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How To Stretch Meals

March 4, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to stretch your meals so you can spend less on groceries.

One of the biggest budget busters in most households is the grocery budget.  There is no denying the fact that food is expensive.  However, there is good news!  Groceries is one category in your budget that you can lower!  It definitely takes a little bit of extra work and effort, but it can be done.  There are a few different ways to lower your grocery expenses, and one of my favorites is learning how to stretch meals.

What Does It Mean to Stretch Meals?

Stretching meals simply means to make the food that you have last longer, feed more people and prevent waste.  It’s really easy to do too!  All it takes is a little more planning and creativity, but each of the following tips are so easy!

Here are 10 ways you can stretch meals so you can save more money.

stretch meals save money - how to cut the grocery budget

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1.  Meal Plan

A smart meal plan is the first step to stretching meals.  When you make a meal plan, try to plan meals that will use the same ingredients.  This is an easy way to reuse ingredients before they go bad.

For Example:  Buy one head of lettuce and plan three meals that week you can use the lettuce for.  Or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and meal plan several meals for chicken, like I did here.  These meals might be Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, etc.  Here’s how I use one Roast Beef for three meals.  It follow the same plan, buy once and use three times so it doesn’t go to waste.

  • Related:  Start Meal Planning For The Complete Beginner

2.  Use Less Meat

Meat is one of the most expensive parts of the meal.  Stretch the meat out for more meals by using less than the recipe calls for.

For Example:  If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 lb. of hamburger meat, use 3/4 lb. instead.  You probably won’t even notice the difference in your meal.  You can then use that extra 1/4 lb. hamburger for another meal.

3.  Souper Tuesday

Soup is so cheap to make and an easy meal to stretch!  I love making a huge pot of soup when I feed large groups or as a way to feed our family for several meals.

Consider turning Tuesday dinner into, “Souper Tuesday.”  This will be the day each week when you will make soup for dinner.  The pot of soup that you make should last your family for several meals.  You can even freeze the leftover soup to use for a later meal.  Just make sure to use it within the next 3 months.

  • Freezing Tip:  Freeze broth based soups simply by pouring it into a Ziploc freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air, seal tight and place in your freezer.  This will stay fresh for 3-6 months.  To thaw:  place frozen soup in fridge and let it defrost overnight.  Warm it up over the stove and enjoy!

Get creative with your soups!  Most soups can be made just by tossing together a few ingredients you already have in your pantry.  A little bit of chicken, broth and veggies will make a fantastic soup!

4.  Include More Side Dishes

Usually the main dish is the most expensive.  You can stretch the main dish out by adding more sides to your meal.

Try using a variety of side dishes and mix it up daily to keep the meals more interesting.

A few of our family favorite side dishes are:

  • Homemade French Bread
  • Fruit Salad
  • Green Salad
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Potatoes
  • Rice

Each of these ideas are budget friendly (especially if you shop sales) and very filling.  Encourage your family to take a few sides along with the main meal.  This will fill the family up quicker, making you able to use your main dish for a few other meals throughout the week.

5.  Use a Filler

Try adding a “filler” ingredient to your recipes.  A “filler” is just a cheaper ingredient, one that the recipe doesn’t call for, that you add to a meal to make it more filling and bigger.

A few of our favorite fillers are: pasta, rice and beans.

Beans

A can of beans is one of the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add to recipes as a filler.  All it takes is opening up a can!

You can use any of your favorite kind of beans, we prefer black beans, pinto beans or refried beans.

These can be added to a wide variety of meals including:  enchiladas, soups, or tacos.

Pasta

Pasta is cheap and filling.  You can easily add it to soups to make them more filling.

Rice

Rice can be mixed with beans or meat to use in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.  This is also a great filler for soups!

Use your imagination and get creative when choosing fillers!

6.  Meatless Monday

Try incorporating less meat into your meals.  We do this by having Meatless Monday each week.  This is one day of the week when I prepare something, well, meatless!

A few of our favorite Meatless Monday dinners are:

  • Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Homemade Mac n Cheese
  • Bean Burritos
  • Pasta Bake
  • Spaghetti

Grab a few of these recipes in Mel’s Home Cooking Recipe Book!

7.  Appropriate Servings

Many of us (definitely me!) eat larger servings than is necessary.  Stretch your meals by eating smaller portions.  It’s important to eat enough, just focus on not over eating and this will help you save more for the next meal.

Our eyes might want two large spoonfuls, but remind yourself that one large spoonful will be enough to fill your hunger.

  • Tip:  Eat on smaller plates to help keep the portions smaller!

8.  Meal Prep

Meal prepping in advance is an easy way to ensure you have smart portions for every meal.

I like to set one day aside each week as my Meal Prep day.  This is the day when you will cook your meat, chop your vegetables, and separate all the ingredients into daily meals.

When we prepare the food in advance it’s much easier to plan out the servings and ensure nothing goes to waste.

Store your dinner portions in Tupperware, Ziploc bags or, I really like these containers.

9.  Add Water

Stretch meals by adding water to the recipe.  Water is FREE, making it the cheapest ingredient you own!

You can add extra water to soups or stews to stretch the broth a little further.  Your family won’t even notice the difference, and your soup will last much longer!

10.  Save All Leftovers

All food can be reused!  Try to get into the habit of saving any and all leftovers from each meal.  This food can all be used for a different meal in different ways.

Freeze It

If you don’t think you will be able to use up the leftovers within the next few days you can easily freeze it for later.  Just let the food come to room temperature, put it in a Ziploc bag, get out all of the air, and toss it in the freezer.

For a full list of what can be frozen check out this list from Lauren Greutman.

Reuse It

If you have enough leftovers for another meal, consider saving it to eat the next day.  We love to have leftovers for lunch, and sometimes even dinner.

Re-purpose It

If you don’t have enough extra food for an entire meal, add the leftovers with some other ingredients to make a complete dinner.  You can turn most leftovers into a soup or casserole, simply by mixing it with something else!

We love to use leftover taco meat for soup the next day.  I just mix the taco meat with some cans of beans, tomatoes and water and wah-lah-Taco Soup!

 

In Conclusion

Try think outside the box when you are stretching meals.  There are so many different ways you can save money on groceries and make the food you have at home last longer!  You can do it!

 

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Lower your Grocery Bill

Freeze Chicken in Bulk and 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

Pin This Article For Future Reference:

Stretch food to last longer - how to save money on groceries

prevent kitchen waste and make food last longer

Stretch meals and prevent waste with these easy grocery saving tips.

Seasonal Sales Cycles: What To Buy Each Month For The Best Deal

January 13, 2022 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The Best Time To Buy Everything Month By Month

Ok. I want to let you in on a little secret…..are you ready for it????  Here goes!  

Shopping seasonal sales will change your finances.

There, I said it!

Will this one little hack change your finances drastically????  No!

But, will it help you to have more money?  Absolutely!

 

What is a sales cycle?

A sales cycle, also called seasonal sales, is when certain products are put on sale at specific times during the year.  These are usually the times when the products will be priced at their lowest, so if it’s an item you like to buy frequently, you should buy it during that time.

Learning the cycle of seasonal sales is one of the best ways to cut down your regular spending.  I like to wait to buy some of my fave products until I know the sale is likely coming, and then I can confidently buy it at the low price.

What stores have seasonal sales?

Are you wondering what stores have seasonal sales cycles?  Well, you’re in luck because all of them do!  Seriously!  Or at least at MOST stores.   You should be able to find a rotation of sales at clothing, grocery, furniture, hardware stores and more!

Items go on sale in cycles, typically the same products will be on sale the same time of year each year.  Keep reading to find out exactly what goes on sale and when.

 

What’s on Sale in January?

Bedding and Towels:  Many department stores will have sales on their bedding, towels and sheets during January as part of their “white sales.”

Holiday Decorations:  As Christmas ends, you will find huge discounts on all things holiday.  These usually begin right at the end of December/beginning of January.  But make sure to be quick shopping for all things Christmas, as these items will go fast!

Gym Memberships and Equipment:  With the turn of the New Years comes New Years Resolutions, and many goals revolve around fitness.  Because of these goals retailers commonly mark down their gym memberships and fitness equipment.

Calendars and Planners:  If you wait until after January 1 you will be able to get a cheaper price on calendars and planners for the upcoming year.

Toys:  Another great seasonal sales cycle that comes in January is toys!  You should be able to find markdowns on many toys as retailers are trying to decrease their stock of Christmas toys.  This is a good time to stock up for next year or for birthdays!

Grocery Sales in January

Oatmeal Products:  January is National Oatmeal Month, which means grocery stores will put their oatmeal products on sale.  The sales will include granola bars, instant oatmeal, and oat cereal.

