is often cheaper at these stores, as are foods such as boneless, skinless chicken breast and reduced fat cheese. Due to the very large portions you will need to carefully plan how you will use all of the food. It is helpful to freeze in smaller, more manageable packages. We just got an ALDI here, and you don't have to buy in bulk! www.aldi.com
• Search out Farmers' Markets: Many cities, as well as small towns, host weekly Farmers' Markets. Local farmers bring their wares to specific locations, typically open-air street markets, and sell fresh food directly to you, often for less than you'd pay in the grocery store or supermarket. If you go towards the end of the market, some venders may sell their remaining perishable items at a discount. Bonus: you are supporting your local economy, the environment, and it's a great opportunity to socialize and get to know like-minded people in your neighborhood who might want to join a CSA (community supported agriculture) group or start a buying club with you. We have a great Flea Market in our area.
• Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many of them feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as some other products. Spanish stores have Spanish olive oil.
• Purchase generic/store brands: When you shop at conventional grocery stores, compare the unit prices on items. Often the store brand or the generic brand will be cheaper than the name brand for the same quality. Also join the savings clubs to save some additional money.

Eating well on a food budget 2: Find cheaper protein options
There are a number of ways to stretch your food dollars, such as always comparing prices to find the best deal and clipping coupons for healthy foods you like and would buy anyway. Two of most effective ways to save money on food are buying in bulk and learning how to purchase protein in the most affordable way.

Protein: how to save money and have high quality protein in your diet Protein is a vital part of a healthy diet. Whether it is from meat or vegetarian sources, our body relies on protein for many of its functions. As we know, meat can be quite expensive. But, most of us in the U.S. consume more animal protein than we need, so with a few adjustments we can save money AND have plenty of protein in our diet.

• Purchase less expensive cuts of meat and practice portion control. Not only do you save money on the cut of meat, but you can also stretch the meat for more meals when you make tasty things such as casseroles, sauces, soups, stews, and stir-fries. It is easy to add extra vegetables, beans and whole grains to create delicious, hearty, and filling meals. You also get plenty of protein and you save money.
• Experiment with vegetarian sources of protein. Veggie proteins, such as beans, are quite inexpensive, highly nutritious, easy to prepare, and taste great. Stock up on dried and/or canned beans and lentils. You’ll not only save money, but calories too! Other great sources of less expensive high quality protein are nuts and seeds, as well as eggs. Try going meatless once a week: i.e. “Meatless Mondays.”
• Canned fish and chicken are a great option for things like sandwiches, enchiladas, casseroles, and salads. These items last for a long time on the shelf so can be bought ahead. They are great to have on hand for great tasting, quick, easy, and healthy meals.

Eating well on a food budget 3: Buy in bulk
Doing things in bulk saves time and money. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper. There are many items that can be bought in bulk – grains, dairy products, and meat, for example. You can freeze perishable items, such as meat, milk, and bread, in smaller portions to use, as they are needed. It is always a good idea to buy non-perishable items, such as dried beans, grains, and canned foods, in bulk.

• Shop for produce in season and buy by the bag. When produce is in season it is at its cheapest, as well as its best flavor and nutritional value. It’s cheaper to purchase produce by the bag, not by the piece, and will fill more lunch bags and cover more meals. Some easy examples: apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, and onions.
• Check the freezer aisle. Look for the largest packages of vegetables in the frozen foods section. These are great for stir-fries and soups. Frozen and fresh veggies are equally nutritious, still taste good, and often the largest frozen bags will be cheaper.
• Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many of them feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as some other products.
• Buy all your grains in bulk (including cereals) and store them in airtight containers. Examples are whole grain brown rice, millet, barley and rolled oats. Brown Rice can be a little more expensive than white rice, but the higher nutritional value is well worth it. Whole grains are an excellent source of nutrients, including protein!
• Bulk protein comes in many forms. Meat is often sold in larger packages/portions at a lower price. Split packages up into meal size portions and freeze for later use. Tip: buy a whole chicken & have the butcher cut it up for you. Dried legumes (beans) and peas can easily be bought in bulk packages or bulk bins at grocery stores. Canned beans can be bought in flats at warehouse stores. Also look for two for one specials on dairy, which you can keep good by freezing. Cheese freezes well.

Eating well on a food budget 4: Stretch your dollar when you cook
Preparing large portions of food to use over multiple meals saves time and energy. When cooking, it’s also important to think about how to incorporate leftovers into new meals. Finally presentation has a big effect on the appeal of a meal, so a little effort put in, makes a huge difference. Use real china!

Save money by cooking in bulk It’s ideal to pick one or two days a week to cook something that can be used for multiple days and meals. Some easy ideas for cooking in bulk:

• Cook once & eat multiple times. Cook a large meal at the beginning of the week. It is easy to double a recipe so that you have extra to use later in the week for quick lunches or dinners when you don’t feel like cooking. You can also freeze half for another day. Add a green salad or other side dish and you have a delicious easy meal.
• One-pot dishes, such as soups, stews, or casseroles, are especially good because they generally save preparation time, money, and dishwashing. Plus they make great leftovers. You can even cook one pot of oatmeal and heat up a serving size each morning. Rolled or steel cut oats are nutritious, very inexpensive and you can add anything you like such as seasonal fresh fruit and nuts or seeds to create a wonderful breakfast. This is also much cheaper and more nutritious than dry cereal or the flavored packets of instant oatmeal, which are usually packed with sugar.

Make new meals from previous ones Another key to saving money on food is to make sure you are not wasting anything. All leftovers can be used for another meal. Once you have a few easy recipes to use for leftovers, it becomes second nature to do. These meals can be some of the yummiest of the week! Some ideas:

• Soups, stews or stir-fries: These meals are ideal for using leftovers. Create a base with broth or a sauce, and add any leftovers you have – whole grains, veggies and meat. A small amount of meat is perfect to add flavor and substance. Be sure to cut it into small pieces. You can be very creative with herbs and spices to create unique flavors that will please your palate. Another way to add a lot of flavor is to sauté an onion at the beginning. Be sure to allow the food to come to a boil or cook at a high heat. This way you will be sure that the leftovers are sterilized.
• Everything burritos: Most leftovers make very tasty burritos! Simply put everything into a tortilla shell (try to get whole grain!) with a little low-fat cheese and enjoy. Example: Cut up leftover meat into small pieces and add to a can of beans. Add any leftover grains and veggies.
• Experiment with combinations: Try something totally new! You may be surprised how many foods with different flavors go well together. For example, try making a large green salad and adding cooked whole grains and veggies on the top, as well as cut up pieces of any meat from another meal. Add your favorite healthy dressing and you have a wonderful new meal. I stir fry old lettace that's not fresh enough for salad.