January Recap

This month we have been focusing on ways to build up your storage of food inexpensively. I hope the tools presented have been helpful. As I have been talking with some of you, I have heard many interesting questions...

• "Do I shop for meals, or do I shop the sales?"
• In my experience, if you want to save the most money...shop the sales. I have done both within the last week and saw a significant difference in money saved. As time goes on and you build up your storage, it will be easier to shop with meals in mind because you will have so much of your meal already purchased.

• "Is it possible to only search for specific coupons?"
• I have not found a way to do this, if anyone knows any different...please let me know!!

• "Which is better, shopping with coupons or maximizing in store savings?"
• I say both, but that is just what works for me. For many people, cutting coupons takes too much time and seems to be too much hassle. It does take more time, but it can also increase your savings immensely. When it comes to shopping I use both Grocery Smarts (which maximizes my coupons) and My Food Storage Deals (which maximizes in store savings) and have been amazed at how much I saved. While shopping at Smiths the other day I took my printouts from both websites and while I spent $80...I saved $72. Not too bad. If you don't live in either Utah or Las Vegas (and can't utilize these two websites), you can still save by watching for promotional deals offered at your grocery store, e.g. buy 10 items and save $5. These deals, coupled with coupons, can really add up.

• "What kind of foods should I be stocking up on?"
• We will be talking about this more in depth next month, but when you shop just keep in mind the three month supply of foods you eat everyday as well as the long term items. Also, make sure and keep "meals" in mind when you shop...if you have soy sauce, make sure you are storing rice, if you are storing mayo, make sure you have some tuna or canned chicken, etc.

Starting Monday we will be focusing on How and What to Store. Check back to get tips on where to start and where to put everything!

Comments from others...

"Although my life experiences compelled me to change the way I shopped, I had no idea how much I could save and how much fun the process would be. There are some great tools out there to really help lower the food budget and keep things "normal" at the same time!"

"I have always tried to be a bargain shopper. I buy generic brands when I can, I buy what is on sale, and I take advantage of case lot sales. I would go through phases of coupon-cutting, but I rarely remembered to bring them to the store. I've never really had a food budget, but I always felt like I was getting the best deals I could. I was wrong!!! I hate grocery shopping. It truly has been one of my least favorite things to do. But I have been amazed at how my attitude towards it has changed since I really started getting good deals. Now I get excited for the grocery ads to come in the mail, just to see what great deals are out there this week! I am still in the beginner's phase when it comes to utilizing Grocery Smarts and coupons, but let me share a few of my proud shopping moments...I recently went to Albertson's and bought $69 worth of groceries, saved $65 and got a free $15 worth of groceries on my next trip. In that trip I was able to double some coupons and got a Hostess 100-Calorie Pack (regularly $3.99) for $1. Isn't that awesome?!? Last night I went back to Albertson's to use that $15 coupon and bought two gallons of milk, a dozen eggs, two loaves of bread, and two boxes of All-Bran cereal (very expensive at $4.99 a box) for a total of $4.31! The highlight of my week last week was "Moonlight Madness" at Dan's. I got 15 pounds of ground beef for just over $19. FIFTEEN POUNDS FOR NINETEEN DOLLARS!! I also got 10 boxes of good cereal (Golden Grahams and Honey Nut Chex) for $15. You know things have changed when I get excited to spend Friday night at the grocery store with my sisters! It is truly amazing to me that while I've been saving all this money, my cupboards, freezer and food storage room are now packed! Taking the time to cut coupons, use Grocery Smarts, and plan my shopping with the grocery ads has been more than worth it. I can't wait to see how much I'll save (and get!) next month!! "

"I have always been more of a saver than a spender. I just don't like spending money. Which means that I don't like shopping, even for groceries. Which also means that I hardly ever cook. However, my perspective has totally changed these past few weeks. Your introduction to Grocery Smarts and the coupon websites has transformed me! I actually get really excited when my paper comes on Sunday and I can checkout the coupons. Then I get even more excited when my mail comes on Tuesday and I can see what sales my grocery stores are doing. Not only am I cooking dinner regularly (which my family loves), but I am totally saving money while I'm doing it! Knowing what's on sale and having coupons has helped me buy things for so cheap! The first week that I tried out the system, I spent $19.36 and saved $25.74! I was thrilled! Then I bought 14 pounds of ground beef for$18!! And of course, I used the Reynolds Handi Vac to help me store all of that meat! It's so nice to know that my meat will stay fresh in my freezer. Plus, I can't wait to get my new wheat grinder. I have been wanting to get one, but I didn't want to spend a fortune and I didn't know which kind to get. I am so excited about the VitalMill! It will help me actually use my food storage in my everyday life! It feels good to be so excited about things that we have been advised to do for so long, and now with the financial world the way that it is, it seems even more necessary. It doesn't feel quite so overwhelming now! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

A Few Options On Longer Term Food Storage

We have spent the majority of the month talking about ways to save on things you eat everyday. I wanted to focus one post on some good options in acquiring foods that have a considerably longer shelf life.