Diet Foods:  As mentioned above, January is a popular month for dieting.  A lot of stores take advantage of these new years goals by putting their diet foods on sale.

Party Foods:  Towards the end of January, as the Super Bowl gets closer, you will be able to find markdowns on party foods.  Look for deals on crackers, pizza, wings, chips, dips, soda etc.

In Season Produce:  This month the cheapest produce to buy will be:  apples, grapefruits, kiwi, lemons, clementine’s, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels spouts, celery, and leeks.

 

  • Related:  How to Save Money When Eating Out

 

What’s on Sale in February?

Winter Clothing:  February is a great time to stock up on cold weather clothing, such as clothes, gloves, hats, etc.  Many stores are trying to get rid of their supply to make room for summer/spring clothing.

TVs:  The beginning of February is one of the best times (excluding Black Friday) to buy a new TV.  The prices are heavily discounted right before Super Bowl week.

Furniture:  If you are in the market for new furniture/mattresses, Presidents Day is usually a great time to buy these items!

Video Games:  New video games are commonly released in November, right before the holidays.  If you wait until February to buy these new games you will most likely get them on a discount!

Grocery Sales in February

Chocolate:  Chocolate is heavily discounted after Valentines Day.  Stock up for birthday gifts or yummy snacking!

Canned Food:  February is National Canned Food month making it the perfect time of year to stock up on all the canned goods.  Most grocery stores will be having sales on canned foods including beans, tomatoes, soup, fruit, etc.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce in February includes asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, kiwi, avocados, lemons and grapefruit.

 

 

What’s On Sale in March?

Luggage:  Luggage typically goes on sale during March, so if you are in need of a new suitcase, this is your month!

Craft Supplies:  March is National Craft Month!  Look for deals on all things craft supplies this month.

Winter Sports Gear:  Now that spring is coming it is a perfect time to buy winter sports gear.  Items like skis and snowshoes will be discounted at many sporting good stores.

Cleaning Supplies:  Spring cleaning is just around the corner and many retailers will start discounting their cleaning supplies in March.

  • Related:  5 Easy Homemade Cleaner Recipes

Grocery Sales in March

Frozen Foods:  National Frozen Food Month is in March, meaning many grocers offer deals on all things frozen foods.  It’s the perfect time to stock up on ice cream, frozen veggies, pizza and more.

Breakfast Cereals:  March 7th is National Cereal Day and with that comes discounts on both cold and hot cereals.

In Season Produce:  This month is also a great time to buy broccoli, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries.

 

What’s On Sale in April?

Easter:  Stock up on all things Easter after the holiday is over.  You will be able to find deals on Easter baskets, eggs, candy, stuffed animals, and decorations.

Vacuums:  New vacuum models are typically released in April, and the older models will go on sale, just in time for spring cleaning.

Snow Blowers:  April is not the month when most people have snow blowers on their mind, but it is the perfect time to buy one for a discounted price!

Cookware Sets:  With graduation and wedding season approaching many department stores start discounting their cookware sets (which make perfect gifts)!

Grocery Sales in April

Ham:  Many foods will be marked down immediately after Easter, including ham!  It’s a great time to get a deal on this expensive meat.

Baking Items:  You can usually find some good deals on baking items throughout the month of April.

Easter Candy:  Make sure to stock up on Easter candy after the holiday is over.

In Season Produce:  The produce in season during the month of April is:  artichokes, beets, zucchini, peas, mushrooms, onion, avocado, and mangos.

 

What’s On Sale in May?

Furniture:  Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy furniture.  If you are needing any indoor furniture or mattresses, this is the month to do so!

Small Kitchen Appliances:  May is the perfect time to get deals on small kitchen appliances as retailers mark them down for graduation and wedding season.  

Paper Products:  A lot of grilling/picnic items go on sale right before Memorial Day weekend, including paper products like plates, napkins, etc.

Grocery Sales in May

Cinco De Mayo:  Cinco De Mayo is on May 5th which brings a lot of celebrations, and a few deals!  At the beginning of the month look for sales on salsa, tortillas, and other Mexican foods.

Grilling Items:  Condiments, hamburger buns, hot dogs and other grilling foods are commonly put on sale during May in preparation for Memorial Day BBQs.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to look for these seasonal produce items:  apricots, artichokes, beets, blackberries, carrots, cantaloupe, peas, radish, strawberries and watermelon.

  • Related:  How to Freeze Strawberries (the easy way)

 

 

What’s On Sale in June?

Bath and Body Products:  Bath and Body Works always has their semi annual sale in June with fantastic markdowns!  This is a great time to stock up on your favorite bath and body products, I also like to buy a few to gift as Christmas presents!  This is one of my favorite seasonal sales cycles!

Tools:  With Fathers Day in the middle of June, you will find prices on tools dropping.  These make great gifts for Fathers Day, but you can also plan ahead for Christmas!

Workout Clothing:  Many retailers put their workout clothing on sale in June as people tend to get more active during the summer months.  This is a good time to get a deal on clothes for exercising or outdoor adventures.

Spring Clothing:  June is a great month for shopping clothing clearance racks.  Most of the spring clothes are put on sale to make room for all of the summer items.

Pain Killers:  Did you know that June is National Headache Month (yes, this is a real thing!)?  You can usually find a few deals on pain killers, sinus medications, aspirin, etc.  

Grocery Sales in June

Dairy Foods:  June is National Dairy Month and with it brings grocery deals on all things dairy, including milk, yogurt, eggs, ice cream and cheese.

Grilling Items:  Like May you can find a lot of deals on foods for grilling, such as meats, condiments, buns, etc.

In Season Produce:  Here are a few of the produce items that are in season this month:  corn, cucumbers, squash, apricots, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in July?

Patriotic Items:  Immediately after the 4th of July is the best time of year to stock up on supplies, decorations and clothing for next years celebrations.  These sales will begin right before the holiday, but if you wait and buy after the 4th, the discount will be even greater.

Paint:  Lowes and Home Depot typically have paint sales in July.  If you’ve been wanting to paint a room in your house, this is a great month to do it!

Swimsuits:  Near the end of the month you will start seeing discounts on swimsuits, stock up now before they get picked over!

Grocery Sales in July

Ice Cream:  July is National Ice Cream Month (AKA:  the best holiday ever!).  Grocery stores will be having sales on ice cream, so be on the lookout for those throughout the month!

Hot Dogs:  In addition to ice cream, July is also National Hot Dog Month!  You will be able to find deals on hot dogs, buns and condiments.

In Season Produce:  Seasonal produce this month include blueberries, watermelon, green beans, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

 

What’s On Sale in August?

School/Office Supplies:  August is a popular time for retailers to mark down their school and office supplies in preparation for back to school time.  Stock up now and be prepared all year.

Patio Furniture:  As summer comes to an end, you will be able to find good deals on outdoor patio furniture.  It’s a great time to buy ahead to use for next year!

Yard Care Supplies:  This is the perfect month for buying garden supplies, lawn mowers and other yard care items.  Retailers are marking down yard care supplies to clear them out before winter comes.

Grocery Sales In August

Breakfast Foods:  The first day of school will be starting soon, and typically the seasonal sales cycles include deals on easy foods for parents and kids.  Breakfasts items is one of those foods.  You should see sales on cereal, juice, and frozen waffles.

Cold Lunch Foods:  In addition to breakfast, food items for cold lunch will also be going on sale.  Make sure to stock up on fruit cups, lunch meat, lunchables, crackers and peanut butter.

In Season Produce:  Stock up on these produce items in August:  peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, raspberries and watermelon.

 

What’s On Sale in September?

Summer Clothing:  September is the perfect month to stock up on warm weather clothing to use for next year.  You will find big discounts at most clothing stores.

Luggage:  Labor Day weekend typically brings great sales on luggage.  Make sure to buy any suitcases you will need during the first weekend of September.

Grills:  This is the perfect month to buy that new grill you’ve been eyeing.  They will be marked down as part of the end of summer clearance sales.

Mattresses:  Another popular Labor Day weekend sale is on mattresses.  Check your local furniture store for this great seasonal sale cycle deal!

Grocery Sales in September

Canned Soup:  Fall is just around the corner and you’ll begin seeing markdowns on fall comfort foods, such as canned soups.

In Season Produce:  Make sure to watch out for good deals on these September produce items:  apples, green beans, cantaloupe, beets, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes and pears.

 

  • Related:  How To Stop Overspending

 

What’s On Sale in October?

Jeans:  October is one of the best times of the year to buy jeans.  They are commonly marked down as back to school season ends.

Camping Gear:  If you like to camp, or want to start camping, October is the perfect month to stock up on new supplies.  The discounts are heavy now that summer is officially over!

Grocery Sales in October

Seafood:  October is National Seafood Month and grocers will offer sales on seafood throughout the month to celebrate.

