Frugal Menu Mamas

So, I am still not in my new house and still don’t have internet there.  This is a rare time where I get to be online (at my hotel) so I thought I’d post.

I stayed with my parents last week.  They live in a small Tennessee town about 45 minutes from a city of any substantial size.  :)  They don’t have a grocery store that doubles coupons.  HOWEVER, my mother is the original person who really taught me to be frugal.  So, I started considering some things she does in her small town that save them money.  You could use these ideas in any town though.

-Even if your store does not double coupons, you can still utilize sales and coupons to get the best prices available to you.

-Research the area.  My mom’s town has a “grocery outlet” store.  This means that it has dented cans or discontinued items as well as a few regular items.  My mom gets fantastic deals at this place.  You have to be careful though, the selection changes often. 

-Know the money saving places in surrounding cities.  My mom knows the places in other cities that will save her money and tries to stop at them when she is in town for other events.  For example, in the town where my grandparents live, there is a “scratch and dent” type store for toiletries.

-Ask friends or family for help.  My mom does not have a warehouse club near her, so she is not a member (I guess that saves money right there!).  But when my sister or grandparents visit theirs’ they always bring my mom a few of the items she knows are a good deal at the warehouse.  Those people are already making the trip and don’t mind helping out.

I found a neat article this week on this same topic.  Check it out!

Here is part 4 in the series at Money Saving Mom.   Check out #19.  I do that one and we never suffer… 

I’m still in the process of moving.  Should be back to normal next week! 

Here is part 3 in Money Saving Mom’s series.

Want more frugal recipes?  Check out Cheap Cooking for lots of ideas.

Don’t forget to check out OrgJunkie’s Menu Planning Monday for lots of menu plans!

In my freezer co-op in WV, my friend Rhonda makes some pretty good meals.  I can’t wait to make this one on my own!  It makes 16 sandwiches, so I’m thinking, my small family of 4 could divide it into at least 3 freezer meals.  Not too bad for not too much work!  I hope you enjoy it!

Beef & Pork BBQ
(16 servings)

1 1/2 lbs. stewing meat-cubed
1 1/2 lbs. pork-cubed
2 cups onions-chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar-packed
3 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
6 oz. tomato paste
pepper blend seasoning
onion salt

-In a large crockpot, combine all ingredients.  Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender.  Stir with fork to break up pieces.  Serve on buns.
**May use all pork or all bef.  Pork may cook faster than the beef, so start the beef ahead of time, then add the pork.
IF FREEZING:  Allow BBQ to cool completely.  Spoon into Ziplock bags.

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Check out “All You”’s compilation of budget-friendly dinners.  All recipes are less than $2 per serving!

Happy Tuesday!  Today’s recipe is delicious…even my kids eat it.  In fact, we had some friends over for dinner a few months ago and their kids liked it so much, I had to give them the recipe.  It does have a lot of sugar, so be sure to brush teeth afterward!  I believe I originally got it from the CrockPot Lady’s blog.

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken

12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 6 boneless, skinless breast halves
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
2/3 cup vinegar
3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
2 T. soy sauce
1 tsp. ground black pepper

-Plop the chicken in the crock pot.  Cover with the brown sugar, pepper, chopped garlic, and soy sauce.  Add the vinegar and pour in the soda, it will bubble!
-Cover and cook on low for 6-9 hours or on high for 4-5.  The chicken is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired consistency.
-serive over a bowl of rice with a ladle full of the broth.

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Don’t forget to check out OrgJunkie’s Menu Planning Monday for lots of menu plans!

Have you ever thought about friends as one of your greatest sources of knowledge when it comes to being frugal?  I have been thinking about it a lot.  I am moving and will have to make new friends.  My friends here in WV have been instrumental in turning me into the Frugal Menu Mama I am today!

I have friends that participate in my Freezer Cooking Co-op.  I have saved so much time and money by doing that co-op.  My friends in it are always sharing ideas with me and exchanging recipes.  I am so glad they will continue the co-op when I’m gone.  It is such a blessing!

And I have other friends who inspire me because they make so many meals from scratch.  That is challenging me to put a little more effort into my meals to make them healthier.  I can’t wait to write about frugal breakfasts and lunches in a few weeks because there are amazing ladies here who make breakfast from scratch!  That has inspired me as well, and I hope to try it soon.  I am learning to bake homemade bread based on recommendations from my friends.  My friends here are always telling one another about the good deals they got and what great coupons to use each week.

Now the challenging question…do you surround yourself with friends who think you are smart or crazy for being a Frugal Menu Mama?  Do you get support and new ideas about how to save money and healthy meal ideas from your friends?  I am not saying to lose all your friends, but I am reminding you and myself to consider who we surround ourselves with.  Perhaps, if your friends spend lots of money or make fun of your coupon clipping, you can think of a way to inspire them to become more frugal.  Show them how much you save or enlighten them on how to find good deals.

I am excited about making new frugal friends when I move to GA.  But for now, thanks to Kerry (& David), Janine, Diane, Rhonda, Jessica P., Jess K., and Wendy for great recipes, for all your frugal ideas, for being great friends, and for being awesome Frugal Menu Mamas!  I will miss you all and hope you will still contribute to Frugal Menu Mamas from a distance.  :)  I love you ladies!