Option #1: The LDS Dry Pack Cannery. Long-term food storage will consistently be cheaper here. Particularly Hard Red Wheat as the Church grows their own and Powdered Milk. Buying from the cannery is nice because if you are buying items that you want to can...you have access to their canning equipment (which is fantastic!). To get a price list and see what food the cannery offers click HERE. If you do not live by or have access to an LDS Cannery, the Church also sells a "starter kit" for a very reasonable price. Click HERE for more information.

Option #2: Honeyville Grain. Honeyville is not necessarily the cheapest (although they have been cheaper in certain items), but they have a lengthy offering of food storage items. They carry the basics as well as many different dehydrated and freeze-dried fruits and veggies, all sorts of muffin, pancake, brownie mixes, a great variety of pasta and beans and many others. I am not sure what the delivery parameters are, but within a certain area, Honeyville will deliver food storage items to your door if you order over 2500 lbs. That might seem like an insurmountable amount, but you would be surprised how fast the weight adds up and if you get together with some of your neighbors, you will reach the weight requirement in no time. The greatest advantage to this is that an order over 2500 lbs also qualifies you for the "bulk" rate, which is the cheapest price they offer. I did this with my ward and placed about 7 different orders in a years time. Everyone was satisfied with what they got and they loved having the food delivered right to our neighborhood. To get a current price list (they can fax or email it to you) and to see where they deliver call 801-972-2168. You can also order online (the prices online are different then the ones they will fax you, if you are able to by local...it will be cheaper) by clicking HERE.

Option #3: Internet-grocer.net . I have not used this service yet, but I have looked at some of their items and have been impressed with their prices. A few days ago a friend called me about some canned butter he had just tasted. It was "RED FEATHER" brand butter and he said it was absolutely and surprisingly fantastic. The shelf life is about 25 years, but he said he would use it on a daily basis...it was that good. He bought it on sale at a local grocery store for $4.99 and internet-grocer sells it for the same price, so it is worth checking out. Click HERE to get to their website.

There are many more options out there to help you acquire a storage of food at a reasonable cost, these are just a few. If you have suggestions of your own...please let us know. We will continue to discuss this topic in posts to come.

Warehouse Clubs vs. The Grocery Store

I love shopping at warehouse clubs! I don't know what is about them, but I love them. Even if I am on vacation (yes, even in Hawaii) and I find out there is a Costco...I have to go! I have also had to discipline myself on how many times I go there, as dropping $100 seems far to easy, but I am getting a deal...right? Not necessarily.

There are many things at warehouse clubs that are a deal, but there are many items that are not. Tip #1: One thing to consider when buying things in bulk at a warehouse club is, "Can I/we consume this before it goes bad?" Having to throw food away eliminates the deal. I ran across a blog that listed what items are consistently a better deal at Costco or Sams Club and are a good thing to stock up on. Click HERE to look at that list. I noticed that there are some things I buy at Costco that are not on the list, but in considering what to do, I decided that even though I may be spending a little more money, I am getting the quality I like and I will still continue to buy those items. Tip #2: Your personal quality preference is something that needs to be considered.

Although I was unable to find a comprehensive list of specific items to get at Sams Club, I think you can generally use the same list (Sams Club even sells some items cheaper). I did come across a price list that someone had come up with. Click HERE to get to her blog and the list can be found on the left sidebar.

Hope this info is helpful!

Vital Wheat Gluten and Dough Enhancer

Since posting the "Foolproof Bread" recipe, I have been asked a couple of questions I thought might be worthy of a post.

Question #1: What is vital wheat gluten and dough enhancer?