Baking Sales:  The fall baking sales are prevalent during October.  You should be able to find many baking items on sale including canned pumpkin, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, flour, sugar, etc.

In Season Produce:  You’ll find the best deals on these produce items during October:  apples, potatoes, cranberries, grapes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cabbage.

 

What’s On Sale in November?

Halloween Costumes:  Head into the store the first couple of days after Halloween to stock up on Halloween costumes.  These are great to keep around for next years Halloween or for your kids to use when playing dress up.

Electronics:  November is the best month of the year to buy electronics, especially during Black Friday sales.  This is a great time of year to buy TVs, laptops, and other electronics.

Beauty Products:  Black Friday is also a great time to buy beauty products like makeup and hair tools.  Most beauty stores will have big sales all weekend.

Appliances:  Appliances are traditionally included in the November Black Friday deals.  You should find some of the lowest prices on refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc. this month.

Grocery Sales in November

Canned Food:  Thanksgiving pantry staples will be on sale this month, so look for deals on canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, sweetened condensed milk and canned vegetables.

Halloween Candy:  All Halloween candy will go on sale the first week of November.  You can stock up on candy to use for Christmas or other events throughout the year (or just to eat yourself….).

In Season Produce:  Be sure to shop this months in season produce:  beets, broccoli, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, kiwis, oranges, potatoes and pomegranates.

 

What’s On Sale in December?

Gift Cards:  Gift cards will be on sale throughout the month of December.  This is the perfect time to buy gift cards to give as presents or to use throughout the next year.  Look for gift card sales from retailers and restaurants.  Last year I bought a few Target gift cards for 10% off!

Vehicles:  December is a great time to buy a new vehicle.  Many dealerships are more willing to negotiate at the end of the year to clear the lot for newer models.

Christmas Decorations/Wrapping Paper:  Wait until after Christmas to shop for new holiday decorations and wrapping paper.  They will be heavily discounted at the end of the month.  I always like to stock up to save for the next year.

Grocery Sales in December

Baking Goods:  Baking items continue to be on sale throughout the holidays.  Watch for deals on items like flour, sugar, pie crusts, and whipped cream.

Party Foods:  As the end of the month nears take advantage of grocery sales on party foods such as veggie trays, crackers and dips.

In Season Produce:  Winter produce will be priced right this month, stock up on items like:  pears, cauliflower, celery, grapefruit, oranges, and spinach.

 

Shop Smart

If you regularly shop the seasonal sales cycles you will begin to see a decrease in your spending (which in turn increases the amount of money in your pocket!).  It requires some patience and effort, but it’s worth the wait to score good deals on items you need and want!

 

Here are a few other articles to help you save more money:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

12 Products Worth Buying To Save Money In The Long Run

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

 

Pin For Future Reference:

month to month sales cycles - when do things go on sale

how to buy everything on sale - grocery sales cycles tips

Enjoy shopping the seasonal sales cycles now that you know what to buy each month for the best deal. 

 

Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money

August 20, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Here are a few easy food substitutions to help you save money on groceries and prevent extra grocery trips.

Have you ever been in this situation:  start cooking dinner, get half way through the recipe, and then realize you are missing ONE important ingredient???  Now you are stuck with the dilemma of trying to decide if you should take the time to go to the grocery store for that one item or switch dinner plans last minute.  This situation has happened to me more times than I can count, and I feel like either decision I make ends up costing me money.  If I go to the store I always buy more than that one item, but if I switch dinner plans last minute there is a lot of food that goes to waste.  This is where easy food substitutions can be a huge game saver!  Here are some easy food substitutions to save money.

 

Easy Food Substitutions To Save Money

Here are a few of my favorite food substitutions to help you save money, time and headaches!  😉  Let me know what (if any) you would add to this list!

1.  Buttermilk

A few of my very favorite recipes call for buttermilk, like my fluffy pancakes recipe here.  But, do you want to know a little secret?  I have never once bought buttermilk from the store to make them!

Instead, I just make my own buttermilk substitute.  It is so quick, easy and I always have the ingredients on hand!

To make your own buttermilk just add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of milk and stir.  Let it sit for a few minutes, and then it’s ready to use!  So easy!

*I have also heard you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar, but vinegar is cheaper, so that’s what I use!

2.  Lemon Zest

Honestly, I really don’t like zesting lemons.  It’s a bit of a hassle, and I never have lemons around anyways.

So, I started substituting lemon juice for lemon zest and it works wonderfully!

You can use 2 Tbsp of lemon juice to replace 1 tsp of lemon zest in recipes.

3.  Fresh Lemon Juice

Speaking of lemons, another great lemon substitute is to use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice.  I always have bottled lemon juice stocked, but I rarely buy lemons.  This substitute is perfect to save me a trip to the grocery store.

Use 2-3 Tbsps of lemon juice in place of the juice of one lemon.

4.  Ground Beef

Meat is one of the most expensive items at the grocery store.  If you’re wanting to save money on groceries I recommend planning a few meatless meals each week.

However, if you’re wanting to cook with meat, specifically ground beef, you can substitute some of the meat for black beans, which will also save you money!

Just mash the beans up and add them to your ground beef while it’s browning.  This is also a great trick for stretching dinners a little further, without having to spend a lot of extra money.

  • Related:  10 Incredibly Easy Ways to Stretch Meals

5.  Greek Yogurt

If you have any baking recipes that call for Greek yogurt, there is a very easy substitute!  All you have to do is replace the yogurt with sour cream!

You can use a 1:1 ratio, meaning use the exact same amount of sour cream that the recipe needed of Greek Yogurt.

6.  Self Rising Flour

When baking you might come across a few recipes that call for Self Rising Flour.  Rather than going out and buying flour for that specific recipe, just make your own using items you probably already have in your pantry!

To make 1 cup of self rising flour mix together:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda

That’s it!  You’ve just made your own self rising flour for pennies!

7.  Half and Half

A cheap and easy substitute for half and half is milk.  True, milk won’t be as rich as using half and half, but I make this easy substitute all of the time and hardly notice a difference. 

If you are really wanting a flavor more similar to half and half, just add 1 Tbsp of melted butter to a cup of milk and use to replace 1 cup of half and half.

8.  Vanilla

Vanilla extract can be a very expensive ingredient to keep stocked up in your pantry.  But, fortunately there is a cheaper substitute you can try!  Yay!

My favorite substitution for vanilla is maple syrup.  Just use a 1:1 ratio when replacing vanilla extract with maple syrup, making it quick and easy to remember, just the way we like it!

  • Related:  Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

9.  Allspice

Do you have a recipe that calls for allspice, but you don’t want to buy an ingredient to only use 1/4 tsp?!?  I get it, I’ve been there too!  Just make your own allspice instead!

To make allspice mix together 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground cloves.  This will make the equivalent of 1 tsp Allspice.

10.  Breadcrumbs

Save yourself some money and make your own breadcrumbs at home rather than purchasing them at the store!  Breadcrumbs are so easy to make and a great way to use up a loaf of bread before it goes bad.

To make homemade breadcrumbs:

  • Place 4-6 bread slices on a cookie sheet.
  • Put cookie sheet in a 300 degree oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bread is hard and dry.
  • Let bread cool.
  • Once cool, put bread into a food processor and pulse until the bread has turned into fine bread crumbs.

That’s it!  You will now have breadcrumbs to use however your recipe calls for them!  Enjoy!

11.  Eggs

If you run out of eggs right in the middle of baking, no worries!  You can easily substitute mayo (yes, mayo!) for eggs.

Just use 3 Tbsp of mayo to replace each egg called for in the recipe.

12.  Corn Syrup

Every time I buy corn syrup for a recipe, it ends up sitting in my cupboard untouched for months and months.  I just don’t cook with it enough to make the cost worth it!

So, I’ve started making my own and haven’t looked back since.  It is MUCH cheaper than buying the real thing!

To make your own corn syrup mix together:

  • 1 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup water

This will make one cup of corn syrup substitute!  Enjoy!

13.  Cream Of Chicken Soup

Another easy ingredient to make yourself is Condensed Cream Of Chicken Soup mix.  You can whip up a big jar of this every few months, leave it sitting on your shelf and then use when needed.  It’s so cheap and quick to make!

Check out my recipe here:  Cream of Chicken Soup Mix recipe.  Let me know if you have any questions about it!

14.  Garlic

Honestly, I never ever buy garlic.  I told my friend this once and she thought I was crazy!  It’s just not a priority in my kitchen.

But, when I do have a recipe that calls for one garlic clove I will substitute 1/8 tsp garlic powder instead.  It works like a charm!

15.  Evaporated Milk

If you are in a pinch needing a can of evaporated milk, just grab a jug of regular cows milk from your refrigerator.

