I thought I would start a frugal tip of the week.  These are things I do to save money or cut expenses.  Now some weeks I may share more than one, but on other weeks it may only be one.  I guess it will depend on how well my brain is working that week.

Tips

1.  I keep a freezer bag in the freezer.  In this bag I put all the leftover veggies from dinner.  Usually it’s not enough for another setting.  And if I put them in the fridge for leftovers they usually end up spoiling before anyone eats them.  So I put them in this freezer bag.  After a while when I have accumulated enough, I’ll make a stew or veggie soup with them.  Remember every penny counts.

2.  I also buy the huge cans of spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, and tuna from Sam’s Club.  They are cheaper this way.  When I get home I open them up and divide them into meal portions.  I do this by placing a freezer bag in a Tupperware so it will hold the bag while I place the liquids in it.  Note I always label and date the bag before filling them.

3.  I have learned that our local grocery store marks down their meat on Thursday mornings.  So I pack the kids up and we hit the meat dept. on Thursdays.  When I get home I divide the meat up into meals, wrap it in foil, and place it in freezer bags.  Of course label and date.  I wrap the meat for 2 reasons to prevent freezer burn and so I can wash the freezer bag and use it again.  Now when you buy reduced meat you can’t leave it sit in the fridge for very long before cooking it or it will go bad.  So you have to be diligent at meal planning.