Answer: Wheat Gluten is a natural protein derived from wheat or wheat flour. Wheat gluten is wheat flour with the starch removed. Vital Wheat Gluten has the ability to be highly elastic when water is added. This sets it apart from all another available vegetable proteins. Wheat gluten rapidly absorbs about twice its weight in water. This results in increased yield, dough strength, and extended shelf life or "vitality", hence the name, "Vital Wheat Gluten". Vital Wheat Gluten is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for use as a dough strengthener, formulation aid, nutrient supplement, increasing the protein level of the flour, processing aid, stabilizer and thickener, and texturing agent. It is often used in specialty breads.



Dough Enhancer is used to give your breads a softer texture, a longer shelf life, better flavor, and and increased strength. Dough Enhancer combines whey and soy lecithin (a natural emulsifier) to soften and condition your whole grain and basic flour doughs. Tofu powder and citric acid help to strengthen the elasticity of the dough and increase the shelf life of the finished baked goods. With a small amount of dry active yeast and additional ascorbic acid (vitamin C), the Dough Enhancer, along with all natural sea salt and spice blends, will improve the texture, taste, and dough strength of all your baked goods.

Dough Enhancer is primarily used in making bread/pizza dough, but can also be added to cookies and cakes.

Basic Breads - 1 Tbsp. per 4 cups of flour.
Cookies and Cakes - 1 Tbsp. per standard batch.
Automatic Bread Machines - 2 Tsp. per loaf.
Pizza Dough - 1 Tbsp. per 4 cups flour.


Both of these items can be purchased at many local grocery stores as well as The Bosch Kitchen Store.

Question #2: How should I store my dough enhancer and vital wheat gluten?

Answer: Before it is opened, store your vital wheat gluten and dough enhancer in a cool, dry place. The cooler the temperature, the longer the storage life. These two items can last as long as 7-10 years in an unopened state. After it is opened, it is largely up to you as where to store it. It you are making bread frequently, as I do, they can just be stored in a kitchen cabinet. But, as a general rule... shelf life is extended if it is refrigerated after opening.

Hope this is helpful!

Grocery Smarts Round 3

Although I have been using the Grocery Smarts website for awhile now...it is amazing how much I still have to learn about organizing and really maximizing the website's capabilities.

I came across a video made by "The Obsessive Shopper" that explains the site very well and gives you tips on how to best organize your list for your specific shopping trip.

Click here to get more info on how to really make Grocery Smarts work for you and help you start saving!

A Great Tip #3

Another great tip to help you save money at the grocery store is...

Make more meals from scratch.

Processed foods tend to cost more, have a shorter shelf life, and are not nearly as good for you as the "real " thing. Not only that, but you are increasing your skill level at the same time as improving your health.

If you are already making many your meals from scratch...keep it up! If not, this is a great time to start. I recently posted a great "FOOLPROOF BREAD" recipe that is easy to make and is something that is VERY good for you. Click here to get the recipe.

A Great Tip #2

In order to really maximize on grocery store and warehouse club savings...

Buy in Bulk!

Stock up on things that you know you use. One thing that I always stock up on when it is on sale is meat. One thing to consider in buying items, like meat, in bulk, is how to best store them. You want to make sure what you are storing is going to be good for as long as possible. There are many options out there to package goods in an airtight containers (which is especially helpful when freezing).

• The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer System
• Reynold Handi Vac (This is what I use and I was able to get the special bags for only $1 a box on sale!)
• Ziploc Vacuum Freezer System

Also, take advantage of case lot sales. It is a fantastic way to stock up on foods for your three month supply. Harmons is currently having their case lot sale...most others will have theirs in February.

A Great Tip #1

Our first great tip...

Collect more than one set of coupons!

Ways to do that...

• Subscribe to more than one paper
• Print coupons off the internet...Coupon Mom , Coolsavings , Coupons.com ,etc. Print two of each!
• Get coupons from family and friends that you know throw them away.

The more you have, the more you save!!

Great Deal on a Wheat Grinder!

I know this is a little off subject, but I came across a FANTASTIC deal on the VitalMill Wheat Grinder. It is made by the same company that makes the NutriMill (one of the best grinders out there) and has many great features. Click here to get more information.

I spoke with the people at Bosch and they said it is a great grinder for someone that is looking for a grinder primarily for making bread. It has one speed, which means it just grinds wheat, beans, etc. into flour. It does not have a "coarse" setting, but if you are just hoping to get flour, this is well worth your money. They said it stores well and has the same size storage capacity as the NutriMill. If you are looking for a more cost effective grinder, they would highly recommend this one.

For a limited time (and I don't know when it ends), The Bosch Kitchen Store (John and Jenny's Kitchen) is selling the VitalMill for $139.99 and free shipping. That is a great deal! A wheat grinder will make a considerable difference in helping you use your food storage in everyday life!