Simmer 2 1/4 cups milk on the stove in a sauce pan.  Stir and simmer until the milk goes down to one cup.  This should make 1 cup of evaporated milk.

16.  Sour Cream

Sour cream (for baking) is another ingredient that has an easy swap!  You can substitute 1 cup of plain yogurt for 1 cup of sour cream.  And, if you remember from earlier in the article, this substitute works both ways!

If you are using a recipe that calls for 1 cup of plain yogurt and you don’t have any, just use 1 cup of sour cream instead!  Easy peasy!

17.  Tomato Sauce

If you are needing a can of tomato sauce, but don’t have any on hand, use tomato paste instead! 

All you have to do is mix 3/4 cup tomato paste with 1 cup water and you will have the perfect substitute for 2 cups tomato sauce.  I love using this substitution when making soups or stews.

 

In Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to get creative when cooking in the kitchen.  My first instinct when I am missing an ingredient is to run to the store and buy it.  However, if I stop and take a minute to find an easy alternative I have found that I can save a lot of time and money.  I promise, if I can do it, so can you!

What easy food substitution would you add to this list?  I would love more suggestions!

 

Related Articles:

Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

Freezer Chicken Recipes and How to Freeze Bulk Chicken

How To Make A Recipe Binder

 

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The Best Deals At Costco

February 9, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

The best items to buy at Costco to save money!

Years ago I signed up for my very first Costco Membership.  I had heard all about the best deals at Costco and how it could help save me money.  The first time I walked into the store I was so excited to start saving money.

I spent an hour walking through aisle after aisle in the store filling my shopping cart with all of my new fun finds and I couldn’t wait to see how much money I was saving.  The beautiful organic produce, the cute kids clothing, and all those snacks!  Oh, was it fun!

And then, I went to checkout. 

My jaw about dropped to the floor when the cashier announced that I owed over $300.  “What about all those good deals I grabbed.  I thought shopping in bulk would save me money!” were the thoughts that swirled in my head as I shakily swiped my credit card and the spending guilt set in.

After repeating this process for a few months I realized that my grocery budget was suffering, big time, and Costco was NOT saving me money.  I cancelled my membership and never looked back.

Fast forward ten years, and a bunch of new frugal lessons learned, I decided I wanted to try out Costco again.  But this time, I was going to be using my card with a new, better approach.

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will be compensated for purchases made through links in this post.

The Wrong Way To Shop Costco

Here’s the thing, there is a wrong way and a right way to shop at Costco.  If you want to spend less money at Costco, it’s so important for you to understand the differences.

Here are a few of the wrong ways to shop at Costco:

Shopping when hungry.

Don’t ever shop at Costco with an empty stomach (I learned this the hard way!).  You will be much more tempted to grab more food than you really need.

Assuming that buying in bulk is cheaper.

The truth is buying your food in bulk CAN be cheaper, but not always.  Always check the price per unit to help you decide which is the better deal.

Buying more food than you can eat before it spoils.

Before you buy anything at Costco, I recommend you think long and hard about how quickly you can eat the item you are buying.  If you buy a huge pack of spinach, but your family can’t eat it before it goes bad, then unfortunately that spinach gets thrown away, meaning your hard earned money goes to waste.

  • Related:  Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

Shopping without a plan.

Going into Costco without a plan is a quick way to break your budget.  Aimlessly wandering aisle after aisle is a huge temptation to many of us (ME!) and should be avoided as much as possible.

Assuming that the sales are a good price.

I LOVE most of Costco’s monthly sale items (hello cheap Premier Protein shakes), but I have learned that just because something is on sale, does not make it a great price.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s necessary to always check the price per unit before buying something.  I like to compare Costco prices to Walmart Grocery Pickup prices using their phone app.  This helps me know if I can find the same item cheaper somewhere else.

The Right Way To Shop Costco

Alrighty, now let’s talk about the RIGHT way to shop at Costco.  Following these tips will help you get the most out of your Costco membership and not have to leave the store with a mountain of guilt.

Set a budget.

If you don’t already make a regular budget, I suggest you start one now.  A budget gives you permission to spend, without the guilt; but it also decreases the chance of impulse buying.

Give yourself a budget for how much you can spend at Costco each month.  My personal budget is $100/month.

Feel free to grab my free budget cheat sheets below to help you learn exactly how to start budgeting.

Always shop with a list.

Make a list of items you want to purchase at Costco BEFORE going into the store.  If you shop with a list in hand you will be much more likely to stick to it and avoid any impulse shopping. 

Research the current deals, and what you need at that time.  A good rule of thumb is to plan about $10/item.  Of course this number varies based on what you buy, but it gives me a good goal to work towards.

Use a calculator.

Yes!  I am totally *that* person walking around Costco with my calculator, adding up everything before putting it into my cart.  And honestly, it has saved me from overspending so many times!

Add up everything as you put it into your cart to make sure you stay in budget and there won’t be any surprises when checking out.

Know what is a good deal or not.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s important to check the price per unit of items before you buy them.  I recommend grabbing my free Stock Up Price Guide here to help you learn the best deals of popular food items.

Take a picture of the price guide so that you always have it with you while shopping.  Check it often to help you compare food items before buying them.

The Best Deals At Costco

Here is my list of my favorite deals at Costco.  Most of these items I buy every single time I go to Costco.  Other items I have just noticed that the price is great!

1.  Rotisserie Chicken

I am so in love with Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken.  It’s moist, delicious and a great deal for only $4.99.  This rotisserie chicken is always at the top of my Costco shopping list.

  • Rotisserie Chicken at Costco:  10 cents/oz.
  • Rotisserie Chicken at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  15 cents/oz.

2.  Gasoline

I always make a habit of filling my car up with gasoline every time I am at Costco, even if my tank is 3/4 full.  It’s by far the cheapest gas in my town and I never want to miss out on it.

  • Current Gasoline Price at Costco:  $1.92/gallon
  • Current Gasoline Price at Maverick:  $2.14/gallon

3.  Butter

Another one of the best deals at Costco is their butter.  I always buy this 4 lb. pack of butter.  I store 1 lb. in my fridge and the other 3 lbs. are kept in my freezer until I needed.  Today my local Costco has their 4 lb. butter for $6.95, making it only $1.78/lb.  Walmart Grocery Pickup Butter is priced at $2.98/lb.  

  • Related:  19 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

We go through about 4 lbs. of butter a month, making it perfect timing for my next Costco trip!

  • Kirkland Sweet Cream Butter at Costco:  11 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Sweet Cream Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  18.6 cents/oz.

4.  Yeast

One of the very best deals that I have found at Costco is the Red Star Yeast.  If you do any baking, make sure to buy your yeast at Costco.

  • Red Star Yeast at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Red Star Yeast at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $1.16/oz.

*Frugal Tip:  Keep your yeast in the freezer to help it stay fresh longer.

5.  Cashews

The Kirkland brand cashews at Costco yet another fantastic deal.  You can get 2.5 lbs. of cashews for only $13.99, which is much cheaper than at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Kirkland Whole Cashews at Costco:  35 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Deluxe Whole Cashews at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  43 cents/oz.

6.  Craisins

My kids love Craisins, but I haven’t bought them a lot in the past because they can be so expensive.  I was so excited to find these Craisins at Costco for a great price!

  • Ocean Spray Craisins at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Ocean Spray Craisins at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  24 cents/oz.

7.  Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Another great buy at Costco is the organic extra virgin olive oil.  You can buy a 2 liter bottle (which will last a very long time!) for only $9.45.  If organic, extra virgin olive oil isn’t a priority to you, and you are happy with classic olive oil than buying it at Walmart Grocery Pickup will be the better deal.

  • Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco:  14 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  19 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Classic Olive Oil at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  13.6 cents/oz.

8.  Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix

I may or may not have a *slight* obsession with Kodiak Cakes (ok, fine, I totally am obsessed!).  It makes me so happy to be able to buy it at Costco for a much better deal than I use to buy it.  For only $11.49 you can get 4.5 lbs. of buttermilk Kodiak cake mix, which is much cheaper than at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix at Costco:  16 cents/oz.
  • Buttermilk Kodiak Cake Mix at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  23 cents/oz.

9.  Spices

Many of Costco bulk spices are much cheaper than you will find at most grocery stores.  One of my favorites is this this 20 oz. chili powder from Costco for only $5.49.

  • Chili Powder at Costco:  27 cents/oz.
  • Chili Powder at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  32 cents/oz.

10.  Nutella

We absolutely love Nutella at our house.  I don’t buy it very often though because of the price.  I was so excited to find it at Costco for a steal of a deal.

These two huge (33.5 oz. each) containers of Nutella are only $12.39!  If you buy Nutella regularly, I suggest buying it at Costco.

However!  If you don’t mind buying off brands, the Great Value brand of Nutella at Walmart IS even cheaper!

  • Nutella at Costco:  19 cents/oz.
  • Nutella at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  22 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Hazelnut Spread at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  15 cents/oz.

Related Article:  15 Products You Should Always Buy Generic

11.  Cheese

I buy one 2 lb. cheese loaf every time I go to Costco.  It’s almost half the price of the cheese I use to buy at Walmart Grocery Pickup and lasts weeks at our house!

  • Mild Cheddar Cheese at Costco:  $2.49/lb.
  • Mild Cheddar Cheese at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $4.22/lb.

12.  1% Low-fat Milk

I personally do not buy milk at Costco, but it can be a good deal for many people.  My family are not huge milk drinkers, so we wouldn’t be able to drink the two gallons before it spoiled.  If you go through a lot of milk and like 1% milk, than this is a good deal for you.

  • Kirkland 1% Low-fat Milk at Costco:  $2.19/gallon
  • Great Value 1% Lowfat Milk at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $2.28/gallon
  • Great Value Fat Free Milk at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  $2.19/gallon

13.  Frozen Fruit

Another one of the best deals at Costco is the frozen fruit.  I love buying a few packs of these to use in our smoothies.  These organic frozen Mango Chunks are just one example of the great prices Costco has on frozen fruit.

  • Frozen Mango Chunks at Costco:  11 cents/oz.
  • Frozen Mango Chunks at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  13 cents/oz.

14.  Organic Kirkland Creamy Peanut Butter

If you buy organic peanut butter, I suggest doing it at Costco.  You can buy 2-28 oz. jars of organic peanut butter for less than $10!  Which is a steal!  However, non organic peanut butter will be cheaper at Walmart Grocery Pickup.

  • Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter at Costco:  18 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  22 cents/oz.
  • Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter at Walmart Grocery Pickup:  9 cents/oz.

Shop Smart At Costco

It is possible to shop at Costco while on a budget!  I am so glad I have learned the tricks to shopping at Costco.  It has helped our family stock up our pantry and save money on groceries.  I hope these tips for the best deals at Costco will help your family too!

Related Articles:

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

15 Easy Pantry Dinner Ideas

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19 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

January 8, 2021 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Foods you can freeze to save money.

Have you ever wondered what foods you can freeze??  There are many common freezable foods, but today I want to share about a few food items you probably didn’t know you could freeze!  These are all food items that freeze well, but aren’t talked about as much as the other common freezable foods.

Sweet Frugal Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies Needed to Freeze Food

There are a few supplies you will need to help you freeze food.  The initial investment is worth the amount of money you will save!

  • Freezer Containers
  • Freezer Bags
  • Vacuum Sealer

I use each of these products when freezing food, and they all work great!  A vacuum sealer does the best job of getting all air out of the bag, which is important!  So if you will be doing a lot of freezing, I do recommend getting the vacuum sealer.  But, each of these products will work.

Benefits of Freezing Food

You might be wondering why it’s important to know how and what foods to freeze.  Freezing food is a great way to save money on groceries.

Here are three of the most common times I freeze food to save money:

1.  Freezing Leftovers

Have you ever had to throw out food from your fridge or pantry because it had past it’s expired date before you could use it?!?!?

This happens to me All.The.Time!

The trick????  I’ve learned to freeze my leftovers, rather than storing them in the refrigerator.  This one simple change has saved me so much money and has prevented a lot of waste in the kitchen.  Win, win!

You can easily freeze leftovers by putting them into a freezer ziplock bag or container and tossing them into the freezer!  Most leftovers will stay good in the freezer for 3 months.  These frozen leftovers are perfect for a quick meal on busy days.

2.  Freezing Sale Items

Another reason to freeze food items to stock up on sale prices.  When I find a great sale on perishable foods, I stock up on a few and freeze most of it to use for later.  I just really love not having to pay full price for groceries (or really for anything!).

To find grocery items on sale in your area I recommend downloading the free Flipp app.  This awesome app scans all of the local grocery sale ads so you can easily see what’s on sale each week.

When you find a good deal, stock up and freeze the excess!  

3.  Freezing Foods Before They Expire

If you have items in your pantry that are close to reaching their expiration date, you might want to stick these items in the freezer!  The freezer will prolong their shelf date and give you more time to using it, preventing you from having to throw it away.

Foods You Didn’t Know You Can Freeze

Alright, now let’s get to the fun part!  Most people know that you can freeze strawberries, onions, chicken, etc.  Today’s article is all about foods you probably didn’t know that you can freeze.

1.  Butter

Butter is a great item to buy on sale and freeze for later use.

How To Freeze:

To keep butter fresh for a few months you can easily freeze it in it’s original packaging.  If you are wanting to store it in the freezer for longer, I would put the butter in a freezer bag.

Use the butter within 4 months for best results.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost butter in the refrigerator overnight, or set it on the countertop to let it thaw at room temperature.

2.  Flour

Another great item to buy on sale and freeze for later is flour.

How To Freeze:

To freeze flour put it in an airtight container, like a freezer bag, or one of these storage containers.  Fill the container as full as possible, the less air the better!  

You can keep flour in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Let flour thaw at room temperature before using.

3.  Eggs

Most people are shocked when I tell them that eggs are freezable!  But, it’s true!!!  You can freeze eggs.

How To Freeze:

To freeze eggs, just crack them into a bowl and whisk together with a fork.  Next, you will pour the eggs into a freezer bag or container, get out as much air from the bag as possible and put them in your freezer.  So easy, right?!?!

Eggs will stay good in the freezer for 6-12 months.

How To Defrost:

Thaw eggs in the refrigerator and then use them to make scrambled eggs, omelets, or in baking.

  • Related:  8 Foods You Should Freeze in an Ice Cube Tray

4.  Avocados

Another great food to freeze is avocados!  Frozen avocados can be used in dips, baking, or I like to put ours in smoothies.

How To Freeze:

You can freeze avocados by chopping them into small pieces and placing the pieces into a freezer bag or freezer container, and then putting the bag into the freezer.

Use your frozen avocados sometime between 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Let the frozen avocados sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

5.  Cream

Many recipes call for a small amount of cream, which is great except for it leaves us with a large container of leftover cream.  Save this excess in the freezer to use at a different date.

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze cream using an ice cube tray.  It makes it easy to pull out a few tablespoons for recipes!  Learn exactly how to freeze cream using an ice cube tray here.

Frozen cream cubes will stay fresh for 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can pull your cream cubes straight from the freezer and directly into your soups or recipes.  They can also be defrosted by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

6.  Bread

Buy bread when it is on sale, and then freeze it to use later!

How To Freeze:

Bread is one of the easiest thing to freeze!  All you have to do is put it in the freezer, and done!

The packaging the bread comes in from the store is enough to keep the bread fresh for a few months!  See how easy?!?! 

Bread can stay in the freezer for 3 months before using.

How To Defrost:

Your bread will taste best if you defrost it in the oven.  Just warm your oven to 325 degrees, remove bread from packaging, and let it sit in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

7.  Grated Cheese

Cheese is a great item to buy on sale, or in bulk and then grate to freeze for later.  Cheese can turn a little crumbly when frozen, so it works best to grate it first and then freeze.

How To Freeze:

After grating your cheese, simply put it in a freezer bag, remove all of the air, and place in the freezer.

You can keep frozen cheese in the freezer for 6-9 months with best results.

How To Defrost:

Let the cheese defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.

8.  Milk

Yes!  You can freeze milk!  Shocked???  I was too!

How To Freeze:

You shouldn’t freeze a milk carton that’s full.  So, use about 3/4 of a cup from the carton before freezing.  This allows room for expansion.

Once you have a small amount of milk out of the carton, you can stick it in the freezer.  That’s it!

Milk will stay good in the freezer for 6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost milk in the refrigerator overnight before using.

  • Related:  Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

9.  Chips

Found a deal on chips?  Buy a few and throw them into your freezer to save for your next party (or midnight snacking if you’re like me….).

How To Freeze:

Chips can be frozen in the sealed bag they came in.  All you have to do is toss them into the freezer, bag and all!

Make sure to use your frozen chips within three months of freezing. 

How To Defrost:

To use, just thaw them at room temperature!  Easy peasy!

10.  Pizza Dough

When I make our Friday Night Pizza Dough I always double the recipe and freeze half for the next Friday.  This gives me something easy to pull out and use for a quick dinner (and it totally looks like I spent all day making it….when I really just got it from the freezer, win!).

How To Freeze:

To freeze pizza dough you need to put it in a freezer bag, get all of the air out, seal tightly, and freeze.

Use your frozen dough within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

When you are ready to use your frozen pizza dough, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight.  