Also, if you are interested in purchasing a hand grinder as well...Emergency Essentials is offering this same grinder as well as a Back to Basics hand grinder for $199.99. This sale can only be redeemed in the store.

Shortcuts.com

If you are someone that just really hates cutting coupons (or really loves coupons and wants as many as you can get!) and regularly shops at a store with a "fresh values" card or something like that...there is a great website out there for you. Shortcuts.com is a great website that actually loads your coupons onto your "fresh values" card (or whatever you use) so you don't actually have to remember to take your coupons with you.

The only downside is that it is easy to forget what coupons you have loaded, so I just log on the website when I am planning my shopping list and off I go!

Free Trial

Thank you to My Food Storage Deals for posting their two week free trial offer on the comments page of my last post!! What a great way to try out their services!

Just enter the promotional code... FREE TRIAL

Happy Saving!

Food Storage Deals

Perhaps some of you have heard of this, or even use it already, but another great tool for helping you build your food storage is a website called My Food Storage Deals .

For a monthly membership fee, "you will have access to all five of the major grocery stores' weekly deals. We will compare grocery store prices to "warehouse" prices and help you know which items are Great, Good & Okay Deals. We will tell you when to stock up on items, which items to add to your food storage, give you helpful food storage ideas, weekly recipes, coupon helps and other fun tips."

This website is not for everyone as there is a fee involved, some people don't want to pay money to save money, but it is very convenient and the "tip of the week" can be real money saver. By using their tips I saved $65 at Albertsons and only spent $30.
Check it out and see if it is something that will help you.

Grocery Smarts Round 2

I orginally posted this about a month ago, but it is what I use the VERY most in saving and stocking up on groceries and thought it was worth posting again. One thing I like the most, is it is a site you can really mazimize on if you use coupons, but you don't have to as it shows you all the deals that are offered at the store you shop at. A news station in Vegas did a story on the website that I think has great information. Click here for to watch the link.

I have learned some more information on this site though since my original post...it is only available at this time to people who live in Utah and Las Vegas. That is a real bummer, but if you don't live in either of these two places, there is a girl who has created a spreadsheet that will allow you to make your own savings sheet. Click here to get more info.

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to cut down on spending. I have always been a frugal shopper, but I have been a bit more vigilant this last little while. One thing that has made a big difference in my grocery shopping is this website called "Grocery Smarts". They assign a code for every state and then provide the advertised deals for all of the grocery stores in that state. They have stars highlighting the best deals, let you know what coupons are out there (whether online or in your Sunday paper), and how much your cost will be after the savings. It is brilliant! The passport code for Utah is g84cso. Just go to http://grocerysmarts.com/ and enter the Utah code. You can then select the store or stores you like to shop at and start saving away! It is a great way to not only save money for food you need today, but a great way to stock up for food needed tomorrow!!

Great Website!

I was made aware of a great food storage blog/website. It is called Fun With Food Storage and they have great information. Check it out!

P.S. I have created a link under "Useful Resources" for easy access.

New Year, New Progress

A new year always seems to bring new resolutions. One of my resolutions is to really get this blog up and going again and increase its readership. In order to help me accomplish this goal, I am going to take the approach I did when I taught food storage cooking classes, which is...focus on one specific area per month. I hope this will give me the necessary direction and motivation I need, and will also increase the posts I put up each month. Some of the posts will be focused on long term food storage, but we will also be discussing getting a three-month supply, lowering your food budget by using coupons and/or maximizing what is on sale at the store you shop at, increasing your financial reserve, etc.

There is no better time than the present to make an assessment of where we are in our temporal security and make a plan.

This first month will be focused on...the resources that are out there to help us build our food storage, regardless of our personal budgets.

"When it comes to implementing a successful home storage program, the most important step is to start. With the beginning of a new year, now is the perfect time for individuals and families to review the First Presidency's guidelines on home storage in the pamphlet All is Safely Gathered In. The First Presidency encourages all Church members to gradually establish a three-month supply of food, store drinking water, set aside a financial reserve, and when possible, eventually increase home storage to a longer-term supply. By following these simple guidelines, Church members can prayerfully consider their circumstances and set one goal to begin or continue their own home storage program. As we prepare ourselves and our families for trials and adversity, we will receive temproal security and be able to 'provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience.' "

~Ensign, January 2009, pg.68