11.  Cooked Pasta

Freezing cooked pasta is a great way to preserve any pasta leftovers you might have from dinner.  You can freeze spaghetti, rotini, fetuccini noodles, and more!  As long as they don’t have the sauce on top, they can be frozen.

How To Freeze:

To freeze cooked pasta, you will first need to let it cool completely and then lightly toss the pasta with olive oil.

Next, lay the pasta in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  This doesn’t need to be perfect, but flash freezing does help prevent the pasta from clumping together in the freezer.

Stick the cookie sheet in the freeze and let the pasta freeze for about 1-2 hours (this is called flash freezing).

Once frozen, scoop the pasta off of the cookie sheet and put it in a freezer bag or a freezer container.

Place in the freezer and use within 3 months. 

How To Defrost:

You can reheat your frozen pasta in the microwave or by boiling it in hot water.

  • Related:  Easy Pasta Dinner Recipe

12.  Sauce

While freezing pasta, you might as well freeze some sauces too!  Right???  Right!

You can freeze almost any sauce, including:  spaghetti sauce, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and more!

How To Freeze:

To freeze sauce just put it into a freezer bag or container, get all of the air out, and seal tightly.

Use your frozen sauces within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

Defrost sauces by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.

13.  Herbs

Herbs are definitely freezable!  If you enjoy gardening (like I do!) freezing your home grown herbs is a great way to save money!

How To Freeze:

I love to freeze my garden herbs in an ice cube tray.  This gives me quick access to them when I need them.

To do this you will need to fill an ice cube tray cube with herbs to about 3/4 full, next add olive oil until the cube is full and freeze.

Once frozen, take the individual cubes out of the tray and place them into a freezer bag.  

For best results use frozen herbs within 3-6 months.

How To Defrost:

You can put the frozen herb cubes straight from the bag into soups and stews.

14.  Pancakes

Pancakes are my busy mom hack to less stressful mornings!

How To Freeze:

Check out this article for all the details on freezing pancakes.

How To Defrost:

You can defrost your pancakes using the microwave, which is great because the kids can do it themselves if they need to!

15.  Sandwiches

I first heard about freezing sandwiches from Fun Cheap or Free!  This is a great way to save your kids uneaten sandwiches, or to prepare for an upcoming busy day.

Be sure to check out their freezing sandwiches article here for all of the details!

16.  Grapes

Frozen grapes are one of our very favorite snacks.  They are juicy and delicious!  My kids claim (and I have to agree!) that frozen grapes taste just like a grape snow cone!  You must try this!  When you find grapes on sale, buy a few extra bags to freeze. 

How To Freeze:

The first step to freezing grapes is to wash them and then let them dry thoroughly.  Once the grapes are dry place them into a freezer bag, take out all air, seal tightly and then place in the freezer.

Use within 3 months.

How To Defrost:

Don’t defrost your frozen grapes!  Eat the grapes straight out of the bag for a delicious snack!

17.  Nuts

To keep your nuts fresh for longer, freeze them! 

How To Freeze:

Nuts are easy to freeze!  Just put them into a freezer bag, get out all air, and seal tightly.

Frozen nuts should be used within 6 months. 

How To Defrost:

Let your frozen nuts sit in the refrigerator overnight to defrost and then use.

18.  Mashed Potatoes

I grew up on an Idaho potato farm, so I am alllll about the potatoes!  My husband loves to make mashed potatoes at our house, but he always tends to make more than we eat (eyes bigger than the stomach thing…..).

Instead of throwing these extra potatoes away, we freeze them to use for another day!

How To Freeze:

Freeze your mashed potatoes in a freezer bag or freezer container.  Remove as much air as possible, seal tight and put into the freezer.

How To Defrost:

To use frozen mashed potatoes, let them thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in a small pot over the stove.  While heating on stove add a couple of tablespoons of sour cream.  This will give them a yummy and creamy consistency.

19.  Frosting

Yep!  You can freeze frosting!  And it’s very easy to do!

How To Freeze:

Just scoop the frosting into a freezer bag, get all of the air out and seal tightly.   Done and done!

The bag can then be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.  

How To Defrost:

To thaw frosting, let it sit in the refrigerator over night and then it’s ready to use!

In Conclusion

These are just a few suggestions of the many, many foods available to freeze.  I encourage you to start trying to focus on buying sales, and freezing for later, and freezing foods before throwing them away.

You will begin to see a huge savings in the amount of money you are spending on food if you start using your freezer more!

You Might Enjoy These Related Articles:

How to Freeze Raspberries

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

Don’t Forget To Pin For Future Reference:

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Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

December 3, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Easy ways to stop your produce from going bad quickly.

How many times have you had to throw away produce from your fridge because it has gone moldy??  This happens to me more times than I want to admit and I always feel so sad throwing the food away!  This is food that I spent hard earned money on.  A few years ago I knew something had to change.  So, I started learning a few new tricks all about how to help my produce stay fresh longer, and it has worked!  This has in turn helped me to save money on groceries!  Yay!  I’m sharing the tips today in hopes that it can help you too!

how to prevent produce from going bad quickly - saving money on food

Disclosure:  “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

1.  Know Where To Store Your Produce

I remember way back when I first moved out on my own and started shopping for myself for the first time.  In my young college mind I thought that all produce needed to be stored in the refrigerator, boy was I wrong!

After I had hundreds of bananas go brown way to quickly on me, I started learning that the fridge is not the best storage place for everything.

As you try to keep your produce fresh longer, be aware of what stores best in the fridge, and what would store better on the counter or in a cabinet.

Produce That Stores Best In The Fridge:

  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Oranges
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Pease
  • Peppers
  • Spinach
  • Apples
  • Berries

Produce That Stores Best Out Of The Fridge:

  • Tomatoes
  • Plums
  • Peaches
  • Cherries
  • Butternut Squash
  • Bananas
  • Avocados

Produce That Stores Best In a Cool/Dark/Dry Place:

  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Potatoes

2.  Store Your Veggies Dry

Vegetables, especially leafy greens, needs to be dried thoroughly before storing in the fridge. 

After you wash your vegetables be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel to get rid of all the extra moisture.  You can even wrap a paper towel around the lettuce to be make sure the moisture continues to be absorbed.

  • Related:  How to Eat Healthy For Cheap

3.  Wash Strawberries In A Vinegar Bath

I learned one of my favorite hacks for keeping strawberries fresh from Melyssa Saves on Instagram.  Giving your strawberries a vinegar bath is such an easy trick and makes a huge difference for the life of your strawberries. 

To give your strawberries a vinegar bath just fill your sink with three parts water and one part vinegar.  Pour your strawberries into the vinegar bath and let them soak for a few minutes.

Next, you will dry the strawberries completely on a paper towel before returning them to their container and storing in the fridge.

 

4.  Store Leafy Greens In A Bag

Another trick to keeping your leafy greens fresh it to store them in a bag.  This could be a grocery bag, or the bag they came in from the store.  

The best way to store your leafy greens is to wash them well, pat dry with a paper towel and then place them into a plastic bag.  Keep a little bit of air in the bag and tie it shut to seal.

5.  Use A Paper Towel To Absorb Moisture

One of my favorite tricks for keeping produce from going bad is to store it with a paper towel.  The paper towel will help to absorb any excess moisture.  Berries and grapes will both stay fresh longer if you store them this way.

Simply wash your produce, pat dry, and then place them on a paper towel.  Store them in an open container with the paper towel on bottom.

6.  Separate Your Bananas

If you enjoy buying bananas (like I do!) try separating them from the bunch!  Bananas will stay fresh for longer if they are separated from each other and stored individually.

7.  Keep Fruit and Vegetables Separate

Another way to keep your produce fresh longer is to keep your fruits and vegetables stored separately in the fridge.  Most fruits will emit ethylene which makes vegetable go bad quickly.  Using separate drawers is a great way to keep them apart. 

  • Related:  10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

8.  Wrap Celery In Tin Foil

I love juicing celery and using it as an after school snack for my kids (just slap some peanut butter on the celery and they will gobble it up!).   Not only is celery a very budget friendly food, it will also stay fresh for a long time.

The trick to keeping celery from going bad quickly is to wrap it in tin foil!  Yes!  That’s it.  This one simple trick will help keep your celery moist, fresh, and tasting delicious!

9.  Store Potatoes With An Apple

This is a fun hack for preventing your potatoes from sprouting.  All you need to do is add an apple to the container you are storing your potatoes in and they won’t sprout as quickly!

***Remember potatoes need to be stored in a cool, dark and dry place!

10. Freeze Produce Before It Goes Bad

If there comes a time when you feel like you can’t use your produce before it goes bad, you can always freeze it to prolong the life and prevent waste.

To freeze fruit try a flash freeze like this method I used to freeze my strawberries.  Most veggies will need a to be blanched before freezing, like how I freeze my peas.

Freezing your produce should extend it’s life for an extra 3-6 months.

 

Products To Keep Produce Fresh

There are many free things you can do to prevent your produce from going bad.  But, I get that sometimes we just want a product to help save us some hassle!  Here are a few highly rated products to help!

Bluapple Produce Saver Balls

These Bluapple Produce Freshness Saver Balls are so easy to use!  Just toss one into your produce drawer and they will absorb the ethylene gas from your fruit, making your produce stay fresh for much longer!

Fresh Works Food Storage Container

I have heard amazing things about the Fresh Works Produce Saver Container.  These containers have everything you need to keep your produce fresh, including a crisping tray and vent to help regulate the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide.  Plus, they have over 15,000 positive reviews, so you can’t go wrong!

 

Herb Keeper Container

If you enjoy fresh herbs, you might like this Herb Keeper Container.  With this container you can keep your herbs fresh for much longer.  It was designed with vents, a self watering feature, and dividers so you can store multiple herbs together.

 

Debbie Meyer GreenBags

Another popular product for extending the life of your fruits and vegetables is the Debbie Meyer GreenBags.  These bags are so easy to use!  Just wrap your produce gently into the bag and store as normal.  Easy peasy and works like a charm!

 

In Conclusion

There are many different things you can do to help your produce stay fresh.  Try a few (or all) of the ideas on this list to help you stop throwing away your hard earned money.

 

Related Articles:

8 Foods You Should Freeze in an Ice Cube Tray

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Cheap Foods to Buy For a Well Stocked Pantry

 

Pin For Future Reference:

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I hope this article helps you learn how to store produce to keep it fresh longer.

15 Best Generic Products To Buy

May 21, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Skip name brands and always buy these generic products to save you money.

Want to know a little secret about me????  I use to be such a brand snob….it’s true!  I was proud of the fact that I “only bought name brand.”  For some strange reason I thought that made me important, special, cool (not proud of this!).  Fortunately, I have learned and matured and I don’t think this way anymore!  I now know that brands mean nothing.  It’s true that some name brands are better….but there are many generic products that are just good.  I actually prefer a few generic to the name brand.  If you are wanting to save some money I recommend you switch to more generic products and less name brand.  Here are a few of the best generic products I recommend you always buy.

generic products to save money

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1.  Medicine

Medicine is one item I use to always buy name brand.  I truly thought if I didn’t buy the box that said “Tylenol” it wouldn’t work the same.

It was mind blowing when my brother, who was going through medical school at the time, showed me that the ingredients on the name brand and generic pain reliever was the exact same.  I was paying double for the exact same thing!  I have never bought name brand medication since.

Start buying all of your medicine, both prescription and over the counter, generic.  You can feel confident buying the off brand because the FDA requires all medications to meet their strict standards.

2.  Cereal

One of the more expensive items at the grocery store is cereal, especially if you are buying it regularly.  Skip the name brand and buy generic instead.  This one simple change will make a huge difference in your grocery budget.

We love the big Malt O Meal bags of cereal.  Our favorites are:  generic lucky charms, fruit loops, honey bunches of oats, and frosted mini wheats.  Try a few until you find the ones you like best.

  • Related:  10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

3.  Bottled Water

The cheapest way to get water is to buy a reusable water bottle and fill it up frequently with tap water.  Tap water is free, and you can’t get cheaper than free!

If you need or want to use a plastic water bottle buy the store brand as opposed to name brand.  Water is water and it’s not worth paying extra for!

4.  Sunscreen

Similar to medication, sunscreen is monitored by the FDA.  This means that the same ingredients protecting your skin in a name brand sunscreen will also be in a generic sunscreen.

The name brand sunscreens might charge a little extra for scent, but if that’s not important to you I suggest buying an off brand bottle instead.

5.  Spices

The quality of your spices depends more on the freshness rather than the brand.  When buying spices always check the sale by date and ignore the brand name.  You can a very fresh generic brand spice for a lot cheaper price.

6.  Toilet Paper/Paper Towels

Name brand paper goods, such as toilet paper and paper towels are expensive.  Fortunately, the off brand paper products are much cheaper and work just as good!  Walmart’s store brand is my go to for the best price and most reliable toilet paper and paper towels.

7.  Baking Supplies

Save yourself some cash and buy all of your baking supplies generic.  Off brand Corn meal, baking mixes, sugar, baking powder, etc. all taste and work just as well as the more expensive name brand.

The only exception I make is with  yeast.  I always buy my yeast name brand because it does seem to make a difference.

8.  Cleaning Products

Any one else out there as obsessed as I am with the Magic Eraser (it’s no joke a moms best friend!).  I use to pay a lot of money for this wonderful cleaning pad….and then I discovered I can buy the exact same thing for so much less, the only difference was their wasn’t a fancy name attached to the package.  Just search melamine pads on Amazon and you’ll find tons of affordable products that work as good as the original Magic Eraser.

Most other cleaning products are the exact same way.  You don’t need a fancy name brand product to clean your house.

Better yet!  Save even more money and make your own cleaning products! 

  • Here are 5 of my favorite homemade cleaning recipes.

9.  Snack Foods

Buying snack foods at the grocery store is a quick way to spend a lot of money.  Make it easier on your budget by buying the generic brands instead.

Most snack foods will have delicious generic options.  My kids actually prefer Walmart’s store brand Ritz crackers.  We also buy off brand granola bars, cookies, and frozen pizzas.

Try a few different store brands until you find the right snacks for you.

10.  Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Buy your frozen fruits and vegetable generic and you won’t tell a difference in taste or quality.  We usually use generic frozen produce for cooking and smoothies and it tastes just like name brand.

11. Canned Food

Your canned goods, including fruits, vegetables, beans, etc, will all taste the same no matter what the label is on them.  For the healthiest option look at the ingredients and try to pick a can low in sodium.

Personally I do like name brand soups though!

12.  Condiments

Our family can go through a bottle of ketchup way to fast!  Fortunately, we always buy generic condiments, so we aren’t spending a fortune!  Try buying all of your condiments store brand, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, etc.

  • Related:  25 Items You Must Have In A Frugal Pantry

13.  Aluminum Foil

Another great product to always buy generic is aluminum foil.  This can be really expensive if you are buying brand name.  For most uses, the generic aluminum foil will work just as good!

14.  Pre-Packaged Salads

I am a huge fan of pre-packaged salads.  Truthfully, I just won’t eat salad unless it’s already all cut up and made for me (real talk folks).

The Dole salads are delicious, but expensive, so I always buy my salads generic.  I was surprised to find that I actually like Walmart’s store brand salads even BETTER than the name brand!  Go figure!

15.  Food Storage Baggies

It’s no secret that the cheapest way to store food is by storing them in reusable containers.  However, sometimes we just want to use a Ziplock bag!  Right?!?

There is truly no difference between Ziplock and the generic food storage bags.  It doesn’t matter what name is on the box, all bags will store your food the exact same.  Save money and buy generic!

In Conclusion

Switching which brand you buy at the store is one of the easiest way to save money on groceries and other household items.  This simple change will add up in helping your budget.

Remember, not all brands (generic or name brand) are created equally.  Try a few different products, experiment with the brands until you find what you like.  Just never be a brand snob like I was!

 

 

 

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What do you think are the best generic products to buy to save money?

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

May 17, 2020 By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

The best ways to money on groceries.

Groceries is one of the biggest monthly expenses in most households.  And, unfortunately food prices continue to rise every single day.  The good news is that this is one of the expenses that can be lowered, it just takes a little extra effort.  I’ve been learning how to save money on groceries for over a decade now.  It has taken a lot of trial and error, but I have finally found a few tricks that work.

secrets to spend less on groceries

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I may be compensated by purchases made through links in this post.  All opinions are my own.

1.  Meal Plan

A meal plan is an essential step when trying to save money on groceries.  I recommend you browse through pinterest boards, and recipe books to give you fresh ideas of what to cook each week.  Write down everything you want to make for the week, including snacks and meals.  As you meal plan, make a list of  groceries to buy.  Take this list with you to the grocery store and only buy what you wrote down, nothing else!

A good meal plan will be written based on what you already have in your pantry and cupboards.  Take a few minutes to take inventory of what you already have at home and plan your meals around those items.

Meal planning limits impulse buys and the temptation to eat out.  Do not skip this important step!

  • Related:  Start Meal Planning For The Complete Beginner

2.  Keep it Simple

It’s fun to experiment and try making a few fancy meals.  But, when you meal plan remember to think about the cost of ingredients.  Sometimes those fancy meals have ingredients that will cost you a lot of money.

Try simplifying how you cook to save money on groceries.  You don’t need to have simple meals every day of the week, but try to plan a few meals each week that are simple and basic.

Here are a few simple dinner ideas:  breakfast for dinner, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta bake, bean burritos, spaghetti, quesadillas, stir fry, etc.

3.  Buy What’s On Sale

As you meal plan check the weekly grocery ads to see what’s on sale for the week.  Plan your meals around those sales.  For example:  If chicken is on sale, I will plan a few meals with chicken.

If you have room in your grocery budget buy a few extra of what’s on sale.  If you buy it when it’s on sale, you will be spending less in the long run.  I like to stock up on snacks, cereal, fruit (buy fresh and freeze for later), and canned goods during sales.

  • Related:  19 Foods You Didnt Know You Could Freeze

The best way to check ads is by using the Flipp App.  It’s a completely free app to use and very easy to navigate.  You will enter your zipcode, select your favorite stores, and then can browse each of the ads.  There are new ads each Wednesday.

4.  Shop Your Pantry

Before you ever meal plan or even look at the weekly ads, look through your pantry.  Take a quick inventory of what you already have.  Plan your meals around those items.  Turn it into a game and try to come up with as many meals as you can, only using the ingredients you own.  This is a great way to use up the items you bought shopping sales.

If you have kids, try to make it fun for them.  Tell your kids that you are playing  Box Car Children (did anyone else love those books as kids????).  During this game they can only eat the food you can find and gather around the house.  Kids love this!

Another way I use up my pantry is by having regular YO-YO nights.  YO-YO stands for “You’re On Your Own” and is really just a fancy way of saying we are having leftovers for dinner.  When I plan Yo-Yo for dinner the family knows we are eating leftovers and whatever can be found in the pantry.  Cheapest dinner around!

  • Related:  25 Items You Must Have In A Frugal Pantry

5.  Utilize Cashback!

Take advantage of every cashback app available.  It hardly takes any time to scan your receipts and you get FREE MONEY!

If I ever see my husband throw a receipt in the garbage without getting cashback I ask him, “Would you ever throw 50 cents in the trash can?  No!  But when you throw away a receipt without scanning it first, it is the same as throwing away money.”  The small cashback adds up!  In the 5ish years I have been using cashback apps I have gotten hundreds and hundreds of dollars back.

My Fave Grocery Cashback Apps:

Ibotta:  The first cashback app I ever used was ibotta, and I’m still using it weekly.  It’s so easy to use!

All you have to do is shop, check the app for rebates, scan your receipt, and the money is instantly put into your ibotta account.  Easy.  Peasy.  They have a wide selection of rebates, and I can always find something to earn on.  My favorite rebates are the “any brand” rebates they often put on items such as milk, produce, pantry items, beauty and household.

*******Sign up for Ibotta with this link and you will get up to a $20 welcome bonus!  Yay!  This is the perfect way to try it out!***********

 

Discover Card:  My FAVORITE way to earn cashback is by shopping with my Discover Card.  I know a lot of people don’t like using credit cards, and I get it!  But, for me, this has been the best way for us to earn more money.

In short, when I shop with my Discover Card I automatically earn cashback on all purchases.  They give you 1% cashback on EVERYTHING and 5% on different categories that are rotated monthly.  (Currently, I am receiving 5% on groceries).

You don’t have to do anything, just use your card and your cashback will grow.  I earn around $500 cashback with Discover a YEAR, and all I do is shop like normal!

Fetch Rewards:  Fetch Rewards is hands down the easiest cashback app to use!  All you have to do download the Fetch Rewards app, scan your grocery receipt, and fetch will automatically reward you with points.  It’s seriously that easy!

These points can be redeemed for gift cards to ALLLL of your fave stores (I usually choose Amazon or Target!).  One of my favorite parts of Fetch Rewards is that your points can be redeemed for as little as $3 (3,000 points equals $3).  This makes collecting the reward quick and fun.

Checkout 51: Checkout 51 is very similar to ibotta.  You shop, scan your receipt and qualified purchases and you will get the rebated money instantly in your account.  Once you reach $20 in your account you can request your money, same as ibotta.  Most importantly, it only takes a few minutes to check for rebates and one minute to scan your receipt.  I have made over $50 cashback using Checkout 51!

6.  Cook From Scratch

The more you cook from scratch, the less money you will spend on groceries (I promise!).  I know how big the temptation is to grab the prepackaged foods at the grocery store.  But, if you really want to save money on groceries you need to learn to resist this temptation.

If cooking feels really overwhelming to you, start small with a few simple recipes.  Slowly try new things.  Don’t let a few failures get you down.  I have been cooking almost my whole life and I still make a few flops every now and then.

If you struggle finding the time to cook start meal prepping during the week.  Set aside one day each week as your meal prep day.  This might be a weekend, evening, or whenever you have free time.

Your meal prep day will be the day you cook up your meat, cut up veggies, and mix up a few snacks.  These can all be stored in your fridge to use throughout the week for meals.

  • Related:  Homemade Graham Cracker Recipe

7.  Buy Meat on Sale

Meat is one of the biggest grocery expenses.  Get into the habit of only buying it when it’s on sale.

One way to get cheaper meat is to buy it in bulk.  Look for places selling bulk meat, like Butcher Box, and stock up when they are having sales.

  • Related:  Freeze Chicken in Bulk and 6 Freezer Chicken Recipes

7.  Shop Less Often

How many times have you gone to the grocery store for “just one thing” and left with a cart full of food?!?!?  It has happened to me more times than I would like to admit!  The less times we go to the grocery store, the less money we will spend (I know you’re shocked right).

The next time you feel that temptation to run to the store for one little thing, don’t do it!  Instead, figure out how to make it work without buying that one ingredient.  Look up a good substitute ingredient, or find something else to make.  I promise your bank account will thank you!

8.  Calculate Your Spending

Make sure you don’t go over your grocery budget by keeping track of how much you are spending while at the grocery store (before checking out!).  Whip out your phone calculator and add up each item as you put it into your shopping cart.

This helps keep you on track so there is no surprises at the checkout counter.  If you see you are going over your budget, take some of the food out of your cart and put them back on the shelf.

The EASIEST way to keep track of how much you spend while grocery shopping is to shop using Walmarts Free Grocery Pickup.  This is probably the best invention ever.  Not only does it save me time and sanity (hello no crying kids in the grocery cart), but it also saves me so much money!

The Walmart Grocery App is easy to use.  Just open it up, click the items you want to add to your cart, and then check out when done!  You will select a time and day to pick up your groceries at your nearest Walmart.  A nice Walmart employee will bring your groceries out straight to your car and load them up for you!  It’s the best!!

Grocery shopping this way helps me easily keep track of how much I am spending.  Before I check out I look at how much money I have spent, if I have gone over the grocery budget I delete a few items until I get to the right amount.  I haven’t gone over budget since I started doing this!

********If you want to try Walmarts Free Grocery Pickup (AKA My Favorite Thing Ever!) you can get $10 off your first order by using this link!

9.  Buy Generic

I use to be such a name brand snob (not proud of it) and insisted I would never buy generic.  Many years later I am so glad I saw the error of my ways.  Most generic grocery brands are just as good as the name brand, sometimes even better!  I now wish I would have realized this earlier, we could have saved so much more money!

Try buying less name brand and more generic and you will notice a huge savings on your grocery spending.  This is such a simple change that can make a big difference.

  • Related:  15 Products You Should Always Buy Generic

10.  Meatless Mondays

Spend less money on expensive meats by incorporating a few meatless meals into your weekly meal plan.  We like to have Meatless Mondays, which is one day every week when I plan a meal without meat.  You can set up your meatless days however works best for you.

I have found the best meatless meals are meals with beans, quinoa, soups and pastas.

BONUS

11.  Learn from Others

One of the best things I have one for my grocery budget is to study!  I read blogs, follow money saving Instagram accounts, and do what I can to study and learn from others grocery tips.  It takes time, and it takes a little bit of effort, but it has helped me tremendously!

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Money Saving Mom.  She gives realistic advice to help moms (and anyone!) save money.  I actually just bought her BRAND NEW ebook Slash Your Grocery Bill:  25 Tried and True Strategies and was so impressed!  She goes over 25 of the best methods to save money on groceries, giving details and easy to follow instructions.

I actually had no idea you could freeze baking mixes until I ready this book (it’s shared in tip #16!).  I am planning on whipping up a few baking mixes today and sticking them in my freezer for later use.

The best part is she has the book on sale for only $8.50!  Don’t waste any time and download Slash Your Grocery Budget today!  It is full of so much money saving goodness!

In Conclusion

I know you save money on groceries!  Try a few of the tips in this article, the more you try, the more you will save.  The most important thing is to never quit.  It takes constant effort to spend less at the grocery store.  I know you can do it!

Want to see exactly how I grocery shop each week on my $500 grocery budget?  Check out my YouTube video below!

 

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Hello! I’m Melanie